Secret

It was Saturday night and Kikiyo's club was full of customers. Every corner was packed with people eager to dance and celebrate the weekend.

Natsuo and Ayumi were taken aback as they watched Nix bask in the attention of the swooning girls in the underground room.

"Look at those thirsty bitches," Ayumi scoffed, disgust evident in her voice.

Nix's infamous reputation as a wealthy yakuza leader had spread among specific clientele like wildfire. This ultimately gave him the opportunity to manipulate them and take advantage of their vulnerability, cementing his already notorious status.

"I need another drink. What do you want?" Ayumi sighed as she got up from her seat and glanced at Natsuo.

He was still sipping his beer, seemingly unconcerned as he asked her to surprise him.

"Oh, how original," she snorted rolling her eyes and gave him a coy smile.

Jiro entered the underground, his pure white hair shimmering in the dim light. He strutted confidently, his long coat fanning out behind him like a cape as he strolled to their table.

"I'm sorry for being late. I was getting my hair done," he cheerfully apologized as he sat next to Natsuo, who quickly emptied his drink. He looked dashingly handsome, his charm radiating off of him like a bright light as he smiled warmly at him.

"But feel how soft my hair is," Jiro asked and leaned in, making Natsuo flinch further away from him.

Natsuo's cheeks heated up as he quickly averted his gaze, unable to stop himself from being enchanted by Jiro's alluring presence.

"W-why would you ask that?" He hesitated with a wavering voice and glanced at the bar, wondering why Ayumi was taking so long to get their drinks.

Natsuo had gradually gotten used to Jiro's company over the past few weeks. He found it oddly comforting to have someone to talk to and look forward to seeing every day.

The majority of their time was spent playing video games, smoking weed, eating takeout, and staying up late. Their changing lifestyle became a regular routine and the days blended together as they embraced the new normal.

However, they had never touched each other so closely. Instead, they kept a respectful distance, never crossing the line of familiarity.

Ayumi returned with a tray of bright green cocktails. She carefully placed the beverages on the table, each one frosty and inviting.

"I decided to be considerate for once and took one for you as well," she grinned at Jiro.

"I'm always touched when you show your thoughtfulness," he said with a smile, digging the metal box out of his pocket.

"It means so much to me," he added as he lit a rolled joint.

Ayumi snatched the container for herself, taking one marijuana cigarette as well and passing the last one to Natsuo. She ignited it and smiled slyly, daring him to follow her lead.

"Come, join us," she whispered, her voice sweetly beckoning him as she clicked the silver lighter.

Natsuo hesitated for a moment before pressing the rolled cannabis between his lips, leaned forward, and let the flame touch the tip of his joint.

(Later that evening)

”Who is your favorite?” A female bartender behind the bar counter asked Natsuo. A small smile spread across her face as she watched Natsuo stare at Jiro and the three girls around him for quite some time.

”What?” Natsuo asked confused, clutching an empty beer bottle in his hands.

"That one on the right is pretty cute,” the bartender continued, gesturing to a girl with curly hair on her shoulders. The three looked alike, small-framed and dark-haired, with brown eyes sparkling when looking at Jiro.

”Or maybe the boy?”

He rolled his eyes and sighed, making it clear that he found the thought ridiculous.

Jiro made all the girls laugh, and one of them poked his chest playfully. His shoulders relaxed as he enjoyed being the center of attention, but he noticed Natsuo at the bar and flashed a smile at him as well. Their gazes lingered on each other for a moment, but Jiro soon forgot about him as the girls continued to shower him with attention.

The girl on the left put her hand on Jiro’s hip, and the girl in front of him spilled her red cocktail on Jiro’s white t-shirt - she was repeatedly apologizing, wiping the stain with her napkin – and the girl on the left did a quick movement with her hand near Jiro’s pocket and retreated further away from him.

Natsuo slammed the empty bottle on the bar counter, keeping his eyes on the targets as he marched confidently in their direction.

"Give me that," Natsuo commanded in a firm voice, his frown directed at the girl on the left. She timidly complied and handed him Jiro's wallet.

”Get lost," he said in a grumpy tone and with a hint of anger on his face. The girls quickly obeyed, hurrying away from the scene with their heads down.

(Later that evening)

Jiro teased the girls who had done something similar before and laughed at what had happened. Nothing new was on the horizon, he said.

"You should be more careful," Natsuo urged, frustrated by Jiro's lack of concern about the whole thing.

Jiro pressed Natsuo's neck into his forearm and wrapped him in a strong hug. He was overwhelmed by the intensity of the sudden embrace, feeling Jiro's warmth radiating through him and smelling his spicy fragrance.

”Thanks for having my back,” Jiro grinned into his ear while tightening his grip.

Natsuo backed away quickly, his face reddening from the embarrassment of the sudden intimacy between them.

"Whatever..."

The words stuck in his throat as Natsuo brushed his hair to hide his glowing cheekbones.

(Later that night)

It was time to call it a night when the drunken Jiro could barely stand. He stumbled out of the club, his vision blurred and his steps unsteady, unsure of where he was headed. Natsuo was surprisingly alert and collected; his attention had been more focused on following Jiro than on drinking.

Natsuo had to summon all of his strength to drag Jiro to his apartment, even though he was much smaller. Jiro tripped at the entrance while murmuring something about a late-night snack.

"I'll make you something - and take off your shoes at least - " Natsuo sighed and Jiro complied right away, the thud of his boots echoing in the room as they hit the floor.

"You are un-fucking-believable..." Natsuo mumbled as he headed to the kitchen, filled a bowl with cinnamon cereal, and topped it with some milk.

Jiro fell onto the couch while still wearing his coat and the stained t-shirt. Natsuo was sprinkling crushed chocolate cookies into the bowl and glanced behind his shoulder when Jiro's heavy breathing filled the space.

"Hey, don't fall asleep just yet!" Natsuo exclaimed as he entered the living room, his eyes widening with surprise at the sight of Jiro snuggling up like a contented puppy.

An unexplainable feeling stirred in Natsuo's heart as his attention remained fixed on Jiro. His chest tightened and his breathing grew heavy, unable to look away even though he wanted to. He struggled to comprehend the emotions that flooded his senses.

Natsuo's mind wandered back to their first meeting in elementary school.

The second graders were already in gym class and their teacher had told them about the new student who would join them.

Natsuo had to change into his outfit so he headed to the locker room - and he wasn't the only one who was late. The new kid was already there. He had a curious expression on his face as Natsuo tried to appear unbothered.

"Hello, my name is Jiro Takuya. What is yours?" He asked timidly, staring at him with big grayish-brown eyes.

Natsuo's heart started to race and his palms began to sweat as he absorbed the intensity of Jiro's presence. His head was flushed and his stomach felt like it was buzzing with butterflies as he thought about how cute the boy looked.

But then, Natsuo finally blinked and stepped back, looking away as his face turned a deep shade of red.

"G-go away you freak!"

Natsuo nervously wobbled away, embarrassed and unwilling to look at him any longer.

It was the first time he had experienced such a powerful reaction, and it left him feeling exposed and vulnerable - and most importantly, scared.

No one would ever know how the new boy made Natsuo's cheeks red or his palms sweaty. No one. He would do whatever he could to keep his secret, no matter what it took.

And it all happened again - the wild butterflies engulfed his stomach, making his pulse race as the fluttering creatures twisted and turned inside him.

His heart was about to burst out of his chest as he focused on how attractive Jiro looked and how captivating his smell was.

"Fuck... fucking fuck..." Natsuo groaned and clenched his teeth, trying to get rid of the strange feeling that was eating him alive.

A voice inside his head told him to run away and hide so that no one could see him like that. Natsuo's body trembled as his inner conflict grew more ferocious. He was too ashamed to face his own thoughts and wanted nothing more than to bury his dark truth in the deepest depths of his mind.

The shaken Natsuo left the phone, debit card, and keys on the coffee table. He was still determined to never let anyone find out his secret, so he followed the voice and ran away.