(bugs chirping)

Aoba:

Aaah, I’m refreshed! Today’s bath was good too.

Koujaku:

Yo, welcome back.

Aoba:

Ah?! You’re drinking agaaain…

Koujaku:

Yeah, picking up where I left off yesterday.

Aoba:

And Ren and Beni?

Koujaku:

They’re over there picking up where they left off as well. After I got back from the baths they happily dozed off.

Aoba:

Heh, it’s exactly the same as yesterday.

Koujaku:

Which means that if we keep on going like that…you need to drink a little, right?

Aoba:

That’s how it is, isn’t it?

(he flops down next to Koujaku, who pours him a drink)

Koujaku:

Here you are.

Aoba:

(takes it and drinks) Aah…it’s good.

Koujaku:

Isn’t it? (the wind blows through the leaves)

Aoba:

Ah, the moon looks pretty tonight. Yesterday it was hidden behind the clouds, so we couldn’t really see it…

Koujaku:

A lovely moon, the pleasant chirp of crickets, a good wind, delicious sake, it’s the best, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Hehe.

Koujaku:

What’s that?

Aoba:

Nothing, I was just…thinking great that you’re a lot more relaxed compared to yesterday.

Koujaku:

Aha, that’s right, isn’t it? I finally paid my respects to my heart’s content.

Aoba:

I’m glad I could come along too.

Koujaku:

I’m sure Mother would’ve been surprised to see you there. To think that crybaby Aoba would grow up so tall and handsome…

Aoba:

Ah–I don’t really need to hear that. I was just a kid…I didn’t really cry that much. (in a smug voice) Anyway…I seem to remember it wasn’t me crying but someone else instead…

Koujaku:

You didn’t hear or see anything, right? Aoba.

Aoba:

Hmm…that’s how it was…

Koujaku:

Keh…you…

Aoba:

It’s fine, it’s fine. For you, Koujaku, those were tears that needed to be shed. They were necessary right then.

Koujaku:

Aoba.

Aoba:

Ehe…or something like that. I…said something a little embarrassing.

Koujaku:

No, you didn’t at all.

Aoba:

Ah…that hairpin…

Koujaku:

Yeah. I planned on leaving it at my mother’s grave but in the end I didn’t.

Aoba:

Why?

Koujaku:

This is the only memento I have of my mother, that’s why I thought that I should return it to her. But I have my own attachment to this hairpin. I want to return it but I don’t want to return it. It’s a sort of lingering affection. I thought that I’d return it to sever that attachment but when it came time to pay my respects that feeling dispelled. If wanted to hold onto it, I should be upfront with myself and keep it. As a memento.

Aoba:

I see. I think it’s good for you to hang onto it. It really suits you.

Koujaku:

Is that right? I think a hairpin would suit you too.

Aoba:

Haaah? Why are you bringing me into this?

Koujaku:

Well because it’d suit you.

Aoba:

No way, no way! It wouldn’t look good at all!

Koujaku:

Don’t reject it so soundly.

Aoba:

That’s…well…hairpins are really…they feel kind of showy…it’s fine if it’s you, Koujaku, but hairpins don’t usually look good on guys, right?

Koujaku:

But I feel like it would work if it’s you. Do you want to try it sometime?

Aoba:

It’s fine. I don’t need it. Geez, don’t think of weird stuff like that.

Koujaku:

Yes, yes.

Aoba:

(sighs) Um…hey…

Koujaku:

Hm?

Aoba:

You’re not…planning on going back to your family’s place, are you?

Koujaku:

No. In all honesty, I’ve cut off all all ties with my family. Right after I returned to Midorijima travel between the island and the mainland was restricted. After that, I haven’t contacted them at all. They probably think that I’m dead by now.

Aoba:

I see.

Koujaku:

They made me the heir against my will, but in the end I was just a lover’s child. My mother is dead as well so there’s no use for me anymore. That’s why I’m not going to leave you and go away again. Don’t worry.

Aoba:

Ah–I-I know that…but…I said that I didn’t really cry that much when I was a kid, but…I’m revising that.

Koujaku:

Oh? What happened? It’s rare to hear you say that.

Aoba:

When I was a kid…when you had to return to the mainland…at first I was patient. I thought I couldn’t cry. I wasn’t sad. I desperately tried to convince myself of that. But in the end…it was impossible. I clung to Granny and sobbed.

Koujaku:

Ah…before I left Midorijima, when I went to say farewell, you looked like you were about to cry but you were trying your hardest not to. When I saw that I felt like I was going to cry myself. It really was trying. The happy days I spent with you were a blessing.

Aoba:

That’s why, I think. Because the time I spent with you was so much fun. That’s why I thought I couldn’t cry. Even if smiling was out of the question…at least, in the end, I wanted to do it like a man. That’s what I thought.

Koujaku:

Like a man…yeah…

Aoba:

Ah–w-wait–what are you doing? Don’t just pet me all of a sudden.

Koujaku:

Well, I just thought you were really cute.

Aoba:

Anyway, the past is the past, I’m telling you I’m different from back then.

Koujaku:

You certainly are. When you were a kid you were cute enough to look like a girl. There were times when I really thought you were a girl. But now I think that you’re both manly and cute.

Aoba:

I feel like I should take offense…I don’t need to be cute. But telling me I’m manly while you’re petting me…

Koujaku:

That’s not it. Being manly isn’t really about having a good build or being strong, it’s about having things like conviction or will power or determination. They’re things you can’t see that make you plenty manly.

Aoba:

Mmh…is that how it is? But you know, I’ve become manly enough on the outside, right? Cuz my hair’s short.

Koujaku:

Oh…hah. Well, that’s true.

Aoba:

What are you grinning about?

Koujaku:

Well, I’ve gotten used to seeing you with short hair, I was just thinking about how long your hair was before…

Aoba:

And?

Koujaku:

I really like long hair for what it is. Since you’ve lost feeling in your hair, we can have fun with a lot of different hairstyles.

Aoba:

Yeah. That’s true. Like putting it up in a ponytail…

Koujaku:

That style’s pretty good sometimes.

Aoba:

But that’s…wouldn’t you just wind up enjoying it more than me?

Koujaku:

Well, that’s…because I like playing with your hair.

Aoba:

Hmm…well then, can I ask you one favor?

Koujaku:

Sure. What is it?

Aoba:

I want. To cut. Your hair.

Koujaku:

Hm?

Aoba:

How about if I asked that?

Koujaku:

Hey, what’s with that so suddenly?

Aoba:

It’s because you cut my hair. You wouldn’t say no to letting me cut your hair, would you?

Koujaku:

Well, you know…I certainly wouldn’t say no.

Aoba:

Then it’s no good?

Koujaku:

That’s not it. You can’t just say you’d cut it so easily. It’s harder than you’d think. If you made it all loose and disheveled then what would I do?

Aoba:

Khh, that’s mean, don’t you trust me? Then…show me how to cut it neatly. I’m really good with my fingers. I can do it just like that.

Koujaku:

Oh? What’s that? Will you be my pupil?

Aoba:

I guess I’d be your pupil…but no matter how you look at it…it’d be just for you?

Koujaku:

When I’d completely agree is something different, but to put it lightly it’d be nice to have you cut it for me. Then, should we try it right now starting from how to touch hair?

Aoba:

How to touch hair…?

Koujaku:

That’s right. Depending on how you touch someone’s hair and head I’ll be able to test your aptitude at whether you’re good enough for the job or not. Probably.

Aoba:

Eeh?? Something about that sounds fishy… But…oh well, let’s give it a shot. (he shifts) I’m…gonna touch your hair.

Koujaku:

Go ahead.

Aoba:

Oh–!

Koujaku:

What is it?

Aoba:

It just…really slides through my fingers…haha. You really must fuss over it, like using a good shampoo or tending to it well…

Koujaku:

Hmm…well, I test anything I use at work on myself first…that’s the least I can do. It’s not very persuasive if I work with hair and my own hair is a mess, right?

Aoba:

That’s certainly true.

Koujaku:

All right, then next…try touching my head like you’re washing it.

Aoba:

Eh?! All of a sudden? Even if you tell me that…

Koujaku:

It’s fine. Just do it lightly.

Aoba:

Mhm…I probably…won’t really do well enough to suit you…

Koujaku:

You don’t need to worry about that. Come on, hurry up.

Aoba:

Ah…mmm…like this?

Koujaku:

Let’s see…push a little bit more with the middle of your fingers.

Aoba:

Mmhm…like this…?

Koujaku:

Right, right. That feels good…next make sure to wash the nape a little more.

Aoba:

Mhm…this…right?

Koujaku:

Yeah…

Aoba:

Mmh…a little more…over here…?

Koujaku:

Mmhm…

Aoba:

You wash behind the ears too, right? Eh…eh? Koujaku?

Koujaku:

(exhales)

Aoba:

He fell asleep…? Geez, what’s with him, all on his own. Come on!

Koujaku:

(snores lightly)

Aoba:

If you fall asleep with your defenses down like that…I’ll play a prank on you…

Koujaku:

Hey now.

Aoba:

Aah! You were awake?!

Koujaku:

What sort of prank were you planning with your hand aimed at someone’s lips like that? (he kisses Aoba’s hand)

Aoba:

Wa–Koujaku. Uwah…i-idiot! Don’t lick my fingers!

Koujaku:

Aoba, I think you might have the skill to work with someone’s hair. Your hands felt so good I wound up dozing off. But if you touched me softly like that any more…my patience wouldn’t last.

Aoba:

Eh?

Koujaku:

It’s just like you said before, it’ll cause trouble if it’s not just for me. I can’t let anyone else feel this way.

Aoba:

Ah…haaah? What are you say–(Koujaku moves in to kiss him)–ah–oh–Kouja–(they kiss, then pull apart) Ah…(Koujaku picks him up and carries him to the futon) Uwah–whoa-whoa–careful! Careful! Koujaku!!

Koujaku:

It’s fine. (he sets Aoba down, they return to kissing)

Aoba:

Mmh…Koujaku…

Koujaku:

Mmh?

Aoba:

Are…are we gonna?

Koujaku:

Do you want to stop?

Aoba:

Mmh…(mumbles)…what do you think?

Koujaku:

That I don’t know, unless you say it properly.

Aoba:

Ahh…mhm…l-let’s do it. Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Mhm.

(they return to making out)

Aoba:

Ahh…Koujaku…mmh…ahh…

Koujaku:

Aoba…

Aoba:

Aah…mmh…Koujaku…Koujaku. Ah–w-wait. Wait.

Koujaku:

What is it?

Aoba:

(catches his breath) I want to…take care of you…

Koujaku:

Aoba…that’s…

Aoba:

No. I can’t be careless. If I say I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna do it.

Koujaku:

Oh…

Aoba:

Sh…should I use my mouth? Or maybe…my hands?

Koujaku:

That’s pretty straightforward from someone who’s so quick to fluster.

Aoba:

That’s cuz…I don’t know which one you want.

Koujaku:

I’ll leave it up to you…

Aoba:

Then…for today…I’ll do it with my hands too. Cuz I want to see your face.

Koujaku:

And I can see your face too, right?

Aoba:

Mhm. That’s fine.

(they go back to making out with handjobs and such)

Aoba:

Koujaku…you look so dirty…

Koujaku:

Shouldn’t I…say that to you?

Aoba:

Ahah…

(more making out and heated moaning)

Koujaku:

Aoba…I want to be…inside you now…

Aoba:

Ah…mhm…

(he pushes his fingers in, the two of them moan breathlessly)

Aoba:

Koujaku…it’s…fine…

Koujaku:

Is it all right?

Aoba:

(softly) Hurry–

Koujaku:

(panting) What’s going on…for you to say that…

Aoba:

I…don’t know…somehow…today I’m already…just…put it in…

Koujaku:

You’re…really… Aoba…

(Koujaku pushes in, he grunts with effort as Aoba moans, needy)

Aoba:

My voice…someone might…

Koujaku:

It’s fine…

Aoba:

No, the room next door…they’ll hea–aah! Aah! You…!

Koujaku:

Is it better without touching it?

Aoba:

That’s not…it…aaah! If you…do that…

Koujaku:

Will you come right away?

Aoba:

Mmh!

(they go on, Aoba moaning loudly)

Koujaku:

Aoba…your hand…

(Koujaku takes his hand)

Aoba:

Ah…aah…Koujaku….no…I’m…! …jaku…!

(he cries out and comes, Koujaku grunts and comes a few moments later. both of them pant as they come down)

Koujaku:

…Aoba… (he kisses him)