Confessions

79 days remaining

....

"I really really like you, Aito. Would you go out with me?"

"God! Please shut up!"

Mei continued to do her best impression of Shun. Haru, being the supportive boyfriend he was laughed at every one of them. Shun sunk in deeper into his seat regretting he ever told them. "I hate you both. You guys are the absolute worst."

"When have you ever been grateful to us, brat!" Mei exclaimed.

To this, Shun only replied with nothing but a few seconds later he again said, "You guys are the worst."

Haru rolled his eyes at this. "Just tell him."

"Oh yeahhh! Why did I not think of that! That would solve everythinggg!" Shun said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"I think you should. I doubt he going to say it first. I doubt he even likes you." Mei said.

"Thanks for the advice Mei. Very helpful." Shun replied and Mei and Haru were sniggering again.

Aito hadn't come that day explaining Shun's current mood. Earlier Aito had messaged him that he had fallen sick. Everything felt grey without Aito.

Shun was at the terrace. He was looking up at the sky, watching the clouds take shape. His view was obstructed by a pretty face. "Himiko-san?"

"Does Aito-kun talk about me often?" She said flashing him a smile.

"Yea...what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I couldn't find Aito-kun." She said with a pout, "Thought you'd know."

"He's absent. Has a fever."

"Poor boy. I hope he's doing fine."

"Yea..."

"Say does Hasegawa-kun like our Aito-kun?" Himiko suddenly questioned.

"Wha- I-I.....I do....." He muttered, his cheeks pink.

"How cute!" Himiko smirked. "Ah youth I wished I could have lived my life fully. Have you confessed yet?" She excitedly chirped.

"No I haven't. I can't...I might ruin our friendship." Shun said, discouraged.

"What do you know about what might happen? What if he likes you back and your just letting a chance slip. You don't have much time so go for it. If he rejects you it's okay. I'm sure he wouldn't break your friendship over a trivial thing. It's better to seize it in the moment instead of regretting later. And if I'm not wrong then I suppose he's fallen for you too." She said with a smug smile.

"But--"

"The future is filled with uncertainties. How can you be sure of what is to come in both of your lives. Tell him. I'm sure he'll be happy either way because your the only thing that matters to him."

"Aito says that...the future's uncertainties..." Shun said with a smile. "I suppose your right. Now or never right."

"Attaboy!" The ghost exclaimed.

_____________________________

Shun had managed to get the day's notes from Aito's class president. In all their time together, Shun had never been to Aito's house. But right now he was infront of it. After standing at the doorstep for a full minute just gawking at the doorbell, he rung it. The moment he did he regretted it but the door was already opening.

"Shun? What are you doing here?" Aito's voice was hoarse from the cold.

"Homework." He lifted up the homework. Aito let him in.

"How are you feeling?" Shun asked. The boy's complexion was flushed and paler than usual. He looked tired too.

"I feel better than I was in the morning." Aito told him leading him to his bedroom. Shun looked around Aito's house. It was plain and small but cosy.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

"In heaven, probably." Aito answered with a shrug.

"Oh...I'm sorry..."

"It's okay." Aito said offering him a smile. "Thanks for bringing the notes."

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"Seriously!" Shun sighed, "I'll make something for you."

"You can cook?" Aito chuckled.

"I can't cook but I can at least make a decent sandwich." Shun said feeling offended.

"The kitchen is all yours then."

______________________________

"Wow! This is delicious." Aito exclaimed taking another bite.

Shun quietly watched Aito, a smile forming on his lips. Every moment he spent with Aito was always fun and colorful. He remembered his conversation he had with Himiko. Nervousness started to claw at his gut.

"Are you okay?" Aito asked, worry laced in his voice. Shun reached forward for Aito's hand. This was normal. The boy usually did this when he was nervous so Aito didn't give it much thought.

"I have something to say to you..." Shun said, playing with the other's fingers.

"Mhm..." Aito absentmindedly hummed.

Before proceeding any further, Shun was already a blushing and stuttering mess. Aito's curiosity peaked. He wondered what made Shun like this.

"I...um...I..." Aito did his best to stifle his laughter. "I...I like." Shun's brain had stopped working by then and Aito's curiosity had skyrocketed. "Who?" He asked in a teasing manner.

He wanted to know which person made Shun this cute. He was jealous of that person, yes, very much and it did slightly sadden him that now there was going to be someone else. He felt selfish for thinking such thoughts. He knew very well he couldn't have that place in Shun's life. It filled him with dread but he at least wanted it to only be the two of them till his last.

"I..I really like...your curtains! They look really cute and the design is also cute." Shun blurted out.

Aito turned to look at his green and dull as ever curtains. "There is no design on them." He said, slightly peeved.

Shun now looked at the said curtain, "Umm...I meant the other one."

"Shun." Aito started slowly. "Let me tell you that every curtain in this house is just plain, dull and boring."

Shun was rendered speechless and Aito couldn't hold it in anymore and started laughing hysterically. "You." He said between laughs. "Are." Another laugh. "Really an idiot, you know that, don't you?" He said after finally calming down.

Shun only smiled in response. He liked Aito. He liked him a lot. Aito brought out sides of him he never knew. And he liked that Aito was never weirded out by him. Every moment with him made him feel free. He could express himself without having to worry about the other's judgement of his character. But he had to appreciate himself for skillfully humiliating himself in front of his crush. And he even appreciated Aito for not yet running away.

Aito was pestering him asking about what he was going to say. Their hands were still in each other's. The sight made his nerves disappear and the words slipped out naturally.

"I like you." He averted his eyes to the table, waiting for the other's reply.

Aito was taken aback at the boy's suddenness. He thought that it was the normal 'telling your homies that you like them' but after seeing Shun blushing furiously all the while trying to cover his face he realized it wasn't that.

This was a freaking confession!!!

He felt his heart thundering in his chest. After a while he spoke in a quiet voice, "I like you too."

"Romantically?" Shun asked thinking he must have mistakened it as the 'telling your homies you love them'.

"Romantically." Aito nodded.

Both of them looked at each other and then burst out laughing uncontrollably.

After a solid minute did they managed to choke out words.

"That was--" Shun started.

"The worst confession EVER!" Aito exclaimed, wiping off the stray tears after laughing so much.

"It wasn't that bad!" Shun protested in his defense.

"First off, when confessing one should never start by professing their undying love for curtains." Aito chuckled.

"I was nervous!!!"

Aito continued to tease Shun while Shun wallowed in embarrassment till both of them fell quiet again, basking in the comfortable silence.

"Can I kiss you?" Shun asked, breaking the silence. Aito felt his cheeks burning up and turning scarlet. "I have a fever..."

"Just a peck?" When presented with Shun's pleading eyes it was always hard for Aito to say no. "Only a peck." He said sharply. Shun beamed. He leaned forward and Aito's eyes fluttered closed. Their lips pressed together. It was so soft. They lingered like that before breaking away.

They sat there with their foreheads placed together and fingers intertwined. "I like you." Shun repeated looking into the Aito's eyes. "Me too." He replied shyly.