Four out of Six

~Chapter 8~

"Have I told you about my bucket list?" Suga asked.

It was three days after Daichi had seen his friend's breakdown. The two boys were at Daichi's house doing their homework. They were in their usual positions: Suga lying on Daichi's floor while Daichi sat at his desk.

The captain turned around. "A bucket list?"

"I made it during our first year. I honestly completely forgot about it, but I was going through some things in my room and I found it. I think it still applies."

"Can I see it?" asked Daichi.

Suga rolled over to his bag and pulled out a slightly wrinkled slip of paper. He got up and set it on the desk. Daichi picked it up and read it over.

Go to nationals.Get a girlfriend boyfriend.Have sex.See a shooting star.Graduate high school and college.Confess my love to the person I love.

Daichi stared down at the list. "Is this it?"

"That's all I really wanted to do," said Suga. "I'm sure the first one is obvious."

"I'll say." Daichi picked up his pen. "Want me to check it off since we're definitely going to beat Seijou and Shiratorizawa?"

Suga laughed. "Oh, come on. It's my list. At least let me do the honors!"

Daichi handed the pen over. "Be my guest."

As Suga began to draw checkboxes, Daichi pointed to the next one. "I think number two is more or less established."

Suga looked up at him in shock. Daichi was confused.

"What?" he asked.

"What do you mean it's more or less established?! Daichi, you never said yes! And I never asked you. Not properly. I just kinda grabbed your shirt and... and..." Suga buried his reddening face in his hands. "Oh gosh, I can't believe I just did that last week."

"Eight days ago," Daichi corrected. He blushed when Suga stared at him. "What?"

Suga giggled. "You remembered that? Really? Lame."

"Sh-shut up!"

"Aw, did you stutter? Has Asahi rubbed off on you, captain-san?"

Ignoring that comment, Daichi went back to staring at the bucket list. "So are we dating or what?"

Suga smiled, then nudged him. "I guess we are."

Daichi laughed a bit and pointed. "I see you crossed out 'girlfriend' there. You sure about that one?"

He wasn't laughing anymore when Suga chopped him across the gut.

"I wasn't sure if I was gay or not, Daichi. I'm still not sure, to be honest. I do like girls, especially beautiful ones like Kiyoko."

"I think it would be wrong not to be attracted to Kiyoko at this point," said Daichi sagely, which only caused Suga to laugh.

"I guess you're right," he agreed.

Suga flopped back onto the floor. "I guess that means you'll have to have dinner with us. And by us, I mean my parents."

"Your parents are nice. And your dad is great at cooking!"

"Fine, fine! You're coming to dinner. But don't you dare embarrass me or yourself. Especially yourself. I'm concerned you won't make a good first impression."

"Your parents already know me, Suga."

The setter waved away the comments. Daichi, however, had other thoughts going through is mind.

"Hey, Suga?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you like about me?"

"Hmm..." Suga thought for a bit. "Your thighs..."

"My thighs."

"Yeah. There's so muscle-y. You make me jealous. I have toothpicks compared to you."

"Please don't tell me the only reason you kissed me was because I have nice thighs."

"Oh, that's not the only reason!" Suga patted Daichi's arm and winked. "You were in very close proximity. That made it much easier."

"Suga!" Daichi groaned.

"Alright, alright. Sorry!"

They chuckled. Daichi checked it off.

"Numbers four and five seem pretty manageable," he said.

"Not anymore!" said Suga from the floor. "At least not number five."

Oh. Right.

"Why have number six?" Daichi asked. "Wouldn't you confess to the person you date in high school?"

Suga just laughed. "Daichi, that's silly! Most people have a high school sweetheart, but not every high school relationship ends with a happily ever after. I doubted I would meet someone I would want to dedicate my life to being with in a romantic way."

Daichi couldn't argue with that.

There was just one thing left on the list.

"You didn't mention number three."

Daichi looked up to Suga. The setter was fiddling with the end of his shirt nervously. Daichi flushed.

"Do you want to..."

Daichi frowned. "I don't know."

"I won't force you to."

"I know."

"Especially since we just officially started dating. I know sex is too soon, but--"

"I'm more concerned about your health! With your condition—"

"Because of my condition," Suga interrupted, "I won't have many more chances. It's only going to get worse from here. By the end I won't be able to function alone. So..."

Daichi started to sweat. Suga noticed.

"What?"

"Suga... I don't think I can do it now..."

"Well not now, obviously! Neither of us are prepared. And I don't know about you, but this isn't exactly the mood I want to be in during my first time, you know? Also, I'm not really sure how it works. Gosh, it's not like we're taught about sex in school or anything—"

"Suga," Daichi interrupted him. "You're rambling."

His mouth clicked shut. Neither of them spoke for quite some time.

"Let's... Let's not rush into this," said Suga finally. "I want it to be more natural. I want us both to want it."

"Okay," said Daichi. "Okay."