3 Chapter 2

So, how's school?" His father Hideo asked as they ate dinner. He stared at his son's uplifting mood since he went home from school. He was starting to get weary, worried that he made friends or being close to someone that maybe, or someday, they would leave his son heartbroken. He couldn't bear to see that.

Ever since his Mom, Luca's foster father's first love dies, he took Luca and raised him as his own son. Luca carried her Mom's blood. It would be possible for him to get contacted with Hanahaki disease. He doesn't want this child to leave him. His first love did left him, married from another man, bore a child, and got cheated with his husband later on resulting from his own death. Her cause of death? It was the Hanahaki disease.

Hideo lost his love twice, and he wouldn't want to repeat the cycle again.

"Hmm, nothing father. I'm just happy that no one bothered me today." Luca lied, not going to tell him that he made a new friend from his new school. Luca knew that if he told him, he will get angry and warned him not to be friends with him again. He didn't mind it actually, he prefer to be alone than being in a swarm of friends who just treated you like a plastic garbage, but this time it was different. Luca saw sincerity in Kisaki's eyes, and thought that maybe he was a nice person.

"Then, I'm glad. Here, your chicken nuggets. It's your favorite." Hideo placed his favorite chicken nuggets on Luca's plate making the latter shone his eyes brightly. Hideo smiled at his son's intimidating reaction, Luca looks like a rabbit who was given a carrot.

"Father?" Luca asked, making Hideo halted his hand from scooping the rice from his spoon.

"Yes?"

"What was it like when having a friend?" Hideo squinted his eyes as Luca asked him boldly.

He has a friend? Hideo thought.

.

"I have no friends. People can't be trusted Luca. They may hurt you without even knowing it." Hideo muttered making the other dejected. Hideo don't want to involve Luca in other people's life. Thus, lying to him was the only choice for him. Hideo's only friend was his Mom, and of course, his only love. Hideo never get married. His love dies, but still remained in his heart. And the only flesh she had in this world was her son, Hideo vowed to protect him at all cost.

"Oh." Luca dejectedly responded to his father and slowly nibbled his nuggets.

Tachibana seems a nice man. Maybe father was wrong this time. Or not.

After they finished their dinner. Luca hurried up to his bedroom and changed his pajamas. He then flopped to his bed, immersed in his thoughts. Luca never made a friend, nor someone to talk to before. Maybe, this is his one step further for him to unchain his self and learn everything from him.

'Maybe I'll try to be approachable, this time for him at least.'

In the next morning, Luca woke up with a smile plastered on his face. He walked to the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush. He then put toothpaste and started brushing his teeth. He was humming a random song explaining that he was in a good mood. He then rinsed his mouth and started bathing.

That was just his normal morning routine. Now, he was ready to set himself off to school. Their house is somewhat nearby the school so it is easy for him to take a walk. Besides he enjoyed passing the sakura trees that had planted near the road. It was so pleasing to the eye.

"Luca! Wait up!" Luca halted his steps and looked at the back. Luca saw the silhouette of a beautiful man approaching him. Oh right, this is his only friend Kisaki Tachibana.

"Wow! Never thought we're in the same neighborhood." Kisaki catched his breath as he bend down and hold both of his knees with his palms.

"M-me too." Luca stuttered, not sure what he was going to say at the latter. Kisaki smiled sweetly at Luca and both of them walked together to the school. Kisaki always talked with some stories in his life that made Luca chuckled and knowing him more. They didn't even noticed that they arrived at he gate of the campus. Luca's nervousness swelled up inside his body again.

"Hey, you don't have to be nervous. As long as I'm here, no one could bully you. So smile yeah?" Kisaki reassured Luca that he should stay by his side. Luca nodded faintly and the both entered the campus.

Inside, the students look like swarming locusts. The view was lively and the bunch of students roamed around. The two still walked together until they arrived at their classroom. As soon as they arrived, girls hopped with delight as they saw Kisaki, and some cooed when they saw Luca

"Him again?"

"Why is our prince with him?"

"Maybe, he's his long lost brother."

"Right."

The two didn't mind the stares and gossips and just casually went to their seats. Of course, Luca was still nervous but seeing the other tried his best to reassure him, the worries deep inside him disappeared a bit.

As the times passed and the teacher arrived. They bowed their heads and greeted the teacher. When the teacher told them to sit down, they slumped their butts in to their seats and listened to the teacher's sermon.

Luca listened wholeheartedly at the teacher that he didn't noticed that Kisaki observed his expressions. Despite Luca's heavy bangs and round specs, Kisaki thought Luca's physique was more delicate and pure, just like a fresh cherry. You couldn't distinguish his beauty without looking closely. Luca's face was round and cute, he has a button nose with speckles on the middle. His round misty blue eyes somehow quite peculiar, just not like Japanese people, and his skin was fair and white. His lips were just like the flowers of sakura, it was plump, tender, and smooth. One could fool him as a woman if he gets dressed up as one. Thus, the thought of protecting Luca seems so devout.

He then caught himself in a daze while looking at Luca so he immediately turned his head to the lecturing teacher and paid attention at the class. As for Luca, he doesn't know what's going on in Kisaki's mind.

As the lesson ended and his classmates finally went out of the classroom. Kisaki was about to go outside when he noticed Kuca still sitting on his seat.

"Luca, you don't want to go outside?" Kisaki asked as he put both of his fist to the pocket of his jeans.

"No. I'll stay here. You go have lunch. I wanted to smell the fresh air first." Luca replied to him making the other shrugged. As he said, Kisaki went on his own to the cafeteria.

Inside Luca's head, he was still debating himself whether he should be with Kisaki or not. What if he's father was telling the truth? What if he's just tricking him?

He just can't help but sigh at the situation. Maybe, Kisaki was just a kind and honest man. Finally his thoughts calmed down. He leaned his head against the window and kept gazing at the pink swaying leaves of the sakura tree. The breeze brushed his skin leaving the cool sensation that made him relaxed.

So cool, so pretty, just like him. How I wished I could be like him.

"Here. I brought you food." Luca opened his eyes and looked at Kisaki. His eyes glimmered when Luca caught his hand holding chicken nuggets which was his favorite.

Kisaki raised his brows as the other one glued his gaze at the nuggets. This might be his favorite.

"Hurry! Eat while it's hot!"

"T-thank you."

"Anytime."

Luca nibbled slowly on the chicken nuggets. Kisaki thought that he looks just like a bunny nibbling carrot. His cheeks go puffy when he eats, then he smiled widely in satisfaction.

"You're cute! You should smile more." Luca somewhat pursed his lips and noticed that his cheeks heated up. It's so embarrassing being called cute by another man, but maybe their friends so it's practically normal. Luca thought of this and smiled at Kisaki's compliment. Kisaki ruffled Luca's hair making Luca scrunched his nose. Kisaki chuckled, amused at the latter's reaction.

"Luca."

"Hmm?" Luca hummed as he looked at Kisaki.

"I was wondering, which club do you want to apply?" Kisaki asked in confusion. Their school required clubs that they should enter. They have various clubs for students suited for their hobbies or abilities. There were sports club. Under the sports club were the basketball club, volleyball club, soccer club, and tennis club. They also had arts club, sound club and literature club, gardening club, science club and manga club. Based on Luca's preferences, he will go to Literature club.

"L-literature sounds good."

"Oh I see. You like books?" Luca nodded at Kisaki's question. Kisaki dejectedly smiled as he thought they would go in the same club. Kisaki's in the sound club. The club consists of lyricist and composers, also singers and musicians. Kisaki was the lead singer of their band, also the guitarist of the band.

"Y-you? How about you?"

"Hmm. I'm in the sound club." Luca replied with "Oh" and they remained silent again. The sound of crickets played inside their head making it more awkward.

"Hey. How about we get your form to join literature club? Come! Let's get your form first."

He helped me many times. I should do it on my own.

"No Kisaki. I-i can do it by myself."

"Oh? I won't listen. Come and follow me. You're just new here so you're not familiar with the place. School is large you know?" Luca just agreed at Kisaki before he started to make excuses again. Sometimes, he couldn't understand him.

They made their way to the staff's room and got his form. He started to fill it up and then they headed towards the literature club. Just as they were about to open the door, Kisaki's phone rang and he immediately answered the call.

"Oh really? Right now? Oh okay, I'll be there in a jiffy." Then he hang up.

"Luca, I need to go to our club. I forgot we have a rehearsal right now. Can you---well..."

"Don't worry about me. I can handle it. You have to go now."

"Okay well, see you!"

Kisaki dashed towards his club as Luca stayed behind. Luca stared at the door of the Literature club and nervously knocked three times.

"Come in. It's open."

Luca breathe in and out, relaxing himself to the tension.

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