[June] New Tastes
Author: bar_ohki
Title: New Tastes
Rating: T, for swearing.
Summary: For the first time Hiruma feels what its like to intimidated.
Notes: I’ve been working on some object distortion for my art class. One of the basic ways to go about doing this is to switch two things, like the metal saw blade with wood. So I’m switching things up a little here. This is the first of June’s resolution fics.
Hiruma Youichi liked to make others believe he was more than human. His devilish smiles, heavy artillery, and complete dominance over every being he encountered helped maintain this image around others. Hiruma tried especially hard to keep his normal, physical limitations from the eyes of his teammates, but they all saw them. No one ever mentioned it; they knew their commander had too much pride to admit he had weaknesses in front of his comrades.
Though among all of the people Hiruma interacted with, there were a few he’d show weakness before: his two best friends. Takekura Gen, also known as Musashi, was a man of sense and calm. Hiruma would approach Musashi whenever he was in personal doubt or in need of advice. Kurita Ryokan, the gentile giant, was Hiruma’s emotional pillar. Whenever Hiruma was depressed, anxious, nervous, or feeling any sort of bothersome emotions that got in the way of being rational, he’d go to Kurita and get them sorted out by his friend’s kind ear.
It wasn’t as though this was a one-sided relationship between the three, Kurita came to Hiruma for a good joke and advice. Musashi took advice from Hiruma as well and a few laughs. Hiruma the trickster was also remarkably humorous. All three friends made sure the other’s ass was covered when shit hit the fan.
But Hiruma’s reputation and friendships aside, the devilish man was currently walking into the clubhouse. There was no practice that day, they had just won a particularly hard match and everyone needed a day of rest. Hiruma had told Anezaki Mamori, the team manager, that she had the day off and should go out and be social with her lady friends or something.
Of course his actual choice of words involved insults and the overly-generous employment of the word ‘fucking’ as was normal for him. Mamori had responded in turning a livid shade of red and admonishing him. Hiruma had only laughed back at her, having taken great pleasure in shamelessly pushing her buttons.
“Ah, Hiruma!” Kurita greeted his friend with his normal, large smile. Hiruma simply nodded once, his psychotic mask falling right off. Before Kurita stood a tired, confused adolescent whose eyes looked like that of a man had seen far too many things. Kurita’s expression lost all of its cheerfulness and became a more serious, understanding smile. Earlier Hiruma had asked Kurita to meet him at the clubhouse later, and as Kurita had correctly guessed, Hiruma was seeking comfort from his friend.
“Hey.” Hiruma tried to manage a simple, honest smile. It came out tired and slightly pained.
“I brought a spice cake.” Kurita remarked absently as he pointed at the box in question. Hiruma nodded, approving of the spice cake. “And I made coffee.”
Sometimes Hiruma wondered why he didn’t worship Kurita.
“Thanks.” Hiruma muttered, honestly grateful for the perfect selection of food and drink. Kurita smiled and handed him a slice of cake and a cup of black coffee. Hiruma took a long slip and sighed contently afterwards.
“…So what is it this time?” Kurita asked after Hiruma set his mug back down.
“…I’m scared.” Hiruma admitted after a while, the signs of fear creeping into his expression. “Really scared.”
Kurita didn’t say anything but instead listened patiently for his friend’s next words.
“It’s the fucking manager,” Hiruma went on, “she’s fucking scaring me.”
“Mamori?” Kurita muttered, surprised to say the least.
“…I get really angry when she’s talking to other guys.” Hiruma rubbed his temples. “Irrationally angry.”
Kurita took this time to recall watching poor Yukimitsu nearly get his head shot off by Hiruma the other day for simply asking Mamori a tactics question.
“And then when she’s paying attention to me, I get scared.” Hiruma added with another groan.
“Eh?”
“I don’t know!” Hiruma slammed his fist on the table in frustration, making the cups nearly tip over.
“…She’s making me think really fucked up shit.” Hiruma gave Kurita a pleading look.
“Like what?” Kurita’s curiosity and stupidity might be the death of him someday, but today he didn’t care.
“I see her fucking naked when I jack off.” Hiruma rubbed his temples again. “…It’s gotten worse.”
“…Is that all?” Kurita asked and waited for a hesitant nod. “Well I think I know what the issue is.”
“Really?” Hiruma perked up, looking tried, but hopeful.
“If you are picturing her naked while masturbating that’s a pretty clear sign that at least your subconscious wants to have sex with her.” Kurita pointed out.
“…Are you saying that I’m attracted to fucking manager?” Hiruma frowned, not really thrilled with the idea.
“Lusting I think.” Kurita corrected and took a swig of coffee.
“Lusting.” Hiruma deadpanned.
“Or you are in the process of falling in love with her and its scaring you shitless, take your pick.” Kurita shrugged.
“Fuck! I need cake.” Hiruma proceeded to ignore the last statement and eat his cake without any other words. Kurita shook his head and eat his portion of the cake (which was notably smaller than Hiruma’s). After the cake was consumed Hiruma looked Kurita in the eye again, ready to start the conversation again.
“You honestly think I might be falling in love?” Hiruma sounded bemused by the thought. “Do tell me why.”
“You get irrationally angry when she’s speaking to other guys, that sounds like jealousy.” Kurita pointed out. “And you try to keep all of her attention on you at all times.”
Hiruma frowned and didn’t say anything.
“But you’re scared at the same time,” Kurita went on, “and you’ve never been in love before so there’s a lot to be scared about.”
“…So I’m falling in love?” Hiruma muttered, tasting the words on his lips.
“Probably.” Kurita stood up and walked around the small table to give Hiruma a hug. “And it’s okay.”
“It is?”
“Of course, falling in love is a wonderful thing, even if it is a little scary.” Kurita smiled. “It’ll make you very happy.”
“…Tch.” Hiruma looked away with another frown, but did not leave the embrace.
For Hiruma, someone who had come from a somewhat dysfunctional household, being in real love was a big deal. He had a lot of potential to screw everything up, including his chances at winning the Christmas Bowl. Right now being in love was the most intimidating thing he had ever encountered.
And that was just the tip of the iceburg….
_=_=_=_=_
There you have it, Hiruma’s scared because he’s falling in love!