OUR STORY (BxB)

Chapter 3

-TAMARO-

Why does my heart flutter every time I look at Akiro?

I shouldn't feel this way—not here, not now. We're just starting our careers. And in our country, these feelings are quietly tucked away, labeled forbidden. But I know what this is. I know why I want him near, why every glance leaves me breathless.

This isn't just brotherly love. It's something deeper. Something beyond my understanding.

I've become touchy with him—and he never pulls away. Sometimes I wonder... does he feel it too? But I don't dare assume. I can't risk the disappointment. The others see us as naturally clingy—no one questions it. They don't know the truth... that whatever this is has already taken root inside me.

I need to stop. To ignore it. To act like everything's normal.

I was lost in my thoughts when Akiro sat down beside me in the practice room. We were rehearsing for tomorrow's performance. He bumped my shoulder gently, and when I turned to him, the world paused.

He smiled.

And in that instant, the noise faded. All I could see was the softness of his laugh and the warmth in his eyes. My heart stuttered, caught off guard.

"Tamaro," he bumped me again, pulling me back to reality.

I blinked several times before I realized I'd been staring.

"Tamaro, are you okay?" he asked, genuine worry in his voice.

"I—yeah, I'm fine. Just tired," I mumbled, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Are you sure? Your ear's red."

I reached up to touch it, face warming with embarrassment. Of course he noticed.

"I said I'm okay," I replied quickly, getting to my feet and walking over to sit beside Jemuel. Anything to escape the flutter in my chest.

Damn... why did I leave him like that?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw he was still sitting where I'd left him, his head bowed, fingers fidgeting in his lap. I know him well enough—he hates being ignored. My chest tightened with guilt.

I stood and quietly returned to his side during our break.

"Hey... I'm sorry," I said gently, turning to him. "I didn't mean to raise my voice. I'm just... tired."

He looked up at me, a soft smile forming on his lips—and there I was again, biting mine, caught staring.

"It's okay, Tamaro," he replied, and I quickly looked away.

By midnight, we were back at the dorm. Everyone was drained, slipping one by one into sleep. I lay awake in the top bunk, restless. Akiro was below me, and eventually, I climbed down and slid in beside him.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind, expecting hesitation... but instead, he pulled me closer. Tight. My heart fluttered at the gesture. I buried my face in his back, first pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck, then letting his warmth pull me into sleep. He didn't say a word—but he didn't need to. This... this was enough.

The next day, we gathered in the dressing room as staff briefed us on performance cues and timing. Everyone buzzed with quiet energy.

Except Akiro.

He had no idea what we were planning—not just the performance, but the surprise waiting for him. It was his birthday.

Before the celebration, we'd decided to prank him first. Everyone stayed busy, playing their roles perfectly while pretending nothing was out of the ordinary.

The staff finally called us to perform. We were more than ready—and the moment we stepped on stage, the crowd erupted. It was electric. We gave everything we had, pouring our energy and emotions into every beat. The audience's cheers were like thunder, and their joy mirrored our own. But behind the scenes, our birthday surprise for Akiro was just beginning.

After the performance, the manager called us into the dressing room and pretended to confront Akiro about his stage presence. The mood shifted, and I watched from the back as his expression faltered. His lips trembled, eyes glossy—I could tell he was trying not to cry. My own chest tightened. Watching him hold back tears always breaks something in me.

While the manager kept him distracted, we slipped out to get the birthday cake. A few minutes later, we returned, bursting into the room with smiles and a loud, "Happy Birthday!"

When Akiro saw us, the tension melted instantly. He broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the prank and the sudden celebration. We'd worried we pushed too far, but as we sang for him, joy took over. I hugged him tightly, leaning in to whisper something only he could hear. Laughter rippled through the room—it was a moment we'd all remember.

After the cake was served and the chaos softened, I sat beside him.

"Happy birthday, Akiro," I said gently.

He smiled. "Thank you, Tamaro."

"I didn't prepare a gift," I admitted, "but... I have something just for you."

His eyes lit up with curiosity. "Really? What is it?"

"Close your eyes," I whispered. He obeyed, still grinning.

I took a moment to admire the calm on his face, then leaned in, cupped his cheek, and pressed a soft kiss to it. When he opened those Bambi eyes, his mouth parted slightly in surprise.

I continued smiling, hand still gently on his face.

"T-Tamaro?" he stammered.

"That's the only gift I can give you, Akiro," I said, smiling as I looked at him. "I hope you'll accept it."

His face turned as red as a tomato. I couldn't help but laugh softly at his flustered expression.

"Hey," I whispered playfully, giving his cheek a gentle tap. He blinked rapidly, swallowed hard, still gazing at me. I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer.

"Akiro... from this moment on, I promise to protect you, no matter what. I'll stay by your side for as long as you want me there. I won't walk away."

I glanced at the other members nearby, letting those words hang in the air.

"Th-thank you," he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck in that familiar shy gesture. "Thank you for always being here—for understanding me."

I smiled and gave his shoulder a soft tap before pulling him into a hug.

I told myself again and again that I needed to let these feelings go. That I shouldn't feel this way. But the more I held back, the deeper I fell. Maybe this wasn't right... but my heart had already chosen him.

Honestly, I'm scared. What if he pulls away if I tell him the truth? What if he distances himself—or worse, starts to resent me? I couldn't bear that.

After his birthday, we slipped back into our usual rhythm—rehearsals, recordings, filming. The production staff gave us a new task: to record a song and shoot a music video. Last time, we performed with Joshua. This time, it's Harly—and the song is titled "Beautiful Girl." We've already recorded the track, and now we're on set, getting ready to bring the MV to life.

The song we filmed was about a beautiful girl—one whose heart we were meant to win. During the music video shoot, the director told us to focus on her... but my attention drifted elsewhere. To Akiro.

I know it sounds delusional, but it felt like he was singing to me.

In the opening scene, we sat around a table, chatting with the girl. But while everyone played their parts, I was looking at Akiro. Not the girl. Not the script. Just him. She was older than us, and lovely—but all I could see was the quiet warmth in his gaze.

After the shoot, Akiro teased me. He pointed out how many cuts they had to make during the final scene—the hug. I'd been too nervous to get it right.

I tried to explain, fumbling for words. I didn't want him to think I enjoyed hugging the girl. The truth was simple: he was the one I wanted to hold.

Akiro had smiled for the cameras, lit up on set—but on the way back to the dorm, he went quiet. He didn't sit beside me in the van, choosing a seat away from mine. I ended up beside Jemuel, chatting half-heartedly about the shoot, my thoughts elsewhere.

Even at home, his silence lingered. He showered without a word. I waited in the living room as he walked past me, towel over his shoulders, not meeting my eyes.

Later, after I'd cleaned up, I stepped into the dark room. Everyone was asleep. The usual hum of breathing surrounded us.

But I couldn't go to my own bed.

I lay down beside Akiro. He didn't speak. Didn't move.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind, quietly, uncertain. Still nothing.

So, I held him tighter... pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of his head... and buried my face against him, hoping my warmth would say everything I couldn't.

"Goodnight," I whispered into his ear, barely audible, like a secret meant only for him. He didn't reply with words... just gently pulled my hand toward his lips and kissed it.

And that was enough.

A warmth bloomed across my chest. I smiled, trying to stay calm, but inside I was anything but. He didn't speak, but his gesture was louder than anything he could have said. It told me he wanted to be close. That my hug wasn't just welcome—it was wanted.

My heart was pounding. It still is.

I'm in love with him.

And for the first time... I'm not afraid to say it.

-AKIRO-

I feel too young to carry emotions this deep. Too young to be so serious about something so tender, so confusing. But I hate it—this feeling—whenever I see him getting close to someone else. I feel jealous. Not angry... just quietly possessive. Every time he connects so easily with others, a part of me aches.

I've admitted it to myself: I'm selfish. I want his attention to belong to me. Just me. And that scares me. Because somewhere along the way... Tamaro became special.

When he promised to stay by my side until the end, the world fell quiet. Even my heart forgot how to beat for a moment. I wasn't prepared for the words—or the birthday kiss he gave me. No one had ever made me feel this way. Not even a girl. Only him.

Is it normal? I don't know. But I do know it's real.

There are moments when we forget the world exists. We talk and laugh like we've been separated for months, even though we live under the same roof. Before Tamaro came into our dorm, I didn't open up to anyone—not even the other members. But then he arrived, and everything shifted. I began to share pieces of myself I'd never voiced before. With him, I feel safe. He's my safe zone. And he promised to take care of me.

Today, we traveled outside the city to continue filming Young Prince. When we got to the location, we were asked to choose roommates. Of course, I ended up with Tamaro. I wanted to. Being with him feels right—it calms me.

It's midnight now. Everyone's asleep. I closed my eyes too, ready to drift off...

But I felt something. Soft. Familiar.

Someone touching me.

And I already knew—it was him.

I sleep in nothing but boxers most nights—no shirt, no layers, just the quiet hush of my room. He teases me by filming bits of it, laughing while I frown, and yet... he always pulls the blanket over me before leaving. Like he's tucking away something tender. Then comes the soft goodnight kiss, the whisper brushing against my ear. I smile to myself. Tamaro is... impossibly sweet.

Later, during filming, the scene shifts—we're grouped in a circle, playing a game were losing means accepting your punishment. The boys wear traditional men's attire for the sake of fun, a nod to cultural flair. When my turn comes, I'm challenged to wear women's clothes and perform a sultry dance. I do it, playful and bold, and Tamaro bursts into laughter loud enough to make my cheeks burn.

The game ends with his own punishment: a kiss on the lips, with Harly. The excitement in the room is electric. Even I laugh along, but when I catch the look on Tamaro's face—hesitant, cornered—it's clear he's uncomfortable. He turns back slightly, searching for me in the crowd like he's asking for a way out. I only chuckle and let the moment pass, though his cheeks flush scarlet.

They lean in. The kiss, part of the rules, edges closer. At first, I'm swept up in the thrill like everyone else—but there's a part of me quietly wishing it were me standing across from him. Tamaro always plants kiss on my cheeks, so soft and familiar, but never on the lips. I wanted to be his first. I wanted us to share that simple, sacred moment.

Just as hesitation lingers, Stephen pushes their heads together, sealing the kiss. The room erupts with cheers. I laugh along too—no one notices the small sting curling inside me. I pretend it's all fine, and I join the teasing... but through dinner, I sit quiet, my thoughts spiraling. Sulking, maybe. Or just quietly grieving a moment I had hoped would be ours.

They were still teasing about the kiss from earlier, voices bubbling with laughter. Tamaro became the center of everyone's jokes, and I sat quietly in the corner, just listening. Joshua slipped beside me and noticed my silence.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, low enough that no one else could hear.

I nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah."

But he wasn't convinced. "You've been quiet since the shoot ended. Is something bothering you?"

"Nothing, really. Just tired," I replied, masking everything with another smile. He nodded gently and returned to the group.

As night deepened and everyone retreated to their rooms, I didn't follow. Instead, I wandered outside and settled on a bench beneath the sky. The moon hung low, quiet and watching. I didn't even notice when the tears began to slip from my eyes, or when my throat tightened. My heart throbbed as the memory replayed. Was I jealous? No... or maybe I was. But why did it hurt this much?

I stayed still, blinking up at the moon, until Tamaro quietly took the seat beside me.

"Hey... why are you crying?" he asked, gently tilting my face toward him. I didn't wipe my tears. I simply looked at him—and the moment our eyes met, the ache inside spilled over. I broke. And he held me. His arms wrapped tight around me, steady and warm, as he rubbed my back in soothing circles.

Then I heard it—his quiet sniffle. I glanced up and saw tears in his eyes.

"Tamaro... why are you crying?" I asked, brushing them away.

He smiled through the tears. "Because seeing you cry breaks something in me. I don't even know what hurt you... but whatever it is, you'll be okay. I'll make sure of it."

I clung to him, letting his warmth ease the tremble in my chest. I was grateful to have him, but somewhere beneath that comfort, a quiet fear stirred. What exactly was I feeling?

After a while, we sat side by side, facing the moon in silence. He draped an arm across my shoulder, and I rested my head against him. In that moment, we felt like lovers—wordless, surrounded by night, sharing something we couldn't name. He never asked why I'd cried. And I didn't want him to. I just needed to be beside him.

"Did you like the kiss?" I asked suddenly, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

He chuckled, amused. "Why do you ask?"

I gave him a pointed look; lips curled in a pout. "I don't know. Did you?"

He kept laughing, and it irritated me—made me sound like a jealous boyfriend. And maybe I was.

"Are you jealous?" he teased, and I froze.

"No. Of course not. Why would I be?" I turned back to the moon, though I felt his gaze on me.

"To be honest... I didn't like it," he said softly. "Because I wanted my first kiss to be with someone I love."

I turned toward him. He was still watching me. Silent. Earnest.

"That kiss, Akiro... it was my first," he breathed. "And it should've gone to the one I love. But it's done now. I can't give my first kiss to that person... but I promise, my last kiss will belong to him."

My heart thundered inside me. I couldn't speak. I didn't want to assume... but something in his voice told me—he meant me.