Love Me Harder // MatsuHana.

eight

The next day, they met up at the usual spot just outside Hanamaki’s house before heading to school. Matsukawa leaned against a lamppost, checking his phone when he heard Hanamaki’s voice from behind.

“Miss me already, babe?”

Matsukawa snorted but didn’t look up. “Can’t miss what never left.”

Hanamaki walked up, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. “You’re in denial, Issei. It’s okay. I’m irresistible.”

Matsukawa finally glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “Sure, if by ‘irresistible’ you mean ‘a pain in the ass.’”

“Same difference,” Hanamaki grinned, nudging him with his shoulder as they fell into step together.

The morning was crisp, the kind of fall chill that hinted winter wasn’t far off. They made their way toward school, bantering as usual, but today there was something different in the air. It wasn’t long before Matsukawa spoke up, his tone playful but a little more serious than usual.

“You know, sometimes I wonder how you haven’t scared everyone else off with all this flirting.”

Hanamaki shot him a look. “Please, I’ve got charm. It’s called having a magnetic personality, Issei. You wouldn’t understand.”

Matsukawa raised his hands in mock surrender. “Right, right. How could I forget? You’ve got the girls swooning, the guys too—wait, me included, apparently.”

Hanamaki smirked. “Finally admitting it, huh? Told you, you’ve got feelings for me.”

Matsukawa laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “Bro, don’t flatter yourself.”

Hanamaki shrugged. “Too late. Flattery’s what I do best.”

They walked in silence for a moment before Matsukawa casually bumped Hanamaki with his elbow. “Alright, fine. I’ll bite. What would you do if I actually asked you out, huh? What’s the move?”

Hanamaki grinned, never missing a beat. “First, you’d have to beg me. Real romantic-like, maybe even some flowers or chocolates. Then, I’d consider saying yes. But only if you promised to pay for everything, obviously.”

Matsukawa snorted. “Wow, setting the bar real high there, Makki.”

“What can I say? I’ve got standards. Besides,” Hanamaki added with a wink, “you’re worth it.”

Matsukawa’s face cracked into a smirk. “Damn, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re actually into me.”

Hanamaki leaned in closer, voice dropping to a low, flirtatious tone. “Maybe I am. Maybe I’ve been in love with you this whole time, Issei.”

They locked eyes for a beat, the tension thick before they both erupted into laughter.

“Yeah, no homo though,” Hanamaki managed between laughs, slapping Matsukawa on the back.

Matsukawa wheezed, shaking his head. “No homo for sure.”

By the time they reached the school gates, their teasing had reached a new peak. Matsukawa leaned casually against the wall near the entrance, eyeing Hanamaki with a raised eyebrow.

“So, what’s on your mind today, Makki? You plotting your next romantic gesture for me?”

Hanamaki thought for a second, his lips curving into a mischievous grin. “Oh, definitely. I’m thinking—roses, candlelight dinner, maybe even a handwritten poem.”

Matsukawa laughed, shaking his head. “You write me a poem, and I’ll marry you on the spot.”

“Deal,” Hanamaki said without hesitation, holding out his hand like they were making a binding contract.

Matsukawa smirked, shaking his hand with a firm grip. “No take-backs, then.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Hanamaki replied, eyes gleaming with humor. “Better start writing those vows, Issei.”

“Yeah, no homo though, right?” Matsukawa teased.

Hanamaki grinned. “No homo. But, like, just a little bit of homo for the vows.”

They both cracked up again, the sound of their laughter echoing across the schoolyard. Even as they walked into the building, they kept up their playful banter, bumping into each other every now and then like they were in their own world.

As they headed toward their lockers, Matsukawa suddenly stopped, pulling Hanamaki back by the sleeve. “Hey, real talk for a sec.”

Hanamaki blinked in surprise, waiting. “What’s up?”

Matsukawa hesitated for a moment, then shrugged with a lazy grin. “Just… glad we’re like this. You know? Wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Hanamaki stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity, before he broke into a softer smile. “Same, man. Wouldn’t trade you either.”

Matsukawa gave him a quick nudge. “Good. But no homo.”

Hanamaki rolled his eyes, chuckling. “Yeah, no homo.”

But the way they smiled at each other as they turned back toward their lockers said more than words ever could. The teasing was endless, but underneath it all was something solid—something that didn’t need to be said. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why their bond was unbreakable.

As the day carried on, their flirtatious banter resumed, mixed with moments of shared laughter and inside jokes. Whether it was Matsukawa throwing his arm around Hanamaki’s shoulder during lunch or Hanamaki flicking Matsukawa’s ear while they waited for the bell, their dynamic was as strong as ever, full of teasing, friendship, and, of course, “no homo.”