Opening the Wardrobe

The trio decided to sleep over at Haruki's house this time. Their house seemed deserted since his parents were out for a business trip for a week that started when they went to the competition.

In the middle of the night, the moon was shining bright. Mitsuru is not yet asleep. As the moonbeams pass by the window, he stares at Izumi passionately and caresses his hair. When he is about to kiss him on his forehead...

"Ahem! Well, well, what do we have here? I was completely fooled that time, right? Mr. Sneaky Silhouette?"

Mitsuru was startled when Haruki caught him. Haruki was filled with mixed emotions. He is worried for Izumi since they know that Mitsuru is a womanizer. Haruki is observative. Back when they were third-year middle school students, he knew that a person clings to him, and Mitsuru decided to play with that person. That person is with the Martial Arts club. Mitsuru reassured him that things between them were over.

"Why? We knew that Izumi is seeing Satoshi out! Have you lost your mind?!" Even though Haruki was calm, his aura gave off terrifying chills that intimidated Natsuki. "W-Wait, let me explain!" exclaimed Mitsuru. "No, I don't want to hear your explanation. What you are doing right now will clearly destroy Satoshi and Izumi's relationship. It can even destroy our bonds!" said Haruki angrily. "If you want to sustain our relationships longer, better not repeat this. I'll turn a blind eye to what I have seen, so better fix yourself while I am asking nicely," said Haruki before going to sleep.

Mitsuru went silent as he held his tears back. The next day, the three head to the university. They went to their classes and agreed to meet up during club hours.

Akihiko greeted the fighters. He congratulated Yuuji and the other club member who were absent for advancing to the annual national martial arts tournament. Without further ado, their training began. Akihiko let the fighters choose their training partner. He let his students spar by pair and let his students experience hell. The training continued for two weeks.

With that time frame, Izumi spent more time with Yuuji. He is like a little brother to him. They went for a drink and talked about their life. Izumi is very perspective, and he knows that Yuuji is tight-lipped. He figures out that he might as well share a portion of secrets with him. As Izumi was about to initiate the conversation, Yuuji interrupted.

"I almost had sex with a girl. She is so possessive. I don't know why I fell in love with her." He was feeling remorse in front of Izumi. Izumi remained calm and let him finish his story.

"She was my type back then. She was so sexy, and you won't think that she is a middle school student. We almost did this back when we were third-year middle school students. I grabbed her waist and fondled her breast. She wasn't saying anything, and she let me touch her continuously. When my senses came back, I stopped what I'm doing. I know it was wrong. She became mad and slapped me. Until now, that memory is vague, and I remember it clearly." added Yuuji with a more remorseful tone.

"Are you done now?" Izumi asked with a warm and gentle voice. Upon hearing his voice, he almost cried. Izumi then opens to him.

"Since you put your trust in me, I guess I'll put mine in yours too. Man, how I wish I was you," said Izumi teasingly.

"Why? I feel so dirty. I almost take a maiden's--" Yuuji was interrupted.

"Do you know what it feels like having sex with both genders?" said Izumi with a poker face and serious tone.

Yuuji was utterly shocked. His idol told something explosive unfazed. He was about to speak when the wind became more robust.

"Shall we get going? Let's go to a coffee shop since it's cold and I really feel like winter is coming."

The two left the school and went to a coffee shop. They walk down the alley as the wind howls, and orange-colored leaves fall from their trees. When they arrived at a coffee shop, Izumi ordered their drinks. He instructed him to wait at the table outside the shop. Izumi got their orders and went outside.

"I do not like strong coffee so I ordered hazelnut chocolate. I ordered hazelnut coffee for you."

"Thanks, senpai."

"As I was asking earlier, it implied that I had sex with both men and women. I only did it twice though. The two don't know about this. It feels nice to let it off my chest after all these years I have been carrying it. I am bisexual. I might date you out of the blue!" jokingly said, Izumi.

"Senpai!" This isn't the time to fool around! You're killing the atmosphere! Wait, you're... Bisexual?" Yuuji was even more shocked while asking his senpai.

"Yes. I have done it with a man before. I was the bottom one. It was a one-night stand. I was curious so I did it. I also did it with a woman. Feels creepy and disgusting right?"

"Sorry senpai, I shouldn't have started it."

"Why would you be sorry? In fact, I am thankful that you opened this up to me. So, when you feel you're dirty, just look at your foul senpai."

"Senpai!" exclaimed Yuuji

"Of course, I was joking. I don't know why I am like this. I just, don't know. That's why I don't usually hang out with others since I did something immoral," uttered Izumi.

"Wait, senpai," said Yuuji. "You're dating Iwamoto-senpai, right?" he asked. "Oh, I thought you already forgot that," said Izumi as he looked away from Yuuji. "Senpai! Look at me! I want to know your story!" said the intrigued and excited Yuuji. "Fine, I'll tell you, but promise me you won't tell anyone about this, okay?" said Izumi, following a sigh.

"Well, I didn't like him at first. But there was a certain school project that we had to do, and we have no female members in the group. Ever since we befriended each other, our classmates keep on teasing us. We are meant to each other they say," said Izumi as he chuckles.

"Teasing, eh? Well, it plays a big role in falling for someone," said Yuuji as he laughed. "Well, you're right," agreed Izumi. "Continuing, we chose BL as a genre since we are about to do a romance play. To cut the story short, we fell for each other, and I courted him after that. Then we officially became a couple starting our sophomore year," said Izumi as he smiled while drinking his hot chocolate.

"Ack! My heart!" says Yuuji as he clenched his heart hardly. "You made me feel that I am single forever, senpai. You're so mean!" he added. "I just answered your—" Izumi was interrupted as he saw Satoshi, Haruki, and Mitsuru approaching them.

"Did we interrupt something?" says Haruki. "Of course, we did! You punk! You didn't tell us about this thing!" thought Haruki.

"Uhm, no. I was going to inform him something. Your timing is perfect since I need to inform you too," said Izumi seriously.

"What is it? You're going to tell your family about us?" asked Satoshi jokingly. "Bingo, Satoshi-kun," said Izumi as he smirked.

The four were shocked at Izumi's decision.

"That's why I need your support."

The day before the competition, he finally came out. He chose the perfect opportunity since they will come to see his match. The three were at the couple's back. Ren welcomed them for dinner.

"My, my, the children are here, Hiroshi, Arisu, help your mother prepare the dinner!" yelled Ren. "Yes, grandma!" responded the two. "Who is this?" asked Ren as she saw Yuuji for the first time.

"Uh, Good Evening, ma'am, I am Ishikawa Yuuji, a second-year student and Shirogane-senpai's underclassman," said Yuuji nervously. "You silly child, no need for formalities! Just call me aunt Ren!" said Ren amusingly. "Okay, Aunt Ren," responded Yuuji. "There, that's what I like, now come, before the food gets cold!" said Ren.

As they were eating, Izumi gathered his strength, held Satoshi's hand tightly, and told his family what he's been meaning to tell. "Dad, Mom, Natsumi-nii, Narumi-nee, can I tell something?"

"Sure, honey, what is it?" said Ren.

"Sure thing, lil' bro!" said Natsumi.

"Is it something interesting?" asked Narumi.

"State it," said the stern Akihiko.

He took a deep breath and drank water before saying:

"I am bisexual, I like men and women."

The whole family was shocked, and there was silence surrounding them.