Unbelievable!" Michi exclaimed, staring at Hiro with wide eyes. "You mean, after all these years we've spent together, you don't even know my sexuality? And you call yourself my best friend?"
Hiro rolled his eyes, chuckling at how dramatic Michi could be when he wanted to be. "Well, it's not like we ever spoke about it."
"Hey, why do you think I suck up to your brother whenever he comes here?" Michi laughed. "Damn, he's so fine. So so fine. He's hotter than you, you know. You're all bones and he's all muscles. That's how you know a man."
"Are you saying I don't work hard enough?" Hiro asked, completely missing the point.
Michi couldn't help but laugh. "No no Hiro no. You're a hard worker. Very very hard."
"Then..." Hiro was so confused at first then it dawned on him and he gasped. "Y-You like my brother!"
"Duh. He's so likeable. I'll let him do me anytime." Michi smirked, flipping his shoulder-length pink hair.
"Ewww, gross he's my brother!" Hiro gagged, pushing Michi away.
"And he's still a human being. A fine one at that" Michi chuckled. "I'll spread my legs like the birds spread their wings in a heartbeat."
Hiro's face went red as he tried not to imagine that scene. He wondered, was that how guys do it? Raiden did mention that he had a hole too...
Damn it. He shook his head. He wasn't going to think of such things again. He stood up, glancing at the wall clock. It was getting late. "I'm gonna head home. Brother must be waiting for me."
Michi looked at the clock and nodded. "Wait I got you something." He went inside the store and quickly came out holding a big jacket which he gave to Hiro. "Here I bought this for you. It's getting cold these days. You'll need it."
Hiro gazed at the jacket Michi stuffed into his arms. It was black, big and thick. "How much did this cost?"
The question earned him a smack to his head. "No questions remember?" Michi reminded. "We'd always accept each other's gifts regardless of the price or size. We made this promise after you gave my ball back to me. Don't break it now."
Tears came to Hiro's eyes and he didn't even know what to say. Michi knew Hiro would definitely cry if he stuck around longer so he pushed the boy out of the restaurant. "Wear it okay and be careful. Walk fast and keep your head low."
Hiro nodded. "Thank you, Michi."
Michi shook his head. "Just go. Quickly. You don't want to be on the streets after 11."
Hiro knew but he still gave Michi a big hug, wore the jacket, then finally left.
Michi didn't go in until he couldn't see Hiro down the road anymore. He sighed, praying in his heart. Let some good fortune shine on that boy.
********
Unfortunately, life had something else planned for Hiro.
"Soooo, what do you think about my friend, Michi?" Hiro asked his brother. They were on their way to see their sister, Saika, so Sora decided to stop by a flower shop to buy her some flowers. He hoped it would lessen his punishment for not seeing her for two weeks.
"Michi the chef?" Sora asked, taking a look at some fresh waterlilies. "What about him?"
Hiro was on the opposite aisle, looking at some beautiful red roses. He peeped through the space between the flowers. "Come on, you know, what do you think about him? Do you think he's nice?"
He had been thinking about Michi and his brother all night and finally decided that love was love and if Michi liked his brother, he would try to get them together. Besides, Michi was a good person and his best friend. It would be nice if they were family.
"Hmmm," Sora hummed, sniffing some turnips. "Well he is nice...and cute."
Hiro jumped at the word 'cute'. He quickly rounded the aisle and stopped by his brother's side. He was excited! "Cute? You really think Michi is cute?"
Sora nodded, chuckling at his brother's enthusiasm. "Sure. I like his pink hair. That boy is bold. I can never dye my hair that colour."
"So you like him then" Hiro said, grinning from ear to ear. "You know he's my best friend and he has many amazing qualities. He can cook, he can clean, he's smart, he's even saving up so that he can go to a culinary school and one day open his own restaurant."
Sora laughed, already knowing what his brother was up to. Hiro could never keep secrets and he was being very obvious. Besides, Sora was already aware of Michi's crush on him. Michi could never hide it. "I see. What other qualities does Michi have?"
Hiro was delighted. His brother was interested! Michi would be so happy to know!
"Well, he's friendly and caring. He's funny and he's good with kids. Should I invite him over for dinner sometime? Or would you like to have dinner alone somewhere else?"
Finally deciding on the waterlilies, Sora signalled the attendant to come over. "Sure you can invite him over."
"Really?" Hiro squealed, surprised. Did he just get a date with his brother for Michi?
Sora glanced at Hiro, shaking his head at how cute his little brother was. The attendant came over and he pointed at the waterlilies. "I'll have these. Please add a 'Get well soon' card."
"Okay." The short female attendant said, blushing when she looked at Sora. He was very tall and handsome. She moved closer to him. "Anything else you want to add?"
Seeing this, Hiro linked his arm with his brother's, glaring at her. How dare she hit on his brother? Michi spoke first!
But then, he didn't know if his brother liked men or not. It would be weird if he set them up and Sora said he didn't like men. And if he liked men, what if Michi wasn't his type?
Wait, but his brother wouldn't agree to dinner if he didn't have any interest in Michi right?
The attendant glanced at their linked arms and she gasped. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise you two are together. I'm so sorry."
Sora was stunned. He opened his mouth to explain that they were siblings but she hurried away before he could.
Hiro snickered to himself. Serves her right. How dare she hit on his brother? Michi was already in the equation and he would not let anyone ruin it.
The attendant quickly wrapped up the flowers. Sora paid and they went on their way, chatting and laughing. Some minutes later, they arrived at the hospital.
"Why do I feel so nervous?" Sora asked Hiro as they walked down the hallway to her room. His palms were sweaty.
Hiro laughed. "That's because you're feeling guilty. You haven't seen her for two weeks. You have a massive apology to make."