Episode 15. Confessions

"This is a bad idea. A really bad idea. Definitely not a good one."

Tomo was doing his best to stay out of the classroom. He had promised to go to school, and it would probably have been fine, but Ken had put a headband on him, hid his contacts and tie, changed his cardigan to a blue hoodie and somehow managed to convince Tomo to change out of the plain studs.

And now Ken was trying to force him into the classroom.

The anxiety was spiking. It had taken him time to go from 'passably boyish' to 'maybe a few cute things won't hurt' the first time, and now it felt like Ken was asking him to jump into a raging storm in the middle of the sea because he knew Tomo just about managed to keep his head above water.

"You're blocking the way," Sakura said behind them.

"See Ken? You're causing trouble. Just let me run away from here. I went to school, now let me go home."

"That's not what our agreement was."

"It also wasn't to force me into class."

"Think of it as a bonus."

"It's not! This is freaking me out!"

"Fine," Ken sighed and spun Tomo around. "I'll just make you go in there then."

Tomo had barely time to wonder what that meant when Ken gently cupped his hands over Tomo's cheeks, and kissed him.

Anger replaced any anxiety he had been feeling. He had been trying so hard to make sure strange rumours didn't go around about Ken and that they wouldn't be perceived as something they weren't, and now the guy kissed a 'boy' at one of the doors to class 1-B. What had all his efforts been for if Ken got teased or bullied?

Besides, who kissed at school?

"What did you do that for? You're an idiot!"

"My grades beg to differ."

He glared at his boyfriend who had a smug smile on his face. If he had been Sakura or Chika, he would have punched him, but Tomo wasn't either of them. He just put his hands on his hips.

"That's not something you should be doing. Go mess with someone else! You're the worst!"

Ken laughed. "Thank you for the compliment."

Tomo glared, but Ken looked away from him.

"Oh darn," he muttered.

"Yamada-kun, this isn't your classroom," Tomo heard Handa and hurried to his seat.

"My work here is done. I'll be back for lunch, Tomo."

"Never come back."

Handa obviously tried to hold back laughter as he walked into the classroom through the door in the front while Ken closed the one in the back to hurry to his own class. "I hear Momoi is back, so that's good."

Tomo felt how his anger turned to embarrassment and he stared into his desk.

Ken really was an idiot.

***

"Will you have lunch with me, Tomo?"

Ken was standing at the door.

"No."

"Yuu, Tatsumi, can I join you two then?"

Tomo glared at Ken. He was eating with his friends, which meant Ken would join him if he joined his friends.

"Sure," Tatsumi replied. "Go ahead."

His glare turned to his friend instead.

"Yama-senpai, was that really a good idea?" Yuu asked.

"The thing from this morning? It doesn't matter, does it? If people want to spread rumours and gossip that's up to them. Doing so only tells everyone else you're not really worth associating with."

Ken said that a bit louder than would be natural. He was probably warning those in the classroom that what they said and did would reflect upon how others saw them.

"And," Tatsumi chimed in. "Both of you've acted at a live theatre, so just because it looked like something, doesn't mean it was. That would explain why Momo got so angry. He knew what it looked like."

"Yeah, you're right. Even I couldn't really tell for sure what I saw, so it's impossible for anyone to say what that really was." Yuu was catching on to what Tatsumi was trying to do.

"See, Tomo. That's no problem, is there?"

"I'm hearing strange voices," Tomo said. "I must have caught a cold or something. Do you think I can go home now?"

"You're that angry?" Ken sighed. "I can live with that. It seems you forgot what you're wearing after all."

It was in realisation his hand moved to his head where the headband was and he turned to Ken. He was right. He still wore the headband. He didn't have the usual studs.

Suddenly he felt anxious. But, to his surprise, it wasn't as bad as he would have expected.

"Senpai, that was really unnecessary."

"Tomo will be fine. No one said anything all day, right? And if Abe says anything I'll personally beat her up even if it gets me kicked out of school," Ken said while smiling.

"Ken, that's terrifying. Please don't do that. Just, I don't know, pinch her cheek?"

"That's some really petty revenge, Tomo."

"Violence doesn't solve anything and it puts you on her level, doesn't it? I don't need it anyway. I rather she just stays out of my life."

Tatsumi laughed. "It's funny how senpai is the most upset about this. And Momo is the most mature now. Out of everyone."

Tomo didn't find it funny. He knew where Ken came from after all. Naturally, part of it was Ken feeling guilty he couldn't do anything to stop it, and possibly feeling like he might have caused it. He carried a lot from the past as it was. But for the most part he was just angry that Tomo had been hurt. He would have been just as angry if it was Chika, Sakura, or anyone else he considered close.

"Pretty much everyone in the class was upset when we heard what she did." Yuu nodded at Sakura and Airi. "Especially Hana-chan. She could almost rival senpai. She said something about kicking 'Abe's sorry arse' out of school. Airi was also upset, but she feels sorry about not questioning why you'd lend out your notes right before the exam."

"I should have done that too," they heard Satou say and Tomo looked up. "Can I sit with you?"

"It's a little crowded already, but if you find space..." Tatsumi shrugged.

"Yuu, move," Satou said and went to get his desk. Normally it would have been paired to Tatsumi, but Tatsumi moved his desk further back so Tomo, Yuu, Ken and Tatsumi could sit around it. "Found some space," he added once he put his next to Tatsumi's.

Tomo chuckled. "Didn't you just create it?"

"Same thing." Satou sat down by his desk and Yuu sat down opposite of him.

"What actually is funny is how you are kinda grouped the same way as you were last term," Ken pointed out.

"Itou who's next to Hana-chan was next to Yuusuke previous term, so we're pretty much the same group in a line," Satou replied. "I don't think I've talked to you since we had the study group during summer, senpai."

"Probably not. Saitou... No, Satou was it?"

"Satou Susumu."

"Thought so. We got a Saitou at work, so I was mixing you two up."

Thinking about the summer, reminded Tomo of something. "Ken, what are you doing during the culture festival? You're not in the play."

"I'll help the costuming and character designs. But why did you think of that? We haven't even started preparing for it."

"I just remembered you quit the acting troupe after that last play."

Ken looked worried. "You knew about that?"

"It wasn't that hard to figure out, Ken. You never talk about it and haven't had any rehearsals according to Kouta. Saku-chan doesn't mention you either."

"Ah... Guess I should have made more effort if I wanted to hide it."

"What? You've quit acting? I thought you continued outside of school." Yuu was shocked.

"Nah, I quit. I..." Ken looked a little embarrassed as he smiled. "I decided to change my schools of choice. I wasn't going into drama anyway. It's just a hobby. That's why I've been studying to catch up."

Tatsumi let out a surprised "Really?"

"Can you ask Sayoko to help me with my English essay later?" Tomo asked, as they were on the topic of studying anyway.

Ken raised an eyebrow. "You don't need any help. Your English is better than hers."

"It's more about the content."

He nodded. "Gotcha. School or home?"

Tomo tilted his head. "We got work today, so home I guess? Or she could come over this weekend..."

"That won't work out. Shouji-nii's back home this weekend."

"Oh, yeah. He's moving into grandma and grandpa's house now, isn't he?"

"Gramps got the last of his things to Shinnosuke's house now, so I think that's the plan."

"Ask her when it works for her."

"Momo-chan, you just came back to school and you work the same day?" Yuu asked.

"I already caused tenchou-chan too much trouble, so changing my shifts last minute doesn't sit well with me."

"Where do you two work?" Satou asked.

Tatsumi and Yuu shook their heads.

Ken laughed. "According to those two, you don't wanna know. But it's really just a café."

"That's false marketing, senpai!"

***

"Momo-san, you're back!"

"Is your health alright?"

"I'm fine! Thanks for worrying about me."

Tomo hurried through the staff-only door to the back. He was exhausted. He was somehow more popular now than before. He crashed on the sofa in the men's changing room.

"We really need a break room."

"We don't have space for that, Momoi," he heard Kouta say. He looked to the door and saw Kouta lean against the doorpost.

"At least give me my own changing room then."

"Are you going to start now too? Fujiki's been on me about it for almost a year." Kouta sighed. "But we'll give you one. We're emptying the storage room for you. Mimi-kun just needs to stop working his main job so much."

"Mimi-kun doesn't work here full-time?"

"Technically, yes, but he's only allowed to work here if he works at his father's clinic. Such a stupid arrangement." Kouta appeared to be pretty annoyed. "I'll have to use the one day a month we're closed to empty the storage room. Fuji-chan will have to help too since he'll be here."

"Fujiki-senpai works here on days when it's closed?"

"He does any bookkeeping necessary," Kouta explained with a shrug.

Tomo tried to imagine Fujiki doing accounting. He knew that was actually what Fujiki had studied at university, but it was still hard to imagine the one who crossdressed all day at work sitting somewhere and looked like a normal worker in some office.

Thinking of the gay man did remind Tomo of something.

"Stop telling Ken things! It's creepy! He has no interest so you're just harassing him. I get his your brother, but the only person I know that you compare with is Saku-chan and her creepy collection."

Kouta held his chin in thought. "So he's not interested?"

"Not at all. I'm not a girl, so I'm not interesting. Shouji didn't tell you?"

"You've talked about this with Shouji?" The man's eyes turned wide and he seemed more shocked about it than he ought to be. It was strange.

"I have. You know he's my father, right?"

"You're right, but Shouji of all people..." Now he looked troubled. "Nevermind! You're okay with Ken not being interested?"

"Why wouldn't I? I'm happy with holding hands, kisses and hugs."

And sleeping side by side.

"Those are the things I want from him."

"I have to apologise to Kenta. I clearly took my teasing too far."

***

Tomo tried his best to hide how awkward it all felt as his hand slipped over the sleeve along Ken's arm. He hated it. He regretted he had done what he had done before, because now Fujiki had told him to take the initiative. Ken was about to serve a group of girls that Tomo recognised and some of his 'fans'.

Or rather, they liked speaking about Tomo and Ken with Ken, because he'd describe and compliment Tomo in all kinds of ways.

He had no script. He had nothing to go on.

He hated this.

It was so awkward.

He reached Ken's hand and took hold of the tray.

"Ke-ken-kun," he stuttered, his heart racing out of the embarrassing awkwardness. "You've once again left me alone. My heart aches for you to see me."

Or rather, it ached for him to get all of it over with.

Ken turned to Tomo and looked surprised for a second as Tomo took the tray away from him.

"Momo-san, I do have customers to serve."

He put down the tray on the table smiling at the girls before turning to Ken. "Are you telling me I am less important than these girls?"

There was giggling and one of the girls quietly said "I didn't know Momo was the jealous type." while another answered "Of course Momo-san's jealous. Just think about their personality."

Ken glanced at the girls, his expression betraying that he wished he could just spend time alone with Tomo. He then turned to Tomo, putting his arm around his waist. He took his hand and, to Tomo's surprise, his fingers parted and Ken put his fingers between his. Their fingers had never intertwined in front of customers before.

"My heart is yours; my love for you burns stronger than anything in existence. I know it is not jealousy in your heart, but it is the feeling of being apart from me that darkens it so much you seek me out. Therefore, my Momo, I will be honest and say it is very humbling to know I occupy your thoughts. I will cure you of your loneliness day and night, stay by your side in perpetuity. I will protect you from the maliciousness of others, and fight your demons by your side."

Tomo felt how he was flushing.

It had been awkward to approach Ken, but now he was professing his love for Tomo. And not as the fantasy they created for others, but as himself. It was hidden behind the theatrical lines, but Tomo knew their meaning.

He wanted to tell Ken to shut up, but he also wanted to hear the rest. He both hoped for Fujiki to come soon, and not come at all.

"Your very being is all I need, your thoughts of me are enough, but to be blessed by your love fills me with delight. You're my very own sapphire, worth more than any gem in this world and any other. I imagine your lips are as sweet as they're peach, your hair as soft as it is black, and I will drown in your blue eyes for eternity. I have but my love to offer, but I hope that you one day will give me more of your blessings."

The mention of blue eyes likely confused some. Or many. Others who had been visiting before Tomo started wearing contacts would know what Ken was talking about. It might only be strange he knew Tomo's real eye colour, as he had been wearing contacts when Ken started working.

Either way, he didn't care. In fact, he had forgotten where he was.

He smiled gently and Tomo couldn't help but return it. "It is, with all my being, that I l—"

"Hey!"

Both of them twitched at Fujiki's voice, pulled out of their own world. Ken smiled sheepishly Fujiki's way.

"You could at least have let me finish what I was saying."

"Only thing I want you to finish is your job."

Ken shrugged and let go of Tomo. "Call for me whenever you're lonely, Momo-san. I will be there right away."

"I... think my heart is filled to the brim," Tomo managed to whisper and Ken smiled.

"That gladdens me, Momo-san."

"Back to work you two!" Fujiki said and turned Tomo around, and Tomo stepped away.

He felt his heart flutter and fingers tremble a little as he went to get a tray to do his actual job, his face still hot.

"Ah, uh... eh... Would you like to have a refill?" Tomo asked one of the customers.

"You're completely red. What did Ken-kun tell you?"

He looked back at Ken who was covering his mouth with his hand.

"Just the usual, I suppose."

"Does that mean Ken-kun has stolen Momo-san from us?"

He chuckled. "No, not at all. That's a day that has yet to come."

But he secretly hoped it would come soon.

***

"Look at the girly boy coming here."

Tomo heard the all too familiar voice, and it sent an ice-cold sensation through his entire body. But unlike before, it wasn't sickly sweet but irritated at his mere existence. Well, the owner of the voice had been suspended for a few days 'because' of him. His first instinct was to run, but he suppressed it.

"Oh, it's the thief invading other people's privacy and harassing them," he replied and Yuu and Tatsumi laughed quietly. "Being a girly boy is far better than being a thief. And you got the girly boy thing completely wrong."

"You're not a girly boy wearing that pink hoodie, that hairband and those earrings?"

Yuu got angry. "What is wrong with that hairband? I gave it to him."

It was reasonable. He had spent a lot of time one picking something he'd thought Tomo really liked.

"Calm down, Yuu. She's just trying to start a fight. So ignore it."

Tatsumi appeared calm, but Tomo guessed Tatsumi was angrier than Yuu, since he knew Tomo was neither a girl nor a boy.

"No, Abe-san. I'm not a 'girly boy'. I'm Momoi Tomoki. That's all."

Abe looked taken aback, then seemed to recover.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Take a look at your own self for the answer to that." Tomo turned when he heard Wakabayashi's voice. Tatsumi and Yuu did too. "You will have to come to the teacher's office with me, Abe-san. I can't ignore what you just said."

"I didn't say anything wrong."

"Then you're fine with me calling you an old man, Abe-san?"

That was a question Tomo would never have expected to hear a teacher ask a student, but nonetheless, he did.

Abe was first stunned, then offended. "Of course not! I didn't say anything remotely close to something like that."

"That's exactly what you did. Now go to the office immediately."

Tomo saw Abe furiously walk towards the teacher's office. Wakabayashi turned to him, Yuu and Tatsumi.

"Are you alright, Momoi?"

"I had friends with me this time, so I'm fine," Tomo said. He felt nervous though and it was starting to feel like anxiety. He was fingering the sleeve of his hoodie.

"If Momo-chan needs it, I'll protect him."

"Yuu, I think I'd be better at protecting. I think you'd rush into the front and get killed before defeating the enemy. Sakura seems like a better protector than you."

Tomo turned to Tatsumi but got interrupted before he spoke.

"You have good friends, Momoi. Take good care of them. You will need them in the future."

Tomo turned back to Wakabayashi and studied them. They gave him a brief smile.

Something about that smile made Tomo feel like Yuu should know the truth. Or perhaps he felt ready. Well, as ready as he could be when he was an anxious wreck to begin with.

"I will keep them close for the tough times ahead," he replied.

Wakabayashi nodded and then went their way to the office.

"What was that about?" Yuu asked.

Tomo felt anxious. He didn't feel like air existed. But he forced an inhale.

"If you've got time after school, I have something to tell you, Yuu. And, I don't know, maybe Satou-kun too, if you feel you can trust him."

Tatsumi put a hand on Tomo's shoulder. "You ready for this now?"

"No, but will I ever be?" Tomo asked in return with an uncomfortable laugh.

Yuu looked worried. "I think telling Susumu is fine. What about Airi? No? Want to talk at your place? Since it seems private."

"Hmm... I'm not entirely sure I'm comfortable with Airi knowing."

There was that time when she ended up outing Makoto to Yuu after all.

"I was going to ask you all to come to my place anyway, so..."

He laughed awkwardly.

Who knew about it? Tatsumi. Ken. Did Ken have work today? No. Shouji. Kouta... knew he called himself nonbinary at work, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. Fujiki knew. Ichirou... might, depending on how observant the man was. Sawa, Chiyo, and Chika didn't for sure.

Then who would be home? Ichirou. Chika, perhaps.

Should he tell Ichirou? Maybe he should contact Shouji first, just in case. If there was any trouble Tomo could stay with his father or with Ken. But his stepfather had married Sawa. He was probably pretty accepting. Or maybe he just accepted Sawa. That could be possible.

He'd need to think about that.

***

"Ken," Tomo said when he saw Ken walking past him, dressed in his PE clothes.

"Hm? What's up?" he asked as he stopped. A black-haired third year stopped to look at them. Ken looked into Tomo's face. "Ao, go ahead. This is prolly family-related, so..."

'Ao' meant it was Ken's friend Aoki Tatsuhisa. They had been at the same school together up until Ken transferred to a different one in middle school. Aoki had chosen to try getting into the same school as Ken, but that was all Tomo knew. Well... He consistently did the best during exams, but even Ken had said Aoki could probably do whatever he wanted in the future, because he was pretty smart so that wasn't surprising.

"Gotcha. If it takes too long, I won't cover for you though."

"I'll let you copy my notes."

The young man ran his hand through his hair thoughtfully as his weight shifted. "Which ones?"

"Whichever you fall asleep during next."

"That won't do. Until the end of the cultural festival."

"Deal. But don't sleep through all of your classes."

His lips split into a smile. "I'll sleep however much I want. Your notes are better than mine. Later."

They watched him leave and Ken then pulled Tomo along to get some privacy, at the half-way platform of the stairs.

"What's up?"

"Ah... mm... I'll tell Yuu. And Saku-chan. Maybe Ichirou. You don't work, right? So after school..."

Ken looked surprised and then gave him a quick peck on the forehead after looking around to see no one was there.

"I'll be there. I'll protect you by being there for you. No matter what happens, I'll be there with you."

"Thanks Ken."

"Was that everything?"

Tomo nodded.

"Ao will be disappointed."

"Well, I need to go to class too..."

Ken gave him a disappointed smile. "Isn't that a shame?"

***

Tomo stared into his knees. He was crumpling the fabric of his shirt. He was counting his breath. He felt like he might throw up. His entire body felt cold.

Around the table in front of him were people who either were like family or friends of his. His allies.

He hoped.

Ichirou sat slightly behind him to the left. Tomo had asked him to be there. Shouji had written in his message that he trusted Ichirou, but if Tomo was too scared Ichirou would reject him, he could come. Tomo had said it would be fine. He had Ken. And if anything happened, he'd call.

And Ken was right there, by his side, with one arm around his shoulders, and a hand on top of one of Tomo's tense fists. Normally, showing this kind of physical contact would have been limited to those who either knew or were family. But that really just meant it was something Yuu hadn't seen because they respected him, and Satou, who didn't know about their relationship.

"Can I go throw up first?" Tomo asked under his breath.

"It'll be fine, Tomo. I'm right here, no matter what. You don't have to if you don't want to, but if you want to, fight the anxiety till the very end," Ken whispered back to him. "You chose this time. You chose these people. Sakkun loves you like a sibling, Yuu seems to be a nice guy and knows about us, Tatsumi knows and he hasn't run away from you. Satou is a bit of a wild card, but you chose him too. We both have a good feeling about him. Whatever happens, I'll be right here. I'm not leaving your side. Not even if I need to use the toilet."

Tomo started laughing, more because of the nerves than finding the joke funny.

"If you need to go, just go," he whispered back but Ken held him closer.

"No. I'm not leaving until this is over. I don't actually need to anyway. Just saying that I'll sit here for hours for you if I have to."

Ken was right though. He had chosen these people.

Or... Well... Tatsumi found out by chance and that was a fortunate accident. If anyone was going to accidentally find out, he was genuinely glad it was Tatsumi. Had it been someone else, Tomo might not be sitting there, trying not to choke on the knot his throat had become.

Sakura had known him for years. If Shouji had been able to figure it out, Sakura probably wouldn't be surprised. And if she was fine with Tomo... maybe she could accept Aki too?

But Aki might have been less obvious than Tomo. After all, Tomo had been surprised to find out. However, in general, the Hanakawa children seemed very accepting, unlike their parents. If she accepted Tomo, maybe he could tell Fuyu, Natsu, and Haru. And make it clear to Aki he wasn't questioning and he never had. He just...

He rejected himself. He knew that. He was the one who hated himself for what he was the most. He hated how he wasn't normal. He hated how he knew people would be ashamed to have him as a friend, child, relative, neighbour. He hated how he refused to let go because it caused him pain.

And he hated how Ken, Shouji, Tatsumi, Fujiki and the staff and customers at the café gave him hope it could be better. He hated it because he wanted to run away right now. Wanted to throw up. Wanted to scream. Wanted to say how it was and never look back because he wanted to be free of all the pressure.

"Tomo... You're the kindest, bravest, strongest human being on earth. It'll be fine."

Tomo took a deep breath and straightened his back. He closed his eyes.

Ken was right there. Ken would always accept him. Even if they weren't a couple, he would have asked Ken to be there. Ken would have come even if he had work. Ken had always been there for him, even when he took that for granted.

"Thanks, Ken. I'll be fine."

"Want me to let go?" The whispers tickled his ear.

The arm around his shoulders was comforting. He opened his clenched fist and turned the palm upwards.

"No. Don't you dare do that. I think I need to crush your hand."

Ken laughed silently and placed his hand in Tomo's palm. "Don't break any bones, 'kay. I need it for work."

Tomo inhaled. Then he opened his eyes as he exhaled. He took another deep breath.

"Saku-chan if you look surprised I'll throw your horrid collection out."

Sakura laughed and made a circle with her arms over her head. "Gotcha. I'll be stone-faced."

"With that out of the way," Ken said with a chuckle.

"Where do I even start?"

"At the beginning?" Satou suggested in a try to be helpful.

Tatsumi looked thoughtful. "Well, Momo was born..."

"Isn't that way too far back?" Yuu asked.

"No, that sounds about right," Ken replied.

"Don't tell me Momo-chan's going to tell us he was born a girl or something."

That was surprisingly close to the truth.

"I mean, he doesn't change with us at school... so..." Satou pointed out.

"I'm pretty sure I would have known that," Sakura pointed out. "Since I moved in next door when we were in first grade. Besides, we used to bathe together around then, so I can con—"

"No need to tell us that, Sakura-chan. We get it."

Ken squeezed his hand.

"You ready?" he whispered.

No, he wasn't.

"Sa-saku-chan's not wrong. But Yuu's... pretty close actually."

"Huh?" Yuu and Satou looked surprised.

Sakura... smiled. No surprise, not even a hint of it. It was, instead, a relieved smile.

Tomo looked over to Ichirou. He had his usual kind smile. There was nothing to be read in his expression.

He turned back to them.

"So, eh... I'm Momoi Tomoki, and—"

"Tomo is Tomo," Sakura said.

Tomo wasn't surprised she'd say that.

"What does that even mean?" Yuu asked.

Tomo chuckled before he took a deep breath.

Was he accepting himself? Or was he just trying to find acceptance? He wanted to be accepted. He wanted it so bad.

Nah, he wasn't going to accept himself for a while. He knew that. He was still unsure. Not what he was and wasn't. But whether to be it or not.

"I'm Momoi Tomoki. That's what it means. I'm not a boy, nor a girl. I'm not a man, nor a woman. I'm just... Tomoki. What that would mean is that... well... I'm nonbinary. Like Wakabayashi Ryuu-sensei."

"Ah..." Satou looked thoughtfully at Tomo. "Hm..."

"Oh, come on, Susumu. What is that reaction?" Yuu asked. "I didn't see it coming, but I guess there were signs."

"I guess I'm a little humbled that Momoi was willing to tell me."

"I trust you, Susumu. Yuu too. Momo must have picked up on that."

"I knew all along," Sakura said.

"No, you didn't," Ken said. "I knew all along."

"Fine! I didn't know. I guess I had a feeling it might be something like that, because I'm not surprised."

"You seem to be relieved," he heard Ichirou say and Tomo turned to him. The smile at him was gentle. "I suppose you're not surprised if I say I had an idea you don't fall into typical gender identities, do you?"

"No. I did... hint at it in the past."

"Hana-chan isn't going to tell us she's a guy now, is she?" Yuu asked.

"Hell no!" Sakura looked ready to start a fistfight if she needed to as she started rolling up her sleeve. "If you think of me as one I will beat some sense into you."

"No, Sakura-san, you will not."

"Oh yeah, the former police officer would not approve of that..." she said. "Fine, I'll annoy you until you think of me as a girl."

"I don't think anyone thinks of you as a girl, but we know you're not a guy, so calm down."

"Whatever, as long as you get it."

"I suppose we got the genders straightened out," Ken said.

"You're very brave, Tomo-ku— ah. Tomo-san, I believe would be correct?"

"Tomo-kun is fine," Tomo chuckled. "Though I still would prefer if you dropped the honorific."

"Very well." Ichirou stood up. "I'll go get you all something."

Ken let go of Tomo's shoulders and Tomo eased the grip he had on Ken's hand.

"Thanks, Tomo. That really hurt." He massaged his hand, then he nuzzled Tomo's hair. "You're so strong, my love," he mumbled, but whether he meant emotionally or physically, Tomo couldn't tell.

"Ken, only Tatsumi's seen you do that before."

"Ah, sorry. I was just so relieved I did it out of habit."

"That's... a kinda strange habit you got, Yama-senpai," Sakura teased him with a smug face. "Randomly sticking your face in people's hair."

"Oh, come on, Sakkun. You're not that stupid. I wouldn't stick my face in your hair even if you were the last human being on earth."

"That's great to know. I don't want your ugly mug in my hair."

Tomo chuckled. "Ken won't be in anyone's hair." Ken nuzzled his in protest. "Except mine. And stop that, Ken. Not now."

Ken sighed and then moved away. "Wanna explain that to them, though?"

"Are you trying to make me throw up?"

"Is it really that much worse than your gender? I'm almost hurt," Ken laughed.

"Well..." Tomo started.

He got anxious again and without Ken's comfort, it did feel worse. Even if both Yuu and Tatsumi already knew and Sakura seemed to have figured them out.

He rubbed the fabric of his trousers with his hands.

"Ken and I..." he mumbled quietly, but got stuck,

Ken stood up and Tomo looked at him in confusion, seeing him walk around the table. He whispered something to Yuu.

"I'm fine with that."

The boy came back to sit down by Tomo's side.

"Ken?" he asked as the boy held his chin.

He studied the serious gaze Ken was giving him.

He figured out what Ken had asked Yuu. In fact, it wasn't too hard. It was the first time they'd do it in front of people, and it was terrifying. But Tomo felt surprisingly okay with it. Maybe Ken was right. It wasn't as bad as sharing his gender identity.

Actually, it wasn't bad because he had told them. They wouldn't get the wrong idea.

Ken let go of Tomo's chin and put his arm around Tomo's waist. He slowly closed the distance and Tomo wondered if Ken perhaps was nervous. Wondered if it would be just a peck or a long one. He put his hand on Ken's thigh, closed his eyes, and their lips met. He was pulled closer and felt Ken's hand on his.

Suddenly there was a knock before the door opened and they jerked away from each other. Tomo looked at his friends, feeling his cheeks burn. Glancing at Ken, he saw Ken was covering his mouth.

"Hm? What's happening?" Ichirou asked.

"Nothing," Sakura said. "Absolutely nothing."

Tomo moved to the table as his stepfather went to put down cups and some tea and coffee, together with a selection of homemade snacks.

"Let me know if either of any of you wants to eat dinner here. Kenta-kun, your mother said it would be fine."

"Ah, mm. Thanks for calling her," Ken said as he moved to take place by the table as well.

Ichirou gave him a questioning look before he left and closed the door.

"So, uh," he said. "We're like that."

"Why are you embarrassed, Yama-senpai?"

Ken laughed. "I was surprised, okay? And it's not like I've kissed people in front of others before."

"There's that time at school," Sakura pointed out.

"Shut up, Sakkun! That time no one could be really sure."

"Is senpai a good kisser?" Satou asked.

"You wanna try, Satou?" Ken asked. "I don't swing that way, but..."

Satou looked disgusted. "No, thank you. I wondered because he looked like he really wanted to kiss."

"Yuu, I heard you felt uncomfortable about Makoto and Fujiki," Tomo tried to change the subject.

"Airi's a fujoshi. I've probably seen more guys kiss than guys and girls. If it's that much, it's fine. And you're not a guy. You just said so."

"Ah but..."

"You look like one?" Tatsumi asked.

"Mm."

"So does Sakura-chan," he pointed out. "More so than you do, even."

"Anyway," Sakura said loudly. "Yama-senpai, you just said you don't swing that way to Susumu. What ways do you swing?"

Of course she took the opportunity to direct it to her favourite topic, other than theatre.

"I'm straight. It's as simple as that."

"Is it?" she asked. "Because Tomo-chan..."

"Isn't a guy. Why make it more complicated than it is?" Satou said. "Let the guy call himself whatever he wants."

"Satou's a good guy," Ken told Tomo.

"Yeah."

"You can call me Susumu. For real. I mean, you let me in on two pretty big secrets. They're secrets, right?"

"Yeah," Yuu said. "Or else Momocchi would probably have told Airi too. Though she knows one..."

Tomo started serving tea and coffee, partially to feel less nervous.

"She does? Which one?"

"Don't, Saku-chan."

"You can call me Kenta, then," Ken said. "With or without an honorific. Yuu and Tatsumi too. Tomo probably prefers Momo over Tomo, if you have to choose, right?"

Tomo nodded.

"Ke—" Sakura started.

"Satou-ku— Ah. Susumu, tea or coffee?"

"The hell are you trying to call me, Sakkun?" Ken said loudly.

"Tea."

Tomo poured tea for Satou and handed him the cup before he sat back.

"Yama-paisen then."

Ken put his arm around Tomo's waist, pulling him closer to him.

"Whatever."

Tomo took his cup and sipped on the tea slowly, feeling just a little unsatisfied that the kiss so suddenly had ended, but he didn't really want to say that. Not in front of his friends at least. He listened as they spoke with each other. He noticed Sakura seemed more interested in talking with Tatsumi than anyone else. And there was the fact Tatsumi called her by her given name...

He... was intrigued.

He made a mental note to write down any story ideas the two of them could give him.

Out of nowhere, when no one had directly spoken to him for a while, he felt Ken get closer and his nose was shuffling around strands of hair. Tomo turned to ask what was wrong, but before he had time, he was kissed again.

Tomo guessed Ken hadn't been satisfied either.

"Get a room," Sakura said when Ken moved away again.

"Hana-chan, you realise this is Momo's house, right?"

"Yeah?"

"So he could just kick you out."

Ken laughed while Sakura looked disbelieving.