**Chapter 2: Simmering Emotions**

As Kou began to rummage through the fridge, Mitsuba's gaze lingered on his broad shoulders, the muscles rippling beneath his thin t-shirt. He felt a familiar twinge in his chest, a sensation he'd grown to associate with Kou's presence. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken emotions, as Mitsuba watched Kou move with a quiet confidence that made his heart skip a beat. The hum of the refrigerator and the sizzle of onions hitting the pan created a cacophony of sounds in the kitchen, but Mitsuba's attention remained fixed on Kou. He couldn't help but feel like he was drowning in a sea of feelings, unsure of how to navigate the choppy waters of his own emotions. As Kou started to cook, the aroma of sizzling vegetables and meat wafted through the air, enticing Mitsuba's senses. His stomach growled in anticipation, and he finally tore his gaze away from Kou's captivating form. He ambled into the kitchen, his eyes scanning the countertops for any signs of what Kou was making. "Ugh, what's that smell?" Mitsuba asked, scrunching up his nose in mock disgust. "It smells like someone poured a can of disappointment all over the kitchen." Kou chuckled, expertly flipping a piece of meat in the pan. "Hey, I'm a decent cook! It's just a little... experimental." Mitsuba snorted, sidling up to the counter to inspect Kou's handiwork. "Experimental? You mean like that one time you tried to make pancakes and ended up with charcoal briquettes?" Kou's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest. "Hey, those pancakes were... um... a learning experience." The tension between them was palpable, but they both seemed determined to ignore it, focusing on the mundane task of cooking dinner instead. Mitsuba hopped up onto a stool at the counter, his eyes never leaving Kou's face as he watched him cook. As they worked, Tiara burst into the kitchen, her pigtails bouncing with each step. "Kou-kun, Mitsuba-kun! Can I help? I wanna help!" Mitsuba grinned, opening his arms for Tiara to fling herself into. "Of course, little one! What do you want to do?" Tiara thought for a moment before her face lit up. "I wanna set the table!" Kou smiled, handing Mitsuba a plate to put in the oven. "Sounds like a plan, Tiara-chan. Why don't you go get the table set?" As Tiara skipped out of the kitchen, Mitsuba's eyes met Kou's, a spark of understanding flickering between them. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions. The silence was eventually broken by the timer on the stove, and Kou busied himself with plating their meal. Mitsuba watched him, feeling like he was getting lost in the depths of Kou's blue eyes. It was as if the entire world had narrowed down to just the two of them, the rest of reality fading into the background. The sound of Tiara's laughter echoed from the dining room, a gentle reminder that they weren't alone in the house. Mitsuba's gaze dropped, and he cleared his throat, trying to shake off the sensation that he was drowning in his feelings for Kou. As they sat down to eat, Mitsuba couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. Would they continue to tiptoe around their emotions, or would they finally find the courage to confront the elephant in the room? The uncertainty hung in the air, a constant reminder that their relationship was precarious, balanced on the edge of a precipice.