Arukōru (Alcohol) Bar (BL)

Shukishi (part 6/6)

"Would you guys want to meet her?" Shukishi glanced between all of us.

"Of course!" I said. "I'd like to apologize for our first meeting as well..."

"I already explained that situation to her so don't worry."

"If you feel ready to let us meet her, then I'd like to," Rikiya said.

Shukishi beamed. "Then I'll talk to her and see what she wants to do."

On the way home in a taxi, I laid my head on Anzai's shoulder. "Why does the word 'love' embarrass you?"

He was quiet for a moment. "...I'm not sure. I guess it seems like a deeply personal word. And it kinda feels strange for a man like me to go around saying it."

"You should just listen to your heart and not care about what others think. You should be able to share your feelings without repercussions."

"You're right..."

He didn't say anything else after that and it almost made me irritated. When we got to the door of our apartment, I had to ask.

"Do you have anything to say to me?"

He stared at me, clearly confused. I pushed past him and through the open door.

"Never mind," I said. I already gave him some hints, didn't I? I just need you to say that word to me, Anzai!

The next day, Shukishi told us the news. Nomi would have time next week to meet us over dinner if that worked for everyone else. We all agreed and the date was set.

While time continued on as usual, I stared at Anzai while waiting for him to speak to me. He never caught on to what I wanted but I was going to be stubborn and not spell it out for him.

"Did I do something wrong...?" He finally asked.

I set the dish I was washing in the sink aside. "Not exactly."

"So I did do something wrong?"

"It's more like what you didn't do." I grabbed another dish to scrub.

"...did I forget an anniversary or something?"

I laughed. "When have we celebrated any anniversaries?"

"Should we start now?"

I glanced over at him. "Do you remember any important dates?"

"Of course. I remember the date we met, the date we graduated, the date you opened your bar, the date we moved in together..."

I was surprised. It seemed like he was paying closer attention than I thought. I put another dish down and dried my hands with a towel. "Why did you remember all of that?"

He met my eyes. "...like you said, it's important."

"To you or me?"

He hesitated. It was almost fun to see him so tongue-tied.

"It's not a trick question..." I said.

"It's important to both of us...is it not?"

I paused. "Would you be sad if it wasn't important to me?"

An emotion flashed across his face before disappearing immediately. I stepped forward and put my hands on his face.

"It's important to me," I said. "That day we met has always been so important to me. Is it just as important to you?"

He gently put his hands on mine. "...yes."

"Then..." I brought the question up yet again. "Do you have anything to say to me?"