Another day passed by at the hotel with no signs of progress. Everybody had different things on their mind - escaping, home, friends, and some even love. But nobody was eager to share them. The atmosphere was not motivational enough to help them express their feelings out loud.
Yukio was no different from the others. He had also been worrying about his family and the situation in general. He wasn't sure if he could trust anyone. However all those worries were soon made irrelevant when Hostess showed up to present everybody yet another task.
- Hi there, everyone! I hope you're enjoying your stay so far~
Silence befalls the dining room, as Hostess is met with no response.
- Weeeeell, it doesn't really matter if you are or not, because either way, you've got another challenge to complete! This time, you're gonna be-
Suddenly, a male voice interrupted her speech.
- Shut up. We don't *care* what you have to say. We're not gonna listen to you any longer!
- Oh, Kaemon, that's a little rude, don't you think?
- Get out - he proclaimed in a decisive and dominant tone.
- Aw, well, if you're gonna bite the hand that feeds you, I'll just put a note with the instructions in everybody's rooms... - Hostess weeped and disappeared quickly, almost as if teleporting.
Yukio stared at Kaemon intensely. He couldn't believe that someone actually dared defy the will of their kidnapper. He was amazed at the confidence in his voice.
- Uh.. Yukio? Anything I could help you with?
- Ah! Um.. No, sorry... - the boy didn't even realize how long he'd been staring at Kaemon. He was deeply embarrassed.
- It's fine. Don't lose yourself, Yukio - he exclaimed while putting a hand behind the blue haired boy's back.
Yukio simply nodded and watched the crowd scattered. He was now alone in the dining room, thinking about the conversation that just happened. He couldn't understand his own feelings. For once, he thought of something other than fear. Was it.. comfort? A sense of security? He couldn't figure it out.
Unfortunately, they still had to complete their tasks. But Yukio wasn't mad about it, as Kaemon helped him through the entirety of it. The two have gotten significantly closer since that exchange. In the morning, they'd make breakfast together and eat it while talking about random things. It pulled them out of the reality they were in - that in the end, they were still locked inside of an unfamiliar place with no guarantee of living. They felt safe for the first time in a while.
One night, when they were sitting together in Kaemon's room, Yukio began a strange conversation.
- Hey, Kaemon....
- What is it?
- You know, I've been thinking... This whole thing.. The kidnapping, the deaths.. It's so strange. I should be terrified right now, praying that I don't die to some stupid trap set up by that woman..
But when I'm with you, I feel safe, somehow.
Kaemon was surprised by Yukio leaning into him during his speech.
- As if, there's nothing to worry about - he continued. - You.. make me feel.. safe. And, not only that....
- I... understand, Yukio - despite his emotional immaturity, he tried comforting the boy and reluctantly put his arm around him.
- If-... when - Yukio corrected himself - we get out, I don't want this to end. I haven't felt this close to someone in a while...
- I'll make sure it doesn't.
They spent the next few minutes in silence. Kaemon hadn't realized that Yukio fell asleep on him. He felt too bad to wake him up, so he simply accepted it and stayed in place until eventually following in Yukio's steps.
... (timeskip)
"Hello? Helloo? Kaemon?" A faint noise was coming from the door. It was enough to wake him up. "I'm coming in, Kaemon. Not like you can hear me, anyway..."
The one who barged into his room was Kaori, looking for both him and Yukio as it was way past breakfast time and neither of them had come down to eat.
- I... Am I interrupting something? - she was met with the two guys laying down together.
- Oh... You.. saw nothing... get out - Kaemon said quietly, as not to wake up Yukio.
- I'll... uh, tell them you two are busy... bye.... - she abruptly left the room.
"Mmm?" Yukio murmured as he woke up to Kaemon next to him. Both of them had forgotten about what happened yesterday, so they were equally surprised to seeing each other in such a vulnerable position. They quickly sat up on the bed, far away from each other, refusing to look into one another's eyes. Without a word, they soon got up and went down to consume.
- Oh look, the two lovebirds woke up after all - Mayumi mockingly said.
- S-shut it.. Kaori, I thought I told you something..! - Kaemon stuttered.
- Sorryy, I had to.
No other words were said during eating, though a lot of looks were exchanged. Some giggled to themselves, while Kaemon and Yukio awkwardly tried ignoring the obvious mockery.
Since they arrived late, they also were the last to finish and leave the table. They both went to put their dishes in the dishwasher.
- What now!? We can't explain this to them! - Kaemon yelled worringly.
- Um.. Do we.. have to explain it?
- ... What are you getting at?
- Kaemon... I... I think...
He hesitated saying what was bothering his mind, but gave in soon enough.
- I mean.. That happened, you know... And, I-it's not like either of us stopped it.. What are we, Kaemon? Is this really something as simple to explain as a mistake?
- Yukio... - he got closer. - Can we really be doing this..? In a situation like this one?
- Kaemon.. - he reached out to grab his hand - It's not like it'd be harmful or anything, right? I can't just.. forget....
- ... You're right.... I also could never. But I can't believe this...
- I love you, Kaemon. I can't deny it anymore. The way you're so confident, but get embarrassed over the cutest things.. the way you stand up for everybody, especially me... it makes me feel something I couldn't feel for anybody else. I.. need you.
- I don't.. know what to say....
- You don't need to say anything.
Yukio then gently pulled down Kaemon as to be his height and went in for a kiss. It was quick, but enough for Yukio to become a blushing mess. He backed out, regretting doing too much too fast. But after a few seconds, Kaemon tenderly grabbed Yukio's face and their lips met once more. Yukio's heart skipped a beat, but he responded with the same passion as his companion. He gently combed through Kaemon's hair, as not to disturb the moment. They both wanted the moment to stay forever, but were stopped by almost everybody popping out of the corner silently. There was no turning back now - everybody saw their intimate moment. However, that also meant that there wasn't a point to hiding their feelings, and could live without shame.
im deeply sorry
