Waiting for a Surprise: Chapter 2

"Where is Atsushi?" Hayabusa asked alongside KenKen, Mario and Maruyama towards their base in the staircase.

"Last time I checked, he was with Sakamoto!" Kenken quipped with excitement. Mario nodded in agreement with a proud grin.

"Sakamoto?!" Maruyama stated with a cold sweat gracing his plump forehead. He seemed as if he harbored some PTSD from an earlier encounter with the man in question.

"Maruyama… He isn't even here." Hayabusa said in comfort as he patted the terrified man in relief.

"There he is!" Mario pointed out towards the sluggish man down the hall. It looked as if he was told he'd only have three days to live.

"Aachan! Aachan, are you okay?" Said the blonde rushing towards his sadden friend. The others accompanied him and circled the sad sight.

"O-oh me? I'm great." He said with a small smirk that looked as if was a tad painful to do.

"Atsushi, you looked like your mother just passed." Hayabusa stated trying to reach out with some sort of comfort. Aachan eyes begin to well up slightly with tears but he wiped them away quickly as if it was merely dust in his eyes. He looked up towards everyone and grinned more confidentially.

"Just tired, that's all!" He said trying to chuckle it off. Hayabusa eyed him thoroughly not truly believing that, but had no choice but to go with it. Atsushi wasn't even sure why he was so worked up, other than the fact that he kissed…Sakamoto. It was still reeling in his head, and he felt embarrassed he'd ever done it in the first place. How could he ever approach him?

"Hayabusa, we have to get going. Fukase is looking for us…" Maruyama said exhaustedly. Hayabusa took one more looked at the red had wearing slump. He was worried for his kohai after all.

After School

Sakamoto was perplexed.

Given that this situation was completely unaccounted for. It is ironic given the fact that Sakamoto accounts for well, everything. Yet…

Sakamoto was perplexed.

He wasn't sure what the motivation behind Atsushi's action. It was sudden yes, but uncalculated. Sakamoto's demeanor of coolness was upheld on the exterior. Interiorly, it wasn't rational.

"Sakamoto-san, you want to go get something to eat? We kind of stayed back later than expected." Kubota-san said with a shy smile and nervous quiver. The request fell numb to his ears, Sakamoto was in the process of deduction.

A touch of the lips can symbolize love, sexual desire, reverence or greeting. Four very plausible explanations.

"Sakamoto-san…?"Kubota asked leaning in towards his taller friend. Visually, Sakamoto's face was the same cool slate. However his eyes. Something was slightly off?

"Kubota-san, I am deeply sorry. I must go straight home today," The raven said coolly with a refined smile. Kubota could feel his cheeks warm, but in the back of his mind, he could sense that something was distracting Sakamoto.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" The shorty called towards the former.

"Does the Sakura bloom once the snow melts away?" He said waving adieu.

Park

Atsushi was feeling a lot of things. Hungry, confused, anxious and tired. It had been a relatively long day for him with some dramatic plot devices. He wasn't use to being flung in such complicated situations. He was a slacker a delinquent. But he couldn't help but feel himself continuously changing evermore this school year.

He ended up at the park, where KenKen, Mario and he always hang right after the school day end. Given though it's nearly 6 pm, they're long gone from the scene. He saw that the bench was free and could really use a rest. He needed to get his mind organized. He's done a lot today.

"Atsushi?" He turned to see the nerdy Kubota-san standing at the entrance of the park and he almost wanted to yawn.

"What do you want?" He said tiredly.

"Just seeing if you're alright. It's getting late and you're sleeping in a park?" He said a bit like a worrying mother.

"Anything is a bed if you're brave enough." He replied, rather please with himself. He's been practicing witty comebacks lately for better conversation dynamic between Saka-

"Goodnight." Kubota said walking away signaling he was done with the conversation.

He was back in despair. All his troubles came crashing down on him once more and he was more than loss for a solution. He was already planning of skipping school tomorrow or maybe the week to spare the other his presence. He felt like he violated some terms and services and waiting for the penalty. He'd just wish he could take his behavior and had himself sorted prior to doing such a serious thing. He'd actually kissed Sakamoto… and he can't stop thinking about how nice they felt. The thought was terrifying but he thoroughly enjoyed the action in the moment.

His lips were very soft and he smelled good. It wasn't any cologne or anything, it smelled like natural radiance. Atsushi face palmed at the fact the he managed to remember the scent of Sakamoto in such a fleeting moment, but it was etched in his memory. If he could make a candle out of it, he'd probably only sell one. But then again, IT'S SAKAMOTO. Atsushi decided it be best to just to stay only a few minutes more. He could hear his stomach begin to nag at him angrily for substance.

Walking along the path the park, Sakamoto was relaxing. He had some bread crumbs in his bag for Bird-san and some friends and had plans of making a community bird house. He's come to map out the geographically appropriate location of the structure. Unleashing his ruler and protractor from his case, he was just about ready to work. Atsushi sitting on the park bench taking a rest caught wind of the other's presence. He was not sure if fate was fucking or lucking him right now because he was nervous. What if Sakamoto sees me? Will he think I'm now stalking him? Would he be disgusted? What if he doesn't notice me? Will I care? I will care. I've have to say something.

He raised from the bench, each step feeling heavier than the last. The park was relatively empty seeing that everyone should be in for supper. But not Sakamoto. He was always planning. He watched as the protractor wielding prodigy was making some kind indentation on a tree. Atsushi could feel his pride in his throat. He felt like he was risking it here. It was Sakamoto… Someone whom he deeply? He was blanking. But when your hand is already on the other's shoulder and the person in question now has his attention on you; you have to curse your stupid fucking brain.

"Atsushi." He said almost mechanically. Acchan could feel his heart beating, and his blood going. He could fill his lips slightly tremble trying to fathom his thoughts into constellations. Where was he going with this?

"Sakamoto. I-I Atsushi… is er- um. I have something to say." He said trying to ready his mind. He was freaking himself out how hard it was to het what he was feeling to come into fruition. The other stared back, attention focused. It made Atsushi's face warm and his chest pound. He's got his attention.

"I have deep respect for you Sakamoto!" The hat wearing boy blurted out with his head slightly bowed. Embarrassed at what dumb face he was almost positive he was wearing. He felt the hairs raise on his forearms at the slight cough. Peeking up, Atsushi could see a more confident Sakamoto above him.

"Are you making fun of me Sakamoto?" He said slightly pouting.

"Nee, no. I figured it as such. All last night I've deduced out of the four possible outcomes, this was highly the most probab-." Sakamoto looked away… Huh? W-wait, what? All last night? Sakamoto was thinking about the kiss, all night long…? Atsushi gripped at his chest overwhelmed. He looked up at the boy still fixed on something else. If Acchan was seeing right, he could see a slight tint on the other's cheek.

"To be simple, I've understand your peculiar action and am not offended by it." He said adjusting his glasses to regain his composure. Atsushi couldn't help the cheesy grin creeping up his dumb face and Sakamoto looked hilariously annoyed. He turned away to take his leave feeling his complication was remedied.

"I'll see you tomorrow Sakamoto!" Acchan yelled cheerfully after the other. Sakamoto couldn't help the slight smile that came upon his lips.