“Do you still have feelings for me?”

The question floated in the accompanying breeze, lingering in Mihoshi’s reddened ears and flushed cheeks. It was surely not a mistake, and yet he had trouble accepting that was what Sora asked.

Did Mihoshi still like Sora?

Of course.

From the moment he laid eyes on Sora in that VIP room, basking in the pink mood light, Sora blew Mihoshi’s breath away like the first day they ran into each other. In that split second, all the memories Mihoshi had locked away in the depths of his heart burst forth in uncontrollable waves. The affection, the pain, the longing, the regret, each of them screamed in an agonizing cacophony that demanded his attention.

He could never properly explain these feelings he harbored towards Sora.

It was simply…

…something that is.

He would be lying if he denied the question.

But he couldn’t exactly come forth and confess undying love.

After all, six years had passed.

Six years was a long time for many things to change, including his feelings.

Mihoshi kept his gaze on Sora, the beating of his raging heart slowing down to a steady rhythm. “I don’t hate you. I’ve never hated you. I’m sorry for blurting those harsh words at that time. I didn’t mean it.”

The unexpected answer caught Sora off-guard. “That’s not…I wasn’t referring to that time…”

“Still.” Mihoshi lowered his gaze, a weak smile on his lips. “I owe you an apology.”

Apologies.

“Just like you, I don’t wanna make excuses. We were both young. You couldn’t have controlled your manifesting pheromones well yet. I was scared of the changes happening to our bodies, and I simply avoided it like a coward.”

Tell him the truth.

“At that time, I was confused. Realizing that you’re really a dominant alpha, it felt like our worlds were miles apart. You’re smart, handsome, popular. You can be humble all you want but there’s no denying that you’re from a wealthy background. You’re like a royal prince straight out of a fairy tale. And I…”

I’m not an omega.

“I…” Mihoshi hesitated.

I’m a beta.

“I felt insecure that I wasn’t good enough to be by your side.”

“Mihoshi,” Sora interjected. A melancholic look settled in his dark eyes. “You’re right.”

Mihoshi blinked in surprise, an uncomfortable jolt twitching his shoulders.

“We were young. We didn’t quite have reasonable control of our emotions or pheromones. We made mistakes.”

This time, Sora’s eyes curved into crescent moons; the corner of his lips tugged up in an affectionate grin.

Despite the many people wandering the park, Mihoshi could only see Sora standing next to him. The freshly-mowed green grass, the clear blue sky, the joyful chirps of birds, none of those mattered when all he could think about was this beautiful man by his side. The boy he once crushed on was now a grown, handsome man.

“But time flies and now that we’ve met again, perhaps, we can close old wounds and move on. Isn’t this what growing up is all about?”

Sora’s dark hair fluttered in the light breeze, catching sunlight, making it look like rivers of silk.

“If you’re still willing, let’s go back to how we were before.”

How could Sora be so forgiving of Mihoshi’s wrongdoings? Wordlessly avoiding him, lying to him, and blatantly yelled words of hatred at him. Was it because they were grownups now? Sora’s handsome face had lost its boyish charm. Instead, his sharp nose, perfect jawline, and calm eyes exuded a sense of maturity.

“You feel you’re not good enough to be by my side.”

Maybe, this time, Mihoshi could truly be honest with Sora.

“But I have to disagree with you.”

He could confess all his lies and start over.

“Whatever you may be, however you are, I will always want you by my side.”

As friends, and perhaps something more.

“Because you are my Fated Pair.”

Mihoshi’s anticipating heartbeat fell into a ringing silence. The world around them disappeared into a darkness that swirled under his feet, opening up a bottomless ravine that promised the eternal fear of falling.

In front of him, Sora stood dazzling bright, sparkles of affection and hope in his obsidian eyes.

Mihoshi jumped when Sora took his hand, intertwining their fingers. Warmth spread from his palm, up his arm, and all over his body. A familiar physical touch he yearned for, a crackling ember that could ignite the flames of the past.

Sora thumbed the length of Mihoshi’s finger. “The years we were apart, I always thought of you. I was scared you would forget me. I desperately hoped you missed me too. I wanted to apologize, wanted to jump onto a plane and fly back here. But I was more afraid of being hated by you.”

The smile on Sora’s face widened. Genuine and sincere. A heartfelt confession that crossed the boundaries of time and stabbed Mihoshi in the heart, tearing it into a million pieces.

Sora brought up their entangled hands and pressed a soft kiss on Mihoshi’s knuckles. “If it’s too sudden for you, we can go slow. We can start over. I’m not going anywhere. We have all the time we ever need now.”

Mihoshi’s chest tightened again. Unable to hide the frustrated expression on his face, he dropped his gaze, hoping Sora didn’t catch on. That simple touch, the familiar kiss, everything crashed through the walls he built around himself, dragging him back out from the hollow of self-pity and insecurity. And it was all because of Sora.

“Whatever you’re thinking,” Sora continued. “Whatever worries you have about us or the future, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay. We can make it work together.”

Mihoshi lifted his eyes. Sora’s smile took his breath away.

“I still love you, Mihoshi. Always will. No matter what.”

Could they really go back to the way they used to? Spending time together, making sweet promises, living life unabided by the cages of secondary traits?

Mihoshi shuddered. Within a few seconds, impossible ideals flashed before his mind. How could first love be so difficult to forget?

Sora’s phone vibrated in his pocket and he excused himself to answer the call.

Looking at his profile, Mihoshi was once again reminded of how that handsome face had captivated him. Sharp, observant eyes. A nose carefully sculptured. Smooth lips whose warmth burned in his memory. Dark hair framing his neck, barely tickling his broad shoulders. Though Sora had yet to make his debut in Japanese media, the admiration cast by onlookers was an honest testament to his beauty.

And this absolutely charming man had professed his love to Mihoshi.

Alpha, beta, omega.

If they cast those aside, they were simply two men in love.

“Sorry, an ad meeting got pushed up and I have to go now,” Sora said. His brows drew in, revealing his disappointment.

“That’s okay. It’s work.” Mihoshi assured with a hurried wave of both his hands, secretly glad that this uncomfortable talk was coming to an end.

Sora’s brows drew closer in another form of displeasure, but the expression quickly shifted back to a cordial smile. He gestured at Mihoshi’s takeaway coffee cup. “Are you done with that? I’ll take it on my way.”

“Huh, I can toss it.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Sora offered his hand.

Unable to refute, Mihoshi shyly handed the cup over. Sora’s fingers brushed over Mihoshi’s, resting a second longer before he took the cup.

“Is it okay if I visit you at your work again?” Sora asked.

“Oh, yeah.” Mihoshi startled. A blush adorned his cheeks. “You…you know where it is.”

“I might not be able to stay long, but I still want to see you.”

The heat spread from his cheeks to his neck and Mihoshi tried to look away. “That’s okay. You’re here now. We can always meet up whenever.”

With the promise to see each other again later in the evening, they parted ways.

Mihoshi watched Sora walk off. Even his back, clad in an inconspicuous jacket, was abundantly handsome and attractive. Who knew just the shape of perfect shoulders could capture attention.

Mihoshi turned away and hurried his steps; the thuddings in his chest grew louder with each breath he took. He missed the timing to tell Sora he was a beta, but there was always a next time. As long as he explained properly why he had to lie, surely Sora would understand. Then perhaps, they could return to how they were.

Return to the heartwarming times of their love.

***

Sora got into the van waiting at the roadside and the door automatically slid close behind him. His manager began talking about the upcoming meeting, but none of the words registered in Sora’s mind. He gazed at the coffee cup in his hand—Mihoshi’s cup. Warmth still radiated from it.

Mihoshi’s warmth.

He stared at the sip hole with a crazed look swirling in his dark eyes.

Sora pressed his lips firmly where Mihoshi’s were, and his tongue slid out to lick the faint trace of his omega.