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Description
Summer holiday.

With his head resting against the window of the bus, he tried to fall asleep. Something almost impossible with all the noise coming from the back of the vehicle. What an idea did he have to agree to this trip ?! Him, nicknamed "the class's nerd", he would rather have preferred to stay at home, with calm, to revise his courses, but especially to be in a cool place ! The bus looked like a real oven and all the students who was restless, did not help matters at his headache which was beginning to be felt. He agreed... "It will be a sort of summer camp ! And you will certainly make you new friends !" Said his mother to him. Friends huh ? Him who had spent his first two years of high school alone, it was certainly not now that he was going to make friends ! I would say rather ennemies. One more, one less... I'm used. On the road, three bus followed each other. One for each year. Only one class per year was choosen. Him, would have preferred that his class is not chosen. But well. At least, this will avoid him to stay locked in his room, according to his mother's words. Students and their accompanying teachers will be staying in a hotel. Hotel with views of the beach of course ! Him, he loved the beach. Especially during the sunset. But for now, all this had to wait. They still had about two hours of drive.

"Uh... Can I sit ?"

"Hmm ? Oh... Yes."

"It does not bother you at least ?"

"No" He said while slightly increasing the volume of his mp3.

"By the way, my name is..."

"I know who you are." Replied Kouyou coldly.

Yuu. Everyone knew Yuu in high school. But certainly not for the right reasons. The high school students said of him that he had a bad reputation. For cause, most students, both boys and girls, had passed in his bed. People remembered about the young man just about this, that he was a pretty slut. Yuu did not care what others might say about him. He knew who he was and the rumors about him passed him above the head. True or false, he did not care. Even if sometimes, find insults on his locker or on his desk in class was hard, he had to make do. Answer to this was useless. He defended himself at first but all got worse. So he prefered to remain silent and tried to ignore all this.

"Oh yes it's true, my reputation is beyond me." He said while smiling. "You must have heard things about me right ?"

"To be honest, I don't care a bit. As long as I'm not involved with any troubles, the reputation of a student or another does not interest me."

"What's your little name ?"

"Kouyou Takashima"

"Nice to meet you ! Tell me, is it not you who eat alone, outside beneath the tree every lunchtime ?"

"Yes it's me. Why ?"

"Let's say that from where I'm sitting in class, I've a great view of the schoolyard and particulary on the tree where you decided to take up residence for lunchtime." He confessed with fun. "In any case, you're right to put yourself at the front of the bus. Behind it's really unbearable."

"It's because I feel sick at the back." Said Kouyou while resting his head against the cool window glass. "In fact, you shouldn't be in the other bus ?"

"Yes but I wanted to be with my best friend so I went up with the second year. Look, he remained at the bottom. It's the blond guy."

Kouyou slowly turned around and saw him. Tall, discolored hairs, he laughed and talked joyfully with another boy of his age. Kouyou recognized the young man as Akira Suzuki, a student of his class. Akira spent most of the time either sleeping during class, either ditch the class or in hour of detention. Kouyou had no opinion on this person. He contented himself to avoid him when they met in a hallway and kept discreetly an eye on him, knowing the violent temper of Suzuki. Kouyou did not want any trouble with anyone, especially not with him ! At the bottom of himself, he knew that Suzuki was not the coarse brute that he showed. Even if at moments, opportunities proved him the contrary. Kouyou already had enough trouble like that in classroom with some students... Putting himself back properly in place and putting his mp3 in his bag, the brown-haired resumed his discussion with Yuu, apologizing for his cold behaviour from a while ago insisting on the fact that it was because of his headache he responded like that, that normally he was not like that. Minutes passed by dozens, until the teachers interrupt the students in their activities.

"Young people, we have about an hour drive before arriving. Now I'd like you to write on a piece of paper with who you want to be in the room so that we can proceed with the distribution. I want to clarify that they are no mixed room and you must be at least three per room. Any questions ?"

"Could you make an exception for us and make mixed rooms ?" Asked a student from behind, that sparked an uncontrollable laughter for most students.

"They will be no exception. Well now hurry up !"

Kouyou had stopped listening to the teacher from 'distribution' and had content himself to watch the scenery scroll through the window glass. After all, he had no friend and did not want to impose himself in a group. And who would accept him ? Nobody. It was already the same, in class when they had to work in groups. Either they took him in a group and he had to do all the work just because he was the "nerd", or his group boiled down to one person, himself. Anyway, when they will see that I'm with nobody, they will impose me to a group and I will not have a choice. I'll just be a burden for people who will have to bear with me.

"Hey Yuu, together as always ?" Asked Suzuki who had just arrived at the front of the bus.

"Of course ! But we must be at least three."

"I asked Yutaka but he is already in a group."

"Kouyou" called Yuu. "Do you want to be with us in the room ?"

"I don't want to disturb."

"But you don't !" Replied Suzuki.

"You have pity on me, that's it ?" Asked Kouyou, ignoring the intervention of the blond.

"Not at all. If I ask, it's that I want it."

"But..."

"No buts about it ! Aki adds his name." He commanded with a smile.

The aforesaid 'Aki' obeys to his friend with the same smile, then went to give the piece of paper to the teacher who was finally able to proceed to the distribution of the rooms with his colleagues. Five minutes later, another teacher spoke up and began to tell the number of each rooms to each groups.

"And finally, room thirty-five : Shiroyama Yuu, Suzuki Akira and Takashima Kouyou. I hope you have all noted your room's number."

"Hey my lovely ! Pay attention to your ass tonight !" Yelled one student from the back of the bus.

They burst out laughing whereas Kouyou tried to make himself the smallest possible in his seat while trying to ignore the same sentences in the same sort which reached his ears. And it continued again and again. Laughter, taunts, salacious sentences which were destined to him, insults. None of the teachers did not try to intervene, to calm these students. Anyway, nowadays, no more students obeyed to their teachers. Shut up. For pity's sake, just shut up ! Kouyou had enough of it. He did everything possible to ignore the insults and everything else. But this time was the time of excess. His eyes stung and he forced himself not to crack up. Yuu placed gently his hand on Kouyou's hand applying slight pressure before whispering in his ear :

"Don't pay attention to what they say. Ignore them. They will already stop." He said before to glower at some students who were still laughing.

"They will not stop. It's of no use to ignore them."

"Trust me. I know what it's. They will already grow tired of it, if they see that you don't react anymore to their provocations, and look for another person to persecute. I know it can be hard for you but trust me, it will stop."

"I'm fed up Yuu."

"Don't worry."

Kouyou kept his hand in Yuu's hand during all the rest of the journey. The comfort that Yuu brought to him, made him the greatest good. In class, when it happened, he had the support of nobody and should bear these insults alone. He could not talk to anyone about it, and when he came back home with a bruise on his temple, he lied to his parents telling them he had just banged against the door. Stupid lies. But his parents did not insist, and then, they were not fooled. They knew very well that something was happening at school. But, their son always refused to talk about it. And Kouyou underwent, underwent, until he cracks up. It often happened that he cracked up at home, the crying fits were numerous when he could no longer endure all that these students inflicted to him. But perhaps he had find in Yuu someone who can understand him ? Because he also had to endure insults and
remarks of all kinds all day long. Maybe. And despite this reputation he had, Kouyou wanted to try to trust him and thus have someone by his side during hard times.

"Kouyou, wake up we arrived."

"Did I sleep for a long time ?"

"No, you'd just fall asleep. Come."

Taking his bag with one hand and Yuu's hand, who offered him, with the other, Kouyou left the bus with the other students who all rushed to the baggage hold in order to recover their suitcase. Outside, the two teenagers rejoined Akira who gave to Yuu his bag, and another boy, Yutaka. This one gave of strange looks on Kouyou and in particular on the intertwined hands of the two young men. After talking together a few minutes, they finally decided to go get their suitcase. But while Kouyou was going to take his own, two students pushed him voluntarily and he banged against the baggage hold's door.

"Well, my pretty, you don't pay attention where you walk ?"

"Leave him alone and move away !" Ordered Akira.

"Don't worry sweetheart, we'll have others opportunities." He whispered to him before leaving, noticing the threateningly looks from Yuu and Akira.

"Are you alright Kouyou ?" Worried Yuu to see the youngest holding his head and the expression of pain on his face.

"My head... It hurts..."

"Did you brought some medicine ?"

"No, it's the only thing I forgot."

"Don't worry. Once we'll be in the room, I'll give you an aspirin and you'll see, your headache will quickly pass !"

"Well, you come ?" Asked Yutaka with a smile. "Teachers are waiting for us inside."

Yuu took again Kouyou by the hand and they followed Akira and Yutaka up to inside the hotel. There, their teachers gave them some explanations on the continuation of the day, including that they had two hours free, to rest or something else, that afterwards students as teachers should be in the room juxtaposed to the hall for dinner, and finally, that the curfew was at twenty-two hours. The distribution of the keys to the rooms was quick and waiting that Akira take their own, Yuu led a Kouyou more than pale whose headaches intensified, to their room on the third floor.

"Don't worry, you'll soon be able to lie down and rest." He tried to reassure Kouyou who felt his eyes burning him horribly.

"Yuu... It... it turns..."

"Come to sit down. I wouldn't want that you fall. Here, is it a little better ?"

"No..." Answered the brown-haired while a tear escaped from his burning closed eyes.

"Don't cry, please !" Said Yuu taking his pale face in his hands. "I know the pain is unbearable in your condition but don't worry, Aki will soon come with the key."

"What the hell are you doing on the floor ?" Asked Akira who had just come out of the elevator with his suitcase.

"Aki hurry up damn it !"

Once the room's door open, Yuu hastened to help Kouyou to lie down on one of the beds and then gave him a glass of water and two aspirin tablets that the brown-haired swallowed without stopping. He had the feeling his head was passed under a steamroller and the slightest noise woke the pain and intensified it. His head ached him and he hoped that the pills Yuu gave him would help calm his pains.

"You're gonna rest, okay ? At your awakening you'll get much better."

"Yuu, I wanna go for a walk. You come with me ?" Asked Akira.

"No, I'll stay here. In case."

"I don't need to be watch over, you can leave if you want." Said Kouyou to him weakly.

"I prefer to stay here in case someone would think to finish what he started in front of the baggage hold."

Kouyou immediately understood what the young man insinuated and did not replied anymore, preferring close his eyes and fall asleep. Hiro knew the number of their room, as all the students besides, and if the idea of coming to persecute him crossed his mind, nobody could stop him ! Moreover, he hoped that Kouyou would not be with his two roommates throughout the duration of the trip for not to be disturbed when he would personally take care of the brunet. Yuu, as for him, began to empty his suitcase and tidied up all that it contained in the large cupboard near the plate glass window. The brown man now understood why the trip was so expensive. He had only to see what the hotel looked like. Not to mention their room, the bathroom was huge ! I think I'll spend hours in there, he thought.

On several occasions, he had been at the bedside of Kouyou and stayed for many minutes to observe him, stroking at some times his caramels hair. The youngest was asleep frowning slightly and the legs brought against his belly. Yuu seemed to see himself through the young man. He reminded him the one he was in the beginning, when the insults and remarks began to be heard. He also spent his lunchtimes alone, although he already knew Akira, but in those days, they were only just friends, nothing more. And friends that had the blond did not appreciate Yuu, said of him that he was not a good company,... Akira listened them, until the day the brown man have had really big troubles with others students. The blond had then helped him, supported him and since, their relationship had strengthened. There were still days when Akira should help Yuu when it's was the last straw, when he could no longer ignore all this. And Yuu wanted to help Kouyou. Because he did not want someone in his circle of acquaintances be in the same situation as him, to be bullied, to be entitled to wickedness, and he had to admit, Kouyou was particulary adorable.

Taking his eyes off the sleeping boy, Yuu went on the balcony taking in passing his pack of cigarettes from his bag. Normally, it has been banned to students to bring alcohol or cigarettes. Yuu did not care much and then in the bus, all students had been entitled to an inspection of their bags. All except Yuu. The teachers ignored him because of his reputation, and that made to him the greatest good. While consuming his little pleasure of the day, the young man admired the beach and the sun which was reflected in the sea. For no apparent reason, a memory came into his mind. It was ten years ago, his parents, his sister and him had spent a few weeks during the summer at the beach. It was the first time that the two children saw the sea. The first evening, their parents decided to take them to the beach to see the sea just from a little closer. Yuu had removed his shoes, quickly imitated by his sister, and had rushed into the water, just enough to completely cover his feet. Except that a wave ran aground on the beach and made him lose the balance when it met the child's feet. His parents and sister had well laughed. Him, had been very frightened, and had never again set foot on this beach and especially in the sea during all the weeks they were on vacation. This memory made Yuu softly laugh who remembered all the attempts of his parents to finally put him in the water... two years later. Crushing his cigarette in the ashtray, Yuu went back inside and after throwing a last look at Kouyou still asleep, he decided to rest a bit too until dinnertime.

When Kouyou awoke, the first thing he noticed was that his headache had well and truly passed. Straightening up slowly, the brown-haired boy led back his legs against him and rested his chin on his knees. He then realized that Yuu was asleep on the bed in front of his, and closing his eyes, he tried not to think. Unfortunately, the image of Hiro imposed itself before his eyes and he had trouble to make it disappear. Kouyou was afraid. What happened in front of the baggage hold was just the beginning. Kouyou knew they would reserve for him other tortures than a simple crush. And the simple fact of thinking about it made him tremble with fear. It was always like that. They never left him a moment's respite. Whenever, Kouyou found himself in their hands and could only let them do. If he defended himself, punches were redoubled, insults were heard, and he ended most frequently in the infirmary. At least, when he dared to go there. He could not stand anymore the look of people he met when he went there, their whispers, their hypocritical smiles. He could simply not stand to be the scapegoat of his class. Nevertheless, he did not do anything to them !

"Takashima, you're alright ?" Asked Akira, placing his hand on Kouyou's shoulder, which makes him jump with fright.

"Yes... Yes I'm fine. I... I didn't hear you... That's all."

"I came to get you, we must go to dinner."

"Oh yes... It's true..."

"Yuu still sleeps. Can you wake him up ? You'll join me then."

"Okay."

"Takashima, you're sure you're going well ?"

A simple nod in response, and then Akira left the room. Kouyou waited a few moments before getting up and join Yuu's bed. There, he stood in front of him, not knowing what to do to wake him up. He called him softly. Once. Twice. But the brown did not respond. Still trembling lightly, he laid his hand on his shoulder and shook him gently while calling his name one more time. And this time, Aoi woke up, emitting a small growl before opening his eyes and put them on Kouyou whose eyes were shining with tears.

"Everything's fine Kouyou ?" He asked when he saw the condition in which was the young man.

"Yes don't worry. Suzuki told me to wake you up, we must go dinner."

"Fine. I see you've regained colors, this is a good sign." He said, stroking his cheek. "Are you sure you're alright ?"

"Shall we go ?"

Without waiting for a reply from Yuu, Kouyou had left the room and waited on the doorstep. Yuu knew something was wrong with Kouyou. He simply could not be browsed by shivers and be close to tears without reasons ! The brown man suspected that he was tetanized at the thought of being close to that Hiro. Rejoining Kouyou, he interlaced his fingers with those of the brown-haired boy, and both went down to the ground floor where several students were already there. The fact that Yuu naturally takes his hand in his did not disturb Kouyou, but he pulled away quickly from this sweet embrace when they arrived in the room where meals would take place. He did not want to draw the attention to him because he was holding hands with another boy but especially with Yuu. He did not want to undergo other sarcasm. Those whom he had to undergo was already enough for him. He later realized that the heat that emanated from this hand was missing. A comforting warmth and of the most reassuring. Yes, he needed to be reassured, to be told that nothing would happen to him, that Hiro and his friends would not touch him during the whole trip. But Kouyou might say himself this, he knew very well that he would not spend the trip quiet. Hiro had not finished with him, and his nightmare would be endless.

"You... You don't eat ?" Asked Yutaka to the attention of Kouyou.

"Excuse me ?"

"Your plate, you don't have touched it once."

It's true, he did not touched it. He did not even realized they were all sit down to eat and that the meal had already started for several minutes. Kouyou was just too absorbed by his fear to realize anything at all. Akira was to his left, Yuu at his right and Yutaka was in front of him. All three looked at him with concern and their eyes full of questions. His eyes passed from one person to another, while his lips had started to shake. He had to answer them, but tell them what ? That he was just scared ? It was normal to be afraid, no ? Yuu, noticing his discomfort, gently placed his hand on Kouyou's hand and called him in a whisper. But instead of looking at him, Kouyou rose hurriedly saying that he was not hungry, and after apologizing he hurried to reach the stairs. He quietly walked up the three floors, enjoying the silence in the hotel at this hour. But he felt he was followed, and he had the confirmation when two persons kept him with violence against the wall, and a third person came dangerously close to him. Everything was going to begin again. One more time.

"Well, now that we're alone, we'll be able to take care of you sweetheart." Hiro told him, while a mean smile formed on his lips. "With what are we going to begin ?"

"Leave me... Please... Leave me alone..."

"Since when have I given you the right to beg us ?!"

A first punch in the face. A lip which bleeds. Sneers. And an another punch in the stomach. Kouyou felt the pain invading him. He would want to fall on the ground but his two executioners prevented him from it, and continued to maintain him firmly against the wall. Then he closed his eyes, waiting for the next punch but nothing came to touch his body. Is it finally over ? Or is the pain so intense that he feels nothing more ? Sobs blocked up in his throat. He would like to cry. Oh yes he would like ! But not in front of them. He does not want to show himself even weaker than he already is. Make it stops soon ! I beg you, make it stops...

"Kouyou, open your eyes please, look at me. It's over, you hear me ? It's over."

He recognized Yuu's voice and then opened his eyes slowly. Kouyou noticed that he was on the floor, trembling like a leaf and that his executioners were gone. Only Yuu and Akira were in front of him. And without being able to do something against, he let his tears run down his cheeks. He could no longer keep them, it was too hard to hold back all that pain. Too hard. Yuu took him in his arms and carried him into their room where he made him sit on his bed while Akira was going to warn a teacher from the incident. And while he cradled him, he reassured him as he could. Kouyou hung on desperatly to Yuu's t-shirt. He was afraid, like every time. But this time, someone was here to calm his tears. He was no longer alone. Who knows what they would have done if they had not intervened. When Kouyou's crying stopped, Yuu raised his face and passed his fingers over his cheek, erasing the tears that were still present.

"You worried me a lot, at table just now, especially after you're gone. They have followed you a few time after you leave. With Akira, we immediately understood and we quickly came here. But he had already begun to hit you."

"Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me, it's normal. Well, we'll clean this lip. There must be a first aid kit or something like that in this room."

Yuu went into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later with cotton and disinfectant in hands. Settling down in front of the brown-haired, he applied the cotton soaked with alcohol on his injured lip, tearing away some small moans of pain to Kouyou. Yuu exerted several small pressures on this lip until he decided it was enough, and went to throw the piece of cotton in the trash. Once done, Yuu went back to Kouyou and the young man immediately took shelter in the arms of the older boy, resting his head on the chest of the brown who dreamily stroked his hairs. Kouyou felt good in his arms, and caresses Yuu gave to him procured him pleasant chills. Long minutes passed thereby, in calm, until Yuu breaks it.

"Kouyou ?"

"Yes ?"

"I promise you they will not touch you anymore. I'll make everything so that they'll don't put a hand on you."

"That's nice but, don't make me promises that you're unable to keep." He said, heading towards his suitcase and taking out a shirt too big for him. "You know as well as I that they'll attack me again. Sooner or later."

After these words, he shut himself in the bathroom and a few moment later, Yuu could hear the water pour. It's true. He made him a promise he knew he could not keep. Whatever he does, Kouyou would always be the prey of Hiro and his friends. Sighing, Yuu went to lie down on his bed and folding his arms behind his head, he looked at the ceiling without much interest. It was only when he heard a door open that he got loose from his contemplation.

"You're finally back ! What took you so long ?"

"The teacher held me back." Replied Akira. "He told me the program for tomorrow just to have a room in less to inform."

"And it is ?"

"Breakfast at seven o'clock, departure for the museum at quarter past eight, you my dear you'll have no time to dawdle in the bathroom !" Joked the blond.

"Hey ! I don't spend hours either ! Well, and after ?"

"Lunch at the hotel and departure at fourteen o'clock to visit an art gallery."

"An art gallery.... Is this a joke ?"

"That's what I asked to the teacher but saw the look he gave me, I figured no. We'll be back around seventeen o'clock.."

"It should be interesting..."

"Yes. And Takashima, how is he ?"

"He's scared, it shows, except that he tries not to show it to us. I've noticed it when he woke me up, he shivered and was on the verge of tears. But he was doing as if everything was fine."

"I also noticed this. He is like you Yuu, you also always told me that all was well whereas deep down you, you wanted to scream and cry."

"I know."

"It will be hard for him tomorrow. By the way, the teacher has just given them a warning."

"What ?! But it's not just a warning that will stop them ! They'll..."

He was interrupted by the door of the bathroom that opened, letting out a Kouyou who was wearing his too big shirt which left see a good part of his legs. Ignoring them more by shyness to show himself so little dressed in front of them, he put away his clothes which he carried in his hands before rushing into the bathroom where he had left his phone, rang. Picking up his phone, he then went on the balcony after closing the plate glass window for a little more intimacy with his mother who was on phone. When the plate glass window was finally closed, Akira burst out laughing under Yuu's quizzical look. The blond kept from laughing when he saw the expression on the face of his best friend when Kouyou came out of the bathroom.

"Can I ask you what happened to you ?" Asked Yuu when the laughter of his best friend was finally passed.

"You should have seen your face man ! It was not very discreet the way you stare at his legs ! No wait I'm wrong, it was rather on his thighs you were drooling. I'm right ?"

"It's not true ! I did not stared at his legs !"

"Yuu, Yuu, Yuu." Began Akira by passing an arm around his shoulder. "You know very well that I see everything and you have the hardest time to lie to me. Then, you like the little Takashima ?"

"No ! Well Yes... But no ! I don't like him !"

"You become muddled." He said to him with a huge smile.

"Okay ! Yes I like him, so ?"

"Since when ?"

"Is this some sort of interrogation ?"

"Tell me just since when and then I'll leave you alone."

"For some time."

"Could you be more specific ?"

"No."

"How does it happen ?"

"Hey, you said you'd let me alone !"

"Come on, just one more question ! After I promise I'll ask nothing more. I'm your best friend I have the right to know, no ?"

"Good. Well, by means of seeing him every day under this tree I started to get interested in him, physically."

"He's not repulsive, I must admit."

"And in the bus, when we have talked together, I felt there was really something happened between us."

"Really ?"

"Yes, really."

"Well Yuu, let me tell you that you fell in love ! This is the first time I see you like that."

"You think so ?"

"You doubt me ? You know yet that you should always believe me !" He said, entering the bathroom.

So that was it. Yuu had just fell in love with him. He had difficulty accepting the revelation. Him, who relations he had were purely carnal, he fell in love. So that was why he had felt his heart beating faster than usual when Kouyou had smiled to him in the bus, he wanted to hug him stronger when he was in his arms, he wanted to protect him, that he could not help but take his hand in his. He had to lean to live with it, he fell in love with Kouyou Takashima. Looking at the brunet, who was still talking on the phone, Yuu smiled seeing the younger man's lips stretch and when their eyes met, he could see Kouyou's cheeks be dyed slightly in pink. Or was it his imagination ?

When he came back into the room, Kouyou went directly to his bed, put his legs under the covers and took a book from his bag but does not read it right now. He seemed to think, and Yuu had not left his eyes for a second from that body. He could no longer detached his gaze from Kouyou and he took advantages to undress him by gaze while the brown-haired boy kept his head down on his book.

"It was my mother." He said after a few minutes of silence. "She wanted to know how things were going and how I was."

"And you told her what happened to you ?"

"No."

"Do you always lie to your parents Kouyou ?"

"Yes. And even if I lie to them, they know very well that something is happening. I lie to them because I don't want to tell them."

"You really think it's a good idea ?"

"I don't know, but I'll continue. Good or bad idea."

Then switching on his mp3, he made Yuu understand that their discussion ended here, and that he wanted to be quiet for a bit to read his book before lying down. Somebody knocked at the door. Yuu opened the door and saw Yukata always smiling whom he invited to enter. And once Akira came out of the bathroom, and after they say it's me who spends hours in the bathroom thought Yuu, the three teenagers talked together about tomorrow which was going to announce to be boring. They were going to be really bored, although the idea of visiting a museum amused Yutaka. From his part, Kouyou did not want to participate in the discussion. He preferred to be alone in his corner, thinking about tomorrow and especially of the fate that would reserve Hiro for him. He had given up reading for several minutes now and contented himself with staring into space, thinking about the last time he had passed into their hands. The scars on his back hurted him still sometimes and he hoped that his roomates would not ask him questions about why he slept with a shirt with this heat. Yuu had quickly noticed that Kouyou was in his thoughts and he left his eyes from him only when Yutaka left their room, that is at the curfew. Akira fell quickly asleep, whereas Yuu was not so tired and so kept his eyes open and admired the day gradually give way to the night. As for Kouyou, it was impossible to him to sleep. Fear was gnawing at him again and prevented him from falling asleep. He did not want to find himself to the next day and be again their prey. And then, Yuu and Akira could not constantly be there for him. Maybe that tomorrow, they would make him undergo things more horrible than that he had been entitled in the corridor. This idea paralyzed him and as a frightened child, he curled up in his bed and let out a few tears. He did everything he can so that none of the two persons present in the room can not hear him crying. But Yuu clearly heard him and decided to get up. He walked to the boy's bed and gently lifting the blankets, he laid down alongside Kouyou who he took in his arms.

"Don't cry Kouyou, I'm here." He whispered to him while tightening him against him.

"I'm scared Yuu... I'm scared to be tomorrow..."

"I know, but I promised you that nothing will happen to you and I intend to keep my promise."

"It's not worth... I already told you. It's useless to make promises you can not keep..."

"Let me try at least."

"I don't want to be tomorrow Yuu... I don't want..."

"Don't worry Kouyou, you'll not be alone."

Kouyou was anguished at the thought of waking up in the next morning and Yuu stayed with him until tiredness takes him. After having dared to lay his lips on Kouyou's cheek, Yuu left the bed and turned back in his, under the eyes of his best friend who Yuu did not noticed that he was looking at him.

Description
Summer holiday.

With his head resting against the window of the bus, he tried to fall asleep. Something almost impossible with all the noise coming from the back of the vehicle. What an idea did he have to agree to this trip ?! Him, nicknamed "the class's nerd", he would rather have preferred to stay at home, with calm, to revise his courses, but especially to be in a cool place ! The bus looked like a real oven and all the students who was restless, did not help matters at his headache which was beginning to be felt. He agreed... "It will be a sort of summer camp ! And you will certainly make you new friends !" Said his mother to him. Friends huh ? Him who had spent his first two years of high school alone, it was certainly not now that he was going to make friends ! I would say rather ennemies. One more, one less... I'm used. On the road, three bus followed each other. One for each year. Only one class per year was choosen. Him, would have preferred that his class is not chosen. But well. At least, this will avoid him to stay locked in his room, according to his mother's words. Students and their accompanying teachers will be staying in a hotel. Hotel with views of the beach of course ! Him, he loved the beach. Especially during the sunset. But for now, all this had to wait. They still had about two hours of drive.

"Uh... Can I sit ?"

"Hmm ? Oh... Yes."

"It does not bother you at least ?"

"No" He said while slightly increasing the volume of his mp3.

"By the way, my name is..."

"I know who you are." Replied Kouyou coldly.

Yuu. Everyone knew Yuu in high school. But certainly not for the right reasons. The high school students said of him that he had a bad reputation. For cause, most students, both boys and girls, had passed in his bed. People remembered about the young man just about this, that he was a pretty slut. Yuu did not care what others might say about him. He knew who he was and the rumors about him passed him above the head. True or false, he did not care. Even if sometimes, find insults on his locker or on his desk in class was hard, he had to make do. Answer to this was useless. He defended himself at first but all got worse. So he prefered to remain silent and tried to ignore all this.

"Oh yes it's true, my reputation is beyond me." He said while smiling. "You must have heard things about me right ?"

"To be honest, I don't care a bit. As long as I'm not involved with any troubles, the reputation of a student or another does not interest me."

"What's your little name ?"

"Kouyou Takashima"

"Nice to meet you ! Tell me, is it not you who eat alone, outside beneath the tree every lunchtime ?"

"Yes it's me. Why ?"

"Let's say that from where I'm sitting in class, I've a great view of the schoolyard and particulary on the tree where you decided to take up residence for lunchtime." He confessed with fun. "In any case, you're right to put yourself at the front of the bus. Behind it's really unbearable."

"It's because I feel sick at the back." Said Kouyou while resting his head against the cool window glass. "In fact, you shouldn't be in the other bus ?"

"Yes but I wanted to be with my best friend so I went up with the second year. Look, he remained at the bottom. It's the blond guy."

Kouyou slowly turned around and saw him. Tall, discolored hairs, he laughed and talked joyfully with another boy of his age. Kouyou recognized the young man as Akira Suzuki, a student of his class. Akira spent most of the time either sleeping during class, either ditch the class or in hour of detention. Kouyou had no opinion on this person. He contented himself to avoid him when they met in a hallway and kept discreetly an eye on him, knowing the violent temper of Suzuki. Kouyou did not want any trouble with anyone, especially not with him ! At the bottom of himself, he knew that Suzuki was not the coarse brute that he showed. Even if at moments, opportunities proved him the contrary. Kouyou already had enough trouble like that in classroom with some students... Putting himself back properly in place and putting his mp3 in his bag, the brown-haired resumed his discussion with Yuu, apologizing for his cold behaviour from a while ago insisting on the fact that it was because of his headache he responded like that, that normally he was not like that. Minutes passed by dozens, until the teachers interrupt the students in their activities.

"Young people, we have about an hour drive before arriving. Now I'd like you to write on a piece of paper with who you want to be in the room so that we can proceed with the distribution. I want to clarify that they are no mixed room and you must be at least three per room. Any questions ?"

"Could you make an exception for us and make mixed rooms ?" Asked a student from behind, that sparked an uncontrollable laughter for most students.

"They will be no exception. Well now hurry up !"

Kouyou had stopped listening to the teacher from 'distribution' and had content himself to watch the scenery scroll through the window glass. After all, he had no friend and did not want to impose himself in a group. And who would accept him ? Nobody. It was already the same, in class when they had to work in groups. Either they took him in a group and he had to do all the work just because he was the "nerd", or his group boiled down to one person, himself. Anyway, when they will see that I'm with nobody, they will impose me to a group and I will not have a choice. I'll just be a burden for people who will have to bear with me.

"Hey Yuu, together as always ?" Asked Suzuki who had just arrived at the front of the bus.

"Of course ! But we must be at least three."

"I asked Yutaka but he is already in a group."

"Kouyou" called Yuu. "Do you want to be with us in the room ?"

"I don't want to disturb."

"But you don't !" Replied Suzuki.

"You have pity on me, that's it ?" Asked Kouyou, ignoring the intervention of the blond.

"Not at all. If I ask, it's that I want it."

"But..."

"No buts about it ! Aki adds his name." He commanded with a smile.

The aforesaid 'Aki' obeys to his friend with the same smile, then went to give the piece of paper to the teacher who was finally able to proceed to the distribution of the rooms with his colleagues. Five minutes later, another teacher spoke up and began to tell the number of each rooms to each groups.

"And finally, room thirty-five : Shiroyama Yuu, Suzuki Akira and Takashima Kouyou. I hope you have all noted your room's number."

"Hey my lovely ! Pay attention to your ass tonight !" Yelled one student from the back of the bus.

They burst out laughing whereas Kouyou tried to make himself the smallest possible in his seat while trying to ignore the same sentences in the same sort which reached his ears. And it continued again and again. Laughter, taunts, salacious sentences which were destined to him, insults. None of the teachers did not try to intervene, to calm these students. Anyway, nowadays, no more students obeyed to their teachers. Shut up. For pity's sake, just shut up ! Kouyou had enough of it. He did everything possible to ignore the insults and everything else. But this time was the time of excess. His eyes stung and he forced himself not to crack up. Yuu placed gently his hand on Kouyou's hand applying slight pressure before whispering in his ear :

"Don't pay attention to what they say. Ignore them. They will already stop." He said before to glower at some students who were still laughing.

"They will not stop. It's of no use to ignore them."

"Trust me. I know what it's. They will already grow tired of it, if they see that you don't react anymore to their provocations, and look for another person to persecute. I know it can be hard for you but trust me, it will stop."

"I'm fed up Yuu."

"Don't worry."

Kouyou kept his hand in Yuu's hand during all the rest of the journey. The comfort that Yuu brought to him, made him the greatest good. In class, when it happened, he had the support of nobody and should bear these insults alone. He could not talk to anyone about it, and when he came back home with a bruise on his temple, he lied to his parents telling them he had just banged against the door. Stupid lies. But his parents did not insist, and then, they were not fooled. They knew very well that something was happening at school. But, their son always refused to talk about it. And Kouyou underwent, underwent, until he cracks up. It often happened that he cracked up at home, the crying fits were numerous when he could no longer endure all that these students inflicted to him. But perhaps he had find in Yuu someone who can understand him ? Because he also had to endure insults and
remarks of all kinds all day long. Maybe. And despite this reputation he had, Kouyou wanted to try to trust him and thus have someone by his side during hard times.

"Kouyou, wake up we arrived."

"Did I sleep for a long time ?"

"No, you'd just fall asleep. Come."

Taking his bag with one hand and Yuu's hand, who offered him, with the other, Kouyou left the bus with the other students who all rushed to the baggage hold in order to recover their suitcase. Outside, the two teenagers rejoined Akira who gave to Yuu his bag, and another boy, Yutaka. This one gave of strange looks on Kouyou and in particular on the intertwined hands of the two young men. After talking together a few minutes, they finally decided to go get their suitcase. But while Kouyou was going to take his own, two students pushed him voluntarily and he banged against the baggage hold's door.

"Well, my pretty, you don't pay attention where you walk ?"

"Leave him alone and move away !" Ordered Akira.

"Don't worry sweetheart, we'll have others opportunities." He whispered to him before leaving, noticing the threateningly looks from Yuu and Akira.

"Are you alright Kouyou ?" Worried Yuu to see the youngest holding his head and the expression of pain on his face.

"My head... It hurts..."

"Did you brought some medicine ?"

"No, it's the only thing I forgot."

"Don't worry. Once we'll be in the room, I'll give you an aspirin and you'll see, your headache will quickly pass !"

"Well, you come ?" Asked Yutaka with a smile. "Teachers are waiting for us inside."

Yuu took again Kouyou by the hand and they followed Akira and Yutaka up to inside the hotel. There, their teachers gave them some explanations on the continuation of the day, including that they had two hours free, to rest or something else, that afterwards students as teachers should be in the room juxtaposed to the hall for dinner, and finally, that the curfew was at twenty-two hours. The distribution of the keys to the rooms was quick and waiting that Akira take their own, Yuu led a Kouyou more than pale whose headaches intensified, to their room on the third floor.

"Don't worry, you'll soon be able to lie down and rest." He tried to reassure Kouyou who felt his eyes burning him horribly.

"Yuu... It... it turns..."

"Come to sit down. I wouldn't want that you fall. Here, is it a little better ?"

"No..." Answered the brown-haired while a tear escaped from his burning closed eyes.

"Don't cry, please !" Said Yuu taking his pale face in his hands. "I know the pain is unbearable in your condition but don't worry, Aki will soon come with the key."

"What the hell are you doing on the floor ?" Asked Akira who had just come out of the elevator with his suitcase.

"Aki hurry up damn it !"

Once the room's door open, Yuu hastened to help Kouyou to lie down on one of the beds and then gave him a glass of water and two aspirin tablets that the brown-haired swallowed without stopping. He had the feeling his head was passed under a steamroller and the slightest noise woke the pain and intensified it. His head ached him and he hoped that the pills Yuu gave him would help calm his pains.

"You're gonna rest, okay ? At your awakening you'll get much better."

"Yuu, I wanna go for a walk. You come with me ?" Asked Akira.

"No, I'll stay here. In case."

"I don't need to be watch over, you can leave if you want." Said Kouyou to him weakly.

"I prefer to stay here in case someone would think to finish what he started in front of the baggage hold."

Kouyou immediately understood what the young man insinuated and did not replied anymore, preferring close his eyes and fall asleep. Hiro knew the number of their room, as all the students besides, and if the idea of coming to persecute him crossed his mind, nobody could stop him ! Moreover, he hoped that Kouyou would not be with his two roommates throughout the duration of the trip for not to be disturbed when he would personally take care of the brunet. Yuu, as for him, began to empty his suitcase and tidied up all that it contained in the large cupboard near the plate glass window. The brown man now understood why the trip was so expensive. He had only to see what the hotel looked like. Not to mention their room, the bathroom was huge ! I think I'll spend hours in there, he thought.

On several occasions, he had been at the bedside of Kouyou and stayed for many minutes to observe him, stroking at some times his caramels hair. The youngest was asleep frowning slightly and the legs brought against his belly. Yuu seemed to see himself through the young man. He reminded him the one he was in the beginning, when the insults and remarks began to be heard. He also spent his lunchtimes alone, although he already knew Akira, but in those days, they were only just friends, nothing more. And friends that had the blond did not appreciate Yuu, said of him that he was not a good company,... Akira listened them, until the day the brown man have had really big troubles with others students. The blond had then helped him, supported him and since, their relationship had strengthened. There were still days when Akira should help Yuu when it's was the last straw, when he could no longer ignore all this. And Yuu wanted to help Kouyou. Because he did not want someone in his circle of acquaintances be in the same situation as him, to be bullied, to be entitled to wickedness, and he had to admit, Kouyou was particulary adorable.

Taking his eyes off the sleeping boy, Yuu went on the balcony taking in passing his pack of cigarettes from his bag. Normally, it has been banned to students to bring alcohol or cigarettes. Yuu did not care much and then in the bus, all students had been entitled to an inspection of their bags. All except Yuu. The teachers ignored him because of his reputation, and that made to him the greatest good. While consuming his little pleasure of the day, the young man admired the beach and the sun which was reflected in the sea. For no apparent reason, a memory came into his mind. It was ten years ago, his parents, his sister and him had spent a few weeks during the summer at the beach. It was the first time that the two children saw the sea. The first evening, their parents decided to take them to the beach to see the sea just from a little closer. Yuu had removed his shoes, quickly imitated by his sister, and had rushed into the water, just enough to completely cover his feet. Except that a wave ran aground on the beach and made him lose the balance when it met the child's feet. His parents and sister had well laughed. Him, had been very frightened, and had never again set foot on this beach and especially in the sea during all the weeks they were on vacation. This memory made Yuu softly laugh who remembered all the attempts of his parents to finally put him in the water... two years later. Crushing his cigarette in the ashtray, Yuu went back inside and after throwing a last look at Kouyou still asleep, he decided to rest a bit too until dinnertime.

When Kouyou awoke, the first thing he noticed was that his headache had well and truly passed. Straightening up slowly, the brown-haired boy led back his legs against him and rested his chin on his knees. He then realized that Yuu was asleep on the bed in front of his, and closing his eyes, he tried not to think. Unfortunately, the image of Hiro imposed itself before his eyes and he had trouble to make it disappear. Kouyou was afraid. What happened in front of the baggage hold was just the beginning. Kouyou knew they would reserve for him other tortures than a simple crush. And the simple fact of thinking about it made him tremble with fear. It was always like that. They never left him a moment's respite. Whenever, Kouyou found himself in their hands and could only let them do. If he defended himself, punches were redoubled, insults were heard, and he ended most frequently in the infirmary. At least, when he dared to go there. He could not stand anymore the look of people he met when he went there, their whispers, their hypocritical smiles. He could simply not stand to be the scapegoat of his class. Nevertheless, he did not do anything to them !

"Takashima, you're alright ?" Asked Akira, placing his hand on Kouyou's shoulder, which makes him jump with fright.

"Yes... Yes I'm fine. I... I didn't hear you... That's all."

"I came to get you, we must go to dinner."

"Oh yes... It's true..."

"Yuu still sleeps. Can you wake him up ? You'll join me then."

"Okay."

"Takashima, you're sure you're going well ?"

A simple nod in response, and then Akira left the room. Kouyou waited a few moments before getting up and join Yuu's bed. There, he stood in front of him, not knowing what to do to wake him up. He called him softly. Once. Twice. But the brown did not respond. Still trembling lightly, he laid his hand on his shoulder and shook him gently while calling his name one more time. And this time, Aoi woke up, emitting a small growl before opening his eyes and put them on Kouyou whose eyes were shining with tears.

"Everything's fine Kouyou ?" He asked when he saw the condition in which was the young man.

"Yes don't worry. Suzuki told me to wake you up, we must go dinner."

"Fine. I see you've regained colors, this is a good sign." He said, stroking his cheek. "Are you sure you're alright ?"

"Shall we go ?"

Without waiting for a reply from Yuu, Kouyou had left the room and waited on the doorstep. Yuu knew something was wrong with Kouyou. He simply could not be browsed by shivers and be close to tears without reasons ! The brown man suspected that he was tetanized at the thought of being close to that Hiro. Rejoining Kouyou, he interlaced his fingers with those of the brown-haired boy, and both went down to the ground floor where several students were already there. The fact that Yuu naturally takes his hand in his did not disturb Kouyou, but he pulled away quickly from this sweet embrace when they arrived in the room where meals would take place. He did not want to draw the attention to him because he was holding hands with another boy but especially with Yuu. He did not want to undergo other sarcasm. Those whom he had to undergo was already enough for him. He later realized that the heat that emanated from this hand was missing. A comforting warmth and of the most reassuring. Yes, he needed to be reassured, to be told that nothing would happen to him, that Hiro and his friends would not touch him during the whole trip. But Kouyou might say himself this, he knew very well that he would not spend the trip quiet. Hiro had not finished with him, and his nightmare would be endless.

"You... You don't eat ?" Asked Yutaka to the attention of Kouyou.

"Excuse me ?"

"Your plate, you don't have touched it once."

It's true, he did not touched it. He did not even realized they were all sit down to eat and that the meal had already started for several minutes. Kouyou was just too absorbed by his fear to realize anything at all. Akira was to his left, Yuu at his right and Yutaka was in front of him. All three looked at him with concern and their eyes full of questions. His eyes passed from one person to another, while his lips had started to shake. He had to answer them, but tell them what ? That he was just scared ? It was normal to be afraid, no ? Yuu, noticing his discomfort, gently placed his hand on Kouyou's hand and called him in a whisper. But instead of looking at him, Kouyou rose hurriedly saying that he was not hungry, and after apologizing he hurried to reach the stairs. He quietly walked up the three floors, enjoying the silence in the hotel at this hour. But he felt he was followed, and he had the confirmation when two persons kept him with violence against the wall, and a third person came dangerously close to him. Everything was going to begin again. One more time.

"Well, now that we're alone, we'll be able to take care of you sweetheart." Hiro told him, while a mean smile formed on his lips. "With what are we going to begin ?"

"Leave me... Please... Leave me alone..."

"Since when have I given you the right to beg us ?!"

A first punch in the face. A lip which bleeds. Sneers. And an another punch in the stomach. Kouyou felt the pain invading him. He would want to fall on the ground but his two executioners prevented him from it, and continued to maintain him firmly against the wall. Then he closed his eyes, waiting for the next punch but nothing came to touch his body. Is it finally over ? Or is the pain so intense that he feels nothing more ? Sobs blocked up in his throat. He would like to cry. Oh yes he would like ! But not in front of them. He does not want to show himself even weaker than he already is. Make it stops soon ! I beg you, make it stops...

"Kouyou, open your eyes please, look at me. It's over, you hear me ? It's over."

He recognized Yuu's voice and then opened his eyes slowly. Kouyou noticed that he was on the floor, trembling like a leaf and that his executioners were gone. Only Yuu and Akira were in front of him. And without being able to do something against, he let his tears run down his cheeks. He could no longer keep them, it was too hard to hold back all that pain. Too hard. Yuu took him in his arms and carried him into their room where he made him sit on his bed while Akira was going to warn a teacher from the incident. And while he cradled him, he reassured him as he could. Kouyou hung on desperatly to Yuu's t-shirt. He was afraid, like every time. But this time, someone was here to calm his tears. He was no longer alone. Who knows what they would have done if they had not intervened. When Kouyou's crying stopped, Yuu raised his face and passed his fingers over his cheek, erasing the tears that were still present.

"You worried me a lot, at table just now, especially after you're gone. They have followed you a few time after you leave. With Akira, we immediately understood and we quickly came here. But he had already begun to hit you."

"Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me, it's normal. Well, we'll clean this lip. There must be a first aid kit or something like that in this room."

Yuu went into the bathroom and came out a few minutes later with cotton and disinfectant in hands. Settling down in front of the brown-haired, he applied the cotton soaked with alcohol on his injured lip, tearing away some small moans of pain to Kouyou. Yuu exerted several small pressures on this lip until he decided it was enough, and went to throw the piece of cotton in the trash. Once done, Yuu went back to Kouyou and the young man immediately took shelter in the arms of the older boy, resting his head on the chest of the brown who dreamily stroked his hairs. Kouyou felt good in his arms, and caresses Yuu gave to him procured him pleasant chills. Long minutes passed thereby, in calm, until Yuu breaks it.

"Kouyou ?"

"Yes ?"

"I promise you they will not touch you anymore. I'll make everything so that they'll don't put a hand on you."

"That's nice but, don't make me promises that you're unable to keep." He said, heading towards his suitcase and taking out a shirt too big for him. "You know as well as I that they'll attack me again. Sooner or later."

After these words, he shut himself in the bathroom and a few moment later, Yuu could hear the water pour. It's true. He made him a promise he knew he could not keep. Whatever he does, Kouyou would always be the prey of Hiro and his friends. Sighing, Yuu went to lie down on his bed and folding his arms behind his head, he looked at the ceiling without much interest. It was only when he heard a door open that he got loose from his contemplation.

"You're finally back ! What took you so long ?"

"The teacher held me back." Replied Akira. "He told me the program for tomorrow just to have a room in less to inform."

"And it is ?"

"Breakfast at seven o'clock, departure for the museum at quarter past eight, you my dear you'll have no time to dawdle in the bathroom !" Joked the blond.

"Hey ! I don't spend hours either ! Well, and after ?"

"Lunch at the hotel and departure at fourteen o'clock to visit an art gallery."

"An art gallery.... Is this a joke ?"

"That's what I asked to the teacher but saw the look he gave me, I figured no. We'll be back around seventeen o'clock.."

"It should be interesting..."

"Yes. And Takashima, how is he ?"

"He's scared, it shows, except that he tries not to show it to us. I've noticed it when he woke me up, he shivered and was on the verge of tears. But he was doing as if everything was fine."

"I also noticed this. He is like you Yuu, you also always told me that all was well whereas deep down you, you wanted to scream and cry."

"I know."

"It will be hard for him tomorrow. By the way, the teacher has just given them a warning."

"What ?! But it's not just a warning that will stop them ! They'll..."

He was interrupted by the door of the bathroom that opened, letting out a Kouyou who was wearing his too big shirt which left see a good part of his legs. Ignoring them more by shyness to show himself so little dressed in front of them, he put away his clothes which he carried in his hands before rushing into the bathroom where he had left his phone, rang. Picking up his phone, he then went on the balcony after closing the plate glass window for a little more intimacy with his mother who was on phone. When the plate glass window was finally closed, Akira burst out laughing under Yuu's quizzical look. The blond kept from laughing when he saw the expression on the face of his best friend when Kouyou came out of the bathroom.

"Can I ask you what happened to you ?" Asked Yuu when the laughter of his best friend was finally passed.

"You should have seen your face man ! It was not very discreet the way you stare at his legs ! No wait I'm wrong, it was rather on his thighs you were drooling. I'm right ?"

"It's not true ! I did not stared at his legs !"

"Yuu, Yuu, Yuu." Began Akira by passing an arm around his shoulder. "You know very well that I see everything and you have the hardest time to lie to me. Then, you like the little Takashima ?"

"No ! Well Yes... But no ! I don't like him !"

"You become muddled." He said to him with a huge smile.

"Okay ! Yes I like him, so ?"

"Since when ?"

"Is this some sort of interrogation ?"

"Tell me just since when and then I'll leave you alone."

"For some time."

"Could you be more specific ?"

"No."

"How does it happen ?"

"Hey, you said you'd let me alone !"

"Come on, just one more question ! After I promise I'll ask nothing more. I'm your best friend I have the right to know, no ?"

"Good. Well, by means of seeing him every day under this tree I started to get interested in him, physically."

"He's not repulsive, I must admit."

"And in the bus, when we have talked together, I felt there was really something happened between us."

"Really ?"

"Yes, really."

"Well Yuu, let me tell you that you fell in love ! This is the first time I see you like that."

"You think so ?"

"You doubt me ? You know yet that you should always believe me !" He said, entering the bathroom.

So that was it. Yuu had just fell in love with him. He had difficulty accepting the revelation. Him, who relations he had were purely carnal, he fell in love. So that was why he had felt his heart beating faster than usual when Kouyou had smiled to him in the bus, he wanted to hug him stronger when he was in his arms, he wanted to protect him, that he could not help but take his hand in his. He had to lean to live with it, he fell in love with Kouyou Takashima. Looking at the brunet, who was still talking on the phone, Yuu smiled seeing the younger man's lips stretch and when their eyes met, he could see Kouyou's cheeks be dyed slightly in pink. Or was it his imagination ?

When he came back into the room, Kouyou went directly to his bed, put his legs under the covers and took a book from his bag but does not read it right now. He seemed to think, and Yuu had not left his eyes for a second from that body. He could no longer detached his gaze from Kouyou and he took advantages to undress him by gaze while the brown-haired boy kept his head down on his book.

"It was my mother." He said after a few minutes of silence. "She wanted to know how things were going and how I was."

"And you told her what happened to you ?"

"No."

"Do you always lie to your parents Kouyou ?"

"Yes. And even if I lie to them, they know very well that something is happening. I lie to them because I don't want to tell them."

"You really think it's a good idea ?"

"I don't know, but I'll continue. Good or bad idea."

Then switching on his mp3, he made Yuu understand that their discussion ended here, and that he wanted to be quiet for a bit to read his book before lying down. Somebody knocked at the door. Yuu opened the door and saw Yukata always smiling whom he invited to enter. And once Akira came out of the bathroom, and after they say it's me who spends hours in the bathroom thought Yuu, the three teenagers talked together about tomorrow which was going to announce to be boring. They were going to be really bored, although the idea of visiting a museum amused Yutaka. From his part, Kouyou did not want to participate in the discussion. He preferred to be alone in his corner, thinking about tomorrow and especially of the fate that would reserve Hiro for him. He had given up reading for several minutes now and contented himself with staring into space, thinking about the last time he had passed into their hands. The scars on his back hurted him still sometimes and he hoped that his roomates would not ask him questions about why he slept with a shirt with this heat. Yuu had quickly noticed that Kouyou was in his thoughts and he left his eyes from him only when Yutaka left their room, that is at the curfew. Akira fell quickly asleep, whereas Yuu was not so tired and so kept his eyes open and admired the day gradually give way to the night. As for Kouyou, it was impossible to him to sleep. Fear was gnawing at him again and prevented him from falling asleep. He did not want to find himself to the next day and be again their prey. And then, Yuu and Akira could not constantly be there for him. Maybe that tomorrow, they would make him undergo things more horrible than that he had been entitled in the corridor. This idea paralyzed him and as a frightened child, he curled up in his bed and let out a few tears. He did everything he can so that none of the two persons present in the room can not hear him crying. But Yuu clearly heard him and decided to get up. He walked to the boy's bed and gently lifting the blankets, he laid down alongside Kouyou who he took in his arms.

"Don't cry Kouyou, I'm here." He whispered to him while tightening him against him.

"I'm scared Yuu... I'm scared to be tomorrow..."

"I know, but I promised you that nothing will happen to you and I intend to keep my promise."

"It's not worth... I already told you. It's useless to make promises you can not keep..."

"Let me try at least."

"I don't want to be tomorrow Yuu... I don't want..."

"Don't worry Kouyou, you'll not be alone."

Kouyou was anguished at the thought of waking up in the next morning and Yuu stayed with him until tiredness takes him. After having dared to lay his lips on Kouyou's cheek, Yuu left the bed and turned back in his, under the eyes of his best friend who Yuu did not noticed that he was looking at him.