Chapter 2

Shaving isn’t something Shota can do every day, but he tries a couple of times a week when he’s in the mood and can afford to wake up ten minutes earlier than usual. At first, it feels a little strange: he doesn’t remember his face ever being this smooth when he first started shaving, but he does, admittedly, look better this way. Still, he knows he won’t be able to shave every morning the way Hizashi does.

Tying his hair back is easier, and he does it almost every day. He’s noticed that Hizashi’s eyes tend to wander more often to the nape of his neck, so he only wears his hair loose when he’s working on paperwork. Sometimes Shota absentmindedly reaches back to check that the hair tie is still there, a subtle reminder of Hizashi. It doesn’t feel the same as wearing Hizashi’s clothes, but it’s… not bad.

About a week after these small transformations, Shota remembers their anniversary, and he can’t help feeling a vague sense of guilt. Hizashi has remembered their anniversary every year since they started their third year of middle school, while Shota hasn’t remembered it once. He’s never particularly cared about keeping track of dates—Hizashi’s birthday is the only one marked in his calendar—but now it feels like just another shortcoming for Hizashi to put up with.

This year, he’ll remember.

Usually, on their anniversary, Hizashi cooks one of Shota’s favorite meals, gives him a small gift, and then they have fantastic sex. This year, however, their anniversary falls on a Friday, which means Hizashi will be busy with his radio show for most of the evening, leaving Shota with the responsibility of cooking.

Unfortunately, while Shota isn’t a bad cook, he’s not exceptional either. That means he’ll need help if he wants to somehow learn how to make Hizashi’s favorite ramen before their anniversary.

Thankfully, Lunch Rush agrees to help. The only downside is that Shota now has cooking lessons that he needs to explain somehow.

“By the way, I’ll be home late tonight,” Shota says over lunch, as he and Hizashi eat side by side in the staff room.

“What? Why?” Hizashi asks, frowning.

“Nemuri’s dragging me to some movie,” Shota replies, feeling slightly uncomfortable about the lie—but it’s a lie for a good cause.

“Oh…” Hizashi says slowly. “Okay.”

They fall quiet for a moment.

“Can I come with you?” Hizashi finally asks, giving Shota a puppy-eyed look that makes him feel guilty.

“Nemuri was complaining that she hasn’t spent time with me in ages,” Shota replies, shaking his head.

“Okay,” Hizashi says. But Shota knows Hizashi’s tones well, and this one definitely doesn’t sound okay.

“Hey,” Shota says gently. “It’s not that I don’t want you there.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Hizashi sighs, reaching out to lace their fingers together. “Sorry for being clingy. I’m not trying to turn us into one of those couples who do everything together.”

Shota can’t help thinking about the invitation he found last week, and he’s tempted to comment that Hizashi doesn’t seem to mind selectively excluding him. Hanging out with friends and attending a formal gala are two very different things, but this is clearly not a topic he wants to bring up right now.

“I’ll be all yours when I get home tonight,” Shota says instead, satisfied when he sees Hizashi’s eyes darken just a little.

“Sounds fair,” Hizashi replies.

In the end, Shota doesn’t manage to give him “all of himself,” because cooking turns out to be surprisingly exhausting, and he finds himself yawning after just a few kisses. Hizashi rolls his eyes, but kisses Shota on the forehead again and wishes him good night, tucking them in under the covers.

Shota decides that he definitely has the best husband.