When They Realized (GenMui)

14

A few days had passed since the bonfire ordeal, and the Kamaboko Trio did everything they could think of to cheer Muichiro up to no avail. First, they tried sparring with him on the Wii, hoping that the excitement of a good fight would lift his spirits. However, Muichiro moved with underwhelming pep, and his usual energy ceased to exist.

Then, they cooked all his favorite foods in hopes that a good meal would do the trick. Even when that attempt was made, Muichiro barely touched his food, aimlessly pushing it around on his plate with a lack of interest.

They even took him to a beautiful spot where they could enjoy the sunset together, hoping that the peaceful view would bring him some comfort. However, Muichiro miserably stared off into the distance, unable to comprehend what was in front of him.

No matter what they did, nothing seemed to bring Muichiro out of his sadness.

Even his father, ever the reasonable man, tried his hardest to throw the student responsible for his sons recent desolation behind bars, the news catching up to him not long after the party. However, due to age, the ten years in prison he so longed for was inevitably brought down to two months of community service. The Tokitos almost couldn't believe it. After all the trauma Muichiro was forced to endure at the bonfire, his abuser would only be receiving community service as a consequence. There was no justice.

"Muichiro, I really don't know what else to do," his father complained, rubbing his temples in frustration as he looked down at his office desk. "The police aren't even trying. He's done this to so many other people, and they genuinely don't seem to care."

Muichiro shook his head, gently placing a pale hand against his father's shoulder. "Daddy, don't worry yourself... there's no point."

Mr. Tokito instinctively deepened his worried expression, alarmed that his son would ever try to downplay a situation where he was the victim. The vengeance only thickened, and he found himself loathing a student years younger than him with a passion. That senior deserved no forgiveness—something Mr. Tokito came to realize as he picked up his phone with determination.

"I'm going to call the station again," he declared, his heart beating profusely as he anticipated the response he'd receive from the officers.

Muichiro sighed, removing himself from his father's side as the exit grew a little more appealing. Withdrawing from his father's office, Muichiro was immediately met with a wandering Genya. The taller one was only walking past when he managed to stumble upon Muichiro. He immediately lit up, unsure if that was the fate he looked forward to.

"O-oh, hey, Muichiro," he sputtered, his cheeks warming up and his stomach nervously flustering, butterflies occupying where he least expected it.

The feeling was new, but its origins were fortunately blatant. Or at least, to the likes of Genya, they were. This constant feeling of nervousness and admiration had developed the day of the bonfire. Genya could still recall the way he encountered Muichiro, his beautiful face in the glistening moonlight. His voice, soft, and his stature exuding purity as he stood called out to him in ways it never had before.

In spite of the intolerable events that invaded the festive call of the occasion, Genya managed to find something deeper within the rubble. He couldn't shake the feeling off no matter how hard he tried. Muichiro had become something else to him, and he'd tell nobody else but himself.

"Oh, what's up, Genya," Muichiro began, crossing his arms in intrigue. "Where are you heading?"

As for Muichiro, he happened to find solice in the taller one. While everyone else around him made special attempts to ignite his content, Genya had done so effortlessly. Just his mere existence alone was ample of a reason for Muichiro to enjoy his summer just a little bit more. Unbeknownst to Genya, he'd been experiencing a side of Muichiro most didn't get to.