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It was something Yamagishi thought of as he sat near the park benches with Makoto, eating popsicles to keep cool from the summer heat. As Yamagishi wiped at his forehead where sweat was accumulating, he noticed Takemichi smiling as he recounted a funny story about him, Mikey, and Draken going to the arcade last weekend. Yamagishi noticed for as long as he's been friends with Takemichi that the blue-eyed boy used the suffix "-kun" with every male person he met, including his friends and Mikey. And well, maybe this was his analytical side that wanted to see if his theory would cause a reaction. On the other hand, perhaps when he told Makoto, his friend side-eyed him, saying he liked to cause chaos. Who knows. It could be both.
But Makoto to Yamagishi wasn't any better and wanted to know what'd happen too.
They hadn't started summer break that long ago, and already they were bored enough to mettle with their friends' sort of non-existent love life. Only non-existent because Takemichi wasn't aware, and Mikey was lovestruck from a distance.
But then, when he got a hold of Akkun and Takuya to tell them his hypothesis he wanted to test, they shook their heads but also grinned, wanting to know too. Hypocrites.
"Hey, Takemichi! Come here!" Yamagishi called over at Takemichi, who was grabbing another popsicle.
Takemichi paid for it and rushed over with a careful hold on his treat. "Yeah? What's wrong?"
He asked, returning to the small circle his friends formed near the benches.
Yamagishi looked up at him with a sly grin. "How about we have a bet?"
"Oh no. I'm not dumb enough to do that after the last one."
"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad."
"Not bad? It ended up with me doing some courage test and almost pissing myself when you dressed up in scary crap to terrify me."
"Not my fault you're scared shitless." Yamagishi shrugged his shoulders.
At that, Takemichi kicked at his foot, which he pulled back in time, causing the blue-eyed boy to scuff his sneakers and almost lose his balance before standing up straight again.
"Shit. Yamagishi, what are you even betting?"
Hook and lined. Yamagishi thought. "I want you to use polite speech with Mikey. To see how he'd react."
Takemichi blinked. Once, twice. Did he hear his friend right?
The others looked, thinking the request broke Takemichi. Maybe there was some hope for Mikey, but then that got blown away by what Takemichi said next.
"Uh, okay?" Takemichi looked confused. "You don't have to make a bet. You could just ask. But why, though?"
"I'm testing something." He added.
"Okay."
"Really? You're fine with it?" Akkun spoke up. "With Mikey?"
"Yeah?" Takemichi looked at him like he has two heads. "We are friends, so it might be weird if that's what you mean."
"Yeah, that's what's gonna be weird," Makoto mumbled, watching hIs friend remain oblivious.
"Mikey might hunt you down if he finds out." Takuya brings up to Yamagishi.
Shit. "Uh, Takemichi. My bestie, don't bring up my name if Mikey asks."
"Uh, okay?" Takemichi is thoroughly stumped by whatever Yamagishi was planning. "We don't have to make a bet. It's not that big a deal. Mikey-kun might not even notice."
Takemichi started to focus back on his popsicle, realizing it was melting. But, unfortunately, he didn't notice the weary looks his friends gave him.
___________
So Yamagishi's test came about at the next Toman meeting. The friends walked there, gathering at the shrine and going to stand with their division. Yamagishi was sure that what he's expecting to happen will happen. Now, whether Takemichi pieces two and two together, then maybe he and Mikey can get together so everyone else doesn't have to witness Mikey constantly pining.
"What if it doesn't work?" Makoto asks as he stands next to Yamagishi. Takemichi was at the front as division captain, and they were further back since they were newer to Toman.
"It might."
"You're betting on it maybe working?" Makoto asked.
"Well, it's better than Takemichi remaining oblivious. Mikey might say something."
They hush as the meeting begins, Mikey and Draken walking toward the top of the shrine stairs.
Takemichi's friends don't miss the look Mikey gives at the top, scanning around until his eyes settle toward their crybaby hero.
Mikey smiles, looks away, and stares back toward the members at the steps. "Alright, we're starting the meeting.
Once the Toman meeting ends, Mikey walks down the steps. Takemichi doesn't even get to turn around and walk away before Mikey pulls him back against him.
"Mikey-"
"Takemitchy!" Mikey cuts him off, throwing an arm around him and smiling, pulling him into a side hug. "Hey, you know you can stand closer to me during meetings, okay?"
"I'll just stand with my division." Takemichi's eyes glanced forward when he sees his friends walking up. Right, he was supposed to use formal speech. Oh well, I might as well. He thought. "Mikey-san."
Silence.
Draken got closer and noticed Mikey froze, holding Takemichi's shoulders as if stunned.
"What?"
"Huh?"
"What the fuck did you call me?"
Takemichi was instantly regretting it. Shit! Yamagishi was right! Mikey ended up caring about him using formal speech. Now he's going to die. Who the fuck is he going to give his puzzles to???
"I, uh."
"Well?!"
"Oh shit." Some members that trickled behind turned their heads. "Is the boss and Hanagaki fighting?"
Some members looked at each other and then back at the scene of Mikey staring down Takemichi. Nosiness won out, and some gathered, looking like it was a fight.
"My money's on the boss!"
"I don't know. Hanagaki can take a punch!"
"I said what did you call me, Takemitchy?" Mikey's patience was wearing thin, and Draken and the vices and captains were looking at whatever was happening.
"I, uh. Called you Mikey-san."
Draken sucked in some air, already feeling a headache coming on. Oh boy .
Takemichi braced himself, closing his eyes, expecting a punch. When it never came, he looked to see Mikey pouting, staring at him beseechingly before grabbing both hands in between his.
"Why are you calling me that? Did I do something wrong? Whatever I did, I'm sorry!"
Takemichi stared. Mikey stared. Everyone else stared, most regretting staying now since no fight was happening.
"Eh? No, you did nothing wrong!"
"Then why are you using -san?"
"Because it doesn't matter?"
Silence.
Draken tenses. There actually might be a fight, not with Takemichi. Mikey wouldn't do anything to Takemichi. It'd be Mikey in a mood fighting anyone and everyone else.
"Doesn't matter?" Mikey says sadly, looking at Takemichi, whose hands he's still holding.
Takemichi felt a twinge in his chest at Mikey's expression. "You don't care about me?"
This is getting out of hand . Takemichi thought.
"Wait a minute! I do care about you, Mikey-kun!"
"Really?!" Mikey instantly pepped up, staring with complete focus at Takemichi, leaning in closer, like he wasn't looking like he was about to burst into tears.
Takemichi tried to ignore how close he was, mainly because everyone was watching.
"Yeah. I like you, Mikey-kun."
Takemichi thought he would get it, that he liked him as his friend, but instead, it ended up with gasps, followed by cheering and Mikey looking startled, before pulling him in for a hug.
"Wha-"
"I like you too, Takemitchy. I wasn't sure you felt the same." Mikey, wrapped the younger boy in his arms as if forgetting whatever happened. "Though I didn't want a huge audience when you confessed to me., I'm still happy."
Wait what? Takemichi tried to process what he just said.
Yamagishi pulled back Akkun and Makoto by their jackets.
"What the fuck?" Akkun asked Yamagishi. "You got to tell Takemichi. He's going to kill you."
"It's fine. Takemichi got a boyfriend out of this." Yamagishi does pause for a second, thinking. " Anyway , on an unrelated note, can I hang out at one of your houses tonight?"
"Jeez." Takuya shook his head, though he was also smiling, also amused. Yamagishi was surrounded by hypocrites. However, he was lucky they snuck away before Takemichi could get to him.
___________
Yamagishi was at Makoto's house when he gets a call from Takemichi on his cell phone. He's hesitant to answer, so he threw it to Makoto, who barely caught it, dropping the controller in his hand.
"What the fuck?!"
"You answer it!"
"It's your fault for meddling."
"You were interested in finding out too!"
"But I didn't tell him to do it!"
"Answer it!"
Makoto scoffed before picking up the phone and holding it to his ear.
"Nah, it's Makoto. Uh-huh. Hold on, I'll tell him." Makoto held the phone from his ear. "He says you caused a mess he had to explain to Mikey. Takemichi kept your name out of it but said he should've told him."
"Details. Details. So, does Takemichi have a boyfriend now?"
Makoto held up the phone and listened, nodding before returning to Yamagishi. "Yeah, he and Mikey are dating, and he's gonna get his new boyfriend to come to kick your ass."
Ah, shit . Yamagishi sighs. Well, he's happy for his friend but said a small prayer just in case.