Love Me Harder // MatsuHana.

fourteen

The next evening arrived faster than either Matsukawa or Hanamaki anticipated. As Hanamaki stood in front of the mirror, he ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame the wild mess that always seemed to be a part of him. He was dressed in a casual, yet stylish outfit that he hoped wouldn't betray his nerves. It was just Matsukawa, after all-his best friend. But somehow, it felt like so much more.

He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the night ahead. They had agreed to meet at a cozy café known for its desserts, far away from the prying eyes of their teammates. Hanamaki left his house with a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling in his stomach.

When he arrived, the café was warm and inviting, filled with the sweet aroma of pastries and fresh coffee. He spotted Matsukawa sitting at a corner table, casually leaning back in his chair, a playful grin on his face as he scrolled through his phone. Just seeing him sent a flutter through Hanamaki's chest.

"Hey, sorry I'm late!" Hanamaki called as he approached, trying to mask his nerves with a bright smile.

Matsukawa looked up, his grin widening. "You're not late. I just got here," he said, putting his phone down. "You look nice, by the way."

Hanamaki felt his cheeks heat up, and he quickly waved a hand, trying to brush off the compliment. "Thanks, but you're the one who looks good. Did you try extra hard to impress me or something?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I did," Matsukawa replied with a smirk, leaning forward on the table. "Maybe I wanted to look cute for my date."

"Cute? Coming from you? No way," Hanamaki shot back, trying to keep the banter light, though his heart raced at the word. "I'm not sure that's even possible."

Matsukawa feigned a hurt expression. "Wow, so rude. I thought we were here to have a good time, not roast each other."

"Come on, you love it," Hanamaki said, laughing as he settled into his chair.

They quickly fell into easy conversation, the initial nerves melting away as they shared stories and jokes over a menu filled with tempting desserts. Hanamaki found himself stealing glances at Matsukawa, who was animatedly talking about a recent match they had played. The way his eyes sparkled when he spoke made Hanamaki's heart do another flip.

After placing their orders-Matsukawa opting for a rich chocolate cake and Hanamaki going for a classic strawberry shortcake-the atmosphere felt charged, like electricity hanging in the air.

"So, what's your game plan for next week's practice?" Matsukawa asked, leaning back in his chair with that relaxed confidence that always made Hanamaki feel at ease.

"Honestly? I'm still trying to figure out how to not embarrass myself in front of the team," Hanamaki admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I feel like every time I mess up, I end up thinking about how you'll never let me live it down."

Matsukawa laughed, shaking his head. "You know I wouldn't do that. You're too cute when you get flustered."

Hanamaki choked on his drink, sputtering slightly. "What?! You can't just say that! No one asked you to call me cute!"

"Why not? You are cute," Matsukawa said, completely unfazed, as he casually wiped a crumb from the corner of his mouth.

"Okay, okay, enough with the flattery. Let's talk about something else before I die of embarrassment," Hanamaki replied, trying to steer the conversation in another direction.

But Matsukawa just smirked. "You're the one who brought it up. Just accept your cuteness, Hanamaki."

Before Hanamaki could formulate a witty retort, their desserts arrived. Matsukawa's eyes lit up, and he immediately dug in with gusto, enjoying each bite as if it were the best thing he had ever tasted. Hanamaki watched him, unable to hold back his smile.

"You really like dessert, huh?" Hanamaki teased.

Matsukawa looked up, a mouthful of cake still in his mouth. "Is that a problem?"

"Not at all, I just didn't realize you could fit so much food in your mouth at once," Hanamaki quipped, laughing as Matsukawa shot him a mock glare.

"Maybe I'm just practicing for our next meal together," Matsukawa shot back, a smirk playing at his lips.

As they continued to eat and joke, the tension that had loomed over them began to dissipate, replaced with a comfortable warmth. They shared stories, playful insults, and moments of genuine laughter. But there were still those charged moments-when their eyes met a little too long, or when their knees brushed under the table, sending jolts of awareness through both of them.

As they finished up their desserts, Hanamaki felt a warmth spread through him. He couldn't deny that this was one of the best nights he'd ever had.

"So, what's next?" Matsukawa asked, leaning back and crossing his arms with a satisfied grin.

"I don't know, maybe we could go for a walk or something?" Hanamaki suggested, trying to sound casual even as his heart raced at the thought of extending their time together.

Matsukawa raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider. "You mean, like, a romantic stroll?"

"Shut up," Hanamaki replied, unable to hide his own grin. "It's just a walk. No big deal."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Matsukawa chuckled, standing up and gesturing for Hanamaki to follow him.

As they walked outside, the evening air was cool and refreshing. They strolled down the sidewalk, the soft sounds of the city surrounding them, and Hanamaki felt a nervous thrill in his chest.

"So, what's the verdict?" Matsukawa asked, glancing sideways at Hanamaki. "Did I pass the date test?"

Hanamaki couldn't help but laugh. "I guess you did. But you know I have high standards, Matsun."

"Good thing I'm the best," Matsukawa replied confidently, a teasing grin on his face.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Hanamaki shot back playfully. "You've still got a lot to prove."

They continued to banter back and forth, the teasing laced with an underlying current of something deeper. As they walked, Hanamaki couldn't shake the feeling that tonight was just the beginning of something new and exciting.

"Hey, Matsun," Hanamaki said, a little more serious now. "Thanks for tonight. I really had a great time."

Matsukawa's expression softened, and he smiled back warmly. "Me too, Makki. I'm glad we did this."

And just like that, the night wrapped around them, leaving an air of possibility hanging in the balance. They didn't yet know what was growing between them, but for now, they were content to explore this new path together-flirting, teasing, and enjoying every moment along the way.

As they walked on, the laughter and the teasing continued, the night stretching out ahead of them like a promise of more to come.