Shades Of Pearl (GenMui) - Book 2

10

Upon entering the abode, Muichiro attempted to sneak his way up the stairs. It was of his best interest that he didn't encounter his boyfriend after such a puzzling situation. The reunion might've been sweet for the both of them, but Muichiro still anticipated a word from his lover. There was no way Tanjiro could simply overlook the undeniably suspicious circumstances and move on.

Just as Muichiro had expected all along, Tanjiro managed to catch up to him before he could successfully land a foot on a single step. It only took Tanjiro one meaningful look for Muichiro to realize that he yearned for him promptly. The two needed to talk. Slowly, Tanjiro pivoted his back in the opposite direction as he headed straight for the living room. Muichiro immediately took it as a silent vow for him to follow. As much as he disliked that idea, Muichiro was fully aware that this talk was needed to salvage the awkwardness.

Prepared for the worst, Muichiro trudged away from the stairs. He followed after his lover, who patiently waited at one side of the living room couch for his presence. Muichiro bit his bottom lip nervously, building up the courage to sit beside the anxious taller one.

"Did you just think I wasn't going to mention it?" Tanjiro immediately asked with a disappointed sigh. It was hard for him to make the assumption, but it was definitely gnawing at the back of his brain. "It's not like I'm trying to accuse you of anything. I'm just... confused. Was there any reason you were in the passenger seat of your ex boyfriends car?"

Muichiro subtly gulped, running his hair behind his ear with a hand. He slowly shook his head as if to mentally deny anything he assumed Tanjiro was alleging.

"I was heading for the bouquet shop when I first noticed Genya," Muichiro explained, riveting his gaze to the coffee table in front of him. "We were just catching up until he asked if he could give me a ride. And I wasn't going to refuse because that would be rude,"

Upon noticing Muichiro's empty hands, Tanjiro shrugged off his explanation altogether. It was clear that Muichiro never once accomplished his goal of grabbing that bouquet. It would become Tanjiro's utmost priority right at that moment. He wanted Muichiro to feel satisfied, not intimidated.

"Did you manage to get a bouquet?" He asked, rising up from the couch as he already knew what answer to expect.

"No...,"

"Do you want me to take you?"

"That would be nice," Muichiro accepted with a gentle smile.

He got up from the couch as well, taking his lovers hand in his own. A wave of comfort washed over him upon the soft feeling of the other. It was a reminder of why he was in that situation in the first place. It was the reason he'd loved Tanjiro for so long. A sacred feeling of support that could never leave his side. Muichiro wanted to feel it forever, even if he couldn't love it forever.

Meanwhile, Genya finally received a text back from his childhood friend, Inosuke. He had been reaching out for the past few days, hoping to arrange a meetup whenever their schedules aligned. The effeminate male would take his time to respond, leaving Genya in suspense. When the message finally came through, Genya noticed it immediately. His heart lifted as he read Inosuke's reply, filled with nostalgia and anticipation for their reunion.

The two had come to the agreement that Wednesday was the fairest of dates. Two days to get prepared was definitely an ample amount of time for them both. Genya would take advantage of the Tuesday right in front of him to accomplish his occupational tasks. Since the day he returned to Kitakyushu, Genya hadn't received a single complaint from his boss. His productivity was undeniably on a roll.

Shutting off his phone, Genya finally took it upon himself to get his hours in. There wasn't enough time left in the night for him to linger. After all, there were only so many digital errands his boss might've given him when that wasn't Genya's top priority. As he thought about it, the eager pull of his eyes begged for sleep, and without realizing it, he found himself preparing for the next day.

When that next day finally rolled around, the birds sang Genya awake. The second he arose, he immediately harbored a significant bolt of energy. It'd been quite a while since the last time he got a good sleep in, and he couldn't deny the positive toll it took on him physically. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that he could get everything required of him done that day.

Immediately, Genya took a brief walk around the city, reminiscing in the details of every familiar setting. It was such a breath of relief to notice former Kimetsu High students who remained in town. Genya perceived some of his former classmates shopping in groups, some of them walking their dogs and others, chilling at restaurants. As much as he begged to tarnish the developing emotion, Genya couldn't help but feel ashamed that he'd left such a beautiful landscape.

Eventually, Genya reached a dead end in his exploration and returned to the hotel. With a sigh, he logged onto his laptop, physically ready to tackle his tasks even if not so much mentally. A long day stretched ahead, and he was unsure if he wanted to spend it buried in research. Yet, the work couldn't be ignored. Resigning himself to the hours ahead, Genya dove in, reminding himself of the hangout planned for tomorrow.