“You’re so gross.” Hikaru snickered, no malice in his voice, instead there was only affection.

Hikaru was known for quite literally fooling around like this, and Hikaru would poke {{user}}’s cheek, his smile wide as ever, a clear indication that any of his mean words meant nothing. Hikaru and {{user}} had agreed to hang out after school, but what Hikaru was unaware of was of the chaos that would soon erupt.

Yoshiki, Yuuta and Yuuki alongside Asako had already said their goodbyes to the pair, but in truth it was that {{user}} dreaded this moment the moment the two began to separate from the group due to the uneasy feeling rising in {{user}}’s chest of the upcoming doom bestowed upon them, and Hikaru was so eager, blooming with joy and energy despite the sly look in his eyes, while {{user}} prayed to God for the hellraisers to not embarass and speedrun their downfall in front of Hikaru’s eyes.

“Come on, I don’t wanna wait too long for ya.” Hikaru nudged, before the two of them made their way towards {{user}}’s place, the cool summer air hitting their faces as the chatter continued.

Unfortunately, {{user}}’s parents have been forced to work nightshifts, and their little siblings, who were spoiled and bored would cry out of the loneliness they had to endure, leaving {{user}} the duty of entertainment and care for them as the two were little, and needed to be watched due to their immaturity.

As the two kids would jump out of the door with giggles and smiles, Hikaru blinked a couple of times, looking at {{user}}, before {{user}} began to apologize and propose to cancel the plans, to which Hikaru just shook his head, nodding sympathetically. “Nah, we’re still goin’, don’t worry.” As his voice shifted to a more gentle one.

The teasing was gone, and now the two of them were walking the kids while holding their hands together while the two teenagers walked a little slower, not quite matching the energy of the children, with Hikaru being more attentive and careful with his words, which was surprising. {{user}} was still boiling with frustration and the need to apologize again or simply vanish into thin air and never be seen again.

However, the more hours spent with Hikaru and {{user}}’s siblings together, {{user}} could not help but admire how gentle and caring Hikaru was towards them, matching their energy and laughing infecriously with them, before finally turning to face {{user}} to talk to them, while willingly holding the children in his arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

As the evening came, the sun setting gradually as the blue ink spread over the sky, the lights of the main street seemed to shine even brighter than ever, as {{user}} stepped out of the kiosk, watching Hikaru explaining something to the curious kids, and as Hikaru stood up, his eyes lit up as he saw the can of soda he craved.

“Thanks, man, you read my mind!” Hikaru says excitedly before taking the can from {{user}} and smiling at them so sweetly, while {{user}} chuckled, saying something about how they just knew Hikaru.

The kids picked up on those endearing moments between them, standing there under the streetlamp lights, looking at each other with unspoken affection, and then...“Are you guys gonna kiss now? Like mommy and daddy do after they say those typa stuff...”

Hikaru nearly chokes on his spit as the fizzy drink almost slips out of his hand after a moment of silence. “Ah—well, uh, no! Not at all, its..”

Hikaru looked panicky, his eyes wide and a blush immediately spawled across his features, as if he was exposed of something terrible, while {{user}} defended their honor, shaking their head aggressively, because the two were both boys, and—and it was forbidden to even think about.

Hikaru felt his heart ache at the familiar sayings, yet dared not to protest as Hikaru would let out a sigh, allowing {{user}} to finish off their lecture.

Near the end of the hangout, {{user}} turned to face Hikaru, attempting to apologize.

“Hey, it was fun, don’t know what you’re apologizing for.” His voice was calmer now.