When They Realized (GenMui)

22

Sanemi’s night shift at the convenience store had dragged on, but he finally arrived home, tired but eager to get some rest. As he entered the abode, he immediately headed for the guest bedroom door, where he shared space with Genya. The house was quiet, and he figured Genya was somehow still asleep. His footsteps were soft as he made his way down the hallway, the last of his energy spent as he approached the door.

Without a second thought, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. However, his entrance was met with an unexpected scene. Genya, who had been snuggling with Muichiro underneath the blankets, abruptly shoved Muichiro down, pulling the covers over him with frantic urgency.

Ugh, not again, Muichiro thought, the situation not so unique to him in the slightest.

Sanemi’s eyes widened, noting Genya’s sudden movement to hide somebody, though he couldn’t determine it was Muichiro beneath the blankets. Quick to assume, his mouth flew agape, his thoughts heading in the utmost wrong direction. However, he wouldn't come to realize that before addressing what he considered his perspective.

“Hey, look, man, wish you would've done it when you were older, but I’m gonna let you do you,” he finally said, his voice tinged with awkwardness. “Although, I swear to god if there’s no wrapage around that package, I’m gonna lose it. Next thing you know, a pregnancy scandal is blasting around their school, and you’re the root of it, and you're my brother. Also, it never happens in our room again, you hear me?”

Genya, clearly flustered, nodded vigorously, though it was obvious Sanemi had completely misread the situation. Not only was there no intimate act involved, but Muichiro was also not "the girl" Sanemi would ever tolerate his younger brother being with. Genya’s sole focus was to get Sanemi out of the room as quickly as possible. It would be a hard task, but he was willing to take on the job with swift diversions.

Sanemi sighed, a look of disgust crossing his face, but he didn’t want to linger. It'd be weird to stay in the presence of his brother in such an uncomfortable situation. He grabbed a change of clothes from the closet and headed out to the restroom to change.

Once the door closed behind him, Muichiro emerged from the blankets, gasping for breath. It wasn't the first time he was forced to duck beneath the sheets, and he was afraid to admit to himself that he wasn't getting used to it. That realization was a killer.

Muichiro and Genya exchanged glances filled with both relief and understanding. The reality of their need to keep their relationship hidden hit them hard, knowing it would be a challenge to maintain their secrecy under one roof.

The next day unfolded with a series of subtle maneuvers they hoped would keep them from detection. During a family gathering in the living room, Muichiro and Genya sat on either side of Sanemi. As they watched TV, their hands slipped together behind Sanemi’s back, fingers intertwining. Each touch was deliberate and gentle, the warmth of their hands communicating more than words could. Muichiro would occasionally glance at Genya with a smirk, while Genya focused on the television, attempting to hide his flushed cheeks in the presence of the others.

At lunchtime, the family gathered around for a delectable meal of soba. As the conversation flowed around them, Genya and Muichiro found their legs brushing against each other underneath the table. The brief touches were fleeting but filled with a noticeable intimacy. They stared at each other, lost in their own world despite the bustling conversation around them. Every brush of their legs sent a thrill of mischief through them. They felt like they were on top of the world. On top of that, they were completely absorbed in each other’s presence.

Later in the day, they found themselves in the library, discreetly looking at every interesting hardcover. Genya and Muichiro settled into a cozy corner, pretending to be engrossed in their reading. Their real intent was to stay close. It even felt cool to play mischevious when nobody else was around. Just the very thought of being in a relationship there was no way their families would condone derived an adrenaline rush they never found themselves wanting to lose. Every time their hands brushed as they reached for a book, it was a meaningful gesture, their fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. They exchanged shy smiles and quick glances, their faces warming with the thrill of their secret.

As the day wore on, Mr. Tokito’s suspicions grew like never before. He was one of the first to notice Muichiro and Genya's weird behavior, and the concept of it all never left his mind once it had begun to linger. In the kitchen, he sipped his tea, deep in thought. When Muichiro walked in, Mr. Tokito’s eyes flicked up. “Did you enjoy your time helping me in the shed today?” he asked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp.

Muichiro nodded, striving for nonchalance. “Yes, it was fine.”

Mr. Tokito’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh, of course it was. After all, you couldn't stop talking about Genya. You’ve grown quite fond of him, haven’t you?”

A flush crept up Muichiro’s face as he nervously played with his hair. “I guess so,” he said, trying to sound casual, hoping his affection came across as friendly rather than romantic.

“What’s all that?” Mr. Tokito asked, his suspicion growing as he deftly leaned against the kitchen island.

"What's all what?" Muichiro chimed, his eyebrows arching as his innocent facade with Genya began to fade.

“That movement, Mui... you move quite a lot when on the topic of Genya. 'Can never seem to control yourself. Why is that?”

An expectant silence fell over the room. Muichiro’s heart raced, feeling the weight of Mr. Tokito’s scrutiny. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, Sanemi barged in, his voice cutting through the tension. “Fess up, Muichiro. It’s obvious. I’m afraid that wasn’t no lad in Genya’s bed after all.”

Yuichiro, who had been lounging in the living room, sleeping as always, sprang up and immediately averted his gaze to the kitchen. “What!?”

Mr. Tokito’s eyes widened in shock. “What...?”

Muichiro’s face flushed a deep red, his mind racing as he realized that Sanemi had completely misunderstood the situation, causing the other individuals to do the same as well. Although Muichiro and Genya were only peacefully cuddling, and by this point, Sanemi was mostly fully aware of it, he still enjoyed the way he worded it, hoping to watch Muichiro's face glow up in embarrassment.

The room was charged with confusion and tension as everyone’s eyes darted between Muichiro and the brief belief of Genya, who was up in his bedroom. Muichiro knew he needed to clear things up, but with Sanemi’s comment, the situation had spun out of control.

With a deep breath, Muichiro prepared to reveal the truth, knowing that honesty was the best course of action. He had to set the record straight before things got any worse, and his father faced him in a way that he otherwise never would've before.