【 Toyama City, Toi Pharmaceutical Co. 】

It was late, but it couldn't be helped. As much as Kensaku loved to skip out on meetings and slack off, there were moments when he had to prioritize his job over his family and friends. And unfortunately, the Saitama Division leader's birthday was an instance where he could not escape his responsibilities for her.

Thankfully, Kensaku had chosen his friends well, as the gentle leader understood his situation completely. To make up for the unlucky timing, the two, alongside the genius doctor from Shinjuku, Jakurai Jinguji, arranged to go out for drinks to celebrate Sayaka's birthday, albeit belated. As much as Kensaku begged in their texts for Jakurai to join them in the alcoholic beverages, the doctor stood firm he would simply watch the other two and act as the designated driver.

Simple enough, right? That's at least what Kensaku thought, ignoring the butterflies that erupted in his gut. Setting his phone down on his work desk, he returned to his desktop, only to stare past the blinding letters of his report on the screen. The day could not come faster. The chance to see what he considered the two most attract- Dear! His two most dear friends were something he rarely got to experience. It's been some time since they all got to share a conversation, much less food or drinks. He had a hard time admitting that he really missed them. A lot.

Shaking his head, Kensaku did his best to ignore his intrusive thoughts. Thoughts he had been plagued with for nearly three years… Perhaps longer. Unfortunately, it's been getting harder and harder for the man to push down these feelings. But how was he supposed to go about it in the first place? So many factors conflicted with each other in Kensaku’s mind and it felt impossible to tackle it all at least, to him.

Again, he blinked at his screen and focused on the bold black text. It was best to push these woes aside. He didn't want to ruin Sayaka's night with his selfish desires. Nor did he want to sour his work-relation with Jakurai. Just push it down and ignore it. He's kept it up for years, what another year of unspoken feelings?

【 Saitama City, Unnamed Bar 】

“I love you guyyyysssss…!”

Well.

Shit.

The scientist looked completely stunned by the words that had slipped out. That was never meant to come out, especially a good hour or so into Sayaka's belated birthday celebration. Drinking for Jakurai's share was probably a bad idea, but Kensaku could not dwell on it when the panic alarms were blaring in his head.

He leaned into Jakurai, who was nursing a glass of vegetable juice whilst a slightly tipsy Sayaka sat on the opposite side of the doctor with her own drink. While Jakurai was more preoccupied trying to sit the blue haired man upright, Sayaka seemed equally surprised by the words. She tried to laugh it off half-heartedly, peering around the tall purple-haired man to smile at Kensaku down the bar. “I told you, you shouldn't drink so fast, Kensaku-san.”

“Don't mind Sayaka-san. Here, you should slow down.” Jakurai simply tuts at the bluenette, taking his drink and replacing it with a cool glass of water.

Staring down at the cup, Kensaku pouts childishly, earning a giggle from Sayaka. Looking to her, Kensaku feels bad for becoming a mess so soon. It was hard to hold back, when he knew that his drunk self could effortlessly pull those beautiful sounds from her. Still, he would hate to ruin her day with his mistakes. Sheepishly, he mumbles out his apology. “I'm sorry, Sayaka…”

“It's fine, Kensaku-san! I'm happy that you're having fun. This means a lot to me that you both invited me out.” Sayaka beams at Kensaku, before looking up to chat with Jakurai.

As the two exchanged polite conversation about their children and their work, Kensaku rested his face against his forearm to silently admire the two. The way the bar lights shone perfectly on their hair, the twinkle in their eyes as they reminisced on their personal history. And god, how much he wanted to kiss them. If only they didn’t take his true feelings as a joke.

Of course Jakurai sees his antics as a joke. They've been friends for so long, that doctor has tolerated even worse jokes from Kensaku. Same would go for Sayaka. It should be no surprise that Kensaku’s accidental confession was easily taken as a joke. A chance for Kensaku to brush his mistake under the rug, to continue wallowing in his unrequited feelings. But… It hurt. Being dismissed like that. And his drunken brain wanted to stand up for himself despite the fact a good amount of time had passed since Kensaku's drunken admission.

It was Sayaka who noticed the researcher struggling to sit back up from his position leaned against the oak table. It was before she could ask if he was alright, that Kensaku immediately started grabbing at Jakurai's arm to pull the focus onto himself. Unlike the many other times the group has spent drinking, the typical gullible drunken smile Kensaku would sport was replaced with that of fierce determination.

“I'm being serious. I love you, Jakurai.”

Jakurai chuckles softly as he responds in kind, “As do I, Kensaku-san. I cherish our friend-”

Before he could utter that one dreaded word, Jakurai's words were halted when Kensaku suddenly lifted him by the lapel of his coat to his feet.

“Not like that!”

“Kensaku-san?” Sayaka titters nervously.

Jakurai could only look down at the drunken man, taken aback by the ambush. Unlike Sayaka, he was speechless, simply taking in the words that Kensaku can't help but slur.

“N-Not as friends… I don't want to be friends. I want…” If Kensaku's face wasn't flushed already, he would be smoldering red now as he pushed his deepest thoughts out his mind and through his mouth. “I want you Jakurai. I wanna be with you-!”

Suddenly all strength seems to slip from his leg and Kensaku stumbles forward into Jakurai. Thankfully the taller man is able to catch him, a slight pink shade beginning to bloom on his face. This was getting messy, and fast. If Kensaku wasn't going to sober up with some water, the air outside might do better the doctor concluded.

“Sayaka-san, I-”

“I-It's fine! Here, let me help pay for the drinks.” Sayaka tries to escape the situation, completely baffled by the drunken man's actions. However, before she or Jakurai can say anything, Kensaku suddenly grips Sayaka’s wrist and pulls her towards the men.

“You too. I love youuu…”

Now everyone seemed to be at a loss for words. Jakurai's grip slacks as Kensaku stumbles towards the brunette, curling his arms around her smaller frame in contentment. Softly in her ear, yet loud enough for Jakurai to hear, Kensaku groans. “Stay with me for a little, sweetheart… Jakurai can take care of us. Isn't that right~?”

That teasing reminder was enough for Jakurai to pull himself together and take advantage of the distraction, quickly paying their tab. Taking Kensaku back from Sayaka and having him lean his weight onto him, Kensaku mumbles those damned words again. The doctor was finally getting it. Kensaku wasn't joking. He 'loves' him. But what was that about Sayaka? 

Sayaka is apologizing profusely so Jakurai can lead the way out, all while Kensaku is shouting his confession out the bar with unabashed happiness. This was definitely not what was planned for tonight. The three are all red-faced, despite the fact only one of them was fully plastered from the booze.

Making their way to Kensaku’s car, the two help get Kensaku into the back of the vehicle. It took quite a bit of work, with Kensaku acting much more clingy than ever before with the two of them. Eventually, though, the drunken fool is fastened into the back of the van, and Jakurai and Sayaka are able to sit in the front.

The van washes over in silence. The little hiccups of Kensaku are the only sound that breaks the awkward atmosphere. Jakurai looks over at Sayaka, who is running her hands over her face to confirm the fact her face is heated. They both were blushing. Flustered even, by the drunken man.

It was Sayaka who broke the ice first, “Kensaku-san?”

“Mmm?”

“D-Did you… I mean, who are you confessing to?”

That seemed to bring pause to the man, who slumped against the window of the car. Taking a moment to sort through the jumble of thoughts in his brain, Kensaku finally settled on his answer with a lopsided smile. “Both~”

“You mean…” Jakurai whispers.

“I love you b-both, Sayaka and Jakurai!” He states seriously, between a hiccup. “I-I want to be with both of you. I c-can’t pick… I want to be selfish. I want both of youuu...”

Well that answered it. The two front passengers looked at each other's crimson faces, unsure of what to do or say.

Minutes went by before Jakurai wordlessly starts the car and began to drive. As time passed, the drunken mumblings from Kensaku started to fade, they were replaced by light snoring sounds. Sayaka looks back bashfully, watching the man sleep. How were they supposed to handle this situation? She had an inkling that he had felt something more for her, but for Jakurai as well? How peculiar that he was stuck with the dilemma of picking between the two of them… Could this be a resolution to her own romantic plight? But that would mean Jakurai would have to love both of them back equally.

Amid her contemplation, Sayaka's attention was brought to the slow halt of the car. Looking out the window, she noticed that Jakurai had gone to her home to drop her off before Kensaku.

Unbuckling her seatbelt, the brunette goes to open the door only to be greeted by the purple-haired man doing it for her as he politely escorts her. Out the car and down the walk to her house, Sayaka stops at her door and takes a deep breath.

“Look, Jakurai-san.” Sayaka begins, “If Kensaku-san doesn't remember anything, do you-”

“No.” Jakurai retorts back bluntly. “No, I… This isn’t something we can just ignore.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“But what if-”

“Would you be opposed to being in a relationship? The three of us, that is.”

For the umpteenth time, Sayaka was taken aback. Jakurai reciprocated both their feelings? Genuinely?

“Y-You?”

“I was originally interested in you, Sayaka. For years, I held romantic feelings for you. But recently I began to feel for Kensaku in the same way… To think he was facing the same problem,” Jakurai almost sighs in relief, chuckling to himself in disbelief. “...It eases me to know that it was mutual between us.”

It takes a moment before Sayaka can find it in herself to speak and stop gaping. “Jakurai, I…”

“Sayaka.” Jakurai stops her, clutching her hands as he gazes down at her amber eyes with his own icy blue hues. “I want you to save your response for tomorrow. I'd like for us to sort this issue properly. The three of us together.”

She frowns, but nods in understanding. It's best to tackle their relationship with a clear mind. Both Kensaku and Sayaka had alcohol in their system, unprepared to make such a huge decision. That said, she gives a disappointed smile to Jakurai as she speaks. “Then keep him safe, Jakurai.”

“I promise.”

With that, Jakurai departs from the Miyuki residence leaving Sayaka to stand idly in her doorway. It took quite a bit of harsh whispering from Lola to finally drag her into the house. Despite the model’s hushed prying for juicy details from the night, for once Sayaka was too caught up in her thoughts to properly answer any of her questions. After all, she just might be able to earn the love she craved from the two men she had been pining for.

Official? Yeah, I guess. Hope this works out and now they can immediately get married lmao