My Bride (Reituha/Aoiha)

Break

Yutaka made his way out of the library, struggling to not drop his textbooks. He really needed a bag or something, his science textbooks were always so ridiculously heavy. His biology book suddenly strayed from the pile and attempted to fall to the ground, but he caught it at the last second, relieved. Standing back up, he noticed a familiar head of blond hair. The man had his back to his friend, walking out of the library with another blond.

“Kouyou-!” he called out, but the two were already out the door. Maybe it wasn’t him…

Still, he’d like to know. He’d also like to know who he was with. A new friend, perhaps? He hoped Kouyou would introduce them.

He tried to catch up, although it was difficult with an armful of books. For a moment, he thought he had lost them, but then that same familiar shade of yellow came into his eyesight. The two were sitting on the grass at the side of the building, and Yutaka could tell that it was definitely Kouyou. He was about to walk over and say hi, when he stopped, surprised. Kouyou was crying. The blond stranger, who, oddly enough, hid his nose with some sort of cloth, put an arm around him. And then both, until he was hugging him close.

Yutaka froze, confused, before eventually leaving. This clearly did not concern him.

~*~*~

Kouyou and Akira had abandoned their coffees and chosen to step outside, where no one would bother them or overhear them. The decision had been made by Akira when, out of nowhere, Kouyou had started to cry. He knew his friend had always been sensitive, but this sudden outburst only confused him. What had he done? He had only told him that he still loved him…

Kouyou continued to cry, and Akira, unsure of what else to do, wrapped his arms around him, hugging him close. “Kouyou, it’s okay.” He soothed. “Everything is going to be okay. I’m here now.”

That only made Kouyou cry harder.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” he asked, concerned.

The blond shook his head no. “I’m… I’m sorry.” He murmured, wiping his eyes. “I just… I wish circumstances would smile upon us for once.”

“But they have! I’ve finally found you Kouyou, I’m so happy.” Akira smiled.

“No, they haven’t.” he shook his head. “I gave up… I gave up looking for you. And now… now I have a boyfriend. And I love him, Akira, I love him so much.”

Akira stiffened at that, his arms loosening their grip on his friend. “How long?”

“It’s been a year…” he said, eyes downcast.

The bleach-blond grit his teeth. Damn it. “I guess I got here too late… I just transferred to this university this year… the previous university I attended had a terrible English program, so I switched out at the end of my first year.” He glanced over at his friend. “If I was here from the beginning, maybe you would still love me.” He spoke softly, hints of sadness breaking in his voice.

“I never said I didn’t love you…”

“So, you still love me? What about your boyfriend?”

Kouyou’s eyes remained on the grass beneath him. “I love Yuu… and I might still love you, Akira.”

Akira laughed bitterly. “I see. You ‘might’ love me. That’s not very helpful.”

“I’m sorry… I’m just so confused right now.” He murmured, pain evident.

“No… I’m sorry. I understand.” His friend nodded, falling into a silence, arms still stubbornly wrapped around him. It was as if he was afraid that if he let go, Kouyou would leave, and never come back. Just like he had done three years ago.