Tulips [Ishimondo]

🐹 Confrontation?⚡️

Kazuichi POV:

Kaz stormed away from the table he was previously sitting at with Mondo and Leon, down the rows of tables to reach the one with Sonia and Gundham. 'Shit.... Why am I even doing this?!? It's only $100! I'm not really losing anything by not doing this.... But I'm not really gaining anything either'

He continued past the tables slowly, biding his time before he'd have to confront Gundham.

'Gundham...'

He wasn't even sure if Gundham really even liked him. Sure, he was was sweet, romantic, respectful, kind, generous, honest, annoying in his speech but always willing to help, and would get flustered when Kaz made him talk normally- but that wasn't the point! Sure, they acted like an old married couple, but they never confirmed anything! He was so damn in love with Tanaka, but Tanaka probably only dated him because he knew that Kazuichi would say yes immediately, Kaz was probably one of the most desperate people in the school.

Kazuichi had never really had any friends, and would mould his personality to fit in with whoever he was hanging out with, and would have to switch back when they eventually dumped him. He'd cling on to people to easily as soon as they even expressed the slightest interest in him. He tried becoming more eccentric to be like Junko, she was insanely popular after all, but people still didn't like him, so eventually, he gave up.

Last year, in his first year at Hopes peak, he met Sonia Nevermind, she was insanely pretty and respected, but she never really liked him. The popular people called him a simp, and would compare him to his upperclassman, Hifumi Yamada. That year, he met his "rival", Gundham Tankaka. He hated how good looking he was compared to him, how he fit in so easily even when he was really annoying, how much miss Sonia liked him, how well they got along without trying, why couldn't he be like him?!

One day, Gundham had pulled him into the hall, asking Kazuichi questions about Sonia and him. 'Do you like her?' 'Is she into you?' 'Why do you always follow her lead?' Kaz had thought he was jealous of him, but answered honestly anyway. 'No we aren't dating.' He said bitterly, but before he knew it, Gundham had kissed him. He thought it'd be a good way to make Sonia jealous, but once they started talking, he couldn't stop. Gundham was like sugar to him, addictive and sweet, a complete romantic, and soon he had realised, he wasn't jealous of Gundham, he was jealous of Sonia.

The two would visit each other's dorms, go on 'dates' together, but had never confirmed what exactly they were. The weight of keeping their relationship the same was holding him down in a chokehold, he didn't wasn't Gundham to tell him that he was just a fling. He wanted him to love him back-

Kaz was brought back to reality when he was only a few feet away from their table, Sonia was deep in conversation with Gundham, and was smiling brighter than ever.

"H-hey Gundham"

Gundham looked up at Kazuichi suddenly, ignoring Sonia completely. "What is it, my paramour?" He asked sincerely

Kazuichi took a deep breath "can I talk to you" he looked over at Sonia, who was pretending not to listen in "privately."

"Of course, is everything alright?"

He ignored the question and pulled the taller man into the corridor. He looked up at Gundhams concerned face, who was holding Kazuichi's hands in his soft ones. 'Shit...' he couldn't focus when he looked up at him.

"I-I....."

"Is everything okay?" He said worryingly "did I do something? Are you unsure about us? Is someone messing with you?! If they are just say the word and I will release the power of all my Deva's combined to eliminate them!"

"N-no..." Kaz mumbled

"Then what do you need?!"

Kazuichi couldn't stand looking at Gundham all sad and confused, He pulled him by the scarf into a passionate kiss.

...

When they released, Gundham looked flustered and red, his hair had frazzled and he looked like he was trying to process what had just happened.

"S-sorry was that to forward?!" Stumbled Kaz, seeing the look on the others face

"N-no!" Gundam replied, trying to put himself together, "I was simply surprised, I did not expect such a small thing to be in private matters"

"Sorry- I shouldn't have intruded on your conversation just to kiss you-"

"No it is fine! You can feel free to kiss me anytime, I do not mind. I quite enjoy it" he said sincerely, looking down at Kaz with a sparkle in his eyes, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

Gundhams face fell "Do you want to keep our relationship secret?"

"I-I..."

"I understand if you are not comfortable with publicly expressing affection, I just... assumed since you are so expressive normally..." he said, averting his eyes from Kaz.

"Look..." Kazuichi cupped Gundhams face in his hand and made him face him. "I just wanted some time alone... you've been hanging around Sonia since the year started... and I know she was gone for the holidays but... god I feel so stupid- I wanted to hang out with you really badly but I don't want to seem selfish or clingy. I just don't want you to hate me."

A small tear fell from his eye as he looked down, removing his hand and leaning against the wall. He jolted as Gundham pulled him into  a close embrace, his cold hands running through his hair.

"Paramour, if you want to come over tonight, you're more than welcome" he spoke softly in his ear.

"Y-yeah... I will"

They held each other for a few minutes before Kazuichi let go. "See you tonight?"

"Of course" Gundham replied, kissing the others hand gently. Kazuichi walked back to his table, his heart lighter than before, and sat down by his friends.

...

"Sooooo.... Did you ask him?" Mondo asked slyly

"No..." mumbled Kaz

"Knew it!" Yelled Leon

"Shut up" grinned Kaz. Clearly, asking Gundham could wait just a little longer.