[ Everything Akira said about him still rings out in his head. The kiss didn't push it from his mind – no, it only amplified it, made it mean more. It's not that Haruaki feels like he needs to say something too, he knows Akira didn't say that with any expectations, but...
He wants to.
And all Haruaki can ever do is follow what he wants. ]
You care so much about making sure other people are looked after, it's almost scary! [ Well, a lot of the time it is scary, but– no, that's not the point. ] And even the most hard-working person I can think of would look lazy next to you! You never give up on taking care of people, even when they try to run away!
[ These... are good points, right? Things Haruaki admires about him? Yes, for better and for worse!
That impassioned fire behind his little speech dies down into a low smolder, and the next words come out far more affectionate because of it. ]
I think people get too intimidated by you to realize you have a big heart, too, but it's right there, isn't it? I didn't have to tell you about that little zashiki-warashi for more than a minute before you offered to take her in. You're really amazing, you know.
[ Just he way he's sitting there, relaxed and assured of himself as ever...
It's not a new observation; Haruaki's thought it since they first met. It's not unique, either – he thinks this of most men he meets. And he's dead set certain that Akira's heard it many times throughout his life. But none of that means it's less important for him to put it out there plainly: ]
And... you're a really handsome guy.
[ Oh, he'd managed to get that flush under control in preparation for facing his students again, but it comes back full force now.
Perhaps even worse than that, his cowlick takes on the shape of a heart. ]
So, I guess I just wanted to say that I'm glad I got bullied by my students about reaching adulthood without ever having gotten a kiss from anyone, but most of all... I'm glad it was you!
gross. god. bye
He wants to.
And all Haruaki can ever do is follow what he wants. ]
You care so much about making sure other people are looked after, it's almost scary! [ Well, a lot of the time it is scary, but– no, that's not the point. ] And even the most hard-working person I can think of would look lazy next to you! You never give up on taking care of people, even when they try to run away!
[ These... are good points, right? Things Haruaki admires about him? Yes, for better and for worse!
That impassioned fire behind his little speech dies down into a low smolder, and the next words come out far more affectionate because of it. ]
I think people get too intimidated by you to realize you have a big heart, too, but it's right there, isn't it? I didn't have to tell you about that little zashiki-warashi for more than a minute before you offered to take her in. You're really amazing, you know.
[ Just he way he's sitting there, relaxed and assured of himself as ever...
It's not a new observation; Haruaki's thought it since they first met. It's not unique, either – he thinks this of most men he meets. And he's dead set certain that Akira's heard it many times throughout his life. But none of that means it's less important for him to put it out there plainly: ]
And... you're a really handsome guy.
[ Oh, he'd managed to get that flush under control in preparation for facing his students again, but it comes back full force now.
Perhaps even worse than that, his cowlick takes on the shape of a heart. ]
So, I guess I just wanted to say that I'm glad I got bullied by my students about reaching adulthood without ever having gotten a kiss from anyone, but most of all... I'm glad it was you!