[Writing] Secret 04 [komahina]

Just so you know, I might modify it when the whole thing comes up.

If you like it, let me know. Just don't copy it and paste it elsewhere without permission!

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The Secret I Kept From You

[Part 4: A Glorious Sunday]

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and Hinata had just finished his homework. He looked at the outside, stretching himself. The clock stroke at one. He got a whole afternoon to spend. What he'd do today? He looked around his room. Oh yeah, he need to take a picture with Komaeda. He'd got one for every friend.

Nanami's been put at the far back of the table. She'd been a bitch that she always had been, according to Kuruzuru, while he was having a fit yesterday over school project, after Nanami, Koizumi and Saionji had walked pass with their finished work, teasing them in a victorious way. Souda waved back, but Kuruzuru was stuck. He sent Pekoyama away for the twelfth times that day, telling her he'd be fine being on his own, and as Hinata had finished his part, Kuruzuru exploded. 'Fuck this project. Fuck this assignment. Fuck those who'd managed to finish it in time. Damn Nanami. That bitch. God damn it!' Hinata was awestruck. 'Well, you know, Koizumi and Saionji was also in that group.' 'Well, then they're bitches too.' And Souda laughed. 'I actually felt good that Kuruzuru sucked at his part. I got to do a better job than him!' He told Hinata. 'You know how I hate schoolwork, but this project isn't really that hard, you know.' 'You trying to pick a fight, Souda!?' Kuruzuru hissed, and Hinata stepped in and offered Kuruzuru a hand. 'That's more like it,' the ultimate gangster smirked, and the three of them worked the whole evening. Hinata had got it handed in to the teacher in time this morning.  It was an interesting part of his heavily loaded school life.

Hinata took his phone and shoved it into his pocket. Then he put on his jacket and walked outside. He'd decided to stay in his grand's house, the Moonlight Mansion. He could spend a peaceful day there. Komaeda knew about the place also. He had visited once. He could call him over and they could hang out in his room. He could show Komaeda all his proud possession and his new owned signature board from his favourite football player in the country team. His parents managed to get it for him during their world business trip. They were awesome.

When Hinata arrived at the Moonlight Mansion, it was two in the afternoon. He had already called Komaeda, and the albino agreed to come in his gentle, shy manner. When Hinata walked into the living room, he found a note on the table addressed to him. It was his grandfather's writing. '"Dear Hajime,"' he read the note out loud. '"We'd flown off to France to visit an old friend. Feel free to use the house as you pleased. Grand." Thanks grand.' Hinata pocketed the note carefully. Komaeda would be here about half an hour later. He could use some time on his own.

The rain outside was dazzling hard. Spring rain, Hinata thought, sitting a t the table in the kitchen beside the window to watch the raindrops falling down. The last time he leisurely admired the natural phenomenon from the comfortable inside was last year, if his memory served him correct, which he had an accident and was lying in his private hospital room, watching it being rainy and misty all outside from the grand window beside his bed. He was able to discharge soon after an afternoon though, while the doctor had assured to his parents that he was okay. Come to think of it now, it wasn’t really a nostalgic sight to remember. Hinata had seldom gone to the hospital. It was so quiet and white there it made him uneasy while he was there. He couldn’t imagine having to drop by that place on an often basis.

Hinata stood up and poured himself some orange juice. He took it up to his room, took a sip, then put it down on his desk. Head down he spotted a UNO card on the floor, and quickly picked it up and threw it back to a box under his bed. No UNO this afternoon, when Komaeda was here. Hinata remembered what happened last time they played. It was a month ago, and Komaeda fainted after the last round when he was talking about his luck. Luckily he managed to wake up after he laid him on his bed for a while. His face paler than ever. ‘You all right?’ Hinata asked, concerned. Komaeda just glanced at him, once again in a loss for words. Thunder struck. And the duo stayed in the room, listening to the clock ticking on.

No, it wouldn’t happen this time. Hinata shook his head, and jumped onto his bed in a stretching position. A sudden pink fleshed across his mind. Soft, pink hair belonged to a kind, good looking face. ‘God damn it, Nanami…’ said Hinata to himself, as he covered his face with his hands. It’s not going to end soon, isn’t it…

Hinata woke up to a violent bumping on the door. For how long had he fallen asleep? An hour? ‘I’m coming!’ he shouted, putting on his jacket and hurried down the stairs. The bumping just got louder. ‘Wait up for a bit, would you?’ Hinata was surprised that Komaeda would do such a thing. Maybe he had kept him waiting outside for too long he just lost control of himself. Geez. Hinata threw the door opened. ‘I said I was coming Komaeda-’ and to his shock it was Kuruzuru and Souda at his door. ‘What the hell?’ he groaned and the duo laughed. ‘Surprise surprise!’ said Souda cheerfully. ‘I can’t believe you kept us waiting out here for this long!’ said Kuruzuru, frowning. ‘It’s raining harder. Let us in already!’ and the two walked in.

‘Wow, dude! T’is some large house you’ve got!’ Souda exclaimed, and Kuruzuru also looked excited. ‘’Plan to keep the place a secret for a lifetime from us, no?’ they barked, and Hinata found it slightly annoying. The hell were they doing here? Had Komaeda given out his information? ‘How’d you know this place?’ he asked. The two looked at each other, smirking. ‘How’d you reckon we know?’ said Souda. ‘Well, someone must have told you. Just spit it out already. We haven’t got all day.’ Souda was about to speak upon hearing this, but Kuruzuru stopped him. ‘First, Hajime,’ he said slowly in his intimidating way. ‘Tell us this: why did you mention Komaeda’s name when you opened the door when you didn’t know it were us?’ Hinata froze. ‘Yeah, good one. ’ said Souda in consent, and turned to Hinata. ‘He ever called on your door?’ And the two looked at him. Hinata felt himself making up excuses in his head. What’d they say if they knew he’d been trying to befriend the class creep Komaeda?

It was not good. ‘It’s-’ Hinata began, then suddenly remembered something he’d missed. Through the door he could hear the heavy rain outside. Where was Komaeda anyway? He should have arrived half an hour ago. Where was he? Had he gone back already? He had to call him. What if something happened? ‘It’s what?’ asked Kuruzuru, noticing his change of attitude. ‘It’s none of your business,’ Hinata said, climbing the staircase back up to his room. ‘There’s food in the fridge. Serve yourselves. I got something to attend to.’ And he closed the door behind him. Souda and Kuruzuru exchanged a glance. Something was going on here.

‘So… Do we spy?’ asked Souda unsurely. Kuruzuru looked at the second floor. The door was shut, and Hinata was acting serious just now. Maybe it was better for them to leave him alone for a while. ‘No,’ Kuruzuru said firmly. Everyone needed some personal space. He’d come down if he needed their help, and they’d be ready. ‘He’d be fine. Let’s worry ourselves with some coffee instead. Also a quick meal? Imma starvin… Wow, they got lobsters here!?’

To Hinata’s surprise, Komaeda picked up almost immediately. ‘Hinata kun?’ he asked. Hinata could hear the rumbling rain in the background. He must be still on the outside. ‘What’d you call me for?’ ‘What’d I call you for!?’ Hinata repeated, frustrated. ‘Where are you?’ he added quickly. ‘Me?’ said Komaeda. ‘I’m… I’m on the outside.’ Hinata couldn’t make out what lied behind the sentence. Did his voice just tremble a little? ‘Open your location. I’ll come pick you,’ said Hinata, picking up his thick black rain jacket while keeping his phone on his ear. ‘I…’ Komaeda said on the other side. ‘The weather is terrible. You don’t have to.’ ‘I know I don’t have to,’ said Hinata. ‘Just open your location for me, would you?’ And Komaeda went quiet.

‘Komaeda?’ Hinata asked, checking his phone for his location. Nothing. ‘Are you still there?’ ‘Yes,’ replied the albino. His voice now calm. ‘Are you all right?’ asked Hinata. ‘Yes,’ answered the albino. Hinata pull down his raincoat and rushed downstairs. Souda and Kuruzuru were chattering away in the kitchen. He quickly grabbed his umbrella. ‘Hajime?’ asked his friends from the kitchen ‘You out there?’ ‘Yeah,’ answered the brunette. ‘I’m going out. Be back in a while.’ And he threw the door opened and walked into the rain. ‘I’m outside now,’ said Hinata to the phone. ‘Send me your location. I’ll drive to you.’ ‘You don’t have a driver licence.’ said Komaeda with concern. ‘But my grands have a car. Where are you?’ Komaeda didn’t answer. Hinata signed. ‘Look, Komaeda,’ he said in a soft hiss. ‘I’m sorry. I dozed off in my room. I didn’t realize myself asleep. I didn’t mean to leave you out in the rain. It’s all my fault.’ he paused. ‘Just… let me make it up to you, okay?’ ‘No, Hinata kun, I’m not mad…’ said Komaeda. His voice hoarse. ‘I’ll try getting back to your house. I promise. Would you wait for me there?’ ‘Just so you know I can come and pick you up,’ said Hinata anxiously. ‘You sure you’re all right?’ ‘I’m sure,’ replied the albino. ‘I’ll see you in the house.’ And the call ended.

‘Komaeda!?’ Hajime said, trying to redial in the car. ‘In the name of holy- What is wrong with you!?’ And his house door opened and someone was coming out from within. He switched on the car light to indicate his location. Kuruzuru came to the car quick, tightly followed by Souda, who was holding his yellow umbrella. Hinata opened the door. They tucked into the back seat. ‘What terrible weather!’ said Souda, brushing the water off his hair. ‘Stop it, ’ said Kuruzuru, avoiding the water. ‘Something happened, Hajime? Where’re you going?’ ‘And let us tag alone like good friends do.’ Souda gave him a thumb up sign. Hinata smiled. ‘Thanks, guys.’ he said warmly, meeting the concerned stares. ‘It’s… Komaeda. He’s coming to my house.’ ‘Oh,’ said Souda in disbelief. ‘He called and asked you to pick him up?’ asked Kuruzuru. Hinata shook his head. ‘No. he asked me to stay in the house while I insisted that I’d pick him up. The guy’s a weird one, he is.’ ‘Yeah,’ said Kuruzuru after a short pause. ‘So you plan to wait in the house or what?’ ‘Wait up!’ said Souda, looking at Hinata. ‘You haven’t told us why that guy was coming to your place, have you?’ ‘Well, you haven’t told ME why you were here yet, have you?’ And Souda shut up. ‘Look, it’s no big deal,’ said Kuruzuru calmly, leaning forward. ‘Nanami told us about this place. She lost at truth or dare in the party room this morning. As class rep she’d been keeping all address in a private notebook, and you happened to have written your other address there.’ Hinata blushed. He’d forgotten telling Nanami his secret base while he was all into her back then. How stupid could he be?

‘Now’s your turn to tell us about Komaeda.’ said Souda in a smile. ‘What’s this on about?’ And Hinata thought for a bit, and decided to tell them part of the story. ‘Remember the class party we’d attended a month ago, at Mioda’s place?’ ‘Yeah,’ beamed Souda in sweet memory. ‘Nanami threw away my firecrackers. She’d never guess I got another dozens in my backpack. We managed to test them in the air after the party. Still awesome, no?’ ‘Shut up, Kazuichi,’ said Kuruzuru with a smile on his face. Hinata also chuckled. ‘Well, I walked up to talk to Komaeda for a bit. That was when I told him about the house.’ Hinata blushed a little for the lie he came up with. He didn’t want the two to know that Komaeda happened to randomly show up in his door in a stormy weather trying to find a rain shelter somehow. That wouldn’t look cool. ‘Well,’ Kuruzuru said thoughtfully. ‘If that’s the case, all right then. Though I don’t know why you’d walk up and talk to him and tell him all about your secret. I mean-’ ‘You haven’t really told US, have you?’ interrupted Souda, hitting Hinata on the shoulder. ‘Exactly, and you told all the other random persons about it!’ said Kuruzuru. ‘I haven’t tell ALL?’ exclaimed Hinata, rubbing his shoulder. ‘Well, as if two of them is obviously not MUCH.’ said Souda. And Hinata groaned. ‘I got the right to keep things to myself, okay?’ said Hinata at last. ‘And now you two also knew about the place. I suggest we call it even.’ And all of them agreed.

‘Now, back to Komaeda.’ said Kuruzuru after some joking around. ‘He told you he’d be coming to your house, no? Then maybe we should wait inside. We can wait over dinner.’ That’s a brilliant idea!’ said Souda, looking at Hinata. The brunette thought for a little, and then nodded. Komaeda would be all right, wouldn't’t he? He said he promised. Hinata found himself still worried about Komaeda. Now all he could do was to hand Komaeda to his luck.

While they were having dinner, Hinata looked at his phone. Nothing from Komaeda. Hinata played some video games after dinner with Souda and Kuruzuru. Then he received a message from Komaeda. 'Is someone in your house?' He texted. Hinata quickly shoved his control to Souda, who was awaiting in turn, and texted back: 'Yeah. Souda and Kuruzuru are here.' Hinata looked out of the window. The rain had reduced greatly. It was now drizzling like in the morning. 'They know I'm coming?' Texted Komaeda. 'I've told them just before dinner. They noticed I've been worrying about you.' Hinata texted, and waited.

He caught a glimpse of white outside the window, and he considered a little, and went out from the kitchen door. He went back to the front, and there was the albino with his hood on. 'Komaeda!' He hissed. Komaeda turned, and relieved that it was Hinata. 'Hinata kun. I was about to knock on your door.' He said quietly. Hinata pulled him to the front door under the cover. 'Tell me what happened.' Hinata commanded, locking his eyes firm with Komaeda's grey ones. He didn't know why he was feeling angry, but he was. He had been worrying for him all night, and he needed a good explanation. Komaeda looked at him. There was something in his eyes. Hinata looked. Komaeda was obviously trying to make something up.

'And don't lie to me.' Hinata added quickly. Komaeda looked. 'I wasn't-' And the door threw opened, shocking both of them. 'Hajime! Komaeda! There you two are!' Souda said, waving them in. Kuruzuru was sighing over the sofa. 'Hope we didn't interrupt anything.' He added loudly. Hinata waved, and led Komaeda upstairs to his room. The albino followed him quietly. He didn't look up, as Souda and Kuruzuru were both looking at him curiously. 'What's on between them?' Asked Souda to Kuruzuru when the two had left the room. 'Dunno. Dun care.' Said Kuruzuru, and they resumed to their car racing game.

Hinata carefully closed the door behind him, and made sure no one spied. Then he turned to the albino, who was looking at the floor. ‘Well?’ he asked, arms around his chest. He wasn’t angry anymore, but wanted his friend to take his attempt seriously. Komaeda didn't look up. He seemed uncomfortable. Silence. Hinata waited. He dragged Komaeda to the bed, and they both sat down on it. Would he be more at home now? Still not a word. Hinata waited, and he waited.

‘Well, I-’ Komaeda finally opened his mouth. Hinata looked up to his face. He seemed pretty nervous. ‘I’m sorry, Hinata kun.’ He muttered in a low voice. Hinata waited. ‘I… chickened out.’ ‘You chickened out?’ Hinata began, and Komaeda seemed a little off with this sudden response. ‘Yeah, I’m sorry…’ ‘But why?’ Hinata added, desperate to know the answer. ‘Because I…’ Komaeda’s voice was hoarser than ever. Hinata didn’t know why he’d press him like that. He seemed to have gone through so much today already. But he was curious, and, yeah, was more concern than he’d imagine he would. He wanted to know what had happened to him. ‘I don’t think a lowly human being like me should be friends with someone like you.’ He let out, and the room fell silence. Then Hinata remember when they first talked.

‘“Hinata kun, spending time to take a pity on trash like me?”’

‘YOU’RE NOT A LOWLY HUMAN BEING.’ Hinata said. Had he been lightening him up, and then he suddenly realized what he had believed from the very beginning, and resumed his previous state? Someone must have told him something. ‘Whoever told you who you are; they must have made a mistake.’ ‘But why....?’ Komaeda muttered. Hinata could see that he was being vulnerable. What had they done to him!? ‘Why do you care about me?’ 'I told you, because we’re FRIENDS!’ said Hinata immediately. ‘I mean, if Souda or Kuruzuru out there got a problem, I would have rushed out to them like I did to you! Cuz we’re friends, Komaeda.’ ‘Don’t, Hinata kun…’ said Komaeda, held up his hands and buried his face. ‘Stop giving me hope like this… I am not worth it. I will just be wasting your time...’ ‘You won’t, Ko.’ said Hinata, looking at him. Stunned. ‘I don’t understand. We were fine for a month. We haven’t talked much yeah that’s true, but I still care about you. Seriously what had happened?’

He knelt down, looked up to examine him, because the albino had his head dropped as low as possible. Hinata had the urge to force up his face with his hands on his chin, but held it. He still looked beautiful in his unsureness though. God darn it. ‘Who told you that you were trash, Komaeda?’ He asked. The albino gave a shudder, and Hinata felt his heart ached a little. He knew he had to give up pressing him any further now.

'Hey, it's okay...' Hinata began, but Komaeda stopped him somehow. He could see he was trying to calm himself down, taking deep breaths. 'No one's told me, Hinata kun.' Said Komaeda firmly, his grey eyes glowing with a strange emotion which Hinata couldn't make out. 'I just know I am, and that it cannot be changed.' 'You don't know what you're talking about,' said Hinata. 'But yes I do,' said Komaeda. His arming up reminded him of Nanami somehow. Was that why his heart ached when he witnessed his vulnerability? 'I should go, Hinata kun. I shouldn't disturb your rest. You must be pretty ripped out because of me. I'm really sorry.' Komaeda said, as he stood up, and began to walk out. But Hinata stopped him.

'You're gonna regret if you walk out this door,' Hinata said firmly. Komaeda hesitated. It was then Hinata discovered that his hand was trembling beside his slender body. It was an indication that this friendship hadn't ended yet. 'Sometimes,' said Hinata, after they paused for a while in silence. 'Language isn't the best solution. I want to show you that you're not someone unworthy for me. I want to show you how I really feel when I'm with you, Komaeda.' 'Wha-' and Hinata seized the albino into his arms and hugged him tight.

Komaeda froze. He was taller than Hinata, and he hadn't band down. But Hinata didn't say a word. He just held him tight, his strong arms around his torso. He didn't know what to tell the albino anymore. He wanted him to feel that he did care for him from the bottom of his heart, whether he understood or not depended on his heart. And then he felt a shudder, and Komaeda relaxed a little bit. He tried to hug him back, but then gave up, as he was too shy to do so. Hinata didn't mind though. He buried his head on the albino's shoulder. Komaeda smelt of washing powder. Somewhere deep in his mind Hinata knew his thought about Komaeda being Nanami's substitute was a false claim. When he was with the albino he could be himself. He felt free whenever he was around. He wanted Komaeda to understand his thought. He hugged him tight.

'Thank you, Hinata kun. You're the kindest person I've ever met.' Komaeda whispered in his ear. Hinata felt the heat of his breath. It heckled him, but he didn't want to let go. 'Promise you'd stay here for the night?' Whispered Hinata back. Komaeda nodded. And he unwillingly released the hug. What a weird thing to do between friends! As they left the room Hinata looked out the window. The rain had stopped. Tomorrow will surely be a glorious Sunday, he thought before he went down the stairs. Komaeda was before him, his back slender and attractive. What will happen between them?

[end of part 4]