walking Aiya chan home, keeping a close eye on him, inappropriate physical contact in school hallways” this girl was getting on Maruki’s nerves, and it was showing greatly.
“I always knew that boy was gay. I knew it from the start”


That made Maruki’s blood boil, his urge to strike the girl was almost difficult to contain. Maruki knew Aiya his whole life, him being like that would never happen.
“Look Miyuki, you don’t know Aiya at all. You have no right to judge him like that.” Without saying any harsh comments that could possibly get him in trouble, a simple comeback was all Maruki could come up with. Even without the girl saying anything, her disgusting smirk was enough for him to continue.
“Just because Ai finds and abominable twat like you attractive, who is obviously too full of themselves and already thinks they are attractive.” Maruki was on his way to getting himself in trouble, but he needed to vent. “You aren’t even attractive Miyuki. Caked on make up, infected piercings, and surrounding yourself with ugly minions gets you nowhere in life.”


Miyuki couldn’t believe her ears, Maruki was being entirely rude, but with what she had done in the past, he had a right to be as rude as he was. Miyuki stumbled back a few steps, stunned and speechless. She stood dumbstruck for a few moments, Miyuki was ready with an insulting comeback.
“So you are his lover?” The evil grin returned to the girl’s sly lips. She was not about to lose this fight, “that also doesn’t surprise me” Cocky and Immature, Miyuki was not playing fair.


A comment that hurt a little, not only to think of his friend as a homosexual, but him as well. Aiya, like the brother he felt like, could hardly be considered a lover. Though upon hearing it, it almost sounded right. To consider Aiya a lover, even though neither were like that seemed to be more of a successful method of keeping Aiya safe. Maruki had much more to say to this cruel hearted girl, but he walked. He walked without saying another word to her.


Sure walking away made Maruki lose this battle, and he hated losing. His future plans would help him with the war, one battle was nothing when lost. The distant cackle could be heard as he crossed the road, ignoring it as best he could, Maruki kept walking silently.


Finally reaching his door, Maruki paused, he didn’t want to go in for reasons unknown. Ever since his mother got a better job and his father got a promotion, they have been very sophisticated and full of themselves. Now, living a first class family life, Maruki didn’t feel like a first class family child. Though, everything he wanted was given to him, he was free to do what he wanted, but he didn’t feel free. Turning the handle of the door, Maruki stepped into his home his slippers neatly waiting for him at the door. The smell of tea and Vanilla Orchid filled his nostrils, making him wrinkle his nose slightly.


Saeko came to the door from the kitchen, moving the short paper curtains from her peripheral view.
“Ne, welcome home Maruki. How was school?” Saeko was a polite and beautiful woman now that she got out of her old line of work. Her cheerful tone was like that of a typical mother.


Maruki placed his shoes to the side, sliding his feet into his slippers. With no eye contact, Maruki gave a simple response as he rudely walked passed his mother, almost pushing her out of the way.
“Good” Maruki was still upset about Miyuki, he was even being cold to his mother. He started up the stairs, stopping on the third step when his mother called up to him.


“Did something happen Maruki? Do you want to talk about it?” A mother’s intuition, she knew something was wrong the instant she saw his face. If he did not want to talk about it, she would not force him.


Maruki paused a moment, hesitant of his actions. He turned and smiled brightly to his mother, hoping to cover up his feelings.
Nothing Kaa chan, I’ll be in my room. No need to call me for dinner, I’ll eat when I am hungry” Maruki giggled as he would on a regular basis, and ran up the stairs to his room.


Saeko knew that Maruki was covering up his feeling, something all teenagers did from their parents. Her older child did it all the time. Now her daughter was moved out, living in an apartment with two of her friends near her work in the city.


Maruki threw himself down on his bed, which changed for the better since his primary days. A queen sized sophisticated bed for a hard working middle school student. Not moments after he had relaxed on his bed in a comfortable position, his phone rang. He was not old enough for a cell phone, but his parents gave him one anyways.


Maruki let it ring a few times before he slugged himself up to his knees, where he crawled off the bed to the desk. Only one person ever called him only one person was in his contacts, Aiya.
“Aidou, what’s up?” Maruki was calm and cool in answering the phone. He was upset himself, but he didn’t wish to make Aiya upset.


Aiya chuckled slightly as to how Maruki answered the phone, it was cute and thoughtful, yet somehow upsetting.
“Stop calling me that Maruki. Really, you don’t have to” Aiya was sweet when he spoke to Maruki, his feet kicking the air as he looked at his school uniform hanging on the door.


Maruki smiled even though no one was around to see.
“I like calling you it though” There was a long pause between the both of them, Maruki found himself looking around the room blankly. “Do you remember how you got that name Aiya?” Maruki’s vivid memory played back that scene in his head suddenly. A memory that was small, yet very significant to Aiya. When they were both entering first year elementary school, Aiya had found a lost stray puppy, knowing he couldn’t take it home, him and Maruki kept it in an alleyway near a park. One day after returning to feed it, months after finding it and taking care of it. Maruki and Aiya had found the almost fully-grown puppy dead. It was attacked by a wild animal in the night, not having finished its food from the day before, the animal was attracted to the smell and came to take it. The still very small tried to fight it off, but lost.


Maruki and Aiya were attached to the animal, they even gave it a name. Every time Aiya would feed the animal, and when he placed the container down, the pup would bark in thanks. Each time, Aiya would say ‘Douita’. With the love the two young boys they decided to nickname it ‘Ai’ for Aiya found it, and ‘Dou’ from what he would say to it everyday. ‘Aidou’ was also an acronym for ‘Idol’. Even though Aidou passed away, he would always be with Aiya.


Aiya smiled as well, staring at his door. He was dressed in his nightwear now, knowing he wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
“All right Maa chan.” Aiya’s voice was low, like a whisper. His mother was walking outside the door and he didn’t want her knowing that he was talking on the phone.
“So, I called for a reason Maa chan”
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At that moment Maruki’s heart leapt into his throat. In the back of his mind, he was hoping that Aiya was not going to say what he was thinking.
“Why is that Aiya?” Maruki was a little worried now, hoping that Miyuki did not go to Aiya’s home after he left.


Aiya was slightly excited about his news he almost couldn’t speak. Soft ruffles could be heard on the phone, Aiya rolled over onto his back and sprawled out on his unmade bed.
“Miyuki asked me out on a date” with a little excitement in his voice, he finally spilled his news.


Maruki slapped his hand down on the surface of the desk hard. A loud clap echoed through his room. Though he was shocked, Maruki was not quite stolen of his words yet.
“What?” An even louder echo bellowed though his clean room, Maruki knew Miyuki was up to no good.


Aiya chuckled, a hand running through his back hair.
“I know! That’s what I said.” With sounding almost as shocked at Maruki was, he thought that Aiya was on his side. “a girl never asks a boy out, right?” Aiya was adorable and happy, but very naïve.


Maruki stood straight, hand pressed firmly on to the wood surface of his desk. “Aiya you cant go out with her!” For a first day back at school, this was already too much drama. Every school had some drama, but not this much this fast.
“She is going to ruin you Aiya, cant you see that?” Maruki felt his heart in his throat, throbbing painfully. He was holding back from screaming in worry, sadness and even anger towards Aiya.


Aiya sat up in his bed, crossed legged and innocent. He could easily see that Maruki did not want him seeing her. Was Maruki thinking that a girlfriend could take him away from this friendship? Was he jealous of him finally having the possibility of having a girlfriend?
“Maruki, stop. You don’t have to watch out for me every moment of my life.” For once Aiya spoke in a stern tone. Though he felt a tight knot in his throat, he kept a level head.
“I like Miyuki still. She asked me out, and I am going to try for this chance. It doesn’t come often you know?”


Maruki knew this all too well. Him and Aiya have been the same their entire lives. Intellectual, Athletic, yet quiet. They did not like to talk to anyone but each other.
“Aidou, I do know.” His voice was weak. Sadness of the past pains were flooding back all at once.
“I just want you to be careful, you are like a brother to me.” Knowing that Aiya was not going to listen almost hurt. Maruki knew the feelings he held for Miyuki, and he knew he couldn’t change them, they would have to be changed on their own. Maruki closed his eyes slowly, taking in a slow quiet breath, what was this knot he was feeling? Jealousy?


Letting out a small sigh, Aiya