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Chapter Four Part Two: Double Date

"You sure you're fine now?"

He then rubbed his palm against his nape and started to blush as his other hand was affixed to his hips "Yeah, sorry if you see me in a pitiful situation. That was totally embarrassing."

"'s alright. And no hard feelings Tora. I hope you understand."

"I get it. And I wish you and that person be happy for all eternity." He gave a smile. Then he stretched his arms up with an audible popping sound from his spine. "Well, I should be getting home by now. Mom's gonna kill me for ditching my duty if I don't return in time. Anyways, see you sometime later, Hiroyuki."

"Be careful on your way home. And yeah, see you!"

Torahiko waved off as he jogged his way back to the inn. Meanwhile, just as he took his leave, both Grandma and Grandpa walked in along with a seemingly heavy baggage.

"Oh, let me help you with that, Grandma."

"Thanks Hiro-chan. By the way, was that Tora-kun you were just with?"

"Yeah. But I told him I wouldn't go out until you both came back." It was certainly a lie. But a part of what I said was true. Hopefully she doesn't took notice.

"Atta-boy, Hiro-chan." Grandpa said. "As a reward for your effort, you're free to go wherever you want today. Just make sure be home before it gets late."

"But before that, let's have some lunch first. All of this is making your Grandpa hungry. He constantly begs me to go home and make some food for him. I guess it can't be helped, I too was getting hungry at that moment." Grandma chuckled. "So we went by the market and bought these. Sorry if we take too long, Hiro-chan."

"It's alright Grandma. And I'll help you out with the peeling to save time." I said as I took the remaining bags in the kitchen.

"Oh, what a wonderful grandchild we have!" Grandpa happily said, "Thank the gods who gave us such delightful kids and a grandson."

"You can put the vegetables there, Hiro-chan. Then you can start the peeling while I prepare the Miso soup."

And so, our lunch was ready within fifteen minutes thanks to me and Grandma that we saved time and effort. Then Grandma taught me how to cook her forte, her special Oden in which it is topped by fish cakes and daikon. After preparing the necessary table wares and condiments, we ate to our heart's content.

"Itadakimasu!~" We said simultaneously, almost in unison. And thanks to the tea Torahiko made, the sweet taste of umaibou filled my mouth. Grandma was surprised to see that I had to get seconds.

"I'll be heading out now!" I bid my exit. It's now quarter to one where we are supposed to meet at the bus station. As I walk my way to the bus station, I replayed in my mind of what had happened earlier.

*** _"... Until you left us five years ago. Five- fuckin'-goddamn-years, man! Do you realize how painful and difficult it is for us-, for me to think that the last goodbye you that you gave back then, will probably be the last, not even thinking that we'll never know when we'll say 'hello' to you again! Every day Hiroyuki, I died a little inside, wanting you and only you within my arms. All this time, I've been holding it back until you came home, to where you rightfully belong, right here." He pointed to his chest, positively sure that it's his heart he's pointing at. "I was a coward back then, I've been very afraid of losing my only best friend, my first and only love. But what matters is now that I officially say my true feelings towards you. When there's a will, there's a way, right? _

So please, Hiroyuki Nishimura; I sincerely ask you, will you please go out with me and be my lover for the rest of all eternity?" ***

However, I kept asking myself, "Did I really do the right thing?" and "Is Tora really just a friend to me?" The thoughts still lingered in my mind. From back when we were innocent kids until now that he admitted his feelings, and I just rudely rejected his confession, did I really do the right thing?

Of course I did! I am now in a relationship with someone else. I'm no position to commit such adultery. There's no need for such second thoughts nor doubting our kizuna. Besides, we already made commitment to each other.

Just as I arrived to our meeting place, I saw him along with his motorbike in the waiting shed. For a moment, I felt my cheeks have slackened and a devilish grin crept onto my face. Ever since I came back, I noticed that he's been dragging me down to earth more often. Now it's my turn to lay my revenge for that. I tiptoed myself in a gingerly manner where he can't notice me. Sneaking cautiously behind him, a strategy formulated inside my head on how I should surprise him. Just when I was to launch my attack, Kouya greeted me without looking back.

"Yo, Hiroyuki."

"Gah! You ruined it!" I furiously slammed my foot to the ground.

"Hey, don't blame me if I can smell your scent a few meters from here." He defended. Come to think of it, that explains why I always got caught first when we're all playing hide and seek. Sneaky bastards.

"A-anyways, did I keep you waiting?" I tried to change the subject.

Shaking his head, he said, "Nah, I just got here a little while ago. That's enough dilly-dally for now. Let's go to Kazenari before the tickets get sold out." He then gave me the extra helmet from the seat of his bike and positioned himself in place. "You ready?" He asked, then I reciprocated his question with a nod. "Good. Now hop on." Climbing to the seat of Kouya's bike, I placed my arms around his waist then we took off, skimming once again the road where Minasato and Kazenari are connected. However, the thoughts about the earlier ordeal hasn't left my mind. Maybe it's best to tell him about it. We're lovers after all, so there's no point in keeping secrets from each other. "Hey Kouya," I said before I moisturized my lips with my tongue. "There's something I'd like to discuss about."

"Eh? What is it?"

"I-...it's about Torahiko." I said after taking a deep breath and a short pause.

"What about him? Did he do something to you? I'll get that bastard..."

"It's not about that, silly. Listen, earlier this morning, he, uh... he confessed to me."

"HE DID WHAT?!" Kouya made a full stop, making a screeching sound of rubber against asphalt.

After making sure that there was no sudden injuries from both of us, it's time to spill the beans. With a sigh, I carefully told him what had happened and now that I'm reaching at the end of the story, "...he said that he was in love with me even before I moved out, and many other cheesy things he would most likely say. But seeing that I'm already in a relationship with you, I can't help myself but to reject him. At first I felt bad for myself, but after replaying what happened, it soon came to me that I did the right thing."

"Hell yeah, you did!" He hissed. "That sly idiot. Who would've thought something like that would happen? Heh, listen Hiroyuki, as long as you're with me, I promise you that no one else can get you, understand? I'm always here for you. I'll never let anyone interfere nor interject our relationship. As long as I'm here, you're never alone." I can tell from behind that he is smiling. I hope he and Torahiko can be in good terms when we tell them the truth.

Moving on, we then arrive in Kazenari without any further ado. I head to the theatre as Kouya parks his bike and the line for the movies is surprisingly shorter than I anticipated it to be. And along the line, I can saw a familiar dogman wearing a beige trench coat with a navy blue cardigan underneath, and a young lionman wearing a red varsity jacket with the symbol of Kazenari High imprinted at the left breast-part of the jacket, shamelessly holding hands out in the public. The idea itself made me jealous about it, but I remind myself "Not now. Not at least you've told everyone."

"Kyouji-senpai! Soutarou-kun!" I called their attention as I ran towards them.

"Hm? Well if isn't Hiroyuki." Kyouji replied.

"Ah! Hiroyuki-kun, its nice meeting you again!" Soutarou joined.

Making a full stop in front of them while panting like a dog (No pun intended), I query their purpose here, and "So, you're also watching 'Chilled' too, eh Why don't we watch it all together then?"

"Oh yes," Kyouji stated as a matter-of-factly, "Tarou here asked me if I could watch movies with him. By the way, are you alone?"

Just as Kyouji landed the question, Kouya soon caught up to me.

"Hey there guys. I see you three are enjoying yourselves. Let me join in."

"Perhaps I stand corrected." Kyouji muttered. "Since we're watching this together, why don't you guys buy some food and drinks while we stay in line and get your tickets? Sounds good?"

"Eh? Wouldn't that be a nuisance to both of you? And it seems that you're on a date!" Kouya hesitated.

"Oh don't worry about that. I wouldn't be offering this in the first place if I felt it interfered our date. Besides, the more the merrier. Right, Tarou?"

"Yeah! It would be fun if we had Kouya-san and Hiroyuki-kun to stay with us. Please, we insist!"

"Well, if you say so." Kouya accepted in defeat.

"Cool. Let's meet at the cinema three after you bought the food, okay?" Kyouji offered.

"The showing will begin at two, alright?" Soutarou followed after.

Exchanging our pocket money, we head to the food court to buy some soda and popcorn. Incidentally, the line on the popcorn station is relatively also as short as the line in the ticket booth. I guess movies aren't a thing here. As for our turn at the counter, we saw a seemingly familiar yet stoic face of a bear wearing a white polo shirt, topped with a blue apron and a red visor with a bandana around his head. I took a glance to Kouya and saw him also dumbfounded on what is right before us.

"J-Juuichi? Since when did you start working as a food server?" I asked out of instinct.

"Y-yeah, Juuichi, it's rare for you to be in this kind of... job." Kouya added.

Then 'Juuichi' slammed his palm on his forehead saying, "...And here I am, thinking I don't look too much like my brother."

Hearing that statement, I realized that he was not the Juuichi that we know. It was no one else but his polar twin. "Wait-, Kenji? 's that you?"

"The one and only!" He gave a little show-off routine giving a 'ta-da!' effect.

"My god, it is you! Sorry if we mistook you as Juuichi." I meekly lowered my head.

"Y-yeah. Sorry about that, Kenji." Kouya followed.

"Hey, no need to be apologizin' here! 'Sides, I get that all the time. Anyways, what can I get to you today?" He said as he propped and leaned his elbow at the counter, giving him the impression of a professional food server.

"Oh uh, two large buckets a popcorn, one is cheese and the other is barbecue, and four large sodas please."

"Two buckets and four drinks coming right up!" Kenji happily punched our orders "Say, you two aren't that hungry, right?"

"Ah, no." Kouya defended. "We met some friends here and coincidentally, we're also watching the same movie."

"I see then. By the way, where's my man Tora?" Kenji then gave a gesture of a 'looking around' effect that can be only be seen in cartoons, "I hear that he's been receiving more and more love taps from my bro lately."

_"L-love... taps...?" _I said to myself. "A-ah, Torahiko is not here at the moment. He's at the inn doing his job. You know how his mother can get scary whenever she caught him fooling around."

"Y-yeah. Remember that one time when we're supposed to be studying for midterms?" Kenji cringed at the memory of Tora's mom.

Come to think of it, this is another interesting, yet traumatizing experience. It was fall that time, six years ago, when Tora invited us, with an exception of Kyouji, Shun and Shin, to a supposedly "group study"...

"Kenjiii! Hurry up or we'll get left behind!" The young bear said.

"But broo-"

"No 'buts' Kenji. And weren't you the one who pleaded to come with me? Besides, it will be a good training for you."

"Train, train, train. Why won't you be a conductor sometime?" The other twin muttered.

Then Juuichi's ear twitched, he turned around and said in a deep voice along with a dark glare, emanating an equally dark aura from him, "What was that?"

"Er- nothing! Nothing at all!! Eheh..." A cold sweat dropped on his face.

"Jeez, what with you nowadays? Talking back to your brother like that..."

"Loove you too, big bro~!" Kennji mused.

Then Juuichi sighed, slamming his palm against his forehead. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Oii guys!~ Hurry up or Kounosuke might beat you!" The young Tiger greeted.

"Shut it, Tora" Juuichi scowled.

"My-my! The twins are here, its nice meeting you again!" Torahiko's mother welcomed. "Juu-chan, Ken-chan, you're getting much more handsome these days. I assume that you're getting popular with the girls." She said as she pinched their cheeks.

"Mooom, waddyu have to say that to them! It's embarrassing!"

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Ooshima." Juuichi said

"And you look very young yourself too." Kenji followed.

"Guys, don't encourage her too much!"

"Ooohoho! You both certainly do know how to please a lady. Would you both like some candy?" Torahiko's mother said as she kept ignoring Tora's protest. "So today you all studying together, right? This kid is a real pain in the back, so I'm counting on you all!"

"Of all the things you can say mom, why?" Torahiko started to sulk in a corner.

Then they were led to Tora's room where you can see me, Tatsu-nii, and Kouya talking casually under the kotatsu table.

"Later on, I'll bring you some Apple pie, okay?" Mrs. Ooshima offered to us.

"Please don't bother..." Was all Tora could muster in his defeated state. Torahiko then shut the door, wanting his mother to leave the scene, saving him from any further humiliation.

"Ooh, your room is surprisingly clean, Tora." Kenji said in awe, "But first things first, let's take a nap~" Kenji then dived in into Tora's bed. Then Torahiko and Juuichi performed a dual kick, effectively knocking Kenji out of Tora's bed "Kenji, you bastaaard!" They said in unison.

"Don't just go diving into someone else's bed as if it were yours!" Juuichi scolded his twin.

"Hey you guys! Why are you all acting like there's nothing here?!" Torahiko glared at us.

"Oh, you have quite a collection of Ramune bottle caps here, Tora."

"Oi, Tatsu-nii, don't just go poking around my desk!"

"Ah, seems like things are getting lively in here!" Mrs. Ooshima entered the scene.

"What the heck are you doing here?!" Torahiko pointed at his mother. "I thought I told you to not come inside?!"

"Why not? They say that 'you can't face a war on an empty stomach.' Anyways, here are some apple pie and milk. Eat up."

Slamming his palm against his forehead, Torahiko said in a defeated voice, "Will you please just get out of here?"

"So Hiro-chan, Tatsu-chan, how are your grades?" Mrs. Ooshima asked as she sat down with us.

"Why are you sitting down with them?!"

"Juu-chan, I bet you have much more higher grades than my good-for-nothing son of mine."

"Frankly speaking, I have good grades myself." Was all Juuichi said.

"Would you all like some milk?" Ooshima san offered.

"Enough, I said! Hurry up and get out already!" Torahiko dragged his mother out. "We can't concentrate if you keep on bugging us!"

Basically, Tora's mom is the exact replica of Torahiko whenever she had guests. And fire lit up within his eyes and clenched his fist with a face of determination. "Alright, let's get this over with!"

Then our group study began quite peacefully... well, maybe too peacefully. Then Kouya started to hum a pop song from what he heard from the radio.

"Oi, Kouya," Torahiko said with a scowl, "Do you always hum whenever you're studying?"

Kouya just reciprocated it with a grunt and said, "What, 'ya gotta problem with that?"

Tora then gave a light shrug and said, "Nah, I just find it relaxing."

"I see then. Should I keep going?"

"Sure, do whatever you like."

Then everything kept still for at least two seconds until Tatsu-nii started tinkering all Tora's prized collections again.

"Hm? I never thought that you like to collect these things, Tora."

"Oh that? I just started collecting them for like a, hmm, months ago perhaps?"

"Let's see, so America arranged a treaty with Japan..." Kenji said. Then he took a bite from his portion of apple pie and joined Tatsu-nii. "Oh, that's from the limited edition bottles!"

Then Juuichi lie down to his side, bringing his notes along with him not even showing a little care to whatever is happening around him. As for me? I'm getting sleepy from among this silence between us. Perhaps a quick nap wouldn't hurt, right?

"Hey, what are you guys lying around for? It's like y'all just come over here to hang out!"Torahiko scolded.

"You're no fun when you're serious. Y'know that?" Kenji pouted.

"Yeah, where's the bright and careless side of you, Tora?" Tatsu-nii added.

"That's exactly the kind of thing someone who doesn't want to study would say!"

"Well I can't help it! Once I got hooked by something else, I got sucked in." Kenji followed.

"Juuichi! Can you at least scold your twin here? Huh? Juuichi?"

Right then, Juuichi was jamming with Kouya, possibly composing a song. As for me, you may ask? I was just simply dozing-off under the kotatsu.

"Argh! Alright, why don't we take a thirty-minute break?" The defeated tiger said.

"Yay! Can I open this jar of sweets?"

A few minutes later, Mrs. Ooshima took a peek to check on us and was surprised to see that our little 'group study' became a constant casual talking about something we watch on TV, with every possible snacks present laying and crumpled haphazardly around Tora's room.

"What the hell is this?! You're all lazing around!" Tora's mom shouted in surprise. "Aren't you all came here to study? This definitely looks like a goon's hideout! Don't you need to study?!"

"S-sorry!" Was all we said in unison.

"W-we were just taking a s-short break, that's all. Right guys?" Tatsu-nii beckoned us trying to calm the situation. "Hey Tora- huh? Why is Torahiko shivering? Oi, Tora..." Then Tatsu-nii started to shook Tora with all his might and finally Tora said,

"M-mom's really s-s-scary whenever she's angry. O-one time, s-she beat up dad w-with a double frying pan and even threw k-knives at him!" Torahiko gulped. "E-ever since then, all of m-my uncles call her t-the 'Legendary Tiger Wife'!"

What kind of nickname was that?!

"Everyone here in this room." The tiger wife said in a stern and commanding tone.

"Y-yes?"

"You'll be staying here tonight!"

"Hu-? Whaaaat?!"

"You all didn't study yet! But you'll study together 'till dawn!"

"e-EEEH?!"

"B-but," Juuichi tried to interfere. Trying his might to calm her down, he said, "Mrs. Ooshima, it has been proved to you that even together, we can't focus..."

Then a darker aura emanated from the Tiger Wife and said to us in an equally darker tone along with an equally darker glare, "Oh you don't have to worry about that... You kids won't have to go through it alone... I'll watch you over here until dawn breaks!"

"... and remember after that, we were scared so much that we almost aced our exams?"

"Haha! Yeah. It's like Tora's mom would literally tear our heads off if she finds out that we failed one test."

"Haha! Good times. Well anyways, here are your two buckets of popcorn, Barbecue and cheese; and four sodas." Kenji then handed us the food and beverage in the tray. "Is there anything else? No? Then enjoy the movies!"

"Thanks, and good luck with your job."

Waving-off from him, we walked our way to cinema three, there we saw the lovebirds at the doors, waiting for us to step in.

"Kouya-san! Hiroyuki-kun! Over here!" Soutarou said.

"Come on in before the trailers are finished." Kyouji followed.

Taking a glance at Kouya and gave a small nod, we both brisk walked our way inside the theatre.

"I can't believe Sonna sacrificed her life to save Erza!" Soutarou exclaimed then turned his head at us. "What about you guys? What was your favourite scene?"

Kyouji then placed his fingers over his furry chin and said, "Hm, if I were to choose, I would say the opening part would be great."

"I say, I lost it at the theme song." Kouya said.

"Yeah me too." I joined in. "I still can't get over with the songs I just heard."

"How about we take a walk in the park?" Kyouji proposed. "There we can freshen our minds."

"Yeah, that would be nice." Kouya agreed.

Then we head our way to the park not too far from the theatres. While walking, Kouya and Kyouji let us wander off for a bit as they took a seat at the bench. Come to think of it, me and Soutarou never had a chance to bond with each other. Like, he just showed up one time in summer then boom, the next thing I found out that He and Kyouji were now a thing. While walking alongside with him, Soutarou asked me a question.

"Say Hiroyuki-kun, what do you think about senpai?"

Humming in the sudden query that was been thrown to me, I reciprocated it with a question, "Why would you ask me that?"

"Well you see, you had more bonds with him compared to me whom he only met three years ago. I-I've been thinking more about this lately that I feel like I'm becoming another weight to his problems. And to think this is also his final year as a high school student, I'm scared of losing him. So please, I would like to know what you think of Senpai."

So that's why. Just like anyone else, we're all been very afraid to lose the ones we love the most, and this one is no exception. Then I finally answered his question, "If you ask me, I think Kyouji has grown the most; both physical and mental. I mean, he almost had everything he can have, including you. He has a goal in life and he's willing to share it with everyone, again including you. So don't think that you're becoming a nuisance to him. Look, I've been away for five years yet everyone else still hasn't forgot about me, nor the times we spent even before you came. So I highly doubt that he will forget you within a year, trust me on that." I gave a warm smile

Then Soutarou's face brighten up at my response, showing that he also understand what I meant. "Thanks for your encouragement, Hiroyuki-kun. By the way, this is bugging me for a while but... are you and Kouya-san dating?"

I jumped at the very word of 'dating'. So I tried to shift away his attention "O-oh that? W-were not totally dating at all! ItJustSoHappensThatKouyaAndIBothHaveSpareTimeAndIt'sJustMerelyACoincidenceThatWeBothWantedToSeeTheSameMovieSoBasicallyWe'reNotDatingAtAllButIThinkIAlreadySaidTooMuchSoI'mGoingToShut-upNowEhehe..."

Then there was a moment of silence, taking his time to register the things I said. As the weight of the air grew heavier and heavier, the more awkward the silence that was filling between us. Hopefully he doesn't took notice.

"Is that so? Man, sorry 'bout that Hiroyuki-kun. I just thought that you and Kouya-san make a good couple together." He gave a short, sad smile.

"R-really? You think?" He nodded afterwards.

How can I be so careless? His 'gay-dar' sure does picked us up real quick. Might as well try to improve the situation. "Well... what if, just what if, I told you that we started to be together, right here and now?"

"I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, it's natural for us to love someone, right?" He said naturally as if he wasn't affect by it. What am I saying, of course he wasn't affected by it because he's also in a relationship with a man!

"Yeah, I guess so. Which reminds me, have you two already done... 'that'?"

He then gave me a quizzical look. Not sure about what I said. "'That'?"

"Y'know, what couples do in their intimate time together, alone?" I sheepishly whispered.

"O-oh, 'that'!" Soutarou's face turned into beet red. "W-well, we've only done... kissing and cuddling so far. Not that I don't want to but, I think I'm not ready yet to do such things like that."

"'s alright Soutarou, no need to rush. Besides," I looked up to the grey sky which I took notice that it's painted in mix of red and yellow, as if I was trying to give an inspirational advice. "You have a lifetime to think about that. Anyways, we should head back to Kouya and Kyouji."

He nodded at the proposal, "Yeah, let's!"

"Last one to reach them is a rotten egg!"

We then race each other back to our respective boyfriends who were also chatting casually on the bench, giving them a light tackle, earning a couple of laughs and giggles from both parties.

"Say, why don't we grab something to eat? Unless of course, you're still full from the popcorn." Kyouji said to Soutarou, the he shifted his head towards us, "You two, you're also invited if you want to." But Kouya had to reject his offer, saying that we shouldn't bother them anymore.

"C'mon you guys, it'll be fun!" Soutarou insisted.

And then the sound of the demons within our stomach roared as if hell's about to break loose, shamelessly telling us that it's a good idea to join them, even if it means to intrude their date. Kouya then sighed in defeat saying, "Fine, you win. But this one's on us, got that?" And they both nodded in response. We then left the lovebirds alone in the park as we both head to a local fast food chain near the vicinity and ordered two take-outs of 'couple's delight', making an agreement to each other to never mention nor remind the name of the food in front of them. Returning back to the park, we found them casually talking to each other as they hold hands and Soutarou's feet swinging along with his tail. I admit, I envied them. Even though we cannot tell them or being open to the rest of the world, I still remind myself that there is a right time for everything. Somehow, I imagine them as us being openly affectionate for once out in the public, doing things like feeding each other, exchanging the most idiotic and corniest thing ever told, and other cheesy stuff like that. Damn, I can feel the blood rushing right now.

"Hey Hiroyuki, you alright? You seem to be spacing out."

His voice shook me back into reality, realizing I'm already getting flustered by my thoughts. He once again repeat the earlier statement, this time with a slight alteration. "Hey Hiroyuki, c'mon now or else I have to kiss you right here and now." His tone was kinda gruff, but nevertheless I can tell that he cared.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I'm good. Let's go now."

Without any further ado, we walked our way to the couple, announcing that we have already brought out the food, and sitting side by side to them. Of course, with them in the middle and with the help of Kouya's teasing, we managed to make them feed each other and the favor was returned to us by also repeating the earlier action. I was reluctant at first, but Kouya is an outgoing type so I can't say no to his beautiful golden eyes (And for a fact that this was his way of getting to me).

And the rest of the day goes on like this, constant amount of laughter and giggles from one another, telling silly stories and such, them inviting us to watch their game at the Winter Bowl, and us inviting them to attend their upcoming concert and the rest of the night continued on like this. At first it may look like a casual 'friendly' picnic, but to me, it seemed like a double date under the constellation of stars.

Next Chapter: Banshee