The Odd Couple

Chapter Ten

Nakatsu sat sprawled out on a bench in the school courtyard. It had been a long difficult week. He had done his best to try to act normal. He didn't want anyone asking what was wrong with him. Sano had sensed something was up, but he had not asked questions. He was smart enough to know when to back off. Still, in a way Nakatsu needed someone else to talk to besides Umeda. The doctor understood and had given him some honest advice, but what the blond really needed right now was a friend who would just listen. He opened his eyes and raised his head off the back of the bench when he heard someone come to a stop beside him. He shouldn't have been surprised to see Kayashima standing there with a knowing expression.

"How do you do that?" Nakatsu asked with a slightly amused smile.

The other boy smiled. "You aura has been in a lot of turmoil. I figured by now you'd be ready to talk."

"You're right. Wanna sit down?" Nakatsu inclined his head to the spot beside him on the bench.

The aura reader sat and folded his hands in his lap. He didn't say anything. He just waited. Nakatsu smiled. That's what he liked about Kayashima. He was quiet, unassuming, and a loyal friend. He could always count on this guy to listen. So he began to talk. It just poured out of him. It was cathartic to talk about it. He went into more depth about his feelings than he had with Umeda. He didn't hold anything back, because he knew Kayashima wouldn't judge.

"I know there's something more. I could feel it whenever we touched. It was there in the way he kissed me. From the very beginning, I could sense there was something more than just sex between us." Nakatsu sighed, dropping his head into his hands.

"Your auras meshed very well," the aura reader finally said calmly.

The blond looked over in surprise. "When did you ever see us together?"

"I was out in the city when I saw you two together last week. I was spending the day with my girlfriend," Kayashima replied easily. "You both looked happy together. I can understand why you say you sensed more. I could see it."

"So I'm not just crazy thinking he feels something else for me?"

"No, I don't think so. However, he pushed you away for a reason; an important one in his mind. I also think you know what it is you're really feeling towards him. Why don't you just say it?" Kayashima asked honestly.

Nakatsu stared at him with his mouth hanging open for a long moment. He snapped his jaw shut and blushed crimson. He did know. He had for a while. He just hadn't wanted to think about it—or admit it. "You want me to say…" He swallowed hard then chuckled a little. He sounded slightly hysterical. "Fuck, I'm in love with him." He started to laugh harder. "I can't fucking believe it. I fell in love with him!" He dropped his head back into his hands, laughing until tears started form in his eyes and drip down his cheeks. He couldn't tell if he was laughing or sobbing anymore. His chest hurt, his throat hurt, and his eyes burned from tears. More than anything, his heart hurt. He'd just let the high jumper go. He hadn't fought as hard as he could. He should have tried harder.

Kayashima rested his hand on the blond's arm. "I think you should talk to him. He's probably upset too. And Umeda sensei's right about you needing to confront him."

"You really think I should?" Nakatsu said after taking several deep breaths to calm himself.

"Yes. Do it tomorrow."

"I have practice tomorrow."

Kayashima gave him an unimpressed look. "Some things are more important than soccer." He stood up. Nakatsu gapped at his back. "Dinner's ready." He started to walk away.

Nakatsu shook his head. "Amazing." He jumped up and ran after the other boy. "Thanks, Kayashima." He said when he caught up to the aura reader.

"You're welcome."

/

For the first time in his life, Nakatsu skipped a soccer practice. He figured it was for a legitimate reason though. He needed to talk to Zak. It was eating him up inside the longer he waited. There was something behind the high jumper's bull shit excuses about why they'd broken up. Nakatsu had to know the real reason. He couldn't sleep, pay attention in school, or even practice soccer with his whole heart until he knew the truth. It had even begun to affect his appetite, which was almost unheard of for him. That was the final straw. He decided that if Zak would not come to home then he would go to Zak's school this time and wait.

He felt like he was a stalker or something as he waited by the entrance of the school for Zak to come out. He knew from previous talk with the high jumper that this school did it's school athletic practices in the morning. He didn't think it should take this long for Zak to come out of the school though. Finally, the high jumper walked through the front doors and down the steps. He was surrounded by a group of other guys, who were all chatting merrily to each other. Zak was the silent one in the middle with his hands stuffed in his jacket pocket and scowl firmly in place. Nakatsu pushed away from the front gate to stand in sidewalk. Zak stopped in his tracks when he saw the blond. Another kid ran into the high jumper's back, making the rest stop too, and looked to see what had caught Zak's attention.

"What the hell, Nakatsu?" Zak snapped angrily as he broke away from the group.

"I need to talk to you."

"About what? We've got nothing to discuss."

Nakatsu glared. "Yeah, we do. And if you don't then I'll tell your friends over there all about why I'm here to see you."

"You're threatening me?" Zak's scowled deepened.

Nakatsu shrugged casually.

"Fine. Wait here a second." Zak walked back to the other guys. He spoke to them for a moment before they disbursed and Zak came back. "C'mon, there's a park nearby. We can talk there."

It was weird for Nakatsu to walk next to a guy who had been his lover and was now acting so tense about being near him. The blond was a little mad about that. He didn't like feeling that he was being an annoyance to Zak. More than anything though he didn't like that Zak was trying to walk ahead of him like he was trying to forget Nakatsu was there. They walked through the park to a more secluded location. Zak led him to a bench under a cherry blossom tree. The high jumper flopped down gracelessly before giving Nakatsu a baleful look. Nakatsu rolled his eyes before he sat down too.

"Well?" Zak barked irritably.

"Why'd you break up with me?" Nakatsu asked bluntly. There was no point skirting the issue.

Zak sighed and seemed to deflate a little. Some of the scowl slipped away to show a more tired expression. "Can't you just let it go?"

"No. There's more between us. I know it. I'm not gonna drop it without good reason," Nakatsu replied sincerely.

Zak rubbed a hand over his face. "Part of it is being worried about getting found it. I don't want to be labeled as a fag. I know I could still do the high jump, but it would make everything that much harder."

"Sports are about playing the game well. It's about being a good athlete. It's not about what you're personal life is like," Nakatsu replied calmly.

"It'd still effect the way people would see us."

"Yeah, but that's not the only thing. Is it?"

"No." Zak took a deep breath.

"What then?"

Zak sat quietly for a minute. He finally decided he might as well just tell the blond. Nakatsu would never leave him alone otherwise. "My family is in danger of losing the temple. The grounds got bought out from under us. My father's been negotiating to get them back. We don't have the money to do that though. The man who owns the land now agreed to give it back if I marry his daughter. While the temple is not big, it is fairly famous and our family name is well known. He is also rather prominent in the business society. I guess the prestige of a union between our families would help with his business relations, up our standing in society, and gain our land back. I didn't have a lot of say in the matter. It's already been decided."

"So you're betrothed?" Nakatsu asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, pretty much," he answered.

"When…?"

"They were pushing for right out of high school, but I refused. I'm not going to college already married. I wanna enjoy it and anyone I feel like before I'm forced to be married."

"What if you didn't want to marry her?" Nakatsu asked hopefully.

Zak smiled, but there was no amusement behind it. "I tried to break it off, but the man's told us we'll lose the place if I refuse. My parents told me I have to carry on the family name too. We're also behind on the mortgage. This guy's been paying it for us. We owe him."

"But isn't that like blackmail or something? Is he Yakuza?" Nakatsu pressed, still unable to grasp what he was hearing.

Zak chuckled a little. "No, he's not Yakuza. He's just an money hungry asshole. It doesn't matter. Either way I am screwed. I have to marry her."

Nakatsu sat quietly for a moment. "Do you even like her?"

"Yeah, she's a friend. I've known her for a while." Zak replied honestly.

Nakatsu sat forward and clasped his hands together. "I'm sorry."

Zak shrugged.

"I'm not gonna give up just like that," Nakatsu declared determinedly.

The high jumper looked over at him in baffled surprise. "Why?"

"Because I love you!" Nakatsu blurted out before he could second guess himself.

Zak's mouth fell open, to stunned to do more than blink at him.

"I figured it out the other day. I think you feel the same way. Don't you?" the blond looked at the high jumper earnestly.

Zak shook his head and looked away. "I can't answer that."

"What's the matter? You know how I feel now. I think I deserve a straight answer for once." Nakatsu growled. "I'd say you owe me since you started this shit between us."

Kagurazaka bristled angrily. "I don't owe you anything. It was just sex!"

"You are such a fucking coward! Is it really that hard to be honest with me—or yourself?" Nakatsu scooted closer and spoke earnestly.

The high jumper snarled, shoving him away. "I ain't a coward!"

"Then fucking say it out loud!"

"What would be the point!"

"So we can at least be true to ourselves and each other."

Zak clenched his fists. "This can't last between us so there's no point."

"So you're just gonna hide how you feel?"

"Shit, just let it go!"

"No! I've always been honest to you. I'd like the favor returned!" Nakatsu half shouted.

The high jumper jumped to his feet and spun around to face the blond. "Fine! I hate you, you bastard! Happy!"

Nakatsu fought the urge to punch him. "Liar." He reached up to yank the high jumper down into a deep kiss. Kagurazaka's hands buried themselves in his hair and dug into his scalp. Nakatsu groaned in the back of his throat at the agonized sensation only adding to the pleasure of the kiss. He refused to let Zak go though. The high jumper found himself answering the kiss with all the intensity of the confusing emotions whirling around inside of him. He had been trying to do the right thing for the both of them. It was to late for good intentions though. When they parted, he dropped his head and admitted the truth.

"I love you."

Zak's mouth was immediately caught up in another kiss. He didn't protest as the blond pulled him closer until he was straddling Nakatsu's lap. Both had totally forgotten for the moment that they were in a public place and anyone could walk by to see them kissing.

"Not so bad, was it?" Nakatsu asked with a quirky smile when he finally released Zak.

"Not so bad," the high jumper muttered lamely. He slipped off the blond's lap to sit on the bench beside him once more (though much closer this time). "Just 'cause I admitted though doesn't change anything."

"Can't we just have this for a while?" Nakatsu sighed. "We can figure something out. I'm not gonna let you go. I want you."

"Only you could say that to another guy with a straight face." Zak rolled his eyes.

Nakatsu returned the gesture.

"Why would you do that anyways? You'd have a few years with me then we'd have to separate." The high jumper told the blond.

"It's like that saying 'better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.'"

"I think that's full of shit."

Nakatsu took a deep breath and let it out slow. "Maybe, but if it's just for a while I'll take what I can."

"I dunno if I can do that, Nakatsu. All the sneaking around, lying, and having to give it all up after college. That's asking a lot. It's gonna suck." Zak said honestly. "The longer we're together the more it'll suck when we'd have to break up for real."

"Yeah."

"I mean, how would it even work? We're both graduating in 2 months. Have you even picked a college?"

"Yes, and I'm testing next week."

"What college?"

"K University."

Zak's eyebrows shot up.

"What?"

"Well, I've applied there too," Zak replied.

Nakatsu grinned. "Well, it is the best sports college in the nation. Sano's applying too."

"Christ," the high jumper groaned.

Both were silent for a moment. Nakatsu suddenly had a brilliant idea.

"We could all live together instead of in the dorms! Save some money with all of us chipping in for rent and food. It's be a great cover so we could be together!" Nakatsu exclaimed.

"Now you want us to live together! You're fucking insane!" Zak cried incredibly.

"I wanna be happy," Nakatsu said earnestly. "Even just for a little while. I wanna be happy…with you."

Zak sighed and put his head in his hands again. "I dunno. This is nuts. I didn't want to feel like this. It's why I fucked around to begin with."

"I get that, but don't you think it was already a little to late the first time you kissed me?" Nakatsu asked. Zak didn't answer. Nakatsu didn't need him too. He knew the answer. "Just think about it a little."

"Fine," Zak stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll think about it, but don't get your hopes up."

"Ok."

Zak shifted awkwardly before finally leaning over to kiss the blond roughly on the lips. "I fucking hate you for doing this to me."

Nakatsu smiled a little sadly. "I know. Me too."

"I'll see yah later. I'll give you my answer then." The high jumper turned and walked away swiftly. He almost looked like he wanted to run, but wouldn't let himself.

Nakatsu sighed heavily. Why couldn't anything ever be easy? He finally realized he was gay, had fallen in love, and was once again losing the person he wanted. His heart seemed to always pick the wrong people for him to fall in love with.

/

"So you talked to him," Umeda remarked as he flicked off the ash from the tip of his cigarette. He was leaning against the wall around Osaka High with a despondent blond teenager slumped beside him. He'd been on his way home when he saw Nakatsu walking up the sidewalk to the school. He had stopped to talk to the kid, despite knowing he really shouldn't get any more involved. The cigarette was an excuse to stop. Nakatsu had come over without the doctor saying a word. Umeda had only guessed at what had the blond down.

"Yeah."

"That bad, huh?" The doctor sucked in a breath of nicotine flavored smoke.

Nakatsu shrugged. "He admitted he loves me."

Umeda raised his eyesbrows in surprise. "Congratulations. Why do you still look like someone kicked your puppy then?"

"He's engaged to be married," the blond replied quietly.

"Oh," The doctor said. "Well, that complicates things."

"No shit," Nakatsu glared over at him.

Umeda couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Sorry. There's more to it right?"

"He's applying to the same university as me. I suggested we live together." Nakatsu scuffed the toe of his sneaker on the pavement.

"Even after knowing he's gonna have to get married?"

"Yeah. I just…I love him so fucking much. Even if I have to give him up I wanna have a chance to be with him." Nakatsu swallowed hard. "I wanna know what it's like to be with someone I love."

"You're consigning yourself to a world of hurt later on though. Could you live with having to leave him in the end?" Umeda asked the hard question.

Nakatsu took a deep breath. "I dunno. I know it'll hurt. If you could have a few years with the man you love would you take it?"

Umeda mulled this over as he rolled his cigarette between his fingers. "I probably would. I understand how you feel."

"I dunno what else to do."

"Give him up now and find someone else to love." The doctor replied bluntly.

"Says you. You can't even take your own advice," the blond grumbled.

Umeda laughed sadly. "Man, you know how to kick a guy right where it hurts the most, don't you?"

"Sorry."

"Don't be. You're right." He stubbed out his cigarette and flicked it away. "Do what your heart feels is best. If it's only for a little while then don't waste a second of it."

Nakatsu looked over and smiled a little brighter. "Thanks, Umeda-sensei."

"Yeah. Well, I'm off. You better go in before you miss dinner." He gave a little wave before walking away.

"It all depends on him," Nakatsu muttered to himself. He walked through the gates back to the dorms. For once, food did not seem so appealing. He just went straight back to his room. Kayashima said nothing when he climbed into his bed and rolled up in his blankets.

/

It actually startled Nakatsu when he looked up during soccer practice 2 days later to see Kagurazaka sitting in the bleachers watching him. It felt like nothing had changed for a moment. He wished nothing had, because then he wouldn't have the sudden sensation of nervous anxiety rising in his throat. He had this horrible feeling that the high jumper had decided to end things between them completely. The rest of the practice went terribly for him. He was to emotionally upset to pay attention. He didn't even listen when his coach scolded him for losing his focus like that. He knew the coach had a point. When he was playing the game he should not let himself be distracted by anything. Zak wasn't just anything though. He was glad when practice was over just so he wouldn't have to see the disgruntled looks on his team mates' faces.

He stared up at the high jumper, who sat unmoving in the bleachers. Zak just sat, relaxed in his seat with his arms sprawled across the backs of the seats on either side of him. Nakatsu sighed. He would have to go to Zak this time. Funny how that kept happening lately. He climbed up the steps until he got to Zak's row before starting down it. When he reached the high jumper, he plopped down into the seat next to him. Neither said anything for several minutes as they watched the other students head back to the dorms.

"I've thought about it," Zak finally broke the silence.

Nakatsu looked over anxiously. "And?"

"It's stupid." The high jumper said curtly.

The blond sighed heavily. He had been expecting that answer. He should have known the high jumper wouldn't go along with such a crazy idea.

"I wanna do it."

Nakatsu stared at him blankly for a second. "What?"

"I want to live with you. I want to go to college together. I wanna fuck you every night as long as I can…because I fucking love you," the high jumper snapped at him impatiently.

"And what about everything else?" Nakatsu asked, still to shocked and not quite getting it yet.

"It can wait. We'll forget about it 'til it happens. Maybe I can get out of it. I dunno." Zak swallowed and looked down at his hands. "All I know is that I want what you want, even if it's just for a little while."

Nakatsu closed his eyes and smiled. He hadn't expected that answer at all. He felt overwhelmed with happiness. It was a little surreal still. When he opened his eyes, Zak was smiling back at him. He loved that smile. He wanted to make Zak smile every day they were together. He felt like a girl for thinking that, but it was the truth.

"So what do you say?" Zak asked.

"I fucking love you too," Nakatsu grinned. "And I want be with you too."

Zak leaned over to kiss him, but stopped an inch away. "You think Sano will agree to share a place with us?"

"I think I could get him too," Nakatsu smirked.

"Good," Zak said then kissed him hard. He pulled back and smiled devilishly. "You wanna go to that love hotel again?"

"Fuck yes!" Nakatsu exclaimed.

/

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