2 years later…
The sound of a door bursting open echoed throughout the apartment, the raven-haired boy who was still laying in bed turned over, covering his head with his pillow in an attempt to block out the arguing voices.
"Shinobu, have you heard of this thing called knocking? You can't just barge in here and-"
"Then maybe you shouldn't have given me a copy of the key," She rebutted, holding up her said copy of Giyuu and Sabito's shared apartment key. "Besides, you both are running late and I know if you two don't have someone hauling your asses to class on time then you would take your sweet time."
Sabito sighed, there was no point in arguing, "We were just about to head down, Giyuu is-"
Shinobu wasn't listening and burst into Giyuu's room, "Get up, choppy," She ordered, ripping the pillow from the other's hands. "I knew you'd be the one to hold us up."
Giyuu sat up sluggishly, "First of all, stop calling me 'choppy', I know you're referencing my hair," He spoke groggily as he made his way out of bed. "Second, I didn't sleep well last night so I was giving myself 5 minutes."
"I'll agree with Shinobu," Sabito chimed in from behind. "That haircut isn't doing much for you. Secondly, is it because of your assignment with-"
"I don't want to talk about it," Giyuu rummaged through his closet trying to find a decent t-shirt and pants to wear. Shinobu gave a certain look to Sabito, both in understanding as she walked away to let him confer with their friend.
"Giyuu, don't-"
"I told you I don't want to talk about it," He stated once more, near irritated on the subject.
"Listen, Giyuu, I don't know why you're so upset about the whole thing, it's just a project," Sabito persisted. "You're only with him during that class and that's it. I thought you moved on from everything."
'Well, I thought I did too…'
"I did, and it's nothing," Giyuu responded as he slipped on a clean t-shirt and jeans. "It's just an annoying assignment."
Sabito didn't want to push the matter any further knowing it could potentially upset his friend for the rest of the day. "Alright, well we should head out now. You know how angry Shinobu gets when we aren't able to stop to pick up her favorite breakfast sandwich, let alone be late."
Giyuu didn't respond, just hummed in acknowledgment as he grabbed his bag, both walking out to the living room where Shinobu was waiting. They all walked in comfortable silence down the stairs to the apartment lobby, starting their walk to the university a few blocks away.
"Ah, I almost completely forgot, Sabito, you're taking professor Tsugikuni's class this semester, right?" Shinobu questioned.
"Uh, which Tsugikuni?"
"Yoriichi's, or are you taking Michikatsu's"
"I'm currently in Michikatsu's, though I plan on taking Yoriichi's next semester," He replied, an exhausted sigh escaping his mouth. "He's unbearable, I didn't think the first year would be that bad but he's a major 'no nonsense' professor."
"Oh, really, I wonder if Yoriichi's is any better," Shinobu thought out loud. "But I was wondering because I'm trying to get my schedule together for next semester. I plan on taking professor Tamayo's class since I'm majoring in pharmaceuticals and everyone recommends her, but I need to figure out my other classes to make sure there are no interferences."
They continued to walk and talk, Giyuu zoning out of the conversation while thinking of his classes, specifically a particular class with someone he had been trying to avoid and had been doing pretty well in doing so if he may add.
But there's a difference in keeping yourself distant physically and mentally…
After the whole ordeal two years ago, Giyuu accepted his place but also needed to heal himself. If Sanemi had thought he was distant before, then Giyuu might as well have been on a different continent in comparison. Giyuu had serious feelings about the white-haired male that he thought were recuperated, so after that night he knew he needed to stay away, both Sabito and Shinobu fully supporting his decision.
He also learned from Shinobu that Sanemi was the one who asked Kanae out, which didn't help his mending heart. However, he continuously asked Shinobu questions about the couple, much to Shinobu's displeasure. When she asked him why he wanted to know so much, his response hurt her more than it should've.
'Hearing it helps me accept that nothing will ever happen between us like it beats the idea into me that we won't happen,'
Shinobu had flicked his forehead in mock-annoyance, calling him a depressed masochist, but also told him she wouldn't tell him anything else if he asked. Even though she enjoyed bullying him, he was her friend, and couldn't stand to see him in that state.
After he accepted torturing himself wasn't helping anyone, he turned his attention and focused solely on his school and work life, trying and succeeding to block out any thoughts or feelings when it came to the other male. However, with his growing distance, he felt bad neglecting their mutual friends, almost always calling a rain check during their outings. Mitsuri, who loved for everyone to be together, would ask Shinobu if Giyuu was okay or if he was sick; Shinobu would always tell them he was just focusing on school and pre-graduation responsibilities.
His growing distance got to the point where he was so indifferent towards Sanemi that it was almost as if he wasn't there at all. So much so that after a while he was able to meet up with their mutual friends without harboring any anxiety or displeasure about being there. His heart didn't race like it used to, he didn't feel nervous just by being in the other's proximity, he felt relieved with himself that his heart finally found some peace.
That is until a few days after their graduation…
Sanemi and Kanae broke up after a year and a half together…
The immediate delivery he got from Shinobu the second she heard the news from her sister, Giyuu questioned Shinobu on why she yelling at him instead of comforting her sister.
"That's the thing," She had emphasized. "It was mutual and she's not upset. Trust me, I can read her like a book and she shows no signs of anger, irritation, or heartbreak."
Giyuu honestly highly doubted that, they were together for so long that it was impossible to feel nothing after a breakup. Although Shinobu knew about Giyuu's distance towards Sanemi, she asked him if there was still a possibility if he still felt anything, to which Giyuu told her that it didn't matter because he moved on already; he was proud of his progress and how he had been taking care of himself.
However, Giyuu seemed to mistake brushing feelings under the rug for moving on, which came into play this semester at university. He continued his facade of having himself together on that specific subject, until he found out that their schedules matched up on a mutually required class. He wasn't upset per se, just annoyed and hoped Sanemi would keep to himself, but, of course, that wasn't the case.
After his breakup with Kanae, Sanemi had become more irritable, which furthered Giyuu's idea that it wasn't a mutual breakup. The white-haired male seemed to be constantly contentious and would sometimes lash out at Giyuu for the simplest matters. During their shared class, he would get annoyed when Giyuu would finish an assignment faster than others or when he would brush off hard assignments like they were nothing. Giyuu was smart, everyone knew that, but it apparently annoyed Sanemi on how nonchalant he was about everything and it showed.
Giyuu took every reprimand without arguing, if anything it helped him further bury his feelings for the other until that damned 'end-of-semester' assignment they were assigned together. Giyuu accepted the partnership without debate, he just wanted it to be done and over with, but…
Flashback
"So, I was thinking for the outline we could-"
"Hey, um," Sanemi interrupted the other individual. "I just wanted to, um," Giyuu watched the other as he struggled to find the words. "I wanted to apologize for how I've been acting."
Giyuu looked at him, perplexed, "What do you mean?"
"For treating you shitty in class, idiot," He responded, treading annoyance. Realizing what he said he cleared his throat, "Sorry, but you know what I mean."
Giyuu wouldn't accept it, but he could've sworn there was a slight blush on the other's expression as he looked in any other direction except Giyuu's, he found it slightly amusing as he responded, "It's fine, don't worry about it,"
They returned to their project, ending the previous conversation, Giyuu reiterating the outline they were discussing. Amidst everything, Giyuu could feel Sanemi staring at him while he reviewed the draft, not in his usual agitated state but as if he was trying to understand him, and Giyuu hated it. It took him back to high school when Sanemi would act this exact same way before that day. He brushed it off, he didn't want to be someone that took every interaction to heart, he didn't want to be that stupid teenager he was in high school.
Until he felt the other's hand against his hair.
Giyuu's head snapped up so quickly that the other's hand was still hovering across the table, both staring at each other in surprise. "Uh," The white-haired male broke the silence. "There was a piece of lint in your hair."
"Um," Why couldn't he respond, and why did he begin to feel that stupid feeling in his chest again? "Um, thanks." He managed to respond, unsure of what to do next.
Suddenly, as if the atmosphere did a complete 180°, Sanemi stood up, accidentally pushing his chair back creating a loud screech that resonated throughout the library. Gathering his items he mumbled, "Sorry, I just remembered I have somewhere to be. Can you just send me a copy of the outline and the part I have to work on? Thanks."
End Flashback
Giyuu couldn't even give a proper answer before Sanemi bolted out of the library. Then every study session between them since then has had similar instances and it annoyed the hell out of him, but what truly annoyed him was the creeping feeling that has resurfaced that comes with every interaction.
He doesn't hate nor dislike Sanemi, he just hates himself for reacting the way he is, he thought he was better than some insignificant interactions. God, this is why he wanted to stay away in the first place, just when he thought he made some progress.
Suddenly, pulling everyone out of their thoughts-
"Hey, it's my favorite short people!" Two giant arms wrapped around the trio, squeezing them together in an obnoxious hug.
"Uzui, seriously?" Shinobu pinched Uzui's arm causing him to let out a playful shriek. The trio had completely forgotten they were passing the most obnoxious fraternity there was on campus founded by none other than Rengoku and Uzui.
"Shinobu!" A familiar pink and green-haired individual exclaimed as she ran out of the house towards her best friend followed by her boyfriend.
Oh yeah, Misturi and Obanai became official after god knows how long. It happened at the beginning of their final year in high school, Misturi had gifted him a snow-white snake with red eyes, stating it was a rescue and that she immediately thought of him and that she had to adopt him for Obanai.
Everyone swore Obanai was going to propose right then and there.
His feelings weren't new to anyone and, honestly, even a blind person could see how much he liked Mitsuri, but turns out, the whole time he thought she liked Rengoku which is why he never said anything. He voiced this after accepting the gift, the catalyst that led to a messy confession on his part, explaining said reasons why he was always afraid to tell her how he felt. Mitsuri giggled and called him 'cute' , which everyone was sure was going to send him into cardiac arrest, as she continued to explain to him that she's known Rengoku since she was very young and their families were neighbors, explaining that she always saw him as the older brother she never had and he thought of her as a little sister.
She also explained that she had feelings for him awhile as well but never said anything because she had dealt with her own insecurities and if Obanai would even return her feelings. Her family didn't treat her well in regard to her looks, physical strength, and eating habits, stating no one would ever want to be with her. Although she came to accept herself, it was still hard for her to think anyone would like her with her family's words still echoing through her head constantly.
The two became official from that day on.
Then when Obanai and Sanemi, surprisingly, joined Tengen and Rengoku's fraternity, she was invited to stay with Obanai to which she accepted happily. Now they're damn near inseparable, which is no surprise to everyone, the group was afraid they'd all die before they'd see the two would confess.
"Shinobu, have you finished professor Amane's assignment yet?" Mitsuri questioned once she caught up to the trio. The pair continued to talk as the group made their way to the university, Tengen, Obanai, and Rengoku following behind.
"Hey Giyuu," The raven-haired male jumped slightly at the sudden voice, groaning internally. "We have to present today, right?" Sanemi questioned.
"Yeah, it counts for 30% of our final grade, so please be prepared," Giyuu responded indifferently. Sanemi as went wide and was about to respond until two giant arms once again made their way around Giyuu, Sabito, and Shinobu.
"Speaking of finals," Uzui obnoxiously interrupted their conversations. "We're having a 'thank-god-finals-are-over' party at the house tomorrow since exams end today. You guys are the VIPs so you can come an hour early to pre-game with us."
"Uzui, I am less than 12 inches from your kneecaps, do you want to see how fast I can break them?" Shinobu questioned with her threatening, yet lighthearted smile.
"But you guys never come to any of your parties!" Uzui whined, his hunched figure still weighing over the group. "You just live your unflashy lives day-to-day, do something flamboyant for once in your lives."
"Mitsuri is also making pizza rolls and I'm quite excited!" Rengoku added.
Giyuu reached to remove Uzui's arm that was still resting on his shoulder, "Um, I-"
"Uzui, shut up, you sparkling fuck," Sanemi pushed the grey-haired individual off Giyuu's shoulder. "Stop pressuring people to go to shit if they're not comfortable."
"That's funny you have an opinion considering you told us you wouldn't go," Uzui smirked.
"Fuck off."
Shinobu spoke up after the two finished bitching at each other, "I might as well go, I haven't had a drink in a while."
"I'll go," Sabito agreed. "It's been a while since I've been out and I have no other plans, it should be fun."
"I'll probably go too," The known quiet voice spoke up. Everyone turned their heads to the raven-haired male in shock. Giyuu looked at them in confusion, "What? I know I don't go out often, it could be a nice change of pace."
Everyone was silent as if processing the words.
"Oh this is great," Mitsuri exclaimed jubilantly, clapping her hands in excitement. "All of us together-"
Immediately Uzui wrapped his arms around the shorter male in a back-breaking hug, lifting him up, "My boy has finally decided to commit to the glamorous lifestyle! We're definitely having a party now!"
"Uzui!" Sabito and Shinobu spoke in unison.
Chaos ensued as Shinobu and Sabito tried to pull Giyuu from the other's arms, Rengoku was laughing while congratulating Giyuu for accepting their invitation, and Uzui was spinning around with Giyuu still in his arms asking if he can also dress him up for the party while Mitsuri was watching from the side telling everyone to be careful and that they have only a few minutes to get to class.
Obanai was looking at the crowd then turning his attention to his friend who wasn't engaging in the anarchy. He noted how agitated and bothered Sanemi looked at the situation, he could see a vein about to burst on the other's forehead before watching as he turned and continued walking away, annoyance written all over his posture as he sped walked down the sidewalk.
Obanai laughed under his breath, 'Idiot,'
Everyone ended up being late to class morning, and Shinobu didn't get her breakfast sandwich.
The presentation went smoothly as planned, the professor and class clapping in conclusion as the pair returned to their seats, waiting for the rest of the presenters. Giyuu pulled out his notebook, rereading his notes for his remaining finals for the day. The next pair of students started their presentation as Giyuu continued to study his notes but he couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes boring at him from the side.
"Are you really going to the party tomorrow?" Sanemi asked abruptly yet quietly to not disturb the presenters.
Giyuu continued to look through his notes, "I mean, probably," He responded indifferently. "Like I said, I don't go out often, plus it may be fun."
"You didn't feel pressured to say yes, did you?" The other asked unexpectedly. "Because you don't need to if you feel like you have to. You know Uzui's an idiot who doesn't know boundaries sometimes."
Giyuu turned his attention to Sanemi, puzzled on why he would ask such a question. I mean, he guesses it's understandable since he really doesn't go anywhere, let alone to parties, and Uzui was basically begging them to come while also insulting their social lives.
"I may have felt pressured at first, but now I feel like I actually want to go," Giyuu continued to explain in a low voice as the class silently watched the presenters. "I'm not good at socializing so I think this would be a good start. Plus, Shinobu said it would be good for me to put myself out there and maybe start dating since I haven't ventured into that arena."
Sanemi's pencil broke.
The snap is what stopped the conversation, surprising Giyuu seeing how deformed the lead part of the pencil looked. He looked at Sanemi and could see how embarrassed he felt, almost at a loss for words on how and why he broke his pencil. Giyuu paid no mind and instead reached into his backpack and pulled out a pen, holding it to the other, surprising Sanemi. "You have more classes, right?" Giyuu asked, voice soft with an unreadable expression. "I have plenty of extras, so here." He offered.
Sanemi didn't say anything at first, just looked in surprise at the offered pen before accepting with a small 'thanks' muttered under his breath. The pair didn't say anything for a few seconds, Giyuu returning to his notes, thinking the conversation was over.
"Parties aren't the best place to meet people," Sanemi broke the silence, Giyuu turning to look at him in confusion about what he meant. "Like, to meet people to date," He continued, a tinge of vexation lingering in his tone. "People at parties, strangers, are unpredictable and can look at you with second intentions, not the ones you're actually looking for."
The pair didn't say anything for a minute, Giyuu processing what the other just said while Sanemi didn't look in his direction. God, this is why Giyuu was still struggling to move on with his emotions and stupid feelings, because of dumb words like that. If Giyuu knew better he would probably think Sanemi was jealous of the idea of Giyuu meeting someone at the party, but that notion was obviously impossible. Sanemi just didn't know what he was saying is what Giyuu concluded, and that it was his fault for trying to put meaning behind every action.
Giyuu was the one to break the silence, "Thank you," He smiled softly. "I'll keep that in mind."
Giyuu collapsed on his bed the second he got home, he finished his last final a little under an hour ago and now he just wanted to sleep, but he had to stay awake for Sabito and Shinobu since tonight was their takeout and movie night. As exhausted as he was, thoughts of what happened earlier flooded his mind, why was Sanemi so affected by Giyuu's choice to go to the party? Didn't Uzui say he wasn't going to begin with, so why was he so concerned about Giyuu's reasons for going? What was so wrong with him attempting to move on from his feelings and possibly meeting someone?
Giyuu was frustrated, he didn't want to make something out of a situation but he couldn't help it, nothing made sense, unless…
Unless the feelings were mutual…
Giyuu smashed a pillow over his face, 'stupid idiot, that's not possible,' He reprimanded himself, 'He didn't like you that way back then and he doesn't like you that way now. Stop making every nice gesture into something it's not.'
But…it would be nice if it was a possibility…
God, where were his friends when he needed them? He needed to hurry up and take his mind off things with stupid shenanigans and comedic bullying. Then as if on cue, the apartment door burst open, Shinobu's voice echoing throughout the apartment just as it did that morning, "Giyuu, we come bearing gifts and an abundance of movie choices!"
For once Giyuu wasn't annoyed with her voice, he needed to keep his mind off what happened earlier, and what better to distract him than his closest friends and cheap takeout. The trio sat together on the floor of the living room with a small plethora of foods that included and variety of sides and large entrees, all of them commenting on each other's first finals experience in college.
"I swear, professor Michikatsu is no joke, I'm surprised I managed to get an A minus on his test, and the fact that I have to take his brother next semester," Sabito groaned as he begrudgingly ate some tempura.
"Luckily, mine wasn't too bad, but they're not close to how easy high school exams were," Shinobu added. "Kanae was the one to give me a heads up on what to expect and gave me a lot of study guides before she left." After her first two semesters at the university, Kanae decided to study abroad to further her education and major, both of her sisters giving her their full support.
Giyuu was in the middle of eating his tamagoyaki when his friends turned towards him, "What about you, Giyuu, how were your exams?"
He finished chewing before speaking up, "I honestly envy those who thought the exams would be simple, but I finished them and I don't think I did bad,"
"Well yeah, you studied like hell for them," Sabito commented.
"Well, you know how grandpa is about our grades," Giyuu replied. "Our efforts reflect through them. Jeez, I sound like Rengoku."
The pair laughed thinking of their firey friend, "Urokodaki is something else," Sabito muttered to himself jokingly.
"And your presentation? How did that turn out?" Shinobu asked, curiosity laced in her tone.
Giyuu knew his friends were always curious about his and Sanemi's interactions lately, but they respected his boundaries when he said he had moved on and became indifferent to the topic. "It was good actually, the professor spoke to us after dismissing the class, saying we had the best and most well-put presentation out of everyone and that the grades would be submitted by the end of the day."
"That's a relief," Shinobu commented as she finished her udon. "We know you were stressing about that project a lot."
"Yeah, I'm just glad it's over," Giyuu concluded.
Once the trio finished the majority of the food, Shinobu began cleaning up while the boys were deciding on a movie. Giyuu had two movies in his hands he had narrowed down to before Sabito spoke up, "Hey, um, Giyuu," The raven-haired boy looked at his best friend, recognizing the slightly serious tone. "Are you sure about going to the party tomorrow?"
Giyuu raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"I mean," Sabito became apprehensive. "You've never been in that kind of environment and-"
"He's afraid Sanemi will end up showing up and possibly thot out and trigger you," Shinobu interrupted as she plopped down on the floor next to the pair. "I plan on getting drunk and I can't guarantee there wouldn't be an argument if I saw you crying."
Giyuu smiled warmly at his friends, they could be so protective sometimes, "Ah, well, from what I know Sanemi isn't like that, but even so, what he does, doesn't matter to me. Plus, I was thinking of trying to socialize more and perhaps try to meet new people anyways."
Shinobu fell onto Giyuu's shoulder, "Ah~, I'm so proud of you! If you need a wingman or woman, pull Sabito or me from wherever we are and we got you."
"I don't trust you to talk me up to someone, Shinobu, because you'll end up saying something embarrassing or bully me somehow, and I don't think Sabito can talk me up without reprimanding me some way,"
Shinobu pouted, "Well, good luck then having Uzui talk you up, he'll probably reprimand you as well if you don't look to his standards."
Giyuu and Shinobu continued to mildly argue about how he has no game and that he needs someone to talk him up, probably Mitsuri since she only says nice things about people and compliments all her friends on a daily basis. Sabito looked at his friend, wondering if his words were true and if he did truly move on from Sanemi.
Guess they won't know until tomorrow…
Maybe…this was a mistake…
Sabito and Shinobu had gone ahead to the Uzui's pregame hour since Giyuu got an email from one of his teachers in regards to an assignment, so he asked them to deliver a message that would be running late. They had offered to wait for him so he didn't need to come alone or possibly get lost among the crowd, but Giyuu declined stating he didn't want his friends to be late because of him and that they were meeting at the same place so it shouldn't be hard to find them.
However, Giyuu didn't expect a party to this scale, and he had only shown up an hour into the time Uzui told him the actual party would be. He knew Uzui and Rengoku's fraternity was popular but he wouldn't have predicted to his extent and now he was reconsidering his choices. The lawn already had some people passed out on it, bottles of alcohol also spilled across the freshly cut grass, every room looked like it had people in it, and he's pretty sure the music can be heard all the way to the university.
'Well, shit,' He thought to himself as he looked upon the party-goers, people continuously going in and out of the house. He continued to contemplate if he should follow through with his words, not used to this type of environment whatsoever but moved aside all his negative thoughts as he pushed forward, walking up the driveway and through the front door.
The outside did not compare to the insanity he was met with when he walked into the house; the foyer and living room looked like a club scene he had seen in movies, the lighting dark but illuminated by flashing and revolving lights with the main dance crowd being in the living room, a person who Giyuu could only assume to be one of Uzui's friends was DJing at the front of the crowd. He began pushing through the crowd, trying to find a calmer area to relocate his friends, bumping into a plethora of people that didn't have a care in the world. Finally, from what he remembered about the house's layout, he made it to the kitchen which seemed slightly calmer…slightly.
There were red cups everywhere, a signature of a college party he recognized once again from movies, and bottles of alcohol covering the kitchen island and along the counter along with mixers and fruits to make your own drink. From his peripherals, he could see the backyard and it looked no better than the inside; people bombarding the large pool, some in regular clothes and others in swimsuits, their own separate lights and music playing but not as intense or loud as it was inside.
He still couldn't seem to locate his friends, so he turned to the variety of alcohol in front of him, deciding to drink something before continuing his search. Just as he began to reach forward, an obnoxious voice he knew all too well rung in his ear, "Giyuu! You made it, I have never been so happy!" His voice reaching levels of Rengoku as he wrapped his arms around Giyuu in a soul-crushing hug, "We were so afraid you weren't coming!"
"Giyuu!~" Shinobu finally emerged, smiling uncharacteristically bright while joining in the hug, Sabito trailing behind her looking glum as if he had been watching their drunken friend the whole time. "We tried looking for your short ass everywhere~." Giyuu felt slightly offended considering she was the shortest among their group but he could smell the alcohol in her breath which made him cringe.
"Giyuu!" Another voice came through the crowd, Mitsuri joining the group while dragging Obanai by the hand behind her looking in slight disarray, her eyes for some reason in near tears. "Giyuu, I tried to save you some pizza rolls because everyone was eating them," She rambled as her eyes continued to shine with tears. "I'm sorry I didn't get enough, I thought twenty 100 packs were enough!" She babbled as she apologized.
"They were the best-tasting pizza rolls anyone could have made," Rengoku spoke more powerfully than usual, genuine praise written in his tone as he stared off looking god knows where. "I had a hundred pieces to myself!"
Giyuu would normally feel overwhelmed in a situation like this but it was his friends and he was in a new environment so he didn't mind.
Uzui gasped loudly, cutting everyone off, "We have to all take a shot since our baby Giyuu is here!" Everyone agreed in unison, Sabito and Obanai sighing to themselves as Uzui pushed through them to the kitchen island, pushing any seemingly empty cups aside and onto the floor. Grabbing new ones, he aligned them side by side before pouring the messiest set of shots Giyuu had ever seen before turning and handing Giyuu his own, everyone grabbing their own cup right after, "To our little Giyuu who has finally evolved into the flashy social butterfly he's always meant to be!" The group cheered as they clinked their cups together before downing the vodka like nothing.
Giyuu smiled slightly before drinking his last, the group cheering and patting his back, his eyes squinting from the burn in his throat but smiling nonetheless, Shinobu already pouring him another shot.
The party descended into madness as the night continued, the crowd getting wilder by the minute. Uzui was in his element with almost every song that came on, singing along to every lyric whether it was right or wrong, Mitsuri became ecstatic when she found a misplaced bag of pizza rolls, baking then immediately shoving them at Giyuu not caring if they had cooled down or not, Shinobu and Rengoku ended up having a Mario Kart competition in the game room which followed with the silent duo, Sabito and Obanai, having an intense Smash Bros. fight. Giyuu did end up drinking more than he expected, not knowing what his tolerance was but he suspected he was getting past the tipsy point and could possibly treading into the near-drunk territory. At some point, the pounding speakers and lights began to give him a headache, so he decided to head outside, walking past the overcrowded living room where Uzui was singing along to another Megan Thee Stallion song. Giyuu doesn't know why but he feels like Uzui saying 'real hot girl shit' is going to stay ingrained in his mind for a long time.
He finally made it outside where it was somewhat calmer than before, there were still people swimming and cups tossed around, but the music was lower and a bit more on the sensual side but he didn't mind, it was better than the club scene happening inside. He sat down on one of the chairs by the pool, taking deep breaths since the alcohol was slowly taking a toll on his mind. Giyuu was zoning into some song by The Weeknd when a random voice came from beside him, "Hey," He looked up in the direction of the voice, not recognizing the person. "You want a drink?"
Now Giyuu may have been intoxicated but he wasn't to the point where he would accept any drink in front of him, he knew this guy's game the second he looked at him. With a clearly annoyed expression, Giyuu was about to tell the idiot off until an actual familiar face came in, knocking the drink out of the other's hand in an instant. "What the fuck, ma-" The guy was cut off by the intensity of the gaze of the newcomer.
Sanemi looked beyond pissed- actually, pissed would be an understatement; he looked like he was five seconds away from committing manslaughter.
"You have less than ten seconds to get the fuck out of here before I rip your intestines out through your throat," He rasped, venom laced in his voice.
"What the hell, man, I didn't do shit!" The other bit back, obviously annoyed. "You his boyfri-!"
The other couldn't finish his sentence when the white-haired male grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, "Don't act like I haven't seen you scouting out this whole place like a predator at a fucking playground," Sanemi spat, his grip unwavering. "If I see your face again, you better hope you have enough time to run away before I gut you like the fucking pig you are."
Releasing his grip, Sanemi shoved the guy away, watching as he ran away in a panic through the back gate. Giyuu watched the other's posture become more relaxed in seconds as if he was trying to regain his composure before walking over to a nearby table and grabbing a cup that he didn't notice was there before. Sanemi came and sat beside him without a word, Giyuu just looking at him, still processing the whole situation that just unfolded.
Giyuu was feeling bold and decided to speak up first, "I thought you said you weren't coming?"
Sanemi's shoulders tensed slightly before replying, "Yeah, I…I changed my mind." Giyuu couldn't tell whether the blush on the other's cheeks was from the alcohol or some other reason, but his slightly clouded mind paid no attention as he changed the subject to the situation from before.
"You didn't have to...I could've-"
"I know you could've," Sanemi interrupted, still refusing to make eye contact, the blush more than apparent now. "I know you can handle yourself, it's just…y'know…"
Giyuu could tell the other wanted to drop the subject and he was in no mental state to push it. Instead, he smiled warmly, eyes crinkling every so slightly, "Well, thank you, you probably scared him more than I probably could." Perhaps the alcohol dried out Sanemi's throat because he was having a hard time trying to respond, but Giyuu continued, "I guess you were right on meeting people at parties, they really do have second intentions."
The two sat in silence for a moment, Giyuu didn't realize how gorgeous Sanemi looked in this lighting, then again he thought Sanemi looked attractive all the time; people would probably say different because of the other's scars but to Giyuu he thought he was beautiful with or without them. Giyuu didn't realize he was staring until Sanemi looked back at him, the blue-eyed boy immediately looking away, hoping to god that the blush he knew was flourishing on his cheeks was from the abundance of alcohol he's had.
"Um, Giyuu," Sanemi broke their comfortable silence. "Do you-"
"Giyuu!~" Shinobu's voice rang from behind, lunging then hugging him from behind, clearly drunk as she held her own bottle of liquor. "We were about to play spin-the-bottle truth or dare, let's go~."
"Oh Sanemi, you're here!" Mitsuri exclaimed. "You should join us!"
"I-"
"Hey, Sanemi!" Uzui's loud ass voice interrupted. "I thought I saw your snarky ass here! Don't be so unflashy and come join us!"
That's how they all ended up sitting together on the well-furnished patio; Obanai and Mitsuri occupied the patio swing, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, Uzui and Rengoku were occupying a love seat which looked highly uncomfortable since both were on the broader side of the body spectrum, especially Uzui, Shinobu and Sabito were plotted in the matching set of chairs, and Sanemi, well, he was sitting directly next to Giyuu, who was sitting at the end of the sofa, with close to no space between them.
Shinobu finished her bottle before placing it on its side on the center table, "Who wants to go first?"
Mitsuri shot up from her boyfriend's shoulder, excitement in her eyes as she raised her hand, "Me, me, me, I want to go first!"
Uzui pulled out a clean set of cups and an unopened bottle of tequila from who knows where. After surprisingly pouring a less messy shot in each cup, he slid them to their designated person, Mitsuri clapping in excitement as they could finally begin. She reached forward and spun the bottle, everyone watching in anticipation to see who it'll land on before completely stopping on Sanemi.
Sanemi grabbed his cup, knowing full well she was going to ask him a question, Mitsuri thought hard before asking, "Is it true you like someone else, or do you still like Kanae?"
Sanemi took the shot without hesitation.
"Starting off strong, I guess," Uzui commented.
"She's gonna try to find out who each of us likes before this game is done," Shinobu added as she swirled her drink around.
"Wait," Sabito interrupted. "Are we gonna have a punishment or something if we don't answer or do a dare?"
"Yeah, rules are you take a shot whenever you choose not to answer or do a dare, but you're only limited to three shots, and on your third shot, you have to do whatever truth or dare that same person gives you next, so choose wisely," Uzui explained before gesturing Sanemi to continue with his turn.
The game continued, the questions reaching beyond personal while the dares became more unhinged by the minute. One question was directed at Uzui if it was true Mitsuri could do more push-ups than him and his drunken ego was not letting up which led to the pair doing a push-up contest, Mitsuri won by one push-up more than what he did, and to be honest, she knew she could've done more but she didn't want to hurt her friend's feelings; the dares going as far as Uzui daring Mitsuri to sit and cuddle Shinobu for two whole turns, Mitsuri didn't bat an eye since Shinobu was her best friend while Obanai looked like he was going to kill Uzui any second. Questions varied from 'who do you like' courtesy of Mitsuri all the way into sexual territory; one even which Uzui questioned Sanemi that if he got bit by a snake on his dick, would suck the venom out. Sanemi, of course, said no but Rengoku chimed in with his own answer saying he would in a heartbeat if it meant saving Uzui. Everyone continued the game like they wished they hadn't heard that and, naturally, it only got worse.
"Is it true you study herpes, Obanai?" Uzui asked drunkenly, laughing obnoxiously.
"Yeah, let me recommend some treatment plans for you, you dumbass!"
The combination of heavy alcohol and everyone's voices made Giyuu's head throb, so much so that for a moment he didn't realize his own actions and leaned on what he thought was the armrest on the outdoor couch he was on. He stayed there for a few seconds wondering when this game would end and when it would be time to head back because Shinobu was nearly shitfaced and Sabito looked like he was a second away from passing out.
Hoping the game would be done soon he huddled further against the armrest - speaking of which, when did armrests become so comfortable? Uzui and Rengoku must've gotten some good quality furniture, like it was soft but hard at the same time almost like a firm pillow. Giyuu could honestly see himself sleeping there comfortably, it truly felt like he could fall asleep there any moment with the alcohol making him feel all fuzzy-
Wait…
When did the armrest move from his right side to his left side?
And when did the armrest grow an arm that seemed to drape over his shoulders comfortably?!
Wait!
Giyuu's thoughts were put to a halt when Mitsuri squealed his name, making him shoot up and off the shoulder he was just leaning on. 'God, I hate alcohol so much,' Giyuu cried internally.
"It's your turn again! Truth or dare?" Mitsuri questioned happily as ever. Giyuu looked down at the bottle realizing it had indeed landed on him, pushing through the fogginess of his mind he muttered 'truth.' He was too in his thoughts about what he had just done, he didn't even want to look Sanemi in the eyes after that, he just hopes the alcohol gets to them and that they both forget it by tomorrow because nothing could possibly be worse than-
"Who do you like?" Mitsuri asked mischievously, curiosity traced in her tone. "And remember, if you drink then you have to be prepared for whatever I tell you to do afterward."
Giyuu truly did hate everything about this game, he didn't realize he had already taken 2 of his 3 shots already, and of all the questions she could've asked him. He would've rather answered on who his first crush was, but not who he currently likes especially since the answer was sitting next to him, and especially not after he just cuddled against him by complete accident. So after weighing out the choices and possible scenarios of what Mitsuri would ask him to do, he drank his last remaining shot, surprising everyone. Nothing Mitsuri could ask him to do could be worse than-
"I dare you to kiss Sanemi."
If Giyuu didn't disintegrate into his seat at this moment, he was going to have a word with the universe about why it treated him this way. He didn't think it was possible to hate Mitsuri so much at this moment let alone at all. Everyone looked at him in anticipation, as Giyuu continued to contemplate the decision, refusing to meet Sanemi's eyes while trying to push through his cloudy mind to find some nerve to perform his next action.
"You don't have to," The voice next to him spoke softly.
"Mind the rules, boys.~" Uzui spoke teasingly.
"Fuck your rules, Uzui, go jump off the roof or something," Sanemi snapped back.
"You dare me?"
"Yeah, I fucking dare you, you dumb fuck," Sanemi jabbed, not caring as the taller man got up and started for the house. "This is a stupid game anyway, who-" Sanemi's words were cut off when a pair of lips met his cheek for a brief moment before leaving.
Before he had time to react, Giyuu was already standing up, "Um, I'm going inside to get, um," Jesus, he was stumbling so bad, he just wanted to get away quickly. "Some pizza rolls, bye."
"Wai-" Sanemi tried but to no avail.
"Awww, I really wanted some more pizza rolls," Mitsuri teared up, Obanai patting her head for comfort.
Giyuu stumbled into the house, rummaging through the kitchen before finding a clean red solo cup and making himself a drink that contained far more alcohol than juice. He downed half of it on the first sip not caring about his already 'past-tipsy-close-to-drunk' state, he just needed to isolate himself and process what the hell he had just done. He found a semi-quiet spot against the wall where he could contemplate everything that previously transpired. Luckily a majority of the party-goers had either passed out or called it a night and left, but there was still a good amount on the dance floor that saw no end to their night.
Giyuu let out an exhausted sigh as he leaned back against the wall, eyebrows furrowing as the previous sip he took started to take effect. He stared down at the cup, swirling the remaining half around in it, thinking of how he should call it a night and drag his friends out of here, and that maybe over the winter break everyone would forget about this whole experience.
"Hey," That familiar voice spoke through the music that had been flooding Giyuu's ears up until now. "You okay?"
Giyuu looked up from his cup to the other man, "Yeah," He reassured. "Just trying to figure out how I'm going to finish this even though I made it."
Sanemi gestured to the cup as if asking for a drink, Giyuu was too far in his clouded mind to even object, handing over his cup to the other boy. Giyuu watched as the other drank the remaining alcohol like nothing, "There," Sanemi finished, putting the cup to the side. "Now you don't have to worry."
Giyuu smiled gingerly, "Thanks," The two once again stood in their usual silence, the alcohol hitting them nearly at the same time, so much so that Giyuu didn't care about what he was about to say. He was now in a comfortable and carefree state that he almost didn't care about consequences, "I'm sorry about what happened out there," He spoke faintly, Sanemi almost not catching the words. "With the shoulder thing and the dare."
"Don't worry about it, I honestly didn't mind," The other responded straightforwardly yet reassuringly.
Giyuu couldn't process the answer properly, his mind was in no state to analyze so he just let it go for now. He continued to not think about his words and just voiced his thoughts at this point, "You're complicated, you know that, Sanemi?" Giyuu turned to look at the other boy; blue eyes meeting lavender.
"What do you mean?"
Giyuu closed his eyes as if he needed to concentrate and find a good example, "You're like that one Katy Perry song, 'Hot n Cold' or something like that, and it's just too much for me sometimes." He didn't even notice that Sanemi was now standing in front of him, and Giyuu is almost positive he's never seen the look Sanemi was giving him now. He's caught him looking at him plentiful of times but none of them compared to how he looked at him now; he looked almost as if he was hurt, troubled, but also considering something.
"Sanemi, are you-"
It was a brief moment but it was enough; Giyuu had no time to react when Sanemi leaned forward to bring their lips together. It felt like something in Giyuu's mind cracked, or like the cloudiness that plagued his mind previously had been cleared.
But it was only for a moment.
Giyuu's eyes snapped open in realization and pushed Sanemi off lightly, his hands still gripping onto the other's shirt. It wasn't a harsh push, but it was enough to cause a realization in the other boy as well, "Ah, I'm sorry, that was non-consensual! I didn't mean to, I-" Sanemi apologized frantically.
"It's okay, I was just surprised," Giyuu interrupted the other's babbling, "I didn't mind," Sanemi didn't say anything as he noticed the other's hands that were still holding onto his shirt, unrelenting. They still stayed as close as they were before, none of them saying a word, the blush on their cheeks apparent from both the alcohol and kiss. The silence broke when Giyuu giggled to himself as Sanemi leaned his forehead against his.
"Hm?" Sanemi hummed.
"Nothing, it's just," Giyuu's hands moved from their place upwards, cradling the other's face. "Weren't you the one who told me not to get with anyone from a party?"
Sanemi laughed to himself at the memory of his own words, placing his own hand on top of Giyuu's, "I told you not to get with a stranger, and I'm obviously not a stranger."
"As far as I know!" Giyuu giggled as he joked, but apparently, Sanemi took that statement seriously as he pulled away.
"Wait, Giyuu do you seriously not know who I am?"
Giyuu wanted to laugh but he could see how serious the other looked, instead, he changed his tone to one of sincerity, "You're Sanemi Shinazugawa," He reassured, giggling slightly when he heard the other let out a sigh of relief. "We've been going to the same schools for years and have almost all the same friends, you're best friends with Obanai, you have six younger siblings who look up to you," Giyuu smiled softly as he finished, his thoughts becoming his words, "and you're the one that continues to confuse me and my feelings."
Sanemi had returned to his place leaning against the other's forehead, feeling a sense of relief. "And do you know who I am?" Giyuu asked teasingly, smiling sweetly.
Sanemi smiled at the other's question, his hand that was previously placed on Giyuu's now moved to cradle the other's face, thumb grazing his cheekbone, "You're Giyuu Tomioka," He answered softly. "Straight A student since middle school, you've always been the quietest person in the room, you're favorite food is salmon daikon and you're best friends with Sabito and maybe Shinobu," Giyuu giggled at the last comment, not noticing how the other looked so fond at him.
The other's arm had moved and set its place wrapped around Giyuu's shoulders, pulling him closer than they already were, Giyuu's hands still cradling the other's face just as gently as ever, his thumb grazing across the other's facial scar that went across his cheek, while Sanemi's free hand still rested against Giyuu's. They looked at each other, both eyes searching for any objection or opposition but finding none, Sanemi's tracing across the other's bottom lip as he finished,
"And the one who's been driving me crazy for years."
No more words needed to be said as they both surged forward, bringing their lips together once again, this time the kiss being one filled with more emotion that neither one could convey in words at this moment. Their kisses held something of frustration and heartache, but also of relief and bliss, reaching a level of euphoria neither had ever encountered until now.
Both pulled away momentarily to catch their breath, cerulean meeting lilac once again before their lips met again.
Then for the first time tonight, Giyuu could only hope that they would both remember this in the morning.