WHO CARES. . !?

"I wanna win homecoming king,

Shedded pounds and wasted tears

I know I'm not that good-looking,

But it's only freshman year."

freshman year : isaac dunbar

— warning: language because Kou and Mitsuba ://

- - -

"Why are you crying?"

Mitsuba flinched on his spot, the waterworks falling non-stop — he almost blurted and blamed his broken tear ducts but couldn't bring himself to voice out his thoughts. He didn't want to turn around. He didn't want to face the person who saw him in his most vulnerable state. He didn't want them to hate him.

"Mitsuba."

The pink-eyed boy hiccuped. He didn't bother and try to stop his tears — what's the point anyway; they've seen him and they would make fun of him more for lying about the obvious. It's stupid enough he's crying in an empty classroom.

"Mitsuba!"

Mitsuba whirled around and frowned at the sight of a boy with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. His body was oddly transparent, even dusts seem to pass through him. He can recognize that obnoxious earring hanging off anywhere.

"Minamoto-kun?" Mitsuba used his sleeve to wipe away the tears and have a clearer vision, but it really won't stop. His eyes burned, and it hurts. "What are you doing here?"

"Goddamit, Mitsuba are you deaf?" Kou glowered at him. He seriously looked pissed, but there was still a hint of concern. "I've been calling you, and you kept on crying like a baby."

Mitsuba scowled at him, but it looked far from intimidating with his flushed cheeks and red nose. Kou couldn't hide the smile on his face. "I was having a moment, Minamoto-kun. You don't interrupt a moment."

Kou shrugged. "I'm dead. I don't know what you kids are into these days."

Mitsuba stared at him blankly. "We're the same age, what the hell are you talking about?"

Kou waved him off. "Let me have my cool moment, Mitsuba. You don't interrupt a moment, right?"

Mitsuba laughed, quiet and soft — Kou beamed at the sound of it. His plan is working quiet well. Kou mentally patted himself on the back.

"Alright, then — let's get serious." Kou flew over to Mitsuba and sat down on the table in front of the chair Mitsuba was sitting on, Indian style. Or criss-cross apple-sauce. "Who hurt you, huh?" Mitsuba would've laughed at his serious expression.

Mitsuba scrunched his nose up, remembering a memory he clearly didn't want to recall. "It's nothing. They were just bullying me."

Kou gaped. "That is not nothing, Mitsuba. What the hell?"

"It's nothing for me, at least." Mitsuba frowned at the blond, who clearly looked upset at the mention of bullying. Why does he care?

"Well it's not nothing for me, Mitsuba," Kou said grumpily, as if he's the one getting hurt. "You should fight back, I keep telling you that. You've been like this since we met. You're cocky, use that."

"Not everyone is as brave as you, stupid," Mitsuba whispered, but Kou heard it loud and clear.

Kou flicked Mitsuba's forehead pretty hard.

"Wh— ow! What in the world was that for!?" Mitsuba cried, his fingers hovering near the red spot forming on his forehead. Mitsuba glared at Kou, who only quirked a brow at him.

"You're strong. What are you talking about?"

Mitsuba stared up at Kou in disbelief. Probably from his words, but knowing Mitsuba, it's most likely for Kou being stupid. Mitsuba stared at Kou as if he sprouted two heads on his body. Oh, that's fun to imagine.

Kou rolled his eyes when Mitsuba tried to stifle his snicker. "I'm serious, Mitsuba. You're strong. Stronger than you know." He thrusted his finger in the direction of the door, where students were passing. "Who the hell cares what they think about you? They don't know you."

Kou grinned. "They don't know you like I do, at least. You're annoying, but if I hated that, I wouldn't've stuck around, don't'cha think? I like being your friend. And if they can't see this side of you, can't appreciate this side of you, that's their loss."

Mitsuba tugged on the strands of his pink hair that fell near his eyes, trying to distract himself from the warmth that bloomed in his chest. "You think so?"

Kou laughed, amused at Mitsuba's uncharacteristic bashfulness.

"I know so, Mitsuba," Kou confidently proclaimed.

"Thanks, Kou. I. . .really needed that. I can't believe I just got a Ted Talk from my dead, ghost friend."

"Shut up, Mitsuba. You're welcome."

- - -

Requested by: AnixPotat 💓

These babies need more love tysm for requesting! I honestly think I needed this,
too.

Mitsuba is a pretty boy, Kou is a cute boy—

Is everyone in JSHK so attractive!? Or is it literally just me. Aida Iro's artstyle is just so pretty I can't sometimes.

Lowkey feel bad for those who requested after I officially closed the requests cos their requests are awesome. They'll just get it next week maybe. :(

Thanks for reading! 💕✨