When They Realized (GenMui)

9

Muichiro woke up, this time not as rough as the day before, and immediately began his routine. He brushed his teeth, took a shower, tidied up his room, and finished up his chores.

By the time he finally entered the living room, the television screen was on, playing a compilation of repetitive slime clips. Yuichiro loved to doze off to unexplainable satisfaction like that. In fact, he could rest his eyes to pretty much anything. He was always sleeping.

Upon noticing Genya, Muichiro's cheeks instinctively reddened. This reaction had become all too familiar lately. As time went on, he found himself increasingly flustered in Genya’s presence, a sensation he couldn’t quite explain and preferred not to confront. It was similar to the one he felt for Genya years ago. If it was emerging again, he wouldn't encourage it. The confusion was no longer worth the emotional turmoil.

"Good morning, Genya," Muichiro greeted, embarrassment welling up in his mind. "Sorry about my uncalled for actions yesterday. I was surviving off four hours of sleep."

Genya hastily shook his head, flaring his hands to undermine the significance of the situation prior.

"Don't worry too much about it," he reassured. "It was Nemi who decided to make it a big deal."

"I heard that!"

Ignoring Sanemi’s distant call from wherever he was in the abode, Muichiro leaned into Genya’s chest, enveloping him in a tender embrace. Muichiro's morning hugs had become a cherished routine for everyone else in the household, except Sanemi, as in, he never hugged him. However, the younger Shinazugawa always found himself flustered by such closeness, his body reacting with a mix of surprise and fluster. The close proximity was simply too overwhelming for him. Despite the frequency of these moments, he struggled to mentally come to terms with the intimacy that always caused him to blush.

As the two finally separated, Muichiro looked up at Genya with a gentle smile. "So," he nervously began, subtly swaying as he twirled a strand of his hair around his index finger. "I was actually about to go on a walk. I was wondering if you could give me company."

Genya's cheeks became a light shade of pink. His pupils averted across the room as he replayed the request in his mind. There was no reason for him to turn it down.

"O-oh yeah, sure," he accepted, the pink in his cheeks deepening as he grew embarrassed from his stutter. "I'm just gonna go and get ready."

"That's absolutely fine. I'll be waiting in the living room."

Muichiro waited patiently beside his sleeping brother, reflecting on how Genya reacted to his request. By this time, he'd gotten used to just how much Genya blushed whenever he said or did something even remotely intimate. He liked to think he was shy or maybe just embarrassed most of the time. However, Genya rarely ever acted the same way around Yuichiro.

What could Muichiro possibly be doing that everybody else isn't to Genya? If Muichiro had to guess, he'd say he was a little intimidating, but that could really only be said for his brother. The conclusion didn't align with reality. Even so, Muichiro refused to think about it too much. He'd just have to be a little more approachable.

Eventually, Genya had completed himself, prepared to accompany Muichiro on the treacherous journey. The two exited the abode, the wind slightly knocking them over beneath the sun hiding behind the clouds. It was warm weather, perfect for them both.

"Your dad might return before we do. What if he needs you in the shed?"

Muichiro shook his head, awkwardly combing his hands through his hair as he did so. "It's Yuichiro's day today, so it's fine."