thirdcharm | ( for trafficsafety )

( for trafficsafety )

[ The fourth class of the day has ended and now it's time for lunch. After slogging through one class to another, Mitsuba's just looking forward to having lunch and talk endlessly with anyone. Satou and Yokoo had quickly apologized to him as they leave the classroom to attend some emergency club meeting.

He smiles at them and waves it off. It's fine to him -more than fine, even- because that leaves Mitsuba with a boy who wears the lamest earring he's ever seen.

Mitsuba turns to approach Minamoto's desk with an impish grin, placing his bento on the table. ]

You're not gonna run from me like those guys, right, Minamoto-kun?

[ He flips his chair around then sits right in front of the other boy. ]

I'm gonna cry foul if you just up and leave me to find someone else like I'm some sort of used goods, just so you know.

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[Kou is still unsure about everything. Ever since he's gotten to class, he's been questioning this. Staring at Mitsuba more than could be considered normal because he is so much like Mitsuba that it's tripping Kou up.

But that's impossible even if everything inside of him wishes it were otherwise.

It's easy, though, to just talk right back with him, mumbling as he takes out his own bento:] You're just as dramatic anyway.

[ Truthfully, he was just excited to spend some time with Minamoto, especially without the others. A quiet Minamoto was a strange one, Mitsuba had thought that would bring the blond's spirits up, but the underreaction had proven him otherwise.

Mitsuba pouts as he rests his chin against the palm of his hand. ]

Well, it's not my fault that I've been abandoned. Besides, I want to have lunch with someone, and you look like you need someone to sit with you.

[ So maybe he was a little concerned about the lame traffic safety earring's well-being along with wanting his company. ]

What's with you anyways, you're less noisy than usual, it's like you're thinking about something or someone.

Edited 2020-12-26 18:11 (UTC)

[Kou could argue that it was definitely Mitsuba's fault somehow that he had been abandoned because as much as Kou likes him, as much as their friends do, Kou is certain that it's really only him that can keep up with Mitsuba as well as he can.

Instead, he latches onto the question.]

I think plenty! I've got a lot going on up in my mind y'know. [He pulls out his own bento and of course it's all been handmade, looking impeccable as always.] I was just thinking about you, I guess.

[ He was midway opening his own bento when his hand freezes. That. Wasn't the answer Mitsuba had expected.

And for what reason? He couldn't think of any reason for Minamoto to focus too much on him. Though he'd be lying if he said he didn't like the attention and if that warmed his heart a bit then... that's his little secret.

Mitsuba calmly opens his lunch, gingerly placing the lid right next to it. ]

3 points, that was rough around the edges.

[Kou looks at Mitsuba, confused.] 3 points for what?

[He certainly hadn't said anything worth grading, had he? What was so weird thinking about Mitsuba? His friends were always on his mind, just like his family. Wasn't it weirder to not think about the people you cared about? Maybe he thought more about Mitsuba but how couldn't he? ]

[ Mitsuba splutters. ]

What do you mean what? You get three points for saying that to someone as cute as I am.

[ There's no way he could be that dense right? That was way too obvious-- Plus the more Mitsuba thinks about it, everything suddenly made perfect sense. The way Minamoto always looks at him, the way he always just seems to hover over him. Minamoto's always thinking about Mitsuba! That's why he acts the way he does.

He tries to deny the small jealousy in his heart. ]

If you're going to try doing that at least do it more properly! Build it up and used proper words, idiot!

[Kou stares at this Mitsuba and all he can think is how easy this would be. It's just like Mitsuba, isn't it? And this could be just like all of the daydreams he's had about the other boy. Them being able to eat lunch together and talk about homework. Maybe going to each other's houses. Being friends.

Despite it all, he smiles because even if he's not sure at all what's going on here or what this Mitsuba means at all...

It's nice to be remembered.]

Cocky as always. But yeah, still got no idea what you're talking about. How many other ways can I say I think about you? [What was getting him so worked up about being thought about? Considering everything, how couldn't he?] But you should eat before lunch is over. Can't do anything on an empty stomach.

[Despite everything, he can enjoy this much, he thinks.]

[ He couldn't fight the small smile that's creeping on his face. He'd deny it, but it is easier to forget that sting in his chest when Minamoto's right in front of him with his stupid, infectious smile.

Mitsuba shakes his head before grabbing his pair of chopsticks. ]

Doesn't sound like you're all that clueless to me. You're bad at lying, lame traffic safety.

[ He starts eating anyway, but not without occasionally glancing at Minamoto's more elaborate-looking meal then back to the blond boy. Mitsuba stays quiet until he's halfway finishing his bento. ]

... The other invited me to go stargazing tonight. Do you wanna go o-- go with me? I mean, Satou and Yokoo will probably end up goofing off and leave me with a bunch of high schoolers I don't know. They might eat me alive or make me do something humiliating and livestream it, I need someone to be my meatshield.

[Kou notices how Mitsuba looks at his lunch. Classmates often gawk at his lunches, making a big deal about them. Kou only grins and takes the compliments. Kou doesn't expect any compliments from Mitsuba because Mitsuba isn't the type to give them away.

Instead, as he listens to his request, Kou wordlessly puts one of his tamagoyaki on Mitsuba's lunch. If he offered it then the other boy would only complain and act like he didn't want it. Better to skip that whole act.]

So you want me to come along and what, be your bodyguard? Heh, you think I'm real strong, don't you? [He grins even if that isn't what a meatshield means at all.] Sure. I'll come along. I'll even bring something to eat. [A bodyguard doesn't also bring along a meal.]

[ Mitsuba lets out a little sound of surprise when he sees Minamoto plopping the tamagoyaki on top of his food.

His heart does something funny again, this time different from the jealousy he felt earlier on. His body is acting haywire, he's almost worried that he's gonna fall apart at the seams. Let's be frank, Minamoto Kou is pretty bad for Mitsuba's health.

And yet, he doesn't want to leave him in the old world. If anything, it felt like the right decision to have him stay in this world with Mitsuba. After all, this way, both of their dreams could come true. Mitsuba stares at him incredulously. ]

Since when did I say guys with lame piercings are strong, huh? I'm starting to think that thing is somehow affecting your brain.

[ More quietly, he adds: ]

I guess I'll make you something in return if you're gonna through all that effort.

[ It's only fair! But enough of that, he clears his voice and points at Kou. ]

You better not be late, Minamoto-kun! We'll be meeting at the high school building after all the clubs finished for the day, or are you unfaithful along with being unfashionable?!

[As quietly as Mitsuba said that, Kou still heard it. He's not used to anybody cooking for him because he's always cooking for somebody else. Teru was a mess in the kitchen and Tiara was still little. Kou didn't mind, he liked cooking, but there was something really nice about the idea of Mitsuba making him something. That had never crossed his mind. What if this would have been their days together? Being able to make each other food and sharing it? Mitsuba would have said his food wasn't that good and insulted it but kept eating.

That would have been really nice...

Selfishly, childishly, he wants to just enjoy this momebt. It isn't real. A trap at worst and a dream at best but Kou thinks it might be nice to just lose himself in it for a bit.

Maybe Kou is bad for Mitsuba's health but Mitsuba is just as dangerous to Kou. Even if this isn't the same Mitsuba and Kou knows it but...

Nope. Not thinking about that! He had said he was going to enjoy this. So instead, he only points to Mitsuba with his chopsticks. Rude but it isn't like Mitsuba is the type to care about manners.]

You keep that up and maybe I will be late. [He won't and this is an empty threat.]

You will?

[ Mitsuba furrows his brows as he makes himself look as hurt as possible. Though he's could see right through Minamoto's bluff, it doesn't stop the panic rising in him. Even the mere mention of it sets him into worry-- for all he knows, the other boy could just up and decide to dessert him despite him asking No.4 to create this idyllic world that they both could be happy with.

But it won't happen, it's an empty threat and he'll continue to repeat that in his head. However that won't free Minamoto from his revenge: weaponizing his cuteness. He looks down on his hands but it isn't long before pink eyes stare at Minamoto again, he bits his lip, then he speaks up in a small voice. ]

But I really want you to eat my gift as soon as possible...

[ No escape, no mercy. ]

[An empty threat it may have been but Mitsuba didn’t really play fair. If anything, Kou thought it probably would have been this way if this was the original Mitsuba. Maybe Mitsuba would have always played his greatest weapon until Kou was stronger against it, used to seeing that cuteness turned against him because Mitsuba was cute. There was no arguing against it and Kou wasn’t going to, either vocally or to himself. Denying that felt like denying something obvious.

But still, he can't make it too obvious he's this easy to play! Even if it's obvious he is by the fact he isn't going with his own empty threat anymore.]

I was kidding. Geesh, relax relax. No need to go all out on me. I’ll come, okay? I’ll play bodyguard and everything. [And it’s a good excuse to figure everything out, too, he thought.]

[ Did... he do something wrong? He thought that Minamoto would have reacted to it more strongly, maybe even reprimand him for it, he hadn't expected the blond to be this quiet. There's no way that he's going to abandon him, right? He doesn't really have anyone else.

He looks away, muttering: ]

... You better not be late, that's my final warning.

[ And that was the end of that conversation, as Mitsuba scarfs down the last piece of his food, the tamagoyaki. It tastes light, but he can still taste the subtle flavors of sugar and soy sauce. It's really good. He lets out a gasp in surprise, you can practically see his eyes shining in delight. ]

Minamoto-kun... this is so good!

[ Sure it's just tamagoyaki, but it's surprisingly a nice cleanser even from his own lunch. ]

[ But his body starts to grow stiff. Wait wait wait, but Minamoto didn't make this right, there's no way a bulldozer wearing a lame piercing is good at making his own lunch in the morning.

Still, even if he didn't make it, Mitsuba concedes that the other boy has taste. His gaze goes back and forth between his chopstick and his friend.

Mitsuba just shot himself in the foot by making him cookies. ]

[Kou notices how Mitsuba seems caught off guard just a little. Maybe he's not clever or as strong as his older brother but he caught onto things like that. Not that he always knew what to do because right now, as he sat there with Mitsuba, he wondered if maybe he should just go along with it anyway.

But then Mitsuba is complimenting his food and Kou can't control the grin on his face or how good it feels to get a compliment from Mitsuba at all. They're rare.]

Thanks! [But then he notices how Mitsuba looks at him and he becomes almost teasing.] What, so impressed you're speechless? Heh, Teru-nii says my cooking could make anybody speechless!

[So Kou didn't always catch onto every little emotional hint.]

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https://i.imgur.com/YshyiIX.png

SOBS THAT'S SO CUTE!!!

ty!! i'm glad you like it 'v'

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1/3

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