Family

Bittersweet

"So how was the film?" Akashi asked as they started walking to the parking lot for their dinner date as soon as Murasakibara and Yumi got out of the theatre.

"It was good," Murasakibara said, "The ending was kind of disappointing, though,"

"I see,"

"Nii-san," Tetsuya called, tugging Akashi's shirt.

"What is it Tetsuya?" Akashi asked.

"Are Ryota-nii and Yukio-nii fighting?" Tetsuya asked.

Akashi frowned and glanced at the couple who were walking ahead. They didn't display any sign that they were fighting and were talking casually as they walked side by side. "No, why do you ask?"

Mayuzumi glanced at the siblings, hearing their conversation.

"A-ano... they're not holding hands anymore," Tetsuya pointed, "Earlier when we were at Yumi-sensei's house Ryota-nii was holding Yukio-nii's hand. But when we arrived at the mall, they weren't holding hands anymore. So... so I thought..."

And then it dawned to Akashi-- since Kise and Kasamatsu's relationship was a secret, they had to act as if they were just friends, therefore holding hands and flirting were off-limits when they're in a public place since Kise has quite a famous name. Akashi glanced at Mayuzumi who heard Tetsuya's assumption, silently asking for help.

"They're not fighting," Mayuzumi said, catching Tetsuya's attention. "Some people... uh... they just don't like seeing boys hold another boy's hand,"

"Why?"

Mayuzumi and Akashi shared a glance-- how were they going to explain the situation that not everyone was comfortable with people having a relationship with others in the same gender?

"Tetsuya," Akashi called, "You remember Yoshi right? How he... how he hurt you when he didn't understand your situation about... about your parents?"

Tetsuya nodded.

"Well... it's the same with Kise and Kasamatsu," Akashi said, "Not everyone understands why Kise and Kasamatsu hold hands... so... to avoid any trouble, they refrain from holding hands. They wouldn't want to ruin your day since it's supposed to be a celebration, right?"

"But... why is it okay for you to hold my hand, nii-san?" Tetsuya asked.

Akashi gulped, not having an answer to his question.

"If... if I hold Ryota-nii and Yukio-nii's hands... will it be okay?"

Mayuzumi smiled. "Of course," he said, "You can hold their hands for them,"

Tetsuya smiled and let go of Akashi's hand then ran up to Kise and Kasamatsu-- holding both men on each of his hands and caught them by surprise.

"Tetsuya-cchi?" Kise asked, "What's wrong?"

Tetsuya looked up at Kise and Kasamatsu with a smile. "Chihiro-nii said you can't hold hands because some people won't understand why you hold hands... so I'll hold your hands, Ryota-nii, Yukio-nii, so you won't be lonely,"

"L-lonely?" Kasamatsu asked.

"Ryota-nii, I'll hold your hand for Yukio-nii," Tetsuya said with a smile, "And I'll hold Yukio-nii's hand for you. Just imagine your holding each other's hands and not mine,"

Both men were left speechless and Kise was the first one to recover as he smiled down at Tetsuya. "You really are something special, Tetsuya-cchi,"

***

"Welcome, Chef!" the host of the restaurant greeted Murasakibara as he entered his restaurant along with the group, "We've already reserved the function hall for you,"