**move 013**
<< t o s h i r o >>
"OH! YOU GUYS ARE EARLY, HUH?"
I could completely hear the sarcasm in Fumihiro's greeting as Misao and I approached the group. Well, I can't blame him. It's almost time for class and yet my head was still above the clouds. For one, I still can't wrap my mind around the thought that Misao and I are officially lovers. It was like all the worries I used to mull over before seemed ridiculous to me now. Like being with Misao was the most natural thing to do, right after breathing.
"How about Saki? He went home already?" Fumihiro asked.
"Yeah, Saki left early." I answered almost instantly. There was a long pause when I suddenly remembered…
"Hold on a sec… How did you know Saki left early?" Fumihiro threw me a suspecting look. I could almost feel Keita, who's standing beside me, looking at me the same way.
"Toshiro and Saki crashed at my place last night." Misao answered on my behalf and it only caused more suspicion.
Fumihiro's stare shifted back at me, "Why? You're not even drunk."
"Fumihiiiirooo..." Keita suddenly placed his arm over Fumihiro's shoulder, and with a cunning smile plastered on his face, he continued, "Let's stop asking them, 'kay? For sure they had to talk about some 'important' things. Right, Toshiro?"
"Y-Yeah."
Fumihiro shook his head, finally giving up on the issue, "Psh. Whatever…"
I almost heaved a sigh of relief when the professor entered our room. I could see Misao in my peripheral vision staring at me with such a bright look on his face.
---
Halfway through the class, Keita tapped my shoulder then leaned towards me bringing his face very close to my ear.
"You can open that gift if you're ready to accept me." He whispered in an attempt to imitate Misao's voice, immediately followed by a chuckle, "…Am I right?"
I immediately jerked my head away from Keita, what the heck does that mean?!
I wonder why he's been giving me this knowing look… And what the heck was that sly smile?
"I was wondering why that bracelet looks familiar…" Keita continued talking in a whisper. I took a glance at the gold bracelet on my right wrist. "That was Misao's gift for you on your birthday, also the day he confessed to you."
"How did you know this was Misao's gift?"
"Of course I know! I was with him when he bought that," He sounded so proud of himself, and half amused. "I will never forget that, I thought he was going to give that bracelet to Youjin. Besides, the price was so—"
"Keita." Misao interrupted Keita while giving him 'the look', as if daring him to run his mouth more than it already did. Keita pursed his lips as he obediently returned to his seat.
I didn't push for more. I have no confidence to know how much this bracelet cost. I glanced at Misao and found him looking half embarrassed, but who would even notice?
I gently tugged his shirt trying to get his attention. "Thank you Misao…"
***
AFTER CLASS, AS USUAL, WE MET WITH YOUJIN AND EISUKE. As soon as the two arrived, Youjin stood beside me, giving me a teasing smile.
"W-What is it, Youjin?"
Just like what Keita did earlier, Youjin leaned closer to the side of my face and whispered, "You and Misao are dating, right?"`
I have no intention of keeping our relationship hidden from our friends, but that Keita…!
I just wanted to be the one who announces it to everyone…
I sighed.
"Sorry, Keita told me earlier..." His smile disappeared, "Is that supposed to be a secret?"
"No, it's not that…"
Youjin gently patted me on my back. His mouth, now curved in a big bright smile. "Congrats , Toshiro. You know, Misao was a huge help for me and Keita. That's why I've always rooted for his own happiness. Take care of him and I'm sure he'll take care of you too."
"I know. Misao is a great guy." The corners of my mouth curved up, as if on their own accord. "I will definitely make him happy."
"Then, if you have any worries you can talk to me anytime."
"Thanks, Youjin."
***
2 WEEKS LATER.
Misao and I were on a bus on the way to Misao's hometown to meet his mom and younger sister. We're only into the second week of our relationship and I already have to meet his family. To be completely honest, I've been so nervous ever since the night it was decided we'll go meet them.
Three nights ago, while I was hanging out at Misao's apartment, Misao got a message from his younger sister.
----

'Misao! Dad's on a week-long out of town business trip starting this weekend. Mom wanted to visit you there. Is that okay with you?'
Misao let me read the message his sister sent him. I was happy that he'll see his family again but I don't know why he has to show me such a personal message.
"Go send her a reply, don't you want to see them?" I asked him.
"Of course I want to but…" He paused for a second, looking at his phone screen once again.
I stared at his stern face and waited for him to continue but he got lost in his own thoughts, he just sat there in silence. "But?"
We're sitting together on his bed and suddenly he leaned his head over my shoulder. Every time he does this, he surely wants to be petted. And that's what I did. I gently stroked his soft hair with my fingers. We stayed that way for a few minutes before Misao's arms wrapped around my waist bringing me closer for a hug.
My heart was beating so fast but I can't help but chuckle thinking about how cute this guy was. I just continued caressing his head.
"I want you to meet them…" He mumbled, then he lifted his head to meet my eyes. "…My mom and my sister."
"Will you introduce me as your boyfriend? Or…"
'As a friend?'
I don't know why those words seemed so hard to say out loud. But the truth is, I am just scared that those words will come out from his own mouth instead.
"I'm going to introduce you as my boyfriend, Is that even a question?" He raised a brow, looking at me like he knew I was thinking of something stupid. "The last time I met them I told them I'm trying to court someone and they said they want to meet that person."
"T-They're cool with it?"
"Yeah. My mom and my sister were supportive of me and they're honestly the sweetest. That's why you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure they'll like you and you'll like them."
----
So it was decided we'll meet with them at a hotel instead since his mom's body can't take a long trip. The plan is, we'll meet with Saki at the bus stop and he'll take us to the hotel.
Is it okay for Saki to do this for us even though he still has lingering feelings for Misao?
Misao's warm hand wrapping around mine pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Are you nervous?" He asked with a hint of teasing in his voice.
I rolled my eyes from him. "Of course I am, who wouldn't be?"
"You'll be fine."
I squeezed his hand as a reply before I glanced at the window, "Are we still far from the stop?"
"Nah. We're close. In fact, we're here."
"Huh?!"
The bus stopped almost instantly. Some passengers were getting off the bus and we followed. When I got off the bus, I immediately saw Saki from a distance. He's so easy to spot, he definitely stands out from the crowd. He instantly smiled as soon as he saw us and met my eyes.
"Misao! Toshiro!" He called out waving.
"Have you been waiting long?" Misao asked him when we got near him.
"Hmm… not really." Saki's attention returned back to me, "Hi Toshiro. It's been a while."
'It's been a while?' Only two weeks had passed since we saw each other, the day I confessed to Misao, but honestly, it feels just like yesterday since Misao and I started dating.
"Hi Saki." I smiled at him.
"Let's go. I parked the car there." He pointed at the nearby café.
When we reached his car, and hopped inside, that's only when we realized there's a guy sitting at the front passenger seat. He was looking at Misao and me with a big smile on his handsome face.
"Hi!" He greeted me in a deep yet delighted voice.
Saki settled himself on the driver's seat first before turning his body to look at us too. "Ah, he's Reo, my boyfriend for 2 years."
My jaw dropped as I stared at Saki's cunning smile. Like he absolutely knew what was on my mind right now.
'Boyfriend for 2 years? I thought he still had lingering feelings for Misao? What was even the talk that night about?'
My eyes turned to Misao who was looking at me with his usual straight-face as if he knew about this all along.
"Boyfriend?" I whispered to Misao but, really, I'm sure the people in front could hear it too. "I thought…"
Misao shrugged his shoulders, "I told you… He's just teasing you."
Satisfied, Saki turned around and, finally, started the car. "Let's go meet the family!"