Chapter 67: A Confession's Aftermath

Kou's eyes seemed to freeze, his pupils constricting as he processed Mitsuba's words. The air around them grew heavier, as if the weight of Mitsuba's confession had pressed down upon them, making it hard to breathe. For what felt like an eternity, Kou simply stared at Mitsuba, his face a mask of shock and confusion. Mitsuba's face, on the other hand, was a map of emotions. Fear, vulnerability, and a deep-seated anxiety warred for dominance, making his eyes dart around the room as if searching for an escape from the consequences of his confession. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, and his hands trembled as he clenched them into fists. The silence between them grew thicker, until it felt like a living, breathing entity that threatened to suffocate them. Kou's mind reeled with questions, but he couldn't seem to form the words. How could Mitsuba, his Mitsuba, feel this way? Why had he never seen it coming? And what did it mean for their relationship? As the seconds ticked by, Mitsuba's face began to crumple, his eyes welling up with tears. He looked like he was bracing himself for rejection, for Kou to turn him away in disgust. Kou's heart twisted with a mixture of emotions - surprise, confusion, and a dawning realization that his feelings for Mitsuba went far deeper than friendship. Without thinking, Kou reached out and gently grasped Mitsuba's wrist, his touch sending a spark of electricity through both of them. "Mitsuba, don't," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't look like that." Mitsuba's eyes locked onto Kou's, searching for something - reassurance, acceptance, or maybe just a glimmer of understanding. Kou's grip on his wrist tightened, and he took a step closer, his face inches from Mitsuba's. "Mitsuba, I...I don't know what to say," Kou admitted, his voice laced with uncertainty. "I care about you, deeply. But I need time to process this, to understand what it means." Mitsuba's face fell, and he looked away, his eyes brimming with tears. Kou's heart ached at the sight, and he pulled Mitsuba into a gentle hug, holding him close as the weight of his confession settled around them like a shroud. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Kou knew that nothing would ever be the same again. The question was, what would the future hold for them? Would Mitsuba's confession bring them closer together, or drive them apart? Only time would tell.