Remnants

Part 2

Daiki folds his arms, staring at Takaki with disbelief. "You'll hate me, but I'll say it anyways. You're a jerk."

Takaki did not budge. "I probably deserve that."

"This game needs to stop Yuya."

"I'm not playing games. I'm serious!" Takaki raises his voice. "I love him."

"Get real Yuya! Kei is dating Yabu now!" Daiki stresses the fact. "You have to move on. After all you were the one who rejected Kei."

Takaki glares and the smaller boy. "And you know how much I regret it," he says in a rather deep tone.

Daiki sighs. Takaki and Inoo relationship has been a hot topic even since their junior days. From annoying acquaintances to the closest of friends- their relationship's development is just like the one in shoujo manga. Daiki was convinced that the two souls will be together someday.

Thus Inoo showing up in front of his apartment in tears that night a year ago shocks Daiki to the core. And the reason behind Takaki's rejection almost gave Daiki a heart attack.

Daiki sits in the chair next to Takaki, sitting on the man's left side. "You are my best friend Yuya, and I understand how you feel. I really do. But looking objectively at the situation, a lot of hearts will suffer if you continue to pursue Kei."

"I know... But I miss him so much..."

"You chose not to tell him about it a year ago. You chose to let him go. If you tell Kei about it now, don't you think he'll blame himself?"

"You haven't tell anyone, have you?"

Daiki shook his head.

Takaki cups his face. Daiki's sentence resounds in Takaki's mind, rationalizing his thoughts. There are other things that should be his priority right now. Takaki can't let himself be a burden to the group, not when he is close to cure. Perhaps that is why he got carried away, trying to re-live the dream he once reluctantly let go.

"I am such a fool huh?"

Daiki put his hand on Takaki's left shoulder. "A bit."

Takaki laughs. Daiki always knows how to ease his worries and bring him back to the ground when his mind begins to lose it. He is the one Takaki can confide in about anything, even his darkest secrets. Takaki is blessed to have Daiki by his side at his lowest point of life.

Takaki may not even be here today without him.

"All right. Our manager will be here soon," Daiki stands up. "We better get ready. If we finish the recording early, we can stop by the new sauna! Sweating is good for health you know."

---------------------

"Kota!" Inoo shouts the man's name the moment he saw him at the company's atrium.

"Morning Kei," Yabu greets as the man approaches.

"How... how are you?" asks Inoo.

"A bit busy, but generally fine."

"You didn't answer my call. You didn't reply to my text. I was worried."

"My phone ran out of battery," Yabu lies.

"It has been a week... I'm sure you have time to charge your phone," Inoo reaches for the man's right hand.

Yabu slowly slides his hands away from Inoo's grip. "We're at work. We should remain professional."

Inoo bites his lips. He aggressively grabs Yabu's right arm and drags him to a secluded corner.

"Did I do something wrong? Why do I feel like you're avoiding me?"

"It's not you, it's me."

"If you have any problem you can always share with me. I'm your boyfriend."

Yabu chuckles. "This is the first time you admit it."

"What?" Inoo seems confused.

"Do you love me?"

Yabu's sudden question caught Inoo by surprise. "You know I do."

"But you never said it. Not even once since we started dating."

"Kota..."

Yabu smiles. He gently caresses Inoo's hair. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself for not being able to be the best for you."

"That's not true."

"I saw the Smash clips."

Inoo's eyes widen. "How..."

"I haven't seen you smile that bright since we dated," there is sorrow in Yabu's voice. "You were  glowing."

"They bring me to the beach. You know I love diving," Inoo attempts to find excuses.

"And I saw the roleplay you guys did on the bike too. The Takaki-boyfriend and Inoo-girlfriend watching sunset from their motorbike."

"Kota I can explain-"

"He kissed you, didn't he?"

Inoo's hand trembles in fear. "They show you that too?"

Yabu nods. "They asked if it would be too much for our fans. They don't know we are in a relationship of course. I mean, apart from our group members, you didn't allow me to tell the others, remember?"

"I was just going along with the script."

"The director said Yuya improvised, and you didn't resist. So they kept rolling. Can't blame them though. That skit will definitely get us more views on the app."

Inoo lowers his gaze, too embarrass to face the man in front of him. Yabu has been so patient with him the past six months, went along with all his requests. The man even remains calm when Inoo denies intimacy between them. Never once Yabu complaint about it.

Hence the intimate clips between him and Takaki surely hits Yabu hard.

"I'm sorry..." Inoo's voice sounds shaky.

Yabu brings Inoo into his arms. "I love you Kei. But I need time to re-evaluate our current situation."

Inoo hugs Yabu tight. Tears begin to wet his cheeks. "Are you breaking up with me?"

Yabu releases his embrace. He cups Inoo's beautiful face and gently wipes the man's tears with his thumbs. "It's for you to decide."

"Kota..."

"Whatever happens, you'll forever have a special place in my heart Kei. As long as you are happy, I'll be fine," Yabu kisses Inoo's forehead. "But for now, I think it's better to have some room between us."

Inoo watches as Yabu leaves. His foot feels heavy, and his heart is filled with guilt. Now Inoo realizes just how much he took Yabu for granted. Regrets begin to take over Inoo now as Yabu walks farther away from him.

Will you leave me too Kota?

~to be continued