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Thirty-Three
Hiro-san had called me just before I left office to inform me that he would be late but that he would definitely be coming over for dinner. While I had found that a little weird because he would usually have chosen to go straight home, I had absolutely no complaints.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
I heard the front door opening and checked the time on my phone. It was just past 07:15 pm. Hikaru-nii was early.
“Welcome home.” I stepped out of the kitchen to greet him. “You’re early today.”
“Mm. I finished work early.” He replied. “And I have a bad headache. Could I get a cup of tea?”
A headache? “Okay. Wait a bit.” I went back into the kitchen and began preparing tea as well along with dinner. It had been a while since he asked for anything other than alcohol.
“Here.” I took a cup of tea out to him when I had finished making it. “Have you been working too much?”
“No. I didn’t sleep much last night.” He answered.
“Oh.
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Home Thirty-Four
“Kakeru~” Heavy. “Kakeru.” I felt a breath on my ear. It tingled. “I came all the way here just to see you even though it’s this late. And you’re sleeping? That’s not fair at all.” Hiro-san, huh? I had probably fallen asleep while working. I was still at the dining table. “Kake-chan.” The guy was merciless. He had an arm over my back and he was leaning over me, his whole body weight on me and his face right next to my head. “Wake up.” I don’t want to. This feels good. “If you don’t wake up now, I’ll carry you to bed and get in with you.” I opened my eyes and looked at him. “Is that supposed to be a threat?” “Oh. You’re awake?” He chuckled and stood up straight. “Let’s eat. I’m hungry.” I sat up and stretched a bit. That was when I realised that the papers had all been gathered and stacked neatly. “Did you clean up here, Hiro-san?” “No.” He smiled it. “Your brother did.” “Eh? He ha
Home Thrity-Five
I couldn’t sleep. It was already 02:43 am and I was still wide awake. Even my eyes were not feeling tired. I was working on my laptop up until half an hour ago because I had not felt ready to sleep but then I thought that I should probably try to just close my eyes and force myself to sleep. That had not worked either. In fact, I had done so much work prior to lying down that I would have been fine not going to work that day. I couldn’t possibly stay at home though. I had nothing to do here. I sighed and sat up in bed, throwing off the blanket that I had been using only to cover my stomach. The lack of sleep was annoying. There really was no reason for me to not be able to sleep either. It had been a fairly decent day. Work had progressed smoothly, Hikaru-nii and Hiro-san had both come home for dinner and Hiro-san had left only past 10:00 pm. It had been a better day than most others. I got off the bed and made my way to the ki
Home Thirty-Six
It’s over. It’s finally over. I loosened my tie and massaged my forehead. I had a very bad headache and my body felt incredibly heavy. The lack of sleep had done me in good. I felt terrible. I texted Yamada-san informing him that I was done with my client meeting. He just needed to follow up with a few more people and this project was as good as in its final stages. Since I had been kicked off mine, and I wasn’t ready to take on a new one yet, I was helping Yamada-san with his. ‘Thank you. I’ll buy you drinks for this. You go take care of yourself now.’ Yamada-san replied. Thank you. I got up from the couch that I was sitting on in the lobby of the hotel that I had met my client at. I was feeling under the weather in the morning even as I was getting ready for work. I had taken care of my immediate work and had asked for the rest of the day off after the client meeting. I could finally go home. I texted Hiro-san
Home Thirty-Seven
The first thing I noticed on waking up was the smell of food. I was feeling a lot better already and the clear nose confirmed it. Seemed like the fever had been because of the fatigue and all I had needed was sleep. How long had I slept though? I checked my watch. It was already 07:20 pm. 07:20?! I thought I had asked Hiro-san to wake me up- Wait. I really could smell food. I got off bed slowly and went out into the living room. “You woke up, Kake-chan? How are you feeling?” Hiro-san asked from the kitchen doorway. “I’m fine.” I replied and turned to the other man who was seated on the couch. It seemed as though they were having a conversation before I walked in. “You’re… early today, aren’t you, Hikaru-nii?” “I finished work early.” My brother replied but said nothing more. He was still in his work clothes so I concluded that he had come here straight from office. I looked at Hiro-san questioningly. There was only one
Home Thirty-Eight
“I’ll be out in ten minutes.” Hiro-san announced and got up from the dining chair when I approached after finishing my bath. Hikaru-nii had finished before me. “You both can talk all you want in the meantime.” “Ah. Thank you.” I handed him the towel when he passed me, then took the chair that he had just vacated, opposite my brother. I breathed. This was it. … Why was this more nerve-wracking than the time I confessed to Hiro-san? “Hikaru-nii-” “Wait.” He stopped me. “First, I want you to listen to what I have to say.” I held his gaze, surprised that he had had anything to say at all. “Okay.” Go on. He took a moment to start speaking, nevertheless. “I actually got scared today.” Scared? “Why?” “I was in office when Hiro called me and… he said you weren’t feeling well. I haven’t been paying you much attention either nowadays and… You live with me. We live in the same house. If anyone, I should have notice
Home Thirty-Nine
Hiro-san was sitting on the bed, one hand on the towel, slowly drying his hair. When I entered his room, he stopped to look at me, then looked out the door and called out to my brother. “Hikaru, is it really okay? I have a futon.”“No. It’s okay. The couch is enough.” Hikaru-nii responded.Hiro-san’s eyes shifted to me. “Shouldn’t we get him the futon?”“It’s okay. He’s not the type to give in to such things that easily anyway. You shouldn’t have mentioned that it needed dusting. He doesn’t want to give you additional work.” I said, looked back at my brother who had already settled himself in and then slowly shut the door. It was probably weird for him that Hiro-san and I were so comfortable with sharing a bed like this. It was already standing out to him how Hiro-san and I had gotten so close.I… really wasn’t trying to hide anything though.Hiro
Home Forty
I was in office three days later when I received the call from Kaori-nee’s mother. She was very well aware of my office timings and I had spoken to Aki-chan just the day before and so the timing of this call had worried me. I stepped out onto the smoking balcony immediately to answer the call. “Yes?” “Kakeru-kun, sorry for calling at this time.” She said as soon as I answered. She did not sound upset or flustered, which was a relief. “No. I have a little time so it’s okay. What is it?” “That… Hikaru-kun had called a little while ago.” Hikaru-nii had called?! “And… what did he say?” I felt myself stiffen a bit. “He apologised. Said that we’d meet soon. He didn’t talk to Akiko but he asked about her.” Could that have been a result of our conversation at Hiro-san’s place? If so, it was good news, right? “That’s… good, isn’t it?” I smiled to myself. “He called, so… maybe- no- he’ll definitely meet you soon.”
Home Forty-One
I stayed where I was on the kitchen floor with the half-done food still sitting atop the flameless stove for the next 40 minutes or so, till I heard the doorbell ring. I just couldn’t find the strength or the will to stand up and finish making what I had started or to go check on my brother after what had happened. The only thing that got me onto my feet was the thought that Hiro-san was the one standing outside the door. “I’m home.” Hiro-san beamed as soon as I opened the door, emanating the very happiness that I had wished for. I couldn’t even offer a smile in return though. Instead, I opened the door fully, stepped outside and dived into his arms. “Woah! Kakeru?” He looked down at me in surprise. “Are you okay?” Of course, I wasn’t okay! “Oi, Kakeru. Look here.” He stroked my hair, lowering his voice a little. I raised my eyes to his and brought my hands up to his face. Then, I kissed him- a long surface kiss. I need
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