Haru

Noah looked over at us and he must have found us amusing as well because he chuckled. "You two are a pair of idiots."

Isaac pulled a face. "How rude, bro. We're not idiots." He pointed a finger at Noah. "You're the idiot one who doesn't stop your friend from bullying me. From this moment on, I declare that you are no longer my bro because you neglected your duty to protect me."

Noah raised a brow. "Hah? Are you disowning me because I neglected to protect you from Connor? Are you fucking kidding me?" He marched to Isaac and caught the boy by the collar of his yukata. "Shouldn't it be the other way around, you little rascal, causing me so much trouble. Know your damn place already, you brat. If Aiden and I hadn't pitched in to pay for your flights, accommodations, and food, you wouldn't be here enjoying your goddamn time in the first place. Be grateful."

Isaac must have realized he was overstepping with his jesting and looked a little freaked out by Noah's sudden outburst.

"Joke," he said, his voice a little shaky. "I'm sorry, bro. I was joking. Jesus, can't you take a joke?"

Noah let Isaac go, who heaved a sigh of relief.

Aiden came to sit beside me and then poured himself a cup of green tea.

The staff must have felt uncomfortable at witnessing what had just transpired between Noah and Isaac because one of them came over to Aiden and asked, "Is everything all right, sir?"

Aiden nodded, along with a handsome smile. "Everything is fine. Don't mind them. This is normal."

The guy bowed his head. "Is that so?"

Noah sat down opposite Isaac, and he, too, poured himself a cup of green tea. As he was sipping, Isaac asked, "Seriously, bro, what came over you?" He leaned forward and asked, "Are you, by any chance, pent up or something? Because seriously, if you are, I know a yaoi manga app—"

Noah covered Isaac's mouth with his hand. He said, "You're so annoying, you little brat, so just shut it, will you? And who told you I'm interest in shitty yaoi manga? How is that going to get me off?"

"Really? You're not interested in yaoi manga? Seriously?" Isaac wasn't backing down.

It was then Mason, Reo, and Connor came in and they took their seats around the table.

Connor asked, "What are you guys talking about?"

Noah said, "It's nothing, just Isaac being Isaac, working on recruiting me to become a yaoi fetishist like him."

"Fudanshi," Isaac said. "It's called fudanshi, when a guy likes gay comics."

"Really? Isaac, you like gay comics? That's news to me," Connor said.

Isaac folded his arms across his chest as he said, "Everything about me is news to you, Connor, so no need to be surprised."

Reo chuckled. "He and a bunch of his friends love yaoi manga. They have yaoi conferences every Saturday night at the apartment."

Connor said, "Hm, I might be interested in gay comics. How about showing me the ropes, Isaac?"

Isaac's eyes brightened up at hearing those words, but just as quickly, he changed his expression to one of suspicion. "Yeah, you nearly got me there, Connor, like you're interested in that sort of stuff. I'm not falling for your tricks." He turned to the staff and asked, "Can we eat yet? I'm starving."

The guy chuckled. "In a moment, sir." Then he and his friend got down to the real work, cooking us our meal. Naturally, we were all immersed in their preparation, and boy, but the food was simply divine. When it came to the wagyu beef, my mouth was literally watering. I couldn't wait to bite into the soft morsels.

Noah suddenly burst out laughing. It seemed he couldn't help himself. He said, "Damn, but you two look like a pair of pups when staring at the meat like that."

He was referring to me and Isaac, of course, and he was right, the two of us acted like little pups who couldn't wait to lap up our dinner.

When the guy who was cooking us the meat finally said, "Dozo," Isaac and I dug right in.

The moment the meat was in my mouth, I felt like I was in heaven, so good it tasted, with the morsel literally melting against my tongue and the fat dancing around in my mouth so sensually.

"Ngh…" I groaned out, basking in the delight, just savoring the taste. But then, my delight came to a sudden stop when I felt Aiden's hand cover my mouth.

He said, "Stop making that sound, Haru."

I was confused at first but then realized what he meant. The satisfying sound I was making while eating wagyu beef was similar, if not the same, to the ones I cried out when Aiden was making love to me.

Noah said, "Stop making that annoying noise, Isaac."

I turned to see that Isaac was also in his own little world where the only thing that existed was wagyu beef. He was making that so-good sound loudly, like I had done.

But of course, Isaac wasn't listening and continued to enjoy his meal loudly.

Reo said, "If you don't stop expressing that silly noise, Isaac, I'm taking away all your wagyu beef."

Isaac finally stopped and snapped his eyes open. "What? No way, Reo. I promise to eat quietly. Please don't confiscate my meat."

Dinner went smoothly after that, and we thoroughly enjoyed our kaiseki meal. Since I was tired, and still feeling slightly feverish, I turned in early, leaving the others to enjoy a card game. I was just making myself comfortable in my freshly made futon when Aiden came in.

I raised my head from the pillow and asked, "You're not playing cards with the others?"

Aiden shook his head. He came over and peeled away the duvet from me. "I'd rather spend time with you."

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Can't I share a futon with you?" he replied with a question of his own.

"But it's too small," I said.

Aiden wasn't listening. He got right in and pulled me into his arms. "I don't mind. Besides, it's cozy, since it's cold." He snuggled his nose against the crook of my neck. "You smell nice."

Despite my act of protest, I liked it that I was sharing a futon with Aiden. He was right, it was rather cozy and warm with him close to me. I said, "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep now."

Aiden kissed me on the cheek. "Good night, Haru."

"Night, Aiden," I said, closing my eyes.