Close Quarters

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Kimi.

Chapter 7 – Start again please

Mizuki sat at her desk idly reading an assignment for the start of school. Classes were back in session tomorrow, and the dorm had the busy buzz of male energy again. Izumi was out finishing some laundry and hanging out with Sekime, so she had a few moments to tackle the work she’d been putting off. She sighed and looked out the window into the dark night.

It had been a wonderful three weeks. She and Izumi really relaxed around each other, and she started to appreciate all the little things that made her love him. She could stare openly at him, taking in his handsome looks, his athletic body, and the hundred subtle movements of his face that showed the emotions he usually schooled so well. She could sleep in his arms unconcerned, and wear her vest only when going outside. It was nice to have a safe haven without worrying about being discovered.

They also took the opportunity to see a couple movies, watch fireworks on New Years, and wander around town a bit. For the most part, they’d been extremely careful outside the room, and no one was the wiser to her secret.

Mizuki blushed a little remembering the day they’d been caught in the open. They were walking across campus, and Izumi had just said something uncharacteristically endearing, at least for being in public. She turned and mirrored his gentle smile, moving to lay a hand on his arm affectionately.

A loud cough froze her in place.

“Young love, how cute.” Umeda’s sardonic tone hung in the air as he moved towards them with his easy stride. “If you blow you cover because of this asinine mooning, I’m going to be put out.” He continued walking past the two, giving Mizuki a sidelong glance as he passed.

They were more careful after that. The weight of her secret seemed heavier now to both of them, even though brief respite could be found in each other when they were within the room. It had truly turned into a sanctuary for both of them. Izumi had gotten very good in particular at locking the door. Mizuki had gotten even better at holding back her moans at Izumi’s attentions.

Mizuki sighed again and pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her chin atop them. Amidst all this happiness, there was still a bit of a cloud hanging over everything. She acutely felt Nakatsu’s absence, especially because of what happened right before he left. She didn’t regret what she said, but the hurt in his eyes at her rejection felt like salt in a wound. He was such a good and loyal friend, and had been since before Izumi warmed up to her attempts at friendship. He’d always stood up for her, and his outgoing personality perfectly balanced Izumi’s reserve. Somehow, she felt invincible with both of them by her side.

She put her forehead on her knees. He should be back tonight. He should have been back earlier today. She’d kept an eye out for him in the halls and at dinner, but he wasn’t there. Almost everyone else had made an appearance, calling out New Years greetings and moaning about the work not completed over the break.

She had to set things right, and she couldn’t do that if he wasn’t here.

A warm hand on her shoulder brought her out of her musings. Blinking a little, she looked up to see Izumi standing over her.

“You shouldn’t fall asleep there. You’ll be sore in the morning.”

“I wasn’t asleep,” she started, and then groaned at the stiffness in her back and legs. Maybe she had dozed off. Izumi chuckled a little at the sound.

He dropped his laundry on his (their) bunk and reached his hand out to her, a square of paper held deftly between two fingers.

“This was by the door. It’s addressed to you.”

Mizuki took it quizzically and turned it over in her hands. Her stomach clenched a bit when she saw her name in Nakatsu’s somewhat untidy strokes. She looked up at Izumi, but he was putting clothing away, back turned to her.

She unfolded the paper with nervous fingers. Taking a deep breath, she began to read.

‘Mizuki,

‘I couldn’t face you after what I said, and what I almost did, to you. You may think that I’m a coward, but it hurt too much to see your face.

‘I’m glad I went home. It helped to clear my head and focus on what’s important. So before I lose my nerve, I want to say a couple things.

‘I’m sorry I hurt you in the locker room. I’m not sorry I told you how I felt, but it wasn’t fair to get so mad at you. I’m sorry I’m such a wuss that I couldn’t say this to your face. I’m sorry I made you doubt me, and that you worried about me revealing you. The last thing I want is for you to be forced to leave.

‘I’m not sorry for what we shared that night in your room. I won’t ever regret it.

‘You may need to give me some time and space to get used to seeing you with Sano. I am friends to both of you, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish I were him. I know you won’t be shouting it to the world or anything, but I know both of you well enough to see what others won’t.

‘Mostly, I want you to know that I will be here for you if you need something. Like I said, we’re friends.

‘I know things can’t to back to the way they were. But maybe we can start again. Until then, I’m sure I’ll be in the doghouse.

‘See you around.

‘-Shuichi’

Sano finished putting away his clothes and dropped the laundry bag in the closet. He turned back towards the bunk, stopping when Mizuki came into view. Her hands were trembling slightly where they held the paper. Her eyes were hidden by her hair, but two tears trailed down her cheeks.

‘What the hell,’ he thought as he knelt in front of her.

“Mizuki?” he questioned, thumb gently wiping away the moisture from one cheek. His eyes widened a bit when she looked up at him, smiling widely.

“We can start again,” she said, relief coloring her voice. Sano smiled at her. He was relieved as well. Nakatsu was a good friend, and Sano wanted to keep it that way. He rose, kissing her forehead tenderly, and moved towards the bathroom.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

Mizuki hummed affirmatively. She sighed happily, rereading the letter. Her brow furrowed as she read the last few lines. She needed to find him, to tell him everything was okay. Now that he was back, she didn’t want him beating himself up any more.

After leaving a quick note for Izumi, she headed out to find Nakatsu. She checked in his room, but Kayashima was by himself and had no idea where Nakatsu was. The lounge held Nakao and his fawning circle of friends. Nakao scoffed at knowing the location of “that big ape.” The laundry room and vending machines were similarly Nakatsu-free.

Mizuki was about to head back to the room in defeat when the end of the note caught her eye.

‘… I’m sure I’ll be in the doghouse . . .’

Her eyes widened slightly in realization. She raced down to the lobby, outside into the cool night, and skidded in her house shoes around the corner of the dorm to Yuujiro’s house. A familiar figure crouched by the little structure, looking up at the clear sky. He stood as she approached.

Nakatsu looked down at the paper Mizuki gripped in her hand. He slowly raised his eyes to hers, bracing himself for whatever he saw.

As their gaze met, Mizuki’s face lit up with one of her trademark smiles, full of friendship and acceptance. Unspoken understanding passed between them in that moment. His eyes softened a bit and he smiled in relief.

“Hi,” she said, a bit breathlessly.

“Hey,” he answered, hand going behind his head and rubbing absently. “I didn’t know if you’d come.”

“Of course I came. As soon as I figured it out at least,” she smiled sheepishly. “Took me a little bit.”

“I didn’t want to be too obvious, at least not if you weren’t ready.”

She looked down at the note in her hands.

“I was ready right after you left.”

Nakatsu inhaled sharply as emotions hit him in the gut like a blow. Being away from her hurt, but being close was its own kind of agony. She was such a loyal friend, and he couldn’t be with her like he wanted. But he’d rather be close and not be able to touch than not see her at all. Eventually, the hurt would fade, and he’d find happiness with someone else.

“S-so,” he stumbled, “you’ll forgive me?”

She smiled again and looked up at him.

“Do you have to ask?”

………………..

Mizuki rushed out the door of the dorm, the tail end of her breakfast bread hanging from her mouth. Of all the days to be running late. She smiled to herself as she spotted Izumi’s strolling form up ahead. He must have waited for her to catch up.

She bounded to his side with her usual enthusiasm, careful to keep a friend-like space between them. He gave her a sidelong glance as she matched his pace and kept walking.

“Do you have practice today?”

“No, not until next week. Coach is out until Friday.”

Mizuki nodded and opened her mouth to respond. Sano stopped suddenly, and she stumbled a little at his motion.

“Sano, what-” she turned to follow is gaze. Nakatsu leaned against the school gate, straightening when he caught sight of them.

All three regarded each other over the gap between them. After a moment, Sano resumed walking, Mizuki trotting to keep up. Nakatsu fell into step beside Mizuki. After a few steps, Mizuki looked up at Nakatsu and smiled.

Sano caught the exchange out of the corner of his eye. His shoulders relaxed a bit as the air between the three shifted into a version of their former camaraderie. There was still some uncertainty between them, but it seemed that things would get better instead of worse. It would take some adjustment on all sides, himself included, but it was well worth it.

They made it inside before the first bell rang for the beginning of the term.


A/N: Thank you to all those who read and reviewed this story. I had fun playing with the threesome and after-effects of said event. I hope you enjoyed it!

-gretel_chan