Chapter Text
Kiss - to touch (someone or something) with the lips especially as a mark of affection or greeting
1 - Forehead Kisses
Kissing.
May it be platonic or romantic. Sakura never believe he would ever encounter such gesture towards himself. His friends respected his boundaries, but that didn’t mean they didn’t shy themselves from expressing how they truly.
Then again, Suo did not care if he caused Sakura to become a blushing mess when he would be affectionate towards Nirei. The blond would blush darkly, apologizing to Sakura, but his joyful smile betrays his true feelings.
“I’m so sorry, Sakura!” Nirei tries, being smuggled by the light kisses from his boyfriend. Suo smiles, neatly. “Nirei, there’s no need. Sakura should be familiar.” A smug smile rises. “He should be used to it with Togame.”
Suddenly, Sakura’s cheeks grow a rosy red. “I’m going to kill you!!” Suo seems unimpressed, already expected such reaction. It only rises Sakura’s reaction. He stands up, pointing at them. “Get a damn room, you two!” He yells. It didn’t help that Suo’s words sparked something inside him. Even as his classmates laugh in the background.
“Come on, Captain,” Tsugeura begins. “Suo has a point. Aren’t you used to this stuff with Shishitoren’s second-in-command?” He raises an eyebrow. Before Sakura could even muster a response, a certain pink-haired boy perks up. “Unless Sakura is a kiss-no-talk person,” raising a hand to his mouth. “How scandalous, captain.”
Sakura squawks, trying to find a response. His heavy blush grows. How could that even be possible. Even then, he was interrupted the bell.
Saved by the bell.
Quite literally.
He leaves the room without looking back. He’ll deal with those idiots, mostly Suo, tomorrow. He begins stomping away, ready to go home. Maybe alone, he’ll be able to process his thoughts more effectively.
How wrong he could be?
“Ume, can you help with this?”
Sakura stops mid-step. In front of him, he sees Umemiya taking a stack of papers from Tsubaki’s hands.
“Of course,” he smiles, unable to look away.
Just that tender scene alone had Sakura growing a bright red. They looked so domestic from the way they looked at each other. Before he could step away, Tsubaki had gotten sight of him.
“Sakura!” They rushed over, even with the papers, Tsubaki hugs the boy tightly. “Argh!” Sakura fails to push them away, trapped in the embrace. Umemiya only chuckles, approaching them. “Tsubaki, you’re going to suffocate him.” With that, Tsubaki releases the boy.
“Sorry, Sakura,” Tsubaki smiles, then they look over at Umemiya. “I couldn’t help but squeeze him. He looks so cute! Don’t you agree, Ume?”
“They do.”
They? How obvious could their great leader be?
“They?” Sakura questions. That alone has Umemiya in a sputtering mess with Tsubaki blushing. Quickly, Sakura takes that moment to rush out of the building. He wanted to avoid any more lovey Dovey moments.
It was everywhere!
He grips his jacket, pushing himself to leave the campus. He grumbles under his breath, finally feeling the light breeze. He’ll be able to calm down his growing blush. He groans. Why wouldn’t the damn blush go away? Before he could even dwell further down his thoughts, a voice speaks.
“Sakura!”
Sakura almost jumps like a cat before relaxing. In front of him his golden retriever boyfriend, practically wagging his tail in excitement. Months ago, Sakura would’ve said he didn’t recognize the other. Considering, Togame was being lame back then, doing uncool stuff.
However, none of that matter anymore.
“How long have you been waiting?” Sakura asks. He sees the empty Ramune bottle in his hand. “You know you can always go inside?” He rubs the back of his neck, feeling a light blush. The cold breeze rolling in was becoming steadier.
Togame smiles, “I wasn’t waiting too long.” He approaches the boy. “Plus, it’s adorable that you’re worried about me.”
Sakura turns a deep red. “HUH!” He gasps. “Y-You! Just shut up! I hope you freeze!” He grumbles, walking past his boyfriend. Togame’s steps follow behind. The geta’s soft clanking was the tell-tale that his boyfriend was following behind.
“So…what do you want?” Sakura didn’t mean his words to sound brass, but Togame didn’t seem phased at all. His eyes crinkle, dark green eyes were soft and kind. “It’s our date day.”
Sakura stops in his steps, surprised. “What?” It races in his mind. It was weird that Togame was waiting for him. “I…I forgot.” He admits. He tries to apologize but stops mid-sentence by a hand grasping his. “It’s okay, Sakura. I’m just happy to see you. Come on, we can just relax today. We don’t have to do anything.”
“I’m just happy to see you.”
Togame didn’t comment on the deep red blush on Sakura’s face. The boy was practically a blushing tomato.
“L-Let’s get going,” Sakura grumbles. He doesn’t release Togame’s hand. The two settle in walking by each other’s side.
Even with no destination in mind, they were content with walking around the area, exploring areas they weren’t so familiar with. The air wasn’t filled with tension. Words came easily between them. Even with Togame’s playful teasing and Sakura’s brashness, the two complimented the other.
Later that night, the lights on the sidewalks were on. The gleaming light was light and soft. Sakura sighs, relaxing. His blush had calmed down after the exchange at school.
Walking down on the streets, the pair stops when Togame notices Sakura watching a vendor. The older man was selling Yakisoba. Togame takes one look at Sakura before asking.
“You want one?” Togame asks. Before Sakura could reject, tell him that he won’t let Togame buy him a plate. “No–” His words die as his former blush appears when his stomach rumbles. “Togame, don’t–!” Togame had gone ahead, taking him by his hand to order himself a plate of Yakisoba.
The man was kind enough to give them a full plate. Togame tried to pay for the extra that the man had given, but he rejects.
“If you don’t go, I’m going to give you a complete refund,” the vendor threatens. With that, the two boys walk away. They take a seat at the closest bench.
Sakura notices there’s only one plate.
“You’re not going to get yourself any?” Sakura raised an eyebrow. Togame shakes his head. “I’ll eat later. Just not hungry right now.” Sakura didn’t seem to question it further as they take a seat at a bench.
Watching Sakura’s eyes gleam with pure joy at the taste was absolutely adorable.
Togame couldn’t help but lean into his hand, watching the boy, who held his heart, eat with his heart’s content. How lucky is he? How blessed is he? Sakura’s beauty knows no bounds. He wishes Sakura knew how absolutely stunning he is. If he was a possessive man, he would’ve kept Sakura to himself, locked away that he would be the only one to bask in Sakura’s light.
However, his thoughts cut short by the chopsticks extended towards him. Yakisoba on the end. Togame blinks, surprised. “Sakura–”
“Eat some,” Sakura says, no point of arguing. Togame, for the first, blushes lightly before taking a bite. This feels too intimate. With the same matching blush, Togame knows he’s not the only feeling this way.
Togame doesn’t fight Sakura. He doesn’t question why Sakura wishes to feed him. He just allows the boy. The space between them grows smaller, practically sharing the same space.
Sakura tries not to explode from how heavy his heart feels.
Once they finished, Sakura and Togame stand from the bench, beginning to walk off. Thanking the vendor one last time. However, the vendor stops them with a simple comment.
“You two look lovely together. I hope for the best for the two of you,” he says.
Sakura and Togame’s blush darken before Togame gleams. “Thank you, sir. I hope you have a good rest of your evening.” He takes Sakura’s hand, walking away.
Without anyone else around, Togame realizes that Sakura grew a little quieter than usual. Did the comment get to him?
“Sakura–”
“I…Just–ahh,” Sakura feels frustrated, trying to find the words to convey what he wants. Still, Togame’s patient. Never rushing him. Just one of the many things he likes about Togame. Why can’t he say it?
What he wants to say to Togame wasn’t easy for him get into words. So he settles on something else, which results in him leaning into Togame’s space. He takes the boy’s arm, moving it around his waist. He misses seeing Togame’s shocked expression.
“S-S-Sakura!?” Sakura wants to feel smug that he managed to catch Togame off guard, but his own blushing is failing him. He only stays close. “Just hold me.” He utters.
Just like that.
Togame does as he’s told. He holds the most precious person in his life close to him. He could see the rosy blush dusting the tips of Sakura’s ears, no doubt Sakura is a deep red. He couldn’t help but fondly smile.
With no destination in mind, they walk for as long as they can, not wanting to end the night so early. With Togame being busy with Shishitoren and Sakura busy being the captain of his class, rarely did they get days to spend time together.
However, Sakura knows the end of the night is approaching when he sees own breath. The cool air was becoming known. The tremble in his fingers and the way he chased for the comforting heat. Togame was like his personal heater. However, he refuses to tell Togame he’s cold. He didn’t want their day to end.
Though, he should’ve known that his shaking wasn’t going to be noticed. “Sakura, you’re shaking.” He pulls away. A whine almost escapes Sakura’s lips, but Sakura stops it before it has the chance to leave him.
“I’ll walk you, home, but in the meantime…” Sakura didn’t understand what the other meant until he was beginning to take his jacket off. The orange jacket was shrugged off his shoulders.
“W-Wait,” Sakura tries to stop him. Togame attempts to put the jacket on him.
“I don’t need it!” Sakura tries to push away the jacket away. He persists against Togame’s actions, knowing full well that they were both stubborn fools. He shouldn’t even be surprised when Togame lets it go after setting the jacket on his shoulders.
“There! Now, you’ll be warm.” Togame smiles, a laugh leaving him. He was proud of his work. Content that he won against Sakura’s protests.
As much as he anticipated a response, the oxygen leaves his lungs as he exhales. Looking before him, Sakura was cladded in his over-sized jacket. A light rosy blush dusts across Sakura’s cheeks. A lovely shade. Togame was awestruck, unable to find a response.
Every thought consumed at the thought of his adorable boyfriend in his jacket. How Sakura looked like an absolute angel. An angel so divine. Lost in his thoughts, Togame had no idea about the boy’s thoughts in front of him.
Sakura felt lost. He felt consumed. The immediate warmth that surrounds Sakura, static fills his ears. He could hear his own heartbeat.
Togame could hear his heart pound when he sees the small dip of Sakura taking in Togame’s scent. How adorable Sakura looked in that moment engraves itself into his memory. A memory he’ll cherish. All these moments shared with Sakura. All these memories he’ll cherish to the end.
Walking side by side, Sakura stays close to his boyfriend. The chilling air doesn’t bother him, not when he feels nothing but warmth. Maybe it would be the jacket or the warmth of holding his boyfriend’s hand. Boyfriend…a word Sakura never thought he’ll use.
Standing by his side, Sakura feels his thoughts overflow. How Togame had confessed to him, admitting every single emotion he had for Sakura. Every word curling around Sakura’s heart. Never in this lifetime did he think this would be possible, yet Togame went against the impossible.
Togame was patient, willing to wait for Sakura to adjust, to accept that he had someone who wanted to be by his side. As a friend and lover.
“Unless Sakura is a kiss-no-talk person.”
Kiryu’s words resounds in his mind. The truth is, Sakura hasn’t even had his first kiss. Dating for over a course of two months, they haven’t gotten past their holding hand phase. Each time they’re close to kissing, Sakura would back away. His blush would be unsteady. His flustered face would be burning.
Late nights mocked him. He wasn’t against kissing Togame. Just…it was terribly hard not to fall into a flustered mess. Togame had that effect on him.
Now, Sakura wishes Togame would take the chance and kiss him.
“We’re here,” Togame cuts off. Sakura’s surprise is notifiable to him. The younger of the two recognized his apartment’s door. When did they walk up the stairs?
‘I…I should invite him inside,’ a familiar warmth rises on his cheeks, but he couldn’t find the words. This wasn’t his first time inviting Togame inside…except this time there was ulterior motives. The thoughts of Togame pressing him against the door, kissing him or holding them while they slept.
“Hey, Sakura?”
Sakura snaps out of it. “Huh?” He turns around.
Before Sakura could comprehend, the gentleness pressure lands on his temple. One that has Sakura’s knees weak. It was far too unexpected. Too unpredictable. Why? He shouldn’t be surprised. This was normal for couples, and yet Sakura was frozen. Unable to register the feeling coursing through him.
All that passes is the gentle kiss that landed on his temple.
One filled with so much affection.
So much love.
Togame moves away, smiling softly. Sakura feels the hand on his cheek, rubbing gently. “I should get going,” he says, no louder than a whisper, unwilling to break the tenderness moment between them. Even as he says it, his hand doesn’t move away, only cradling his cheek.
Sakura doesn’t want him to pull away.
Why?
The only question he had was buried by the other emotions he was feeling at that moment. All pleading for him to not let Togame let go. If he lets go, would he fall? His knees feel like jelly. His mind feels like cotton.
Lost in each other’s eyes, Sakura leans into Togame’s touch, basking in the warmth. A warmth he was foreign to. A foreign feeling he’s never had the chance to experience when he was a mere child. As the thought passes, he thinks about the hugs he’s received from his friends at Furin. None could compare.
Because this was theirs.
All theirs.
Nothing could take that away. No one could make him feel this way. None had the toll like Togame had. Just his touch alone made Sakura feel so safe and warm. A warmth he wishes to keep forever.
Maybe it was selfish to wish for so much, but Suo and Nirei told him it’s fine. Tsubaki’s and Kotocha’s words came as a reminder, telling him that he was allowed to be happy. He was allowed to be selfish. He was allowed to think about himself and his wants and needs.
What he wants and needs is in front of him.
Smiling at him as if he hung the stars for him. How? What did he do to deserve such fondness and adoration? What did he even do in his past life to have someone as wonderful as Togame Jo?
“Bye Haruka,” Togame whispers again, finally cutting Sakura’s overflowing thoughts. He rubs his cheek, softly. The touch makes Sakura’s cheeks flare up. A part of Sakura hopes, begs, for another kiss. Instead, he receives a gentle laugh. “You’re as red as a rose,” he notes. Sakura’s blush darkens. A snarky response was about to make its way out, but it’s all muffled to Togame’s words.
“You look beautiful,” Togame’s lovesick expression made Sakura’s heart thumps in his chest harder. He presses their foreheads closer, sharing the same space. “Let’s meet up again, soon. Maybe then, you can return my jacket.” He moves away, leaving Sakura missing the warmth. With a wave, Sakura watches the taller boy leave.
Alone, Sakura stands by the railing. The buzzing, the tingling under his skin. All felt too much, but this was okay. He craved more of this feeling. This closeness that he could only get with Togame.
Sakura holds Togame’s jacket tighter around him. He smiles…and yet his smile wavers.
What has he done to deserve this?