Secret Hideout

10

Yumehara had accepted the fact that she would never date Kaidou. And she was fine with it.

All that was left to do was officially congratulate them. As a sort of final goodbye to her dreams, she wanted to wish them well so that she was free to pursue another boy. A boy who wouldn't fall in love with another boy.

She figured she could do it at school.

She ran to school, determined that this was the best thing for her to do.

'If I wish them well, I can move on entirely. I'm so nice and understanding! It's for the best.'

She smiled as she reached the front gate.

***************************************************************

"Shun!"

Kuboyasu went up from behind Kaidou and hugged him tightly. He rested his head on his hair, and wrapped his arms around his chest.

"Ah! Aren, you scared me!"

Kuboyasu laughed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Saiki had learned to tolerate their "public displays of affection", because Akechi had lectured him on the subject.

For several hours.

Nendou still poked fun of them every now and then, but Teruhashi would always gush about how cute they were together, which would highly embarrass them.

Yumehara had been in denial for a couple of weeks, so she never interacted with them. That's why it was such a surprise when she congratulated them.

"Kaidou! Kuboyasu! Congratulations on y'know, getting together!"

She softly elbowed Kuboyasu with a sly smile on her face.

"Nice catch."

Kuboyasu felt his face heat up and looked over at Kaidou, who was redder than ever before. He looked down at the floor and twirled his fingers around. Kuboyasu felt kind of awkward with her, uh, "compliment".

" Uh, I, uh, w-well t-thanks, I guess?"

Yumehara giggled and skipped to her desk.

Kuboyasu felt a crooked grin grow on his face. He had no idea what had just happened. Kaidou was just as confused.

"What was that about?" Kuboyasu asked Kaidou.

"I-I haven't t-the foggiest idea," Kaidou stammered.

Teruhashi burst out into laughter. She found their puzzled looks amusing.

This only confused them further.

***************************************************************

Kaidou and Kuboyasu sat on the floor of their secret hideout.

"Do you know what happened with Yumehara?" Kuboyasu asked.

"Not at all," Kaidou replied.

"Oh well."

Usually they talked, but today, they just sat down and held hands. It felt so comforting for both of them to rest in each other's warmth. Kuboyasu had been deep in thought for quite some time now. Kaidou noticed this and questioned him about it.

"Aren? You okay?"

"Yeah."

"Do you remember building this place?" Kuboyasu gestured to the fort.

"Of course I do! I had a lot of fun building it!"

Kuboyasu looked at the floor.

"Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course!" Kaidou nodded cheerfully.

"I didn't at first. I thought it was kinda childish, actually. And it was tiring."

Kaidou looked a bit upset.

"Oh."

"But I kept building it because I got to be with you."

Kaidou blushed.

"Thanks, I guess."

They sat in silence for a few more minutes.

Kaidou asked a question this time.

"Do you remember when you called me here for a 'surprise'?"

Kuboyasu's face flushed. He was usually calm and collected, but Kaidou could fluster him in an instant.

"Yeah. That was a terrible confession. I'm sorry, I was a coward."

Kaidou laughed.

"Well, it was a bit awkward, but it got the message across. Very clearly."

"I wanted to be straightforward, but I think that might've been a bit much."

"No! It was great, I loved it! And I'm so glad I didn't have to confess instead. You've always been the brave one," Kaidou admitted.

"I can't believe you liked me back! I thought for sure that you had a crush on Miyazono or something."

"I don't even know who that is, but her name sounds so familiar."

"Yeah, you're right. Anyway, when did you start liking me? I've been curious for a while now."

Kaidou nervously fiddled with his bandages.

"It was a bit after you saved me and Saiki, actually."

"Really? That long?"

"What about you?"

Kuboyasu rubbed his chin in thought.

"I don't really know. I was in denial for a long time."

Kaidou giggled.

"Yeah, that sounds like you."

They tangled their hands together once again.

Their secret hideout became both of their favorite place. They felt happier being there, because they knew they could be themselves, and spend time together uninterrupted.

It was their fort.

It was their special place.