maybe i could eat blades of grass

Yusaku can’t say what brings him to the local fair. The summer heat makes his clothes stick to him in uncomfortable places, and the grounds were a chaotic mess of screaming people…Screaming with joy, he deduces. This is what ‘fun’ looks like.

Either way, Yusaku is not a people person.

He just happened to get wind of the date of the fair from some passing schoolboys, and that date stayed in the back of his head for the next week. And he had time to kill today…

Yeah, he’ll go with that.

As Yusaku mosies about, stretching his leg awkwardly every few steps so his slacks don't stick to his sweaty upper thigh, he can’t help but people-watch. Not that he particularly cares about other people, it's just something to do. Every guy his age who’s not slinking around with a posse has a girl on his arm. He’s surrounded by couples, neck deep in them even.

In his sixteen years, Yusaku’s never had a girlfriend…or boyfriend. Recent revelations about himself led him to conclude that, with the entire population as his dating pool, he should have at least come up with someone by now.

‘Talking to people is a great place to start!’ Shima once teased, the bearer of unsolicited advice.

“Whatever,” Yusaku replies out loud to the memory.

“Yusaku?”

Yusaku whirls around in response to his name. The only people behind him were some bewildered grade schoolers.

“Uh, over here?”

The voice comes from his right, so, slowly this time, he looks in that direction.

Kougami Ryouken raises his right hand in a nonchalant acknowledgement of Yusaku’s existence. He’s wearing jean shorts and a pink T-shirt, and Yusaku notices the shirt is soiled with some white powder - the mostly eaten funnel cake in his hands explains that away.

Yusaku’s never seen Ryouken without his platinum blazer before now, and he can’t help but notice he’s got a nice tone of muscle on his arms, complemented by a summer tan.

When Ryouken snaps his fingers, Yusaku realises he’s been staring.

“S-sorry, I was lost in thought.”

“Clearly.”

“What are you doing here?” Yusaku notes that Ryouken is equipped with neither a posse or a pretty lady.

“Carnival food.” Ryouken answers matter-of-factly, and to Yusaku’s amazement, shoves the rest of the funnel cake into his mouth. A smack and a swallow later, the snack is history.

Yusaku cracks a smile, “Almost forgot, you’ve got a massive sweet tooth.”

“You’d forget that?” Ryouken teases, licking the glaze and powdered sugar off his slender fingers. “You by yourself, Yusaku?”

Yusaku is suddenly bashful and a little miffed at the observation. “Yeah…so what?”

He doesn't know why he’s feeling defensive; he didn't care that he was on his lonesome…until confronted with it.

“Just asking.”

He feels like an asshole for being snarky. It was this kind of attitude that kept people away after all. Maybe he was better off on his-

“Do you want to grab some more food with me?”

Yusaku blinks. Then he chuckles, “Gosh, you really are a glutton.”

Ryouken snorts, “Yeah, so what? The cuisine is killer here. You coming or not, Yusaku?”

Yusaku’s face heats up, and the weather has nothing to do with it. His instinct, his survival tactic, more accurately, is to keep to himself. Playmaker doesn’t fraternise. And he’s certainly not invited out, especially not by cute guys with hunky arms, tantalisingly messy hair and- fuck, he’s staring again, isn't he?

“Yes!” he finally coughs out.

Ryouken raises an eyebrow but mercifully decides not to say something to humiliate Yusaku further. He simply shrugs and leads the way. Yusaku follows.

Once they reach an even gait, they’re walking side by side, shoulders dangerously close to grazing. The presence of someone else is peculiarly comforting. He doesn’t feel like the odd one out, a lonely loser amongst the sea of friend groups and, well, couples. It was…nice to be out with a friend. But shit, he should have worn shorts too.

“So, I hear the hot dogs here are on par the ones at Cafe Nagi.”

“I’m not in the mood for a hot dog, I want something with marshmallow.”

“Oh, come on, I need real food. And we’re right by the stand, too!”

The aroma of cheap sausages wafts through the air, and Yusaku’s mouth waters.

“Tell you what,” Maybe it's the prospect of processed meat, but Yusaku suddenly feels emboldened, “I’ll treat you.”

Ryouken smriks. “I’m flattered.”

Yusaku flashes a “two” sign at the middle-aged worker.

“Can I get mine with marshmallows?” Ryouken blurts out.

Yusaku swallows the many questions he has and remains silent. Much to his dismay, they do keep marshmallows in the hot dog booth.

Once they've been served, Yusaku slides over a ten note.

The worker shakes his head, “Toppings are extra, boy.”

***

The fairgrounds pandemonium was settling down; most of the children and families had headed home for the day, leaving only the older teen crowd to bask in the temporary ecstasy of summer holiday freedom.

As the afternoon becomes early evening, Yusaku is given merciful respite from the sun’s rays. It’s chilly, a comfortable summer breeze, but if he had a jacket, he’d offer it to Ryouken. It would be gentlemanly. Maybe even a little romantic.

There is one last thing he can offer, however.

Ryouken is finishing off his third roast marshmallow skewer when Yusaku puts a brave hand on his shoulder.

“Let’s ride the Ferris wheel, you and me.”

If Yusaku were a little cockier, he would have sworn he caught the boy’s face reddening.

Ryouken licks his fingers. “I think I’d like that.”

The last of Yusaku’s pocket change is spent on two tickets for the Ferris wheel. The pair idles in line with the other couplings of boys and girls, but it's not awkward; it's giddy and exhilarating. Moreso when they’re finally in their pod and the contraption rises and rises until they’re totally alone. The boys don't say anything; instead, it's a blissful, meaningful quiet.

“Wish I could have taken you here, before that new kid,” Ryouken says, gazing out the glass cage.

“Homura?”

He cringes, “Yeah, whatever his name was.”

Laughter spills out of Yusaku’s mouth, much to the Ryouken’s apparent chagrin. “Ryouken, if you wanted to hang out with me, you could have asked ages ago.” He collects himself, “I would have agreed in a heartbeat.”

“Really?”

“I have no reason to lie about this.”

By now, their pod is at the top overlooking the city.

Ryouken is looking at him now, a gentle smile adorning his smooth face, “Do you wanna come back here tomorrow like…together?”

Yusaku scratches the back of his head shyly, “You just want me to buy you more marshmallow hot dogs, don't you?”