One Lie: ItaFushi

Chapter 3

Megumi's face was warm, pressed against Yuji's chest. It wasn't the first time they had been in a position like that, but it felt different. So different that Yuji found himself in a daze while filling a pot with water.

The liquid flowed over the edge into the sink basin, gradually heating as it continued to pour from the faucet. A strong, rigid arm came from the side, and Yuji felt the familiar presence again.

"Don't flood the sink," Megumi's lips tickled the back of Yuji's ear.

The pink-haired man took a sharp, heaving breath. Those tears broke all the composure he had built up after initially seeing Megumi's long lashes and emerald eyes in person again after so long. He hadn't planned on being next to Megumi for longer than a brief conversation. He hadn't anticipated that Megumi would actually stay after Yuji said, "I love you."

"So close," Yuji squeaked out.

Megumi's body pressed into Yuji's back for a moment in the small kitchen. It was painful—burning, throbbing, and lonely. He wanted more.

"You were taking so long. I'm starved. I haven't eaten since I got back to Tokyo this morning," Megumi said, moving his body away from Yuji.

"Yeah, I can imagine. You did just run out of the restaurant," Yuji said, emptying some of the water from the pot.

He wanted to say something cheesy. "I'm hungry too, hungry for you." Those words didn't leave Yuji's throat. They were dumb. It was stupid to think that anything could come of their... whatever was happening.

Yuji shook off his nerves and kept at his task. He placed the pot on a burner, starting the gas stove with a few short clicks. Megumi lounged against the fridge as if familiar with the space. His long-sleeved black shirt clung in all the right places. Yuji forced himself to avert his eyes.

"So, brothers? How's that?" Megumi asked, in a cold, almost uninterested voice.

"Well, when two people love each other," Yuji started to say, smiling.

"Shut up, you know that's not what I meant," Megumi grumbled, with a slight smile of his own.

Yuji blushed when he saw the man's lips curve, even if it was only by a single degree. It was a rare sight. However, maybe the Megumi in front of him was more akin to smiling than the one in high school.

"I guess it's interesting to say the least. We are barely brothers, though. They thought my mom was the egg donor, but it was actually this random person we all came from. It's kind of crazy that one person can pump out so many eggs, though. I didn't think it was possible," Yuji shrugged as the pot sizzled on the stove.

"I'm glad someone came to look after you while I was gone," Megumi said.

Yuji turned to him with a furrowed brow. "I seem to remember you basically living with me. Not the other way around. You didn't take care of me. I took care of you."

The smile fell from Megumi's face as he said, "Well, what if I want to now?"

"What? Why would you want that? You're off living your best life on an island, making new friends, and showing yourself off to random people in competitions," Yuji arched a brow.

Megumi looked down, then peered into Yuji with his fiery green eyes. It was the same look. The one Megumi gave him on graduation day. Megumi was being serious, or attempting to.

"I messed up. I ran. Now, I'm asking you not to run," Megumi said, taking a step closer.

Yuji's face melted. His cheeks burned as the water began to boil. The black-haired man standing in front of him was different from the Megumi he was used to. What was the saying, "Time makes you bolder?"