"That's true. I suppose last time I tried to introduce you to someone didn't work out so well, hmm?"

"Uh-huh."

Poor Eiji-kun. So tortured under the expectations of Japanese high society.

Well, in any event, Yutaka isn't willing to out Eiji—there are some lines you just don't cross—so he's limited in just how uncomfortable he can make Eiji. Since Eiji's beard isn't paying enough attention for Yutaka to Darkly Hint™ at things, this is going to get boring fast. "Well, I'll get out of your hair and let you enjoy your time with your lovely new girlfriend, I'm sure you're still in the honeymoon phase and wouldn't want to spend so much time on people like me." The fact that she's completely ignoring Eiji is immaterial—or, even, part of the point. "It's been lovely to run into you. Don't be a stranger, though! You have my number!"

Either agreeing that he has the number or claiming he doesn't is a losing move. "Enjoy the party," Eiji says instead, and then he pretends to be really interested in the shoe conversation.

He's soooooooooooooooooooooo funny. "You, too!"

Now who's going to be Yutaka's next target? Let's find out~

Some people appreciate his presence. Some other people, Yutaka makes uncomfortable. Approximately no one he knows is indifferent to him, though, which is just the way he likes it. He has quite a lot of fun when the parents are in the conversation and are so clearly intensely annoyed at how bad an influence he is on their precious widdle babies and how badly Iwasaki-san seems to be able to control his son. Wouldn't it have been so much better if he'd vanished altogether, after he was transferred out? Everyone would've been so much happier, then.

Some people's feelings are more mixed than that, though.

"Having fun?"

Yutaka's taking a smoke break on a balcony, leaning on the railing and watching the pouring rain he's only a couple of inches away from. The balcony's spacious enough for more people, but given the cold and the wet he's the only one there. Or was, until just now. He looks over his shoulder to smile at his companion and says, "I am. But how about you? Are you sure it's okay for you to be seen alone with me, here?"

"No one can see shit outside here. And would it even matter? Everyone already knows."

"Especially dad, right? He must be so proud. It's one thing for Akira to be a faggot, but his precious Toshiki, too?"

"Fuck you, Iwasaki."

He grins and turns back around to look at the rain. "Been there, done that, Kobayashi. I know exactly what it's like. And I know it's not worth it, wanting their love. You shouldn't have to deserve their love. They're your family, they should love you no matter what."

He opens and closes his hands, shoulders tense, looking miserable. "So that's it? You're just going to tell me platitudes like we're in some shōnen anime and not, not, not take any responsibility?"

Yutaka isn't looking, so he's not seeing just how miserable Toshiki looks, but he has a guess. He takes a deep drag of his cigarette then puffs it out into the rain. "Responsibility for what, Kobayashi?"

"At least fucking look at me when you're talking to me."

He looks over his shoulder again—

And Toshiki grabs him by the neck of his coat and kisses him.

...wait, what the fuck?

He stops and takes a step back, looking distraught.

"Toshiki, you... do you like me?"

"Obviously, you asshole. You think I, I, I'm not like Akira, and I'm not like you, either! I'm not a, a slut like either of you who just, just, just runs around fucking everyone who looks interested."

Yutaka... does not know what to say. And he especially does not know what to say given that he just noticed Akira standing behind Toshiki.

Toshiki follows Yutaka's gaze and turns around then scowls at his twin.

Akira folds his arms. "Well, don't stop on account of me, that show was just getting interesting."

"No, hang on, time out, I am not here for causing drama between you guys—"