You, Me, and Him

by: Yenny

PART 01: Two Monkeys

Nobunaga Kiyota, second year high school student from Kainan high, reached for his house keys and wearily inserted it in the keyhole. He felt sore, sticky, and a warm and pleasurable bath was just what his body needs to sooth his aching nerves. He was tired, dead tired, and it was all because of their new basketball captain, Jin.

We even practice on Sundays, like today. Who knew that Maki's successor would turn out to be such a slave driver? He's worse than Maki.

Sighing, the key turned and then found, to his surprise, that the door was unlocked.

"What the…" he trailed and peered cautiously inside to check for things amiss.

Wide blue eyes viewed the scene before him; broken glasswares, couch semi-buried under piles of old magazines and newspapers, TV switched on, radio blasting tunes of an unknown loud rock band, chess board pieces lying on the ground, and the smell of something burning.

The kitchen.

Dropping his things, he scurried towards the said direction and found an omelet left to burn on the stove. Cursing under his breath, "Oi, red monkey, come out from wherever you are and show your stupid self," he yelled, knowing only one person who had the audacity to turn his apartment into something a tornado had blown in.

Silence.

Damn, where is he? I should remember to ask for his set of keys. This should not happen again or Maki would have a fit when he arrives and sees this mess. Kiyota shuddered from the thought.

Hearing a thud, "Shit! The bedroom."

Like a man possessed, Kiyota sped through the mess cluttered on the floor and went inside his room. Once inside, he managed to breath out a sigh of relief when he saw no major damage done. Venturing further inside, he found his closet being invaded by a tall carrot top with his back on him.

"Hey, what are you looking for?" He inquired, sitting by the edge of the bed, but his visitor didn't reply.

His brows rose at that. "Do you intend to create havoc in my closet as well?" He asked, placing more conviction in his voice. But still, the other didn't answer. Getting impatient, he stood up and went behind the redhead.

Peeking over Sakuragi's broad shoulder, "What are you looking for?" He asked again then cursed under his breath when he saw his clothes and belongings in complete disarray.

Fed up, "That's it. Get away from there. I won't let you turn my closet into something like yours," he stated, using one arm to bodily shove the taller guy away. Brown eyes glared at him but still said nothing.

Kiyota sighed, again, and then chuckled after noticing that he'd been doing that a lot since he came home. Damn it! I don't need this right now! He inwardly groaned. Shower. What I need is a shower then I'll be fine, he deduced and was about to sigh again if he hadn't caught himself in time. With a last shake of his head, Kiyota closed his closet and followed the Shohoku player to the living room.

"Hey, have you gone deaf and mute all of a sudden?" Kiyota shouted, rounding up the corner. "Will you say something? I don't intend to talk to myself you know."

"Then SHUT UP!" Sakuragi hollered.

"Oh, so you can still use your vocal cords huh?" Kiyota gibed, not the least bit intimated by the tone of voice.

As vision of the redhead came into sight, determined footsteps came into halt as blue eyes regarded the dejected figure by the couch; eyes closed, arm draped over his forehead while his other lay on his side. A definite sight for sore eyes and Kiyota drank his fill, weary limbs temporarily forgotten.

He's way better than a shower.

As he was enjoying the enticing picture that was Sakuragi, Kiyota's thoughts were running rampant. He couldn't very well decide if he wanted to strangle the guy or jump him. He hates to admit it but… he missed the Shohoku player's company. Sakuragi used to stay and come by the apartment almost everyday and everynight but it stopped the minute… "No," shaking his wild and unruly head, I wouldn't think of that guy right now. Hana's here with me and that's all that matters for now.

With that, his eyes focused on the tall carrot top, half-lying enticingly for him not to make good use of the opportunity. Smirking, he walked towards the redhead and gently sat on his lap.

Surprised chocolate colored eyes snapped open upon the feel of the weight. "What are you doing?"

"I missed you, Hana. You didn't come by for a whole week," Kiyota said, leaning forward to nuzzle Sakuragi's neck.

"What are you talking about? We were just together three days ago," Sakuragi stated, remembering the time when the Kainan player bruised his knee.

With lips inches over that of the redhead, "But that was different. You asked me out so you could have someone with you to check out the stuffs you bought for that stupid and stiff icicle." Kiyota couldn't hide the sneer in his voice much as he couldn't contain his dislike towards Sakuragi's real love.

The redhead leaned his head to the side and scowled upon hearing the description. "And you tell me that now? I had to carry your sorry ass back here because you were clumsy. And for the last time, he's not an icicle!"

Ignoring the irritated tone, the blue-eyed tease just wound his arms around the redhead's neck and said, "It was just a minor bruise, you stupid monkey. I only wanted you to come here to… you know," Kiyota admitted, eyes twinkling with obvious meaning.

Snorting upon the obvious come one, "You're way too horny for your own good. Wait till Maki comes home tonight and you'll get your fill till next month," Sakuragi said, wrapping his arms loosely around Kiyota.

Leaning forward, Kiyota nibbled Sakuragi's lower lip and casually replied, "Why wait till later? You're here, I'm here, and we could do it before he comes home," Kiyota said as a matter-of-factly, grinding his hips suggestively against the redhead.

Stifling a moan, "You know I can't. Not now," the redhead muttered, placing both hands on Kiyota's hips to stop him from moving.

With a frustrated groan, "Why? Because of him? You think being celibate all of a sudden because he returned would make him go back to you?" Kiyota asked, not able to hide the slight tone of jealousy in his voice.

Sakuragi's eyes acquired a hard glitter and with a frown, he lifted the weight off his lap and dumped it unceremoniously beside him.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Kiyota exclaimed, rubbing his arms to sooth the ache from Sakuragi's tight grip on them earlier.

The brown-eyed teenager did not respond, instead he lowered his crimson head and raked his fingers through his tousled mane. Getting exasperated with the guy's obvious hesitance in answering questions, "You come here, thrash everything you see, act uncharacteristically silent when asked a question, and expect me to be okay with it?" He bellowed, nearing the end of his patience. "Now, for the last time. What the heck is the matter with you?" He shouted, no longer able to hold his temper.

Unfazed, Sakuragi remained cradling his head between his hands and then, after a terse silence, said, "He rejected me."

The words were said rather softly that the dark haired guy almost missed it. Suddenly he understood why his companion was acting like a demented idiot. "Oh. So your well thought out plan didn't work, huh?" Kiyota taunted. Seeing no reaction, "Well, what do you expect? You left him hanging before he left for the states and now that he's back, you thought he'd welcome you with open arms? You expect too much." He snorted.

Sakuragi felt a prick upon hearing that. He knew it to be true, deep down, but hearing it said out loud made it real. Venting his anger, he shoved Kiyota none too gently to the side then stood up. "You're a great help, you know that?"

Taken slightly aback, Kiyota could only settle comfortably back in his seat, on top of a now very crumpled magazine, and laughed, rather fondly, at his companion's obvious frustration. "Ok then, you tell me. What did you think that ice block would do when you tell him of your feelings?"

Slightly piqued, "I don't know. I just know that he still has feelings for me," Sakuragi honestly replied, distancing himself from Kiyota.

Brows furrowed, "How on earth could you know that? For all you know he might have a lover stashed somewhere," Kiyota pointed, ignoring the fact that it'll hurt Sakuragi.

Whirling around, brown orbs lit with emotions primal to man blazed across the room to clash with unrelenting blue ones. "NOT TRUE!"

Looking down, "Again, how would you know? Did you ask? Where did you get the notion that he still has feelings for you anyway?" Kiyota asked, his voice lowered to almost a whisper. It pained him to think of it but... A part of him wished that Shohoku's former ace does have feelings for Sakuragi still, for Sakuragi's sake, regardless of how it affects him.

How did I get myself into this mess in the first place? Kiyota questioned himself. It was not a first that he asked himself that and it looked like it wouldn't be the last either. Not till I get to talk to him about it. But then again, what's there to say? He frowned.

"Damn it!"Kiyota unconsciously cursed under his breath.

"Nobu..."

The way his name sounded brought Kiyota's head up and he gasped. The redhead was looking at him with a torn expression, wanting to comfort yet unable to do so. If only ... He trailed and then shook his head. He couldn't continue. He wouldn't allow himself to continue.

Wanting Sakuragi to be with HIM and not Rukawa was just plain selfish. He already have Maki. Maki loves him and he loves Maki. Simple. No complications whatsoever in that equation. And yet, why was he still asking for more? Why would he still want Sakuragi for himself? Why couldn't he just allow himself to be open and accepting of Sakuragi's feelings for the silent Shohoku player? The redhead monkey never hid his feelings and both he and Maki knew the score. But still, the pain was there and so was... Jealousy.

That was the problem that beset him the very moment that Sakuragi first told them about Rukawa and he was both surprised and appalled by feeling that way. But he couldn't help it. The feeling was there and he was always hard pressed in keeping a tight lid on it everytime Rukawa was mentioned.

Like now... He inwardly groaned. How he wished he could give voice to his feelings without the fear of loosing Sakuragi altogether. But since he couldn't, he pushed the green monster's head deep down towards the recesses of his heart and re-placed the lid which held it down before.

After taking a deep calming breath, Kiyota felt better enough that he forced a small smile on his face and faced Sakuragi, hoping against hope that he could stay neutral from then on. "Were you really sure that he loved you? Maybe you just misread his actions or you could have misinterpreted some words and mistook it for love. Or maybe... He could have been just be toying with you. Didn't you even think that that was possible?"

Without even thought or hesitation, "No. He was not lying. You can call him a lot of names but never a liar," Sakuragi replied and then his eyes clouded in remembrance of that fateful day. No matter what Kiyota or anyone else would say, he knew that Rukawa did not lie to him that day.

"Why are you so sure?" Kiyota pressed.

Closing his eyes, "Because he was not wearing his customary expression that day. In fact, he weird me out and the first thing I blurted was 'What are you up to, Rukawa?' and then, he smiled." Opening his eyes, Sakuragi gave Kiyota a lopsided grin and immersed himself once more in his memory. "I was shocked. I almost fell when I backed away. Just looking at a smiling Rukawa bowled me. Not only that but he touched me." Lifting a hand to his face, "He touched my face and I didn't pull away." Still caressing his face as if thinking that it was Rukawa who was doing it to him, Sakuragi continued. "I liked it. I felt warm all over. I was so surprised with what he did and about my reaction that I didn't say anything till he said that he liked me." Dropping his hand, "And that is when my nightmare started. I slapped his hand away and started calling him names." Shaking his head free of unwanted memories, "I hurt him. I know I did. I said such hateful things and I even called him a fag. I told him that I hate him and that I could never like him or feel anything for him except hate." Now pacing back and forth, Sakuragi raked his fingers through his hair and said, "I even bragged that I'd tell Haruko so she could stop her dreams and be with me. Then, I just went on and on and kept ridiculing him and then he punched me." Stopping in his tracks, he fisted his heads and bowed his head. "He left me. He left me sprawled on the ground but not before saying that he'll not be bothering me again. Then he left." Turning his head, he looked straight at Kiyota and asked, "Know what's ironic?"

Kiyota couldn't find his voice to answer so he just shook his head.

"Like you, I didn't believe him. I didn't believe all that bullshit he said to me that day."

Keeping his voice calm, "What changed your mind?"

Leaning his forehead against a wall, Sakuragi closed his eyes and said, "The way he looked at me when he said it. It was the same way that Maki looks at you and how you look at Maki." Turning sideways, brown caught blue in an intense gaze before saying, "And the same way that you sometimes looked at me."

Kiyota gasped. "How... I... Hana, I..."

Sakuragi held his hand to stop Kiyota. "Not now. Please? I don't think I could handle it. Let's just be whatever we are to each other for now, ok?"

"Ok."

Smiling a little, Sakuragi continued leaning his forehead against the wall and closed his eyes. "So now you know the whole story. I've been stupid huh? Stupid to have thrown away the chance of having someone in my life. Who knows? Maybe I'd be as happy as you and Maki if I weren't such an ignorant moron."

"Ignorant, yes. Stupid, no. You didn't know your feelings back then. Hell, you didn't even know you're gay till..."

"Till you seduced me?" Sakuragi concluded.

Laughter, and a tinge of fondness, which didn't escape Kiyota's hearing, made the latter smile with affection. "Seduced you? You came begging for it, Hana."

Indignant, Sakuragi straightened and threw a mock glare across the room. "I did not! You kissed me first!"

Waving a dismissing hand, Kiyota stood up and surveyed his surroundings. "Yeah yeah. Whatever. Fact is, you enjoyed it and don't you dare deny it," he dared, pointing a finger at the adorably blushing redhead.

"Ch. Whose denying it?" Sakuragi countered and then, as if realizing something, his expression turned melancholy again.

"What's wrong?"

"I just realized that you were my first kiss."

"And that's bad?"

Shaking his head, Sakuragi offered an apologetic smile and explained, "No. It's just that, I wish..." Taking a deep breath, "I wish Rukawa was my first kiss. Like Maki was yours," he delivered.

Hearing that pained voice stopped whatever taunts Kiyota wanted to say. Walking towards the Shohoku player, he laid a hand on the other's shoulder and turned him around. "I'm not sorry for that but, look at it this way, you're now a better kisser than before and you have me to thank for that," he playfully chided, trying to lighten the mood.

Looking down, Sakuragi couldn't help the sigh as well as the genuine smile which graced his lips afterwards upon seeing the comforting love the other was obviously offering. No matter how he professed to feel deeply towards his silent Kitsune, Kiyota's show of affection always makes him feel good inside. "Yeah," he replied, slightly chuckling as he ruffled the other's unruly hair.

Glad to see the slight change in Sakuragi's mood, Kiyota nodded his head then turned his attention elsewhere so as to completely stir away from the depressing topic. Gesturing towards the pile of mess, "You do know that you have to help me clean this mess up. Not to mention replace all the broken things before Shinichi gets here," he said, silently praying that Maki would not make an appearance before they could clean the place. His lover had a reputation of being Mr. Perfect and that did not apply only to basketball but to everything else as well. Seeing the state of their apartment would definitely cause a heated argument and he wouldn't want that since the dark and tanned player had not been home for a whole week.

Temporarily forgetting his personal dilemma, brown eyes scanned the area and mentally kicked himself for the mess he had unconsciously done. Damn! I'm so messed up! He inwardly groaned, resisting the urge to throw a much larger tantrum.

Collecting himself, Sakuragi faced his blue-eyed companion and wearily said, "Er… Ok I'll help you clean the place up. But…"

Not really liking the tone of that voice, "But…" Kiyota waited.

Forcing a grin, "I... I don't have the money to replace the things I broke," the redhead hesitantly revealed, running his fingers through his already disheveled mane.

Eyes as huge as saucers, "WHAT?" Kiyota exploded. "So you expect me to replace everything you trashed?"

With the realization of the extent of what he'd done dawning on him not to mention the guilt that went along with it, Sakuragi took a tentative step back and held his hand up in a show of surrender. "You could give me a loan," he suggested, putting on the best looking puppy face he could muster at the face of the now seething Kiyota.

Ignoring the obvious ploy of getting him to simmer down, "No!" Kiyota cried vehemently, stomping away from the redhead. "You haven't even paid your last loan yet. I just have to tell Shinichi the truth," he announced. And then added, "That'll stop you from coming here to thrash the place when you're in a bad mood."

Kiyota noticed in satisfaction that the brown-eyed teenager had inkling as to what Maki would do to him, judging by the look of worry that crossed the boyish face. But before he could glorify over his supposed triumph, Sakuragi's expression turned serious and a sly smile was slowly making an appearance across the other's face.

Resisting the sudden urge to flee to his bedroom, What is he up to now? Kiyota wondered, willing his feet to stay put.

Sakuragi knew from past experience that Kiyota never makes idle threats. If he said that he'd tell Maki then he would. And THAT's what he needed to avoid, at all cost. He knew of Maki's tendencies to be an anal retentive and was already very familiar as to how the former would react if presented with an unclean and disorderly house. Maki would make him stay till the place was sparklingly clean and to top that, he'd make him fix and clean even the ones he didn't touch. Desperate as he was for something to make him forget his woos, cleaning was not one of them and he'd do anything to keep Maki in the dark. With that in mind, he quelled his pain and shooed his problems away, focusing only to the one who could help him achieve his goal, Kiyota.

I'm sorry, Nobu-kun. I just had to do this.

Across the room, Kiyota was rooted to where he was standing; trying very hard to mask the feeling of anticipation as well as the light shivers running in his body. Tongue-tied, he watched in expectation as the taller player slowly made his way towards him, hips moving in a seductive manner, eyes never breaking contact. Brown gaze met his in a knowing look, sending obvious signals.

Oh God, he is really going to do it, Kiyota thought.

The anticipation already etched on his face. Thus, when his fiery lover stopped but an inch from him, he was already having trouble breathing. Mechanically, his arms crept their way from the latter's torso all the way up to that smooth tanned neck while arms wrapped around his waist, bringing their bodies in close contact with each other.

Heart thumping from the growing excitement, azure shining eyes could only stare longingly over smiling chocolate colored eyes, waiting rather impatiently for the teasing which he knew would come next. Licking his lips, "So, are you now gonna take me up on that offer?" Smiling rather tenderly, "Or are you just gonna look at me?" He asked mischievously, face inching upwards to meet the redhead's already descending lips.

The kiss was as sweet and every bit the redhead's taste as he remembered it to be. Closing his eyes, he gave entrance to his partner's roaming tongue, letting it slowly explore the cavern of his mouth. Tentatively, he touched the tip of the rosy rounded length with his own, wanting to get a better taste. But suddenly, the redhead pulled back. Eyes wide open, he turned to voice his question but a finger on his lips silenced his protest.

"Later little monkey. I'll taste your lips again later. For now, I'll wet that horny feeling of yours," Hanamichi said, answering the unspoken question. Slowly, he dipped his head to place a lingering kiss on the junction between Kiyota's shoulder and neck, whilst his hands touched bare and quivering skin. Satisfied with the shudder and tensing of muscles he felt from the other, he continued his exploration and trailed his lips upwards till his probing tongue darted its way inside one captive ear. Hearing a soft moan, "You like this, right little monkey?" Not waiting for a reply, he led his hands to wander inside the latter's sweat pants, one hand kneading a round smooth bottom while the other probed for a tiny hole. Finding what his finger sought, he slowly sheathed his middle finger inside to probe deeper and felt a devilish sense of satisfaction when his partner's gasp of pain turned into a moan of pleasure when his finger touched that sensitive area. Murmuring his apologies, he then placed his hands on the sides of Kiyota's hips to hinder him from thrusting and smiled when he felt his slight struggle. "Let's not rush, Nobu-kun. The night is still young," he whispered, leaving his torturous teasing of Kiyota's ear to suck hard onto the exposed neck, making sure that he had an ample amount of skin trapped inside his mouth.

"Hana, that's going to leave a mark," Kiyota said, but with a smile on his face.

The redhead did not reply at once, instead he sucked even harder and licked the skin inside his mouth. Satisfied with his work, he released the skin and watched the red mark now visible. Chuckling softly, "Tell Maki it's my gift for him. That'll give you something to look forward to when he comes back". The last sentence was whispered rather seductively. He knew that Maki will not be outdone if he ever saw that mark, but for the meantime he had a mission to finish. Slowly, he let one of his hands slid towards the brunette's semi-erected rod, his finger sliding from its tip down its length to cup his testicles.

Jerking suddenly from the touch, "Aahhh… Hana…please..." Kiyota all but begged, arms tightening around Sakuragi's neck..

"What do you want, Little Monkey?"

"I want you."

Smiling to himself, "How much do you want me?" Sakuragi teased, breathing heavily on his captive's ear.

Moaning, "I'd do anything. Just hurry." Kiyota's hands were already making frantic and erotic movements around Hana's back, coaxing him to fulfill his need. But before his hands could go further down, he suddenly found his back against the wall with his hands pinned above his head.

With one hand grasping the Kiyota's chin, "You'd do anything?" Sakuragi asked, his lips an inch over the brunette's.

Blue eyes transfixed over twinkling brown ones and gulped before answering. "Yes." Then, Kiyota watched as those same brown eyes lowered to where a finger was tracing the outline of his lips, "Would you loan me the money again, Nobu-kun?" The question barely registered in his subconscious, thus he only nodded. "How about this mess? Would you help me clean this up and not tell, Oldy?" Again, he nodded. His head was already full of the redhead and of his aching arousal. He really did not care whether he promised him his whole months allowance.

Reveling in his easy conquest, Sakuragi finally took pity and decided that he would end his foreplay and give satisfaction to the other. Leaning forward, he let his tongue replace his finger along the thin red line, coaxing them to open wider and give access to his probing tongue inside.

Fueled by his earlier denial, Kiyota darted out his tongue and a fight for dominance began. Tongues dueled. The kiss deepened. Both players almost out of breath, but still no one made a move to stop, their ego not wanting the other to get the upper hand. But when the redhead's hand enveloped his length, all coherent thoughts left Kiyota and he allowed his tormentor to master him.

Feeling the other's surrender, the Shohoku player transferred his lips' assault towards the other ear and enveloped the tiny lobe completely inside his mouth, his tongue darting in and out in sync with his hands' expert stroking of the boy's manhood. Seconds later, he felt his partner stiffen and the latter's cry of release echoed around the room as the sticky liquid flowed in a mass onto his hand.

Giving the satiated teenager a quick kiss, Sakuragi slowly removed his hand and went to pick a tissue to wipe his hand dry. Returning his glance to the other, he was slightly amused to see Kiyota sliding slowly down the floor, a satisfied smile plastered on his face. "Oi , you better get up. I'm hungry and you're treating me to dinner tonight."

Through the haze, Kiyota silently mulled over the fact that the redhead still remained calm and unaffected, whereas he was totally spent from their 'foreplay'. "How… could… you… stay… composed and unaffected?" He asked through pants.

Not really understanding the question, "What do you mean?" The redhead inquired, brows furrowed.

Picking himself up, "I mean, look at you. You're not even sweating," Kiyota pointed, looking at the taller player through still glazed eyes.

Finally comprehending Kiyota's question, Sakuragi merely smiled and said "That's because I only meant to tease you into giving in to all my request." He admitted, turning away for a second to throw the tissue into the waste bin.

Stupefied, "What?!"

Ignoring the outburst, Sakuragi calmly said, "Yeah, Oldy taught me this neat trick of keeping my libido in check. 'Give pleasure and quell your passion. Enough to make him come first'. That's what Maki taught me."

Maki taught him that? "When? How come I didn't know about this?"

Liking the stupefied expression on Kiyota's face, "We did it three times and I failed twice," Sakuragi supplied, smirking.

"You? and Shinichi?" Kiyota asked, incredulous.

"Why? Jealous?" Seeing the glare, Sakuragi stopped his snicker in time to say, "If it's any consolation, he taught me that so I could..." he faltered.

"Yeah," Kiyota pushed. He was going to get his answer regardless of Sakuragi's obvious discomfort.

Looking anywhere but at Kiyota, "So I could use it to tease Rukawa," Sakuragi confessed, his face turning as red as his hair.

Kiyota's brow shot up and he was about to say something when realization hit him in the face. "You mean to say that you used THAT to make me agree with you?" He felt hurt in a way. He had thought for a moment that the redhead wanted him somehow.

"Yeah," Sakuragi sheepishly replied.

Seeing red, "Why you sneaky red monkey you. I'll teach you a lesson or two," Kiyota threatened, marching dangerously forward intending to have a full out fight just to wipe that smug look on that cute face.

Unaffected, Sakuragi grinned from ear to ear, enjoying the moment as thoughts of the silent Shohoku player was again pushed at the back of his mind.. "What will you teach me, you Little Monkey? I already taught you a lesson for today. Oh you want more? Hmm, lemme see. What can I coax out of you this time?" Deep in thought, his arms crossed across his chest and playfully tapped his chin with his forefinger. "Maybe a week's dinner at Danny's. Yeah, that's it. Free meal. Ok, let's start," he invited, eyes twinkling while flexing his hands in a show of preparing for something.

The Kainan player stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that devilish calculated look on those brown depths . Disgusted with himself for feeling the same anticipation, he turned away and went in the direction of his room. "Stay here and I'll change," he muttered, walking away grumbling.

"Don't forget to bring lots of cash!" Sakuragi yelled then laughed when he had to dodge a flying couch pillow thrown by Kiyota.

Inside his room, Kiyota covered his ears to block that annoying laugh. "That idiot. Why did Shin-chan teach him that?" Feeling slightly jealous, he made a mental note to ask his lover upon his return from the university. He can't have Sakuragi having the upper hand every time. Then after some thought, "That means, I'll be the one being tortured every time?"

Images of his dark and sensual lover coming to flood his mind and then, suddenly, a pair of honey brown eyes joined his sensual vision, tormenting him to no end with his teasing. "Aarggghhhh! Totally unacceptable. I should be the one doing the teasing, not that stupid monkey."

Idiot. He only did that to ask you for that loan. You still think you're special to him when he has that Shohoku ace in his system now? Not likely. You just have to content yourself in being his friend. His mind painfully reproached.

After a while, "I don't think I can just be his friend," he thoughtlessly admitted.

Don't you think I know that? But the thing is, you don't have any choice? He's in love with him for God's sake. You know that. Shinichi knows that. So live with it and stop acting like a jealous boyfriend. You're not his boyfriend! You're his bed partner. A fuck.

That hurts. Bad. But before Kiyota could even start thinking about it, a loud call from outside snapped him from his reverie. Without another thought, he hurriedly finished dressing and went out of his room. Picking up his keys, he brushed past the impatient loud mouth and walked out into the night, ignoring the still pricking pain in his chest.

To be continued...