It was late Saturday morning when Kogure woke up to the sound of chirping insects and birds. He gave a languid stretch on his bed before he jumped off, humming a cheerful tune to fit his mood. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he went downstairs without changing his cotton boxers and t-shirt.

As he was walking down the stairs, Rukawa stomped past by with a frown on his normally impassive face. Kogure wondered what has annoyed his brother but when he saw his father at the bottom of the steps, the man's face a mirror of displeasure, Kogure knew. Bracing himself for the usual lecture, Kogure made his way downstairs slowly.

"Will you talk to you brother, Kiminobu," said his father, folding his arms over his chest. "That boy wouldn't study and all he ever thinks about is basketball! There's no future for anyone in that!"

Kogure sighed discreetly as his father went on, "At least I can count on you, boy. You're smart. When you finish studying and get a job, people will be over you especially the women. You'd like that won't you son?"

The spectacled boy gritted his teeth. He knew his father would say something like that. The need in him to just tell his father right then and there about what he would actually like was so strong especially since he knew that his father already guessed about his preferences, but he didn't want the man who has taken care of the whole family tirelessly and with dedication to get hurt. It's enough for one son to disappoint him but another? Kogure didn't think his father could cope with that.

For Kogure, the day was flawed. After patting his oldest son at the shoulder, the man went to the living room to watch tv and enjoy a cup of tea with his wife. Kogure rubbed the area of his nose under the rim of his glasses when the bell to the door rang.

Answering the door, there was Sakuragi and Yohei outside smiling at him as he stared at them.

"Ohayo sempai," said Sakuragi, his smile widening as he took in the senior's rumpled sight.
Kogure felt his face burn when he realised that the redhead was looking at him with an amused expression on his face. Why he was so embarassed he couldn't figure out but Kogure managed to stammer out, "O-O- Ohayo..."

"We're here to see Kaede," said Yohei, pushing the redhead aside and thus helping Kogure gain his composure that has left him when Sakuragi appeared at his doorstep.

"Oh," said Kogure, "Then come on inside."
After letting them in, he brought them to his brother's room before he went back to his own to change. Fetching a tray of snacks and drinks for the juniors from the kitchen he went back upstairs but as he was passing the hallway, he stopped in front of a wall mirror to check his appearance. Realising that he was fretting unnecessarily when he found himself brushing his hair with his fingers back and then sideways and then back again, Kogure shook his head in disgust. It's just Sakuragi and Yohei right? So why does it matter? Stopping in front of the door, Kogure knocked.

Sakuragi jumped from his seat on the floor to open the door and grinned when he saw Kogure outside with the tray of refreshments on his hands.

"Here you go," said the senior putting down the tray and each boys hungrily took their share. The senior fidgeted for a while before he stood up to leave, "Well... I'll leave you guys now..."

"Uh... why don't you join us, sempai?"

Kogure turned around to see the redhead look at him seemingly non-chalant but he didn't know that inside Sakuragi wanted so much for the senior to stay. The spectacled- boy turned to look at Kaede for confirmation and the fox-eyed boy just shrugged.

The four boys talked about school and sometimes about basketball, covering the topic which Yohei can follow. When they started talking about couples in the school, the boys attacked the conversation as much vigor as girls who favour gossip than school work.

Then there was silence for a few seconds where Yohei nudged at Sakuragi's sides ungently.

"Quit it!" Sakuragi hissed to his friend. Yohei rolled his eyes.

"What's up?" asked Kogure, curious.

"Nothing, sempai," the redhead mumbled. Yohei turned his head away in mild annoyance that didn't really show on the boy's face.

"What?" said Kaede.

Before Sakuragi could say anything, Yohei smoothly cut in, "It's just that we were wondering..."

"Shut up, Yohei," said Sakuragi, clamping his hand over the shorter boy's mouth. Yohei frowned but the affect was hidden under the cover of Sakuragi's palm.

"What?" prompted the two brothers.

Yohei quickly tugged the hand off and said quickly, "If Kogure-sempai is gay."

"Yohei!"

This time the silence was heavy and it was Kogure who broke it with a light but cautious tone, "What made you think so?"

"Well," persisted Yohei before Sakuragi could stop him, "Are you?"

It took Kogure a moment to think of his answer.
After warring with his feelings since he reached puberty, he came to understand that he is unlike other boys who fawn over pretty girls with sweet voices, big breasts and shapely legs. What attracts his attention are men or boys with a hearty laugh, a strong solid chest, strong hands and a tight butt. But knowing it himself and affirming it to other people are two VERY different things. He looked into the juniors' eyes in front of him, Yohei a look of expectancy and Sakuragi a measure of the same feelings but with a hint of uneasiness and embarassment mixed with it. Finally, Kogure took a deep breath and nodded, "Hai, I'm gay."

Yohei sat back, crossing his arms over his chest and merely exhaled, "Ah."

Sakuragi scratched his head in what Kogure knew as a reflex action of embarassment and stared at the wooden floor.

"This does not leave here or I will personally chase both of you down and hurt you really bad," warned Kaede in a cold voice. The three boys stared at him, amazed at the length of the sentence they have ever heard him speak.
Deeply touched at the protectiveness coming from his younger brother, Kogure gave his brother a warm look when Sakuragi spoke up, "Well, I don't care."

Kogure smiled, "I'm glad."

"Yeah," said Yohei, a one-sided grin playing on his lips, "He's bi."

Kogure gaped while Kaede arched an eyebrow.
"Y-You are?" asked the senior in a whisper.

"Yeah," said Sakuragi giving them a wink.

Kogure laughed lightly, still in surprise, "I had no idea."

"Aa, so you keep my secret and I'll keep yours," said the redhead with a sly smile, "So can I know what type of guy you like, sempai?"

Kogure blushed, "I-I have no particular choice..."

Sakuragi waved a careless hand with a playful grin, "How about Akagi?"

Over his embarassment, Kogure managed to chuckle, "No, I don't think so. He's my friend."

"That guy from the football team?"

"Arrogant."

"The baseball captain?"

"Too cold."

"Ryota?"

Kogure laughed, "Too hung up on Ayako."

"Yohei?"

"Hey!" protested the teenager with the slicked back hair.

"Too young," said Kogure, grinning from ear to ear as he patted Yohei shoulder, "Besides I don't think you're my type."

"Gee, thanks," said Yohei before he turned to give Sakuragi a look.

"So let me get this straight," said the redhead totally ignoring Yohei, "If Yohei was your type, you wouldn't go out with him because he is too young."

"Aa," said Kogure, when he realised with a start what he has said. He stared at the redhead in front of him who seemed to have stopped the playful discussion, and instantly regretted what came out from his mouth.

"I-I mean I...." started Kogure but Sakuragi cut in by saying with a cheerful smile, "Of course. You would want someone older than a 15 year old, right sempai?"

Kogure felt bad, desperately wanting the redhead to understand, "Iie! It's just..."

"Nah, that's ok, sempai," said Sakuragi, his smile straining, "Everyone is entitled to their choice, ne?"

Kogure looked to the floor and nodded, "...Aa..."
What else could he say?


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