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Summer is coming to an end, which means the uni’s Homecoming Day is here.
A day that isn’t just limited for the alumni to have reunion at the uni, but also a lot of current college students, and even the new one, to gather and basically… have fun!
There will be the usual things. Student showcase, mini concert, and lot of booths!
Though fall supposedly comes soon, the sun is still scorching hot. Which means for Homecoming Day, it will be ideal to open a beverage booth.
Thankfully it’s not a problem for Ren and his peers. For the super rich Keigo managed to secure the best canned drink brand and ingredients for lemonade.
Ren can see Keigo coming with his car, parking it next to their booth.
Quickly everyone starts being busy, getting stuff out of Keigo’s car.
Except Keigo, he is busy shouting at people to do things. Which isn’t really annoying, but there’s definitely some help needed to get out all the coolers Keigo magically managed to get too.
Thankfully Keigo soon realizes that only moving the car doesn't count as help.
The university’s field is slowly filling up.
The buzzing sound of college students, happily greeting each other, and shouting of people telling others to do things, livens up the cheery summer Homecoming Day.
Ren silently thanks nature for being windy that morning, despite the sun shining to its fullest.
Ren swears he is just casually arranging the table, when he hears some kind of commotion.
To support that, Keigo nudges Ren, and points toward somewhere with his chin.
“Hei, look at that,” Keigo says. A hint of teasing lingers on his mouth.
Curious, Ren decides to check.
In front of them, comes the hottest guy known in the university, Yonashiro Sho. Setting himself to sit behind a booth.
With Sho is his friend, Ruki, who smirks happily while slapping a huge banner on his booth.
Ren almost chokes himself, as the banner reads “KISSING BOOTH”.
The crowd sounds become more excited as Ruki slaps another banner, which reads:
- HAND KISSING: 15 USD
- CHEEK KISSING: 25 USD
- LIP KISSING: 50 USD
“Now that is interesting stuff to sell!” Keigo exclaims, “they really know what sells!”. He claps his hand happily. So do plenty of other students.
Selling the hottest man in the uni to do kissing booth is a certain guarantee to pump up money.
However, Ren gets too brainfreeze at the fact that the person he’s been crushing on for… ever? Is now opening a freaking Kissing Booth in front of his (well and his friends) booth.
This screams too much of a big chance for Ren.
Keigo quickly voices out loud, “Well, it seems like we have a to-do list to fulfill today!” Keigo chirps happily.
Ren flushes completely red.
What Keigo said was definitely for Ren.
A hint to take the chance of his crush opening a freaking kissing booth.
Keigo has been a great friend to Ren, really. So even if he was teasing it was out of being supportive.
Ren remembered when he told Keigo he might have a crush toward Sho.
And instead of belittling Ren by saying, “Well who doesn’t?” because Sho is definitely a too high goal to reach. Keigo was being completely supportive. He told Ren that he understands and will fully support Ren by being the ear in need.
Until that one time he suddenly told Ren that Sho might have a crush toward him too.
“Don’t make up things! It’s not possible at all!” Ren protested as Keigo told him the blatant lies.
But Keigo raised his shoulders, and said, “Well, apparently he said that during a session of Truth or Dare. He said he has crush on a guy from dance department,”
“How do you even know that!” Ren protested again, pushing Keigo away in annoyance.
“Hei! It’s common public knowledge apparently and I happen to overhear it?” Keigo answered, rolling his eyes, while holding himself from falling from the chair because of Ren’s push.
“Also, apparently he let that slip once when he rejected a love confession,” Keigo whispered mysteriously, hiding his face with his hand as if he’s passing a super secretive information.
Which maybe it is! Poor Sho getting his possibly secret crush out everywhere because the wall has ears.
Ren leaned back on the chair. His entire body suddenly feels so hot and he just wanted to melt to the floor.
“There are lots of people in the dance department,” Ren whispered. Not wanting to get his hope up.
“Yeah well. But he’s always come to your dance showcase. And like, only at the time where you are about to perform?” Keigo made a hand gesture, moving one finger connected to the other, “I connected the dots-”
“YOU DIDN’T CONNECT SHIT!” Ren shouted, his face red, and pushed Keigo again in a joking way.
Both of them then laughed. Ren now leaning on Keigo’s shoulder, as Keigo holds Ren’s hand dearly.
“Listen, Ren. You deserve great things in the world. So I really, genuinely hope that this crush you have toward Sho? Will ended up nicely,” Keigo said, leaning to give a peck on top of Ren’s hair.
Ren smiled. Then playfully pinched Keigo's arm. The former shouted exaggeratingly loud, which caused some people to hush them and glare at them.
Both Ren and Keigo had to reserve to quiet giggling. Until the librarian showed up and gave them some deadly stares.
The beverage booth thankfully gets very busy fast.
The wind is cool, marking the upcoming fall season. But it’s still hot enough, especially as the sun slowly rises up to the middle of the sky.
So the beverage booth is a hit as they expected it to be.
Next to Ren, Keigo happily offers glasses of lemonade and canned drinks. While Ren is busy cutting and squeezing the lemon.
Ren thought working like that will keep him away from trying to check the Kissing Booth.
But that’s definitely not the case at all.
The Kissing Booth also gets very busy.
They have long lines that reach just several meters away from Ren’s booth.
And Ren just couldn’t help peeking every now and then.
To be honest, the kissing booth’s price is a bit… on the expensive side. Especially for the college students.
Which so far resulted in lots of people only able to pay for hand kissing.
And to be very honest, that kinda relieves Ren a bit
Unfortunately that also means that Ren can’t afford most of it too.
Although Ren still very up even just for a kiss on the hand.
Just to get a bit close to Sho. Able to stare on Sho’s face just from barely one meter distance. Get to feel Sho’s huge hand enveloping his. And when Sho’s lips touch Ren’s skin.
The thought itself caused Ren to go very red and hot.
Having to focus on cutting and squeezing lemon gets a bit harder now.
Being this down bad for Sho, take Ren back to the moment he first saw Sho.
It was the time for the music department to do a student talent showcase.
Originally, Ren only came for Ruki, who was his very good friend for being chairmate for three years at high school.
“Oh, Ruki was your chairmate?” Keigo asked on the way to the auditorium.
“Yeah. He’s been constantly nagging me to come to the showcase. I mean, he came to ours too yesterday so I'm kinda returning the favor,” Ren cheerfully explains. He then nodded to the student who was on the receptionist table, and wrote his name plus Keigo’s on the guest book.
The auditorium was pretty much filled already. Meanwhile, people are still slowly coming.
The students showcase is really pretty much the fun and free entertainment for the exhausted students that evening. Not only that, it’s very much filled with talented people, so the show never disappoints.
As freshmen, this is the first time for Ren, Keigo, and of course Ruki, to experience the student showcase.
Ren and Keigo already did it yesterday with their dance department. Now time to sit and enjoy the music department show.
Ruki is going to perform pretty early. Which Ruki told Ren that it's thanks to his performing partner. His name starts with the last alphabet, and the performer order runs in reverse alphabetical order.
Ren was just glad that it meant he didn’t need to wait long.
The opening performances are very good, though. They must be pressured so much having to perform early, but they did okay.
What amazed Ren and Keigo was how the performance of each student got increasingly better. Must also help that the nervousness slowly subside though as each partner comes to perform and go.
Finally it’s Ruki’s turn.
Ren clapped harder than before, as the MC called Shiroiwa Ruki and his partner's name, Yonashiro Sho.
Ruki came to the stage. He looked very relaxed. Even had time to wave and greet the audience.
“Hello everyone! Ruki is here! And uhh… my partner… why is he not here yet? Oh there you go!”
Then come in a very huge, tall guy, possibly a bit taller than Keigo even, somehow awkwardly and shyly walked onto the stage. A very opposite of what his image gives. He seemed to be apologizing still to someone backstage. In which Ruki voiced in disbelief, “Ey, what? You picked the wrong guitar? Just because yours is cheaper doesn’t mean you can just pick the more expensive one like that!”
The auditorium filled with laughter, and even the Yonashiro guy chuckled shyly.
‘He is cute,’ was what quickly came in Ren’s mind.
Not only that, upon further looks, Ruki’s partner is very, very gorgeous.
His eyes sparkle as Ruki explains what song they’re going to perform today. Which was apparently an original song arranged by Sho and penned by Ruki.
His mouth makes a cute pouty shape, even when he smiles.
That’s just so deeply… attractive.
“Alright everyone, I hope you can enjoy our original song. The title is, ‘Fly Away’. Sit down and, enjoy,” Sho says, with a not surprisingly deep calming voice that suit for the soft asmr genre so much.
The song begins and…
Ren knows Ruki is talented with both guitar and singing. But accompanied with Sho’s guitar and singing too? They… surprisingly created a very enchanting harmony.
The melody, the dramatic built up of the song.
Sho able to hit each tune easily. Delivering the deep sadness and hope of the beautiful song lyric.
Causing Ren to feel shiver on his entire body.
The song finished and… the auditorium filled with thunderous applause.
Some people sniffed, even Keigo noticeably had tears on his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Ren just couldn’t stop staring and mouth gaping in awe at Ruki’s performing partner, Sho.
Both Ruki and Sho bow down to thank the crowd. But especially Sho, he keeps bowing down and giving a thank you gesture to everyone.
Sho’s eyes caught Ren’s.
And in that flashing moment that happens within just a count of seconds, Ren swears that Sho smiles toward him.
Ren blushed. His brain feels like it screeches to halt.
A small portion of his brain trying to snap him back to reality that the smile could be for anyone.
But most part of his brain was too busy in chaos knowing that Ren has another whole problem to face.
It must not be hard for Keigo to notice that Ren has been constantly peeking and how his face gets so red suddenly.
After giving a canned drink and a lemonade to a customer, Keigo softly nudges Ren with his shoulder.
“You know, Ren. 50 dollars is nothing to me and you can just freely lend it from me if you want,” Keigo said.
Ren let out a sigh, “No, Keigo. That’s… not it,” he says while pouring a new batch of fizz water to the lemonade tank.
Keigo shrugs, “This is like, a huge chance to get close and like, speak to him. You don’t even have to use it for exactly the 50 dollar treatment,”
Ren tightens his lips.
‘It’s not that. It’s not about that at all,’ Ren’s head screams, sudden frustration built up on his dry throat.
But Ren couldn’t explain what and why he suddenly got so frustrated.
Was he upset by Keigo who is super rich and can easily just throw away money however he likes? A bit, but also not that.
Was he frustrated that he can easily just go and receive a kiss from Sho easily but…
‘But, what?’
And Ren knows that half of his head has completed his sentence already, thinking that but, what if, the kiss turned out to feel just totally flat. Totally normal.
And basically a confirmation that his crush toward Sho is just… one sided.
Ren’s head feels a bit dizzy.
Half of him knows that even if it’s just casual kissing, no matter what the result, he will most likely be happy anyway.
But the pessimistic side of him thinks, what if he cannot stop thinking about the kiss afterwards and start to get depressed?
Keigo sighs hard, which thankfully stops Ren’s thought from spiraling down further. He then said, “You know what, Ren? I’m gonna get one for myself. I’ve always wanted a kiss from the hot guy anyway,” Keigo winks. Take his apron off, and then goes to the kissing booth queue line.
Ren stares at Keigo in shock. But neither his body nor his mouth, stopped Keigo from doing his action.
The line moves rather fast, and soon Keigo reaches the kissing booth.
Ren tries hard not to peek toward Keigo. Until suddenly he hears a loud bell ringing. Even the customer who was currently waiting for their order, turned to see what’s happening. Forgetting their order for a bit.
“ANNOUNCEMENT EVERYONE! WE JUST GOT OUR FIRST LIP KISS LET US ALL CONGRATS SATO KEIGO!” Ruki shouts happily, his hands making ‘O’ shape around his mouth.
The crowd cheers. Keigo walks happily toward Sho, raising his hand like he’s a winner. Sho laughs and hugs Keigo to welcome him.
“AND NOW THE MOMENT OF TRUTH!” Ruki announces loudly again.
Ren quickly looks away. Or so he tried.
His face is burning more than ever. Causing him to almost slip while cutting a lemon. Then he hears everyone suddenly gasping at the same time.
So Ren automatically looks.
And there Keigo, actually getting a kiss on the lip that looks genuinely great.
The crowd cheers again. Giving them both warm congratulations.
Both Keigo and Sho chuckles. Both pats each other on the shoulder and hugs.
And here Ren. Face burning hot. His heart pounds faster. Breath feels heavier.
What is this… sudden flame?
Could Ren be jealous?
Ren swears he won’t get mad at Keigo though.
Keigo has the money and deserves the kiss.
So why?
Keigo quickly goes back to their booth.
Ren awkwardly pours some lemonade into the plastic cup.
Keigo smiles widely. He stands proud with shoulder wide open.
“Woaaah, that was…” Keigo paused. Then showing his thumb in front of Ren, “very great! He is actually a nice kisser! Phew! That’s really worth it,”
Keigo quickly puts on his apron again, greets the customer who congrats him, and asks them what they want to buy.
Ren is still pretending to be busy with packing the lemonade. But as usual, Keigo managed to lean in close and say in low voice to Ren, “You know, i still have another 50 dollars if you want. Just tell me anytime. It’s worth it, I swear,” Keigo says. Then passing the lemonade to another customer.
Ren stays silent. His mind just quickly took him to, yet, another memory of him with Sho.
Time has passed. Ren and Keigo are soon to be sophomores.
There were lots of student showcases they had attended.
Still, Ren never moved on from Sho.
Sho’s vocal and guitar play is not particularly spectacular or anything.
It’s his deliverance.
Ever since Ren watched Sho’s performance, never before he meets someone who sings with the correct emotion over the lyrics.
Ren always feels that most singers he ever heard, just sing with flat emotion. Even though they do sound good.
But not the case with Sho. He really sings like he’s telling the story of the lyrics. As if it's all his own experience.
And granted, Keigo might already be tired of hearing Ren sing the praise about Sho to him. But he still kindly listens to Ren every time.
“Oh, look! That’s Ruki!” Keigo said suddenly, interrupting Ren who still could not move on from Sho’s performance yesterday.
“Ruki!” Ren called. Ruki turned around from talking with someone, and waved to Ren with a wide smile.
“Yoooo! Ren!” Ruki said. While Ren and Keigo quickly settled themselves in front of Ruki.
“Rukiii! Your performance yesterday? Top notch as usual!” Ren said, causing Ruki to laugh loudly while waving his hand in front of his face.
Keigo nodded along to Ren’s words. “Ren is about to make an entire thesis about your performance, you were that good!” Keigo said.
Ruki grinned. He patted Ren’s shoulder happily and said, “Welp. Actually none of those would work if not because of my genius partner’s help. Right, Sho?” Ruki said, looking back at the person he was talking with.
Ren stunned.
How did he not see Sho beside Ruki before?
“Oh, hello!” said the taller guy with his charming deep voice.
“Ah, right! I never introduce you guys formally!” Ruki said, he then pointed toward both Ren and Keigo, “This is Ren, we went to the same high school. And this is Keigo! If you remember Keigo danced with Ren alot on the showcase!”
“Yes! Hello, Ren! I’m a big fan of your dance performance. I always go and watch it with Ruki,” Sho said with a sparkle in his eyes.
Ren gasped. He stares toward Sho in disbelief. Making sure that the words indeed come out from him.
“Your dance performance, Ren? It’s so great! So pretty! Your movement is so fluid and elegant. Never have I seen someone dance with that much passion while delivering such deep emotion. I feel that I’m taken to another world everytime I see you perform!” Sho continues his train of praise.
This somehow not only surprises Ren, but also both Ruki and Keigo.
Keigo raised his hand, voicing a bit of protest, “Uhhh, how about me? I danced with Ren too-”
But Sho didn’t seem to even listen as he continued telling Ren, “The way you interpret the music and translate it to your dance is beautiful! It’s, uh, some kind of personal goal of mine to make music you can be dancing to!!” Sho said, offering his huge hand to shake Ren’s. He smiled so gently. While Ren was totally overwhelmed by Sho's presence, in a good way.
Ren took Sho’s hand. His brain was in chaos as it tried to process that he’s kinda holding Sho’s hand now.
“Tha-thank you,” Ren stuttered.
Both Ruki and Keigo stare at each other.
“Umm yeah, so, Ren. Do you-” but whatever Ruki wanted to say, was quickly interrupted by Ren.
“I-I love watching your performance too, Sho! You… praise me too highly. Because honestly? You are the one who is able to… deliver the meaning of each of your songs beautifully. I can feel the emotion hitting me, in a good way, everytime i hear you singing and playing guitar. You’re truly one in a kind!” Ren chirped. Somehow his words just come out like that. He just couldn’t accept being praised by Sho but not praising him back.
Sho shook his head, “No, Ren. I just play guitar however I like without any good technique either. You give me inspiration to keep learning. I’m just a mere newbie! And you are there performing like a whole pro! Heard from Ruki that you’ve been dancing for so long? And even had jobs from it? That’s like, explain everything!”
Ren’s face goes flushed red. He felt like he didn't deserve this mighty praise from Sho!
“Nooo! You should listen to your own singing! Not only that your song lyric-”
“Hei, I wrote that,” Ruki interrupted. But Ren was too focused on Sho.
“They are very beautifully written. Like. Poetic masterpiece!” Ren continued.
Sho chuckled. His smile was so sweet. And Ren noticed there were creases in his eyes when he laughed.
“Ruki wrote that though. I simply just sing the way Ruki wants me to,” Sho explains humbly again.
Ruki and Keigo stare at each other again.
Both of their eyes speak volumes of words toward each other. Basically went ‘Did they just?’ ‘Oh yeah they definitely did,’ ‘So are they?’ `That's without doubt i feel,’.
“AHEM” Ruki interrupted loudly.
Both Sho and Ren kinda snapped back. They both stare down to the floor in sync. Face flushed red. And Ruki could only shake his head.
“WELL, we were about to go and have lunch. Do you guys maybe, uhh, want to come along?” Ruki asked. Glaring at Keigo, giving subtle hints.
Sadly, Keigo had to shake his head and said, “That’s a kind offer but we just ate, and we have class in like, 10 minutes,”
It’s obvious again that both Sho and Ren’s face quickly fell in disappointment. But Sho recovered quickly, and gave another warm smile toward Ren.
“Well then, let’s hope we can hang out together one day, okay?” Sho said. Ren nodded slowly. Too shy to face Sho for now.
“Okay, guys. It’s been nice meeting you. Hope to see you soon!” Keigo said. Half dragging Ren who was clearly too stunned to move.
Both Sho and Ruki waved at them. In which Ren and Keigo waved back.
And once they’re far enough from Sho and Ruki’s view, Keigo teasingly nudged Ren.
Ren grunted and nudged Keigo back, causing the taller guy to laugh satisfyingly.
Not only Ren just had a whole conversation with Sho, the latter also was singing praise toward Ren.
Ren’s heart feels so light, he feels like soaring.
Ren tighten his hand holding on Keigo as they enter the classroom. While Keigo whispered to him a teasing but also purely happy congratulation.
That was indeed, something Ren will remember for a long time.
Ren must have drowned in his thoughts for some time, when a customer suddenly hit the table in front of Ren.
“OI REN! How’s your beverage sale?” Ruki says, surprising Ren whose mind is kinda not there.
“Fucking, shit. Hello, Ruki. Are you about to spend money on my booth?” Ren grumbles, but still happy to see Ruki.
Ruki just laughs, then he put some money on the table, “Of course! I want two drinks for both me and Sho. Can you deliver it to my booth?” Ruki asks, a mischievous smile hanging on his mouth. But Ren missed it as he was too distracted by the mention of Sho’s name.
“Oh, sure! Do you want canned drinks or lemonade? I will deliver it to you!” Ren says, while pointing toward the lemonade tank and some cooler next to him.
“I want two lemonades! I’ll be waiting for the drink. Thanks, Ren!” Ruki says, waving at Ren as he goes back to the kissing booth.
Ren gulped. This is his time to shine.
He might not be able to get a kiss from Sho but he can see him upclose. Finally.
Ren quickly pours the lemonade into two plastic cups, then carefully covers it.
Ren heard someone behind him asking if they should help deliver it, but Ren ignored them completely, and went straight to Sho and Ruki’s booth.
Ren can see Keigo giving whoever that person was a glare, with a strong hint of silent words saying ‘Let Ren do his thing!’.
Most of the non-food and beverages booths are currently closed for a lunch break now. So of course that includes Kissing Booth.
When Ren arrives near, Sho was currently eating from a bento box.
Sho quickly notices that Ren is coming close, and greets him with a wide smile.
“Ren! Hello!” Sho says happily.
Ren blushes a bit by the cheerful greeting. Appreciating that Sho always warmly greets him every time. He smiles back toward Sho, saying, “Hi, Sho, how are you doing?”
Ren put the plastic cup at the booth table and said, “Here, Ruki ordered for both of you. I hope you enjoy it!”
Sho eyes widen and sparkle.
He grabs one of the cups, the one that somehow Ren still holds.
Their fingers touched, and that was enough to make Ren’s heart skip a beat.
“Thank you, Ren! Today is really still hot! Can’t believe summer is ending!” Sho says while carefully opening the cup cover.
Ren smiles and somehow he waits as Sho gulps the drink in one go. Some water drips from Sho’s chin to his shirt, and Ren has to quickly avert his eyes before he stares longer.
“Wahhh! Ren! This is super great! Very refreshing! Thank you for the hard work. I have never tasted lemonade this fresh!” Sho says, offering his hand to shake Ren’s, which the latter shyly accepted.
Here again Sho with exaggerated praise!
And here again Sho’s huge hand envelops him. Leaving a warm lingering feeling on Ren’s palm.
Ren quickly come back with a praise for Sho, “This is just a mere lemonade! You work even harder kissing all these people. Thanks for the hard work too, Sho!” Ren says. Him mentioning Sho’s name somehow makes a bit of his mouth tingle in some kind of funny feeling.
Sho smiles shyly, but before he gets to say anything, someone interrupts them with a loud exclamation, “WHOAAA FINALLY THE LEMONADE IS HERE! WHY IS TODAY SO HOT LET ME GET THAT DRINK!” Ruki says, grabbing the cup that was still full.
Both Sho and Ren stare at Ruki as he also downed the drink real fast. His chin and shirt get wet from the dripping drink. While Ruki finished with a big sigh.
“OH MY GOD! THAT WAS REAL GOOD!” Ruki says, facing toward Ren, and pats Ren’s shoulder, “No wonder you were my chairmate in high school! You are one talented dude, Ren!”
Ren raises his eyebrow, “Don’t think it has anything to do with that, but I’ll accept it,”
Both Ruki and Sho laughs. In which Ren took the chance to excuse himself, because his resting shift is coming.
At Ren’s beverage booth, some new guys have already taken Ren, Keigo, and basically the entire morning shift guys, position. So both Ren and Keigo can calmly enjoy lunch and even some lemonade they keep for themselves.
While digging for some food, Ren’s mind can’t help wondering again to all the time he “kinda” spent with Sho.
After Ruki officially introduced them, four of them did have some hang out time together. In which Ren gets to know Sho more and vice versa.
But that’s not only it.
The thing that Ren cannot get out of his mind is every time they finish performing, somehow, they always try to find each other in the crowd. Then Sho will always throw Ren a smile.
At first Ren thought that it was just a coincidence. The smile was not for him. And thousands of other excuses.
But, it happened way too often to be just coincidence.
Plus that one moment that Ren cannot stop thinking about.
Ren was just casually doing a little dance training by himself.
Most of the training rooms were full, so Ren thought he could take a breather by training outside.
Since he’s just trying to memorize the choreography more, he didn't play any music. He was just humming.
When Ren took a bit of rest to check the surroundings, Ren realized that there’s another person there. Most likely from the music department because he could hear guitar.
So Ren took a look…
And he saw the side figure of Sho.
Ren quickly looked away. His face burned a bit red.
Has Sho always been there? Did Sho see Ren practicing?
Ren never had a problem with people seeing him practice but…
This is Sho.
It’s different.
Its his crush! And Ren gets shy!
Ren could hear the soft music playing from Sho’s guitar.
It sounds really sweet.
Ren closed his eyes. Trying to describe what the song sounds like in his head.
It feels like talking slowly with the people you love while sitting under the tree. Wind softly breezes through. Shoulder brushes each other. Fingertips carefully caressing each other's hands.
Laughing.
Maybe snuggling and…
Maybe kissing…
Without realizing, Ren’s consciousness started creating a choreo move.
And without realizing, Ren started moving, following the music beat.
The melody is so free. So gentle.
It feels like two people being sweetly in love. Everything is just so warm and happy.
In the middle of dancing, Ren snapped back and realized what he’s been doing.
But that’s not all, as Ren slowed down to finish his dance move, he could hear that the music was doing the same.
Sho’s music beat has followed Ren’s movement.
Had Sho been playing for Ren all along?
Ren stood in silence for several minutes. The music has completely stopped too.
Then Ren hurriedly packed his stuff and ran away without looking back. Face completely flushed red.
Did he really just dance to Sho’s music, and Sho followed along?
The sun finally starts to lower down. Giving way for the wind to cool down the temperature.
Most of the booths start to close down.
The view is full with college students, looking so serious for the first time in forever, as they count their money.
So does Keigo and some guys in his booth. A “SOLD OUT” sign now slapped on their table booth. They have started counting the money. Sharing their earnings as they finished counting.
While Ren is busy cleaning the table, someone comes and gives him the share of the sales.
Ren stopped a bit to check the money.
As expected from selling beverages in the scorching hot sun they got so much money. They received plenty for their individual payment.
That’s when Ren realizes… he has enough for a kiss on the lips from Sho.
Ren started panicking.
He has to move fast.
It is when Ren sees there are still two or three canned drinks on the cooler.
Ren quickly grabs one. Planning to pretend that he wants to share this to Sho.
At least, if his anxiety suddenly caused him to back out from getting the kiss, he has another excuse to give.
Ren walks straight toward the kissing booth.
His hand kinda numbed a bit from the cold canned drinks. Which thankfully distract Ren’s mind from anything intrusive.
As he walks closer, he can see Sho, leaning backward on his chair, wind breezing through his hair and he looks… very soft.
Sho’s eyes were scanning the phone in front of his face, until he heard someone coming close by.
“Oh, hello again, Ren!” Sho greets Ren. Again, cheerfully as always.
Ren’s heart skipped a beat, the thing it does whenever he has to face a very gorgeous looking Sho.
But he managed to reply with a smile, as he put the drink on the booth table.
“Hello, Sho. Umm… apparently we still have some drinks left. This is for you, it’s on the house! Thank you for your hard work today!” Ren said quickly. His face might or might not flushed red a bit.
Sho eyes widens, he grabs the drink and smiles happily, “Really? I like this drink so much! Thank you, Ren! You have worked hard too!” He said, opening the can, and then carefully drinks it.
“Ahhh, that was so good! Thank you, Ren! I really appreciate it!” Sho said, eyes gleaming with pure happiness.
Ren smiled shyly.
That’s when he realized that Ruki was not nearby.
Ren looks around a bit. He quickly spots Ruki, who seems to be taking a rest in his friend's booth. Quite far away from the kissing booth.
Ren’s mind quickly shelved the plan of only giving drink to Sho. As his hand unconsciously moved, offering a 50 usd toward Sho.
“Ummm…” Ren cannot feel his brain working at all but he managed to say, “I… I want the 50 usd one please,”
And the world stopped.
Sho stares toward Ren, in some kind of disbelief surprise.
And Ren doesn’t have the courage to stare back. His eyes all fixed to the 50 bucks he just put on the booth table.
So Ren didn’t see it when Sho’s shock quickly melted into a warm smile.
He offers his hand toward Ren, and says, “Sure. Please come over here, then,”
The answer shocks Ren. He was truly ready to get laughed at by Sho or something but, no.
Of course Sho wouldn’t laugh at him requesting a kiss, as Kissing Booth is what he offers but.
Ren stopped derailing his thoughts further down. He just grabbed Sho’s hand unconsciously. Following as Sho guides him to stand in front of him behind the booth.
As Ren gets closer, he can feel Sho’s hand enveloping him.
“Please give me a minute, okay?” Sho whispers, a hint of shy coming out of his voice.
Ren nods. He doesn’t see that Sho’s face was also flushing red like his.
For a bit, there’s just a calm silence between them.
The wind breeze softly playing between them. Turning the temperature a bit chiller compared to this noon.
Ren can feel Sho’s hand slowly caressing him. A very calming movement. Causing Ren to forget the fear and anxiety he felt before.
His breath slowly calmed. Following the rhythm of the soft trees and leaves sounds.
Time feels like going in a soothing forever.
Ren’s heartbeat eased a lot.
Until he realizes that Sho is now one breath away, as Sho’s forehead is already on Ren’s.
Ren also couldn’t remember when he started circling his arms around Sho’s hips. And how one of Sho’s hands is now on Ren’s shoulder.
Another heartbeat.
Then Ren can feel Sho’s lips fully on his.
If his brain able to goes chaotic wiring mode, it must be how the current state is.
Sho’s lips feel a bit cold. Must be because of the soda he drinks earlier.
But it gives a warm sensation, one that slowly creeps on Ren’s stomach.
Feels like a warm fire on Ren’s stomach. Slowly heating his entire body, as Sho carefully caresses his lips over Ren’s.
It was soft, very soft.
Ren relaxes his body, letting Sho explore his lips.
Sho then stopped a bit. Resting maybe. His lips still linger on Ren’s.
Ren suddenly feels brave, and decides to turn back the act. Now being the one carefully caressing Sho’s lips.
Then Sho picked up the pace.
He gives a soft nimble on Ren’s bottom lip. Pressing a bit harder than before. And Ren doing the same on Sho’s upper lip.
The sensation makes Ren go crazy.
It’s so good.
The fire is now heating his entire body.
His head numbs, his entire mind focused on capturing Sho’s lips.
Suddenly Sho breaks the kiss. Obviously trying to catch a breath.
But the sudden movement upset Ren, so he unconsciously pulled Sho’s head onto his again.
Ren can’t hold on anymore. He devours Sho’s lips hungrily.
He feels a bit of Sho’s teeth grazing his lips again, so Ren carefully gives a bite in return, causing the taller guy to draw out a soft moan. Opening his mouth a bit.
Ren then took the chance to slip his tongue. Licking a bit of Sho’s bottom lip then pushing it in.
The movement caused Sho’s hands to move on Ren’s head. Pulling Ren closer, as Ren felt Sho’s tongue meeting his.
Both desperately trying to feel each other. Completely closing any physical gap they have left.
None of them realize they have gone far from what they should have done. But neither body or mind protested. As they enjoyed feeling each other's mouth, not wanting to stop.
But it has to. Ren runs out of breath, and obviously so does Sho.
Ren slows down his kiss.
Carefully pressing his lips one last time on Sho’s, before breaking it up.
Both finally separated, breathless, hands everywhere on each other's hair.
Until Ren remembered what he was there for.
And that he might have done more than what he had paid.
Ren quickly backs out. Taking his arms off from Sho’s.
His entire body feels so hot from the traces the touch left.
Just as he’s thinking of Sho’s touch, Ren suddenly feels some fingers running on his hair.
Then Ren realizes Sho is fixing Ren’s messy hair.
This causes Ren to feel very shy, until he sees just how messy Sho’s hair is too.
Ren quickly reaches out, softly caressing his fingers on Sho’s hair. Feeling the closeness of his and Sho’s chest.
Then both giggles shyly.
Ren takes off his hand, naturally placing it on Sho’s shoulder, as soon as he feels that Sho’s hair is tidy enough.
Both stare at each other, giving warm smiles.
And Ren snapped first, coming back to reality.
He pushed himself away from Sho. His face clearly still burning red and hot, “Uhmm, that was very great. Thank you, Sho” Ren whispers.
“All good. That was very great too, Ren. Thank you,” Sho replies. Unexpectedly causing Ren’s face to burn hotter, when Ren thought it wouldn't.
“Umm… well, I need to get back and clean my booth, so,” Ren walks away, his body starts to feel the loss of Sho’s warmth, “see you around soon,” Ren says. Wishing that it will really be the case.
Ren turned around and was about to walk back, when he heard Sho calling him, “Uhhh, Ren!”
Ren quickly turns, “Uhh, I just, are you going to watch the concert… after this?” Sho asks. His hand playing on the bit end of his shirt.
Ren stares at Sho. Confused.
“Yes, I will. Why?”
“Ummm, it’s just that. Do you want to go there with me? Just the two of us I mean, if it’s possible, and if it's okay for you,” Sho says carefully.
Ren's eyes widened. Did that word really come out from Sho’s mouth?
But before Ren could doubt it furthermore, he nods to the request. And Sho seemingly breathes out of relief.
“Okay… I… uhh, will wait for you here. Okay?” Sho says. Giving a warm smile and a small waves toward Ren.
Ren waves back. His heart soars happily. Then he walks back to his booth.
Did Yonashiro Sho just… asked to go out together with him?
Somehow all this fact can hardly register on Ren’s head.
Especially after they had an entire spicy kiss or something like that.
Back to his booth, Ren can see that Keigo is obviously, pretending, to, not see.
So Ren tries to act normal too.
And of course Keigo can’t hold it any more as he nudges Ren.
So Ren nudges back, annoyed but lovingly.
Keigo laughs. He pats Ren’s head, and says, “Ren, I’m very happy and proud of you, I really am,”
So Ren and Keigo continue tidying up the booth. Picking up some cooler that was left outside, putting it inside Keigo’s car.
That’s when Ren realizes the pocket in his shirt has been flapping weirdly.
So Ren checks, and he sees a 50 usd money.
The one he had given Sho’s before for the Kiss in the Lip service.
He just kissed Sho for free.
===
The bell rings and sighs of reliefs can be heard as the professor packed his stuff and ended the class.
It's the weekend finally. The room quickly filled with buzzing students planning their Friday night visit.
Ren is not an exception. As soon as he finished taking his stuff, he quickly walks outside, where a certain huge guy waits while leaning toward the wall.
“Sho!” Ren calls. Half jumping his steps toward Sho, opening his arm to hug Sho.
Sho waves toward Ren, greeting him as he lets Ren slip into his hug.
Ren smiles as he hugs Sho. The warm and comfortable hug he loves. Sho gives a quick peck on Ren’s cheek.
“Why does your class always finish faster than mine?” Ren complains. But he gives back a kiss on Sho’s cheek.
“Just your daily life as a music department student, all classes finished an hour earlier than it should,” Sho laughs. His hand messes with Ren’s hair.
As they did that, suddenly someone from behind crashed into them on purpose.
“Yeah, sure, love birds. Just walk away and leave me doing the chores all by myself,” Keigo says. In his hand are piles of books that the professor probably asked him to return to the library.
Both Sho and Ren laugh. But they follow as Keigo takes angry steps in direction of the library.
“Let’s have lunch at the sushi restaurant outside! I heard they have a discount every Friday,” Ren suggests. Clinging his hand onto Sho’s arms.
Before Sho got to open his mouth, someone interrupted them and said, “sadly we still have one last class on this beautiful Friday afternoon,” Ruki says. He nudged Keigo and almost made him drop the books on his hand.
“Can we just eat at the cafeteria today? And possibly accepting another third- uhh fourth i mean, wheeler on this small party of yours,” Ruki begs, grinning teasingly toward Ren and Sho.
“Maybe we can have sushi for dinner instead?” Sho suggests. Face pleading toward Ren.
“Okay, sounds like a date,” Ren smiles understandingly.
While at that, Keigo let out a loud grumble, “yes sure. You guys not the one having to do chores for the professor anyway,”
“Hey, we still have classes after this. You’re not the only one suffering, you’re not special,” Ruki says. Pushing Keigo again teasingly.
They laugh again, following the ever grumpy Keigo to do his chores.
And Ren couldn't be happier, as a move that he thought was just an insignificant one, actually takes him to where he is today.
Where he found out his feelings were indeed reciprocated by Sho.