(no subject)
Title: Let's Get Together
Pairing: Katori Shingo/Inagaki Goro/Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
Note: College AU. Goro!Centric. Based on some of these AU's. For the wondeful dancing_donut! (belated) Happy Birthday!!
1.
It’s the first day of university and Goro is running late. He is currently running to the bus stop, his hands on his hair. He doesn’t want it to be in a mess because the first day of school is a big day, especially at university, and he wants to make a nice impression to every stranger he encounters wishing some of them will be his friends.
He is already situated in a dorm a little far from the university he has chosen so he has to take a bus to and fro. He has chosen to live alone in a room because he’s not used to sharing space with people. Everyone of his family and friends from his hometown knows that.
But he still craves for some companion and everyone in the dorm seems aloof just like him so he is wishing he will meet great people in this university.
He arrives at the bus stop just on time. The bus is rolling from a distance and it stops just as he finally catches his breath. He goes inside and is quite shock to see that it is crowded so he slowly made his way inside saying ‘excuse me’ to everyone on his way. He settles on the middle and grips the handle. He casually looks around him and he notices the very tall person sitting in his front.
The tall guy is talking animatedly to the smaller and paler guy beside him who just smiles and nods and answers the guy from time to time. He doesn’t know why but the tall guy seems so fun to watch. He is suppressing a smile when suddenly the bus skids and stops forcefully and some people from his back push him, making him lose his balance and his grip on the handle.
The next thing he knows, he is sitting on the tall guy’s lap and their faces are inches from each other. There is a look of surprise on the tall and the pale guy’s faces and he can feel his face heating up from embarrassment. He pushed himself up fast and apologizes profusely and he excuses himself again as he walks towards the front near the exit. He is still miles away from his university but he feels he wants to go out now just to escape from what happened.
As soon as the bus stops near his university, he steps down fast and runs away from the embarrassment that ensued.
2.
Days have passed and Goro has recovered from that embarrassing incident. He has a great first day and he has met a lot of nice people. He hangs out with some of them from time to time mostly in the library or the school grounds discussing a lot of things but most of the time he still finds himself alone. It’s not that he’s aloof, he just want some time alone when he needs it.
It is raining this morning and it continues until his last class. Goro hates the rain because it makes his hair curlier. He walks to the bus stop with a slight scowl. It’s not that of a heavy downpour but it still dampens his mood. He is near the bus stop when he hears some hurried steps behind him. He is about to look behind him but the person passes through his side just before he can have a look.
The person stops on the bus stop area, clutching his sides because he doesn’t have any umbrella and it’s really cold. He hurries to his aid and when he puts his umbrella under them he looks at him and their faces both show a sense of recognition.
“You’re that person in the bus!” They say in unison. The pale guy smiles, his eyes shining. He can't help but smile back, pushing the embarrassing image of him accidentally sitting on this guy’s companion’s lap that day to the furthest part of his mind.
“You go to the Green Meadow University too?” the pale guy asks.
“Yes, I do. So you study there too? I haven’t seen you.” Goro says, adjusting the umbrella towards the guy.
“I study Archeology. You?”
“I study Oenology minor in Viticulture.”
“Oh, so that’s why. The archeology department is far from your department. What’s your name? I’m Kusanagi Tsuyoshi.”
“I’m Inagaki Goro. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.
They stand in silence afterwards but Goro’s mind is still whirring. “Are you friends with that guy?”
“Hmm?”
Goro flushes, “You know, that guy I accidentally sat on the bus.”
Tsuyoshi gives a hearty laugh which makes Goro’s face redder. “Yeah, we’re best friends.”
“Gosh, I’m really sorry for that day. It was really an accident.” Goro says in defense.
“Don’t worry about it, he wasn’t offended. He had a good laugh afterwards though telling me how cute you were.”
Goro looks at Tsuyoshi astonished but before he can ask about what, the bus arrives and they clambers to it. They sit together and Tsuyoshi thanks him for the umbrella.
“Tsuyoshi, does he study in the university too?” he quietly asks after the bus moves.
“Who? Shingo? Yes he does. He studies Fine Arts.”
Goro become quiet afterwards, his mind echoing the guy’s name.
“Shingo.”
Will they see each other again?
3.
Ever since their encounter at the bus stop, Tsuyoshi and Goro have always been seeing each other accidentally in the campus, either in the cafeteria or in the grounds. They talk for a short time before parting ways. He always feels good whenever they talk because of Tsuyoshi’s gentle personality. Tsuyoshi is always alone though so he wonders where Shingo can be.
Maybe he’s just too busy being a fine arts student. He have been seeing some announcements of competitions for fine arts students around the building of the university so he thinks he is competing in it too. One time, he is walking alone in the hallway overlooking the campus grounds. It is sunny today but not too hot. He is just looking around, trying to kill time before his next class, when he sees someone with a big built crouching down by the vending machine. His back is turned from him so he thinks he is just getting the food or drink he bought but as he walks near him he realizes something is wrong.
“Are you okay?” he asks before turning towards the guy. His heart lurches and it doesn’t stop from beating fast when he sees the guy’s face. It is Shingo.
Shingo beams at him. “I tried to get the candy bar that didn’t drop out of the vending machine and now my hand is stuck, can you help me?”
Goro stands therefor a while, trying to make sense out of everything in a few seconds before he springs to action. “O-Okay.”
He crouches down and examines Shingo’s arm. The candy bar, which is a Snickers is just a few inches near the opening.
Shingo’s arm is just too big. He tries pulling Shingo’s arm and Shingo does too but to no avail.
“This is really embarrassing and such a trouble.” Shingo tells him after a few minutes.
Suddenly, Goro has an idea. “I have some oil here, well oil for my hair. We can try using it to slide your arm out.”
“That’s a good idea.” Shingo smiles widely again.
Goro takes out his hair oil and put it around the area where Shingo’s arm is stuck. The oil smells of vanilla and almond and Shingo says it smells nice. It makes Goro smile. Finally, Shingo’s arm is freed from the clutches of the vending machine.
“Thank you so much!” Shingo says to him gleefully then he turns with a scowl to the vending machine and kicks it. “Stupid vending machine.”
“Hey, be careful.” Goro warns.
Then to their disbelief the snickers bar went down the vending machine. Shingo grabs it and he gives it to Goro.
“Here, you should take this, it’s a thank you gift.” Shingo says as he smiles gently at him.
“No, it’s yours. You had a hard time getting it.” Goro refuses as he takes a step back.
“Come on,” Shingo pulls Goro’s hand and put the snickers bar there. Goro feels his warm and callous hand.
“T-Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Also, thank you for being nice to Tsuyoshi the other time. He told me the two of you met and you let him stand with you under your umbrella.”
“I-It’s nothing.” Goro says, the Snickers bar clutched hard in his trembling hand.
“See you then.” Shingo says before waving a goodbye then he runs off.
Goro stares at his disappearing form, his heart still beating so fast.
4.
Goro’s days in the campus has been great despite the stressful projects and homeworks and research papers. There are also the times when he bumps to Tsuyoshi or Shingo or both of them. They always greet him first and he always feels this joy inside of him. He wants to hang out with them but he is too shy to ask them and there’s also this thing he gets from Shingo, like his insides and mind always go haywire whenever he talks to him.
Months passes, and Goro decides to take an extra class more like an extra-curricular activity but they will have grades. It’s about critiquing films. Aside from wines, he loves watching movie and delving into in-depth thinking about them. His friends usually go to him to ask for movie recommendations and he is always glad to give insights to movies he is sure they will like.
He goes inside the classroom and he is not really surprised no one is inside yet. He always arrive a few minutes early for his classes. He decides to read a book. A little while later he hears the door open and two familiar voices arguing.
“You almost made us late!”
“I’m sorry okay, I was really just sleepy!”
They stop when they notice him then they break into a big smile.
“We’re in the same class!” Tsuyoshi exclaims.
Goro smiles back. “I didn’t expect to see the both of you here.”
“I really just want to watch free movies to be honest.” Shingo says and it makes Goro laugh.
They walk towards him and settle down on the two seats beside him. They talk for a while then after a while, Goro returns to his book. The minutes tick by and then they realize something is wrong.
“It’s already 30 minutes, where is our professor and classmates?” Goro muses as he looks at the door.
“Are we on the right class?” Shingo asks this time.
As if on cue, a janitor opens the door and he is surprised to see students inside the room.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t you know that class is canceled for today?”
The three of them shake their head no.
“Well the professor said he sent e-mails to his students about not having a class today. I bet the three of you didn’t get it.”
The janitor goes to do the cleaning of the room and they decide to leave. Goro is wondering how come they didn’t receive the e-mail when suddenly Shingo suggests some idea.
“Let’s go to the arcade!”
Tsuyoshi and Goro look at him like he lost his mind.
“We still have class after this.” Tsuyoshi reminds him.
“Come on, there’s still an hour and a half before our next class and the arcade is just near so let’s go!”
The other two look at each other then back at Shingo.
“Well, I guess it won’t hurt to have fun for a little bit before the next class.” Goro says.
Tsuyoshi smiles, finally agreeing to Shingo's suggestion. “Okay then, let’s go.”
Goro is still feeling a bit nervous because this is the first time he will do something like this, leaving campus during class hour but once they arrive at the arcade he has so much fun. Shingo always fool around while he and Tsuyoshi laugh at him. They had so much fun that they have forgotten the time and so they are late for their next class.
But Goro doesn't regret it. This day is one of the best days of his life because he knows he have found his great friends that make him feel like he belongs.
5.
Goro, Shingo and Tsuyoshi have become the inseparable trio. They may not have the same courses and classes but they always meet once they have free time and during the weekends. They either hang out in the arcade or in the school grounds but most of the time they hang out in the rooftop of Goro’s dorm. Shingo and Tsuyoshi stay in the dorm of the university so they choose to go to Goro’s because they have more freedom there.
It is a cloudy day that time when Tsuyoshi and Shingo visit Goro. As usual they are on the rooftop just talking about anything. Tsuyoshi has a guitar with him while Shingo has his sketchbook. Goro has his book but it remains on his lap unopened. Tsuyoshi seems to notice Goro spacing out a lot.
“Are you okay, Goro?”
Goro looks at him and smiles. “Yeah, I am.”
“But it seems that something is bothering you.” Tsuyoshi prods further.
Shingo is looking at him too. “Did someone bully you? We will make that guy suffer just tell us.”
Goro smiles again. “No, it’s not like that. I was just feeling a bit lonesome whenever I’m alone in the dorm. I miss my cats.”
Tsuyoshi and Shingo look at him amaze. Shingo has this glint in his eyes that he is about to laugh. “You love cats?”
Goro pouts. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
Tsuyoshi slaps Shingo’s shoulder when he starts to laugh then he turns to Goro. “Why don’t you just let them live here with you?”
Goro sighs. “Animals are not allowed in here.”
They become silent for a while then Shingo speaks. “Let’s sneak them inside then.”
Tsuyoshi seems to brighten up. “Yeah, let’s do that!”
Goro feels amaze. Actually he has been thinking of sneaking in his cats but he doesn’t have anyone to ask for some help.
“Okay, let’s plan how we will sneak them in.”
They spend the remaining afternoon trying to make the perfect plan. The next weekend, Goro surprises his family by going home because he rarely does that. He tells them that he misses his cats and so he decides to let them stay in a friend’s house near the dorm he is staying at so he can visit them from time to time. Her parents seem to believe him so the next day Goro goes back to the dorm with his two beloved cats named Taku, a russian blue and Hiro, an american short hair.
Tsuyoshi and Shingo are waiting for him in the bus stop. Tsuyoshi seems to love the cats while Shingo just looks at them. Then they walk towards the dorm. It’s Sunday morning so usually the dorm is not full of people so they can easily sneak the cats in.
Shingo goes in first to talk to the receptionist, he asks about Goro and when she says he is not in the dorm, he starts to distract her by his charming and playful way. Tsuyoshi and Goro are crouching down below the tall desk as they slowly move and because of Shingo’s big built and he’s towering over the receptionist, she doesn't notice them.
They become wary of their surroundings afterwards, trying to avoid any place where there might be some people. When they arrive at his room, Goro and Tsuyoshi high-five each other and then they sneak out again the same way they come earlier. Goro is amazed at Shingo’s ability to distract the woman because he is still taking to her and the woman is also laughing at his jokes.
Then as if they just arrive, Goro and Tsuyoshi go in the dorm entrance.
“Oh, Shingo. What are you doing here?” Goro asks, trying to keep a straight façade.
“I’m just looking for you. Oh, you’re with Tsuyoshi too.” Shingo says keeping up with the act.
“Yeah, I saw him in the bus stop.” Goro goes to the receptionist to ask for his key. The receptionist gladly gives it to him.
“Thank you for the time, miss.” Shingo says as he smiles and the receptionist blushes as she nods.
The trio goes back to Goro’s room and they cheer for their success of sneaking in Goro’s cats. Goro is so happy that he won’t be feeling sad and alone anymore because he has his cats to cuddle with during the night.
“You know, you can call us if you feel lonely.” Shingo saya as he plays with Hiro.
Tsuyoshi speaks afterwards. “Yes, we are your friends you know. We are always here for you if you need something.”
Goro feels so touched and so he nods and thanks them a lot. He is really lucky to meet them.
6.
“Let’s go to the beach.”
It is the 25th of December and Goro, Tsuyoshi, and Shingo decided not to go home for the Christmas. They are few of them who decided not to go home so the campus looks like it is deserted. It feels unsettling that the once buzzing campus ground is so quiet.
Goro is allowed to stay in Tsuyoshi and Shingo’s dorm and they are just talking about the presents they received from each other when Shingo suggested they should go to the beach.
“Are you kidding us, it’s freezing cold there for sure!” Goro exclaims.
“And the beach is so far from here.” Tsuyoshi says afterwards.
“It’s not that far, I’ve been there and it was so beautiful. I want you to see it too. So please, let’s go.” Shingo pleads.
Tsuyoshi and Goro knows that once Shingo has an idea that he wants to do he will not stop until he is able to do it so they have no choice but to go with Shingo. They grab their jackets and they also grab some snacks and drinks from the vending machine then they board the bus. They have to board three buses before they are able to reach the beach.
The cold wind hit their faces but it’s really refreshing. They are in awe when they see the beach, just like what Shingo says it is so beautiful. They run, hollering towards the sand. They set the picnic blanket first and put their snacks there then they take off their shoes and run towards the cold water, shouting as it hit their feet and as they push each other.
Shingo pushes him so hard towards the water so he screams when the water reached his tighs so as a revenge, he splashes some water towards Shingo. Tsuyoshi is just laughing in a safe distance. Shingo attacks him and splashes more water towards him.
He was in mid laugh when Shingo grabs his face and kisses him on the lips. His lips didn’t linger long. They look at each other, his shock mirroring in Shingo’s gentle and serious eyes then without warning, he launches himself towards him, pulling his nape down and kissing him, tasting once more the saltiness on his lips.
When they part they laugh and smile gently at each other. As Goro turns to look at the shore, he catches a glimpse of Tsuyoshi’s smile before he retreats back to the picnic blanket. Shingo and Goro walk back to him holding each other’s hand.
He knows things will change but their bond will become stronger as the months and years go by.
Pairing: Katori Shingo/Inagaki Goro/Kusanagi Tsuyoshi
Note: College AU. Goro!Centric. Based on some of these AU's. For the wondeful dancing_donut! (belated) Happy Birthday!!
1.
It’s the first day of university and Goro is running late. He is currently running to the bus stop, his hands on his hair. He doesn’t want it to be in a mess because the first day of school is a big day, especially at university, and he wants to make a nice impression to every stranger he encounters wishing some of them will be his friends.
He is already situated in a dorm a little far from the university he has chosen so he has to take a bus to and fro. He has chosen to live alone in a room because he’s not used to sharing space with people. Everyone of his family and friends from his hometown knows that.
But he still craves for some companion and everyone in the dorm seems aloof just like him so he is wishing he will meet great people in this university.
He arrives at the bus stop just on time. The bus is rolling from a distance and it stops just as he finally catches his breath. He goes inside and is quite shock to see that it is crowded so he slowly made his way inside saying ‘excuse me’ to everyone on his way. He settles on the middle and grips the handle. He casually looks around him and he notices the very tall person sitting in his front.
The tall guy is talking animatedly to the smaller and paler guy beside him who just smiles and nods and answers the guy from time to time. He doesn’t know why but the tall guy seems so fun to watch. He is suppressing a smile when suddenly the bus skids and stops forcefully and some people from his back push him, making him lose his balance and his grip on the handle.
The next thing he knows, he is sitting on the tall guy’s lap and their faces are inches from each other. There is a look of surprise on the tall and the pale guy’s faces and he can feel his face heating up from embarrassment. He pushed himself up fast and apologizes profusely and he excuses himself again as he walks towards the front near the exit. He is still miles away from his university but he feels he wants to go out now just to escape from what happened.
As soon as the bus stops near his university, he steps down fast and runs away from the embarrassment that ensued.
2.
Days have passed and Goro has recovered from that embarrassing incident. He has a great first day and he has met a lot of nice people. He hangs out with some of them from time to time mostly in the library or the school grounds discussing a lot of things but most of the time he still finds himself alone. It’s not that he’s aloof, he just want some time alone when he needs it.
It is raining this morning and it continues until his last class. Goro hates the rain because it makes his hair curlier. He walks to the bus stop with a slight scowl. It’s not that of a heavy downpour but it still dampens his mood. He is near the bus stop when he hears some hurried steps behind him. He is about to look behind him but the person passes through his side just before he can have a look.
The person stops on the bus stop area, clutching his sides because he doesn’t have any umbrella and it’s really cold. He hurries to his aid and when he puts his umbrella under them he looks at him and their faces both show a sense of recognition.
“You’re that person in the bus!” They say in unison. The pale guy smiles, his eyes shining. He can't help but smile back, pushing the embarrassing image of him accidentally sitting on this guy’s companion’s lap that day to the furthest part of his mind.
“You go to the Green Meadow University too?” the pale guy asks.
“Yes, I do. So you study there too? I haven’t seen you.” Goro says, adjusting the umbrella towards the guy.
“I study Archeology. You?”
“I study Oenology minor in Viticulture.”
“Oh, so that’s why. The archeology department is far from your department. What’s your name? I’m Kusanagi Tsuyoshi.”
“I’m Inagaki Goro. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.
They stand in silence afterwards but Goro’s mind is still whirring. “Are you friends with that guy?”
“Hmm?”
Goro flushes, “You know, that guy I accidentally sat on the bus.”
Tsuyoshi gives a hearty laugh which makes Goro’s face redder. “Yeah, we’re best friends.”
“Gosh, I’m really sorry for that day. It was really an accident.” Goro says in defense.
“Don’t worry about it, he wasn’t offended. He had a good laugh afterwards though telling me how cute you were.”
Goro looks at Tsuyoshi astonished but before he can ask about what, the bus arrives and they clambers to it. They sit together and Tsuyoshi thanks him for the umbrella.
“Tsuyoshi, does he study in the university too?” he quietly asks after the bus moves.
“Who? Shingo? Yes he does. He studies Fine Arts.”
Goro become quiet afterwards, his mind echoing the guy’s name.
“Shingo.”
Will they see each other again?
3.
Ever since their encounter at the bus stop, Tsuyoshi and Goro have always been seeing each other accidentally in the campus, either in the cafeteria or in the grounds. They talk for a short time before parting ways. He always feels good whenever they talk because of Tsuyoshi’s gentle personality. Tsuyoshi is always alone though so he wonders where Shingo can be.
Maybe he’s just too busy being a fine arts student. He have been seeing some announcements of competitions for fine arts students around the building of the university so he thinks he is competing in it too. One time, he is walking alone in the hallway overlooking the campus grounds. It is sunny today but not too hot. He is just looking around, trying to kill time before his next class, when he sees someone with a big built crouching down by the vending machine. His back is turned from him so he thinks he is just getting the food or drink he bought but as he walks near him he realizes something is wrong.
“Are you okay?” he asks before turning towards the guy. His heart lurches and it doesn’t stop from beating fast when he sees the guy’s face. It is Shingo.
Shingo beams at him. “I tried to get the candy bar that didn’t drop out of the vending machine and now my hand is stuck, can you help me?”
Goro stands therefor a while, trying to make sense out of everything in a few seconds before he springs to action. “O-Okay.”
He crouches down and examines Shingo’s arm. The candy bar, which is a Snickers is just a few inches near the opening.
Shingo’s arm is just too big. He tries pulling Shingo’s arm and Shingo does too but to no avail.
“This is really embarrassing and such a trouble.” Shingo tells him after a few minutes.
Suddenly, Goro has an idea. “I have some oil here, well oil for my hair. We can try using it to slide your arm out.”
“That’s a good idea.” Shingo smiles widely again.
Goro takes out his hair oil and put it around the area where Shingo’s arm is stuck. The oil smells of vanilla and almond and Shingo says it smells nice. It makes Goro smile. Finally, Shingo’s arm is freed from the clutches of the vending machine.
“Thank you so much!” Shingo says to him gleefully then he turns with a scowl to the vending machine and kicks it. “Stupid vending machine.”
“Hey, be careful.” Goro warns.
Then to their disbelief the snickers bar went down the vending machine. Shingo grabs it and he gives it to Goro.
“Here, you should take this, it’s a thank you gift.” Shingo says as he smiles gently at him.
“No, it’s yours. You had a hard time getting it.” Goro refuses as he takes a step back.
“Come on,” Shingo pulls Goro’s hand and put the snickers bar there. Goro feels his warm and callous hand.
“T-Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Also, thank you for being nice to Tsuyoshi the other time. He told me the two of you met and you let him stand with you under your umbrella.”
“I-It’s nothing.” Goro says, the Snickers bar clutched hard in his trembling hand.
“See you then.” Shingo says before waving a goodbye then he runs off.
Goro stares at his disappearing form, his heart still beating so fast.
4.
Goro’s days in the campus has been great despite the stressful projects and homeworks and research papers. There are also the times when he bumps to Tsuyoshi or Shingo or both of them. They always greet him first and he always feels this joy inside of him. He wants to hang out with them but he is too shy to ask them and there’s also this thing he gets from Shingo, like his insides and mind always go haywire whenever he talks to him.
Months passes, and Goro decides to take an extra class more like an extra-curricular activity but they will have grades. It’s about critiquing films. Aside from wines, he loves watching movie and delving into in-depth thinking about them. His friends usually go to him to ask for movie recommendations and he is always glad to give insights to movies he is sure they will like.
He goes inside the classroom and he is not really surprised no one is inside yet. He always arrive a few minutes early for his classes. He decides to read a book. A little while later he hears the door open and two familiar voices arguing.
“You almost made us late!”
“I’m sorry okay, I was really just sleepy!”
They stop when they notice him then they break into a big smile.
“We’re in the same class!” Tsuyoshi exclaims.
Goro smiles back. “I didn’t expect to see the both of you here.”
“I really just want to watch free movies to be honest.” Shingo says and it makes Goro laugh.
They walk towards him and settle down on the two seats beside him. They talk for a while then after a while, Goro returns to his book. The minutes tick by and then they realize something is wrong.
“It’s already 30 minutes, where is our professor and classmates?” Goro muses as he looks at the door.
“Are we on the right class?” Shingo asks this time.
As if on cue, a janitor opens the door and he is surprised to see students inside the room.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t you know that class is canceled for today?”
The three of them shake their head no.
“Well the professor said he sent e-mails to his students about not having a class today. I bet the three of you didn’t get it.”
The janitor goes to do the cleaning of the room and they decide to leave. Goro is wondering how come they didn’t receive the e-mail when suddenly Shingo suggests some idea.
“Let’s go to the arcade!”
Tsuyoshi and Goro look at him like he lost his mind.
“We still have class after this.” Tsuyoshi reminds him.
“Come on, there’s still an hour and a half before our next class and the arcade is just near so let’s go!”
The other two look at each other then back at Shingo.
“Well, I guess it won’t hurt to have fun for a little bit before the next class.” Goro says.
Tsuyoshi smiles, finally agreeing to Shingo's suggestion. “Okay then, let’s go.”
Goro is still feeling a bit nervous because this is the first time he will do something like this, leaving campus during class hour but once they arrive at the arcade he has so much fun. Shingo always fool around while he and Tsuyoshi laugh at him. They had so much fun that they have forgotten the time and so they are late for their next class.
But Goro doesn't regret it. This day is one of the best days of his life because he knows he have found his great friends that make him feel like he belongs.
5.
Goro, Shingo and Tsuyoshi have become the inseparable trio. They may not have the same courses and classes but they always meet once they have free time and during the weekends. They either hang out in the arcade or in the school grounds but most of the time they hang out in the rooftop of Goro’s dorm. Shingo and Tsuyoshi stay in the dorm of the university so they choose to go to Goro’s because they have more freedom there.
It is a cloudy day that time when Tsuyoshi and Shingo visit Goro. As usual they are on the rooftop just talking about anything. Tsuyoshi has a guitar with him while Shingo has his sketchbook. Goro has his book but it remains on his lap unopened. Tsuyoshi seems to notice Goro spacing out a lot.
“Are you okay, Goro?”
Goro looks at him and smiles. “Yeah, I am.”
“But it seems that something is bothering you.” Tsuyoshi prods further.
Shingo is looking at him too. “Did someone bully you? We will make that guy suffer just tell us.”
Goro smiles again. “No, it’s not like that. I was just feeling a bit lonesome whenever I’m alone in the dorm. I miss my cats.”
Tsuyoshi and Shingo look at him amaze. Shingo has this glint in his eyes that he is about to laugh. “You love cats?”
Goro pouts. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
Tsuyoshi slaps Shingo’s shoulder when he starts to laugh then he turns to Goro. “Why don’t you just let them live here with you?”
Goro sighs. “Animals are not allowed in here.”
They become silent for a while then Shingo speaks. “Let’s sneak them inside then.”
Tsuyoshi seems to brighten up. “Yeah, let’s do that!”
Goro feels amaze. Actually he has been thinking of sneaking in his cats but he doesn’t have anyone to ask for some help.
“Okay, let’s plan how we will sneak them in.”
They spend the remaining afternoon trying to make the perfect plan. The next weekend, Goro surprises his family by going home because he rarely does that. He tells them that he misses his cats and so he decides to let them stay in a friend’s house near the dorm he is staying at so he can visit them from time to time. Her parents seem to believe him so the next day Goro goes back to the dorm with his two beloved cats named Taku, a russian blue and Hiro, an american short hair.
Tsuyoshi and Shingo are waiting for him in the bus stop. Tsuyoshi seems to love the cats while Shingo just looks at them. Then they walk towards the dorm. It’s Sunday morning so usually the dorm is not full of people so they can easily sneak the cats in.
Shingo goes in first to talk to the receptionist, he asks about Goro and when she says he is not in the dorm, he starts to distract her by his charming and playful way. Tsuyoshi and Goro are crouching down below the tall desk as they slowly move and because of Shingo’s big built and he’s towering over the receptionist, she doesn't notice them.
They become wary of their surroundings afterwards, trying to avoid any place where there might be some people. When they arrive at his room, Goro and Tsuyoshi high-five each other and then they sneak out again the same way they come earlier. Goro is amazed at Shingo’s ability to distract the woman because he is still taking to her and the woman is also laughing at his jokes.
Then as if they just arrive, Goro and Tsuyoshi go in the dorm entrance.
“Oh, Shingo. What are you doing here?” Goro asks, trying to keep a straight façade.
“I’m just looking for you. Oh, you’re with Tsuyoshi too.” Shingo says keeping up with the act.
“Yeah, I saw him in the bus stop.” Goro goes to the receptionist to ask for his key. The receptionist gladly gives it to him.
“Thank you for the time, miss.” Shingo says as he smiles and the receptionist blushes as she nods.
The trio goes back to Goro’s room and they cheer for their success of sneaking in Goro’s cats. Goro is so happy that he won’t be feeling sad and alone anymore because he has his cats to cuddle with during the night.
“You know, you can call us if you feel lonely.” Shingo saya as he plays with Hiro.
Tsuyoshi speaks afterwards. “Yes, we are your friends you know. We are always here for you if you need something.”
Goro feels so touched and so he nods and thanks them a lot. He is really lucky to meet them.
6.
“Let’s go to the beach.”
It is the 25th of December and Goro, Tsuyoshi, and Shingo decided not to go home for the Christmas. They are few of them who decided not to go home so the campus looks like it is deserted. It feels unsettling that the once buzzing campus ground is so quiet.
Goro is allowed to stay in Tsuyoshi and Shingo’s dorm and they are just talking about the presents they received from each other when Shingo suggested they should go to the beach.
“Are you kidding us, it’s freezing cold there for sure!” Goro exclaims.
“And the beach is so far from here.” Tsuyoshi says afterwards.
“It’s not that far, I’ve been there and it was so beautiful. I want you to see it too. So please, let’s go.” Shingo pleads.
Tsuyoshi and Goro knows that once Shingo has an idea that he wants to do he will not stop until he is able to do it so they have no choice but to go with Shingo. They grab their jackets and they also grab some snacks and drinks from the vending machine then they board the bus. They have to board three buses before they are able to reach the beach.
The cold wind hit their faces but it’s really refreshing. They are in awe when they see the beach, just like what Shingo says it is so beautiful. They run, hollering towards the sand. They set the picnic blanket first and put their snacks there then they take off their shoes and run towards the cold water, shouting as it hit their feet and as they push each other.
Shingo pushes him so hard towards the water so he screams when the water reached his tighs so as a revenge, he splashes some water towards Shingo. Tsuyoshi is just laughing in a safe distance. Shingo attacks him and splashes more water towards him.
He was in mid laugh when Shingo grabs his face and kisses him on the lips. His lips didn’t linger long. They look at each other, his shock mirroring in Shingo’s gentle and serious eyes then without warning, he launches himself towards him, pulling his nape down and kissing him, tasting once more the saltiness on his lips.
When they part they laugh and smile gently at each other. As Goro turns to look at the shore, he catches a glimpse of Tsuyoshi’s smile before he retreats back to the picnic blanket. Shingo and Goro walk back to him holding each other’s hand.
He knows things will change but their bond will become stronger as the months and years go by.