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Rentarou Aijo was alone, a feeling that he had become unaccustomed to. Lately at least one of his girlfriends would be with him at any given time. There were 7 of them after all.
But today, things had aligned so that they were all busy. Shizuka was helping in the library. Eiai was studying for the elective classes that they didn’t share. Hakari and Karane were spending the afternoon together, though they didn’t actually tell Rentaro what they were doing. Kusuri was working on some new trial drug formulations. Hahari had some business meetings. Even his newest girlfriend Kirumi had plans with her parents. So Rentaro was alone.
He was walking through the city, watching people go about their days on a pleasant Autumn afternoon. He had decided to wander off his usual route and explore some of the city given his unexpected free time. In time, he came upon a sight that surprised him. It seemed to be an American style comic book store. After a moment of consideration, Rentaro decided to go in.
A free afternoon was a good time for new experiences and he was pretty proficient at English, so might as well give it a shot.
Ah he walked inside he took note of the decor. Despite the relatively small size of the shop, there was a truly shocking amount of inventory. Every wall was covered in shelves stuffed with books. Mostly the thicker collected editions but with quite a few shelves of the thinner regular issues. Every spot not covered by shelves was plastered in what looked like western comic memorabilia. It was fascinating to see the variety packed so densely. There was a man behind the counter who called out a greeting as he entered, but the only other occupant was a young man in a hoodie. He was seated at a reading table, hunched over a book with intense focus. Most of his face was hidden and Rentaro was briefly reminded of the hoodies favored by Kurumi.
He took this as a good sign and decided to approach the boy. “Excuse me, I … don’t really know much about American comics. Do you think you might recommend me a place to start.”
A calm, friendly voice came from beneath the hoodie. “Oh, sure. I guess if you like manga we can go from some of those you are a fan of and I can point you to some good starting points.” He looked up and Rentaro saw his pale blue eyes and a reserved, but kind smile. As their eyes met, Rentaro was struck with the now familiar feeling of lightning striking that he easily recognized as the sensation indicating that this was a new soulmate.
Rentaro’s mind started to spin on the implications of that. Was that really the sign of a soul mate? Did that mean he was gay? No he couldn’t be gay because he loved his girlfriends. Did he like both? He had never really felt that way about a guy before but he couldn’t deny that. He only allowed himself a brief pause before forcing himself to speak. “Oh, uh sure I can probably name a few. I don’t read a whole lot of it but I read and enjoyed a lot of Jojo’s. Some of the usual shonen jump stuff occasionally. Actually someone recommended Ouran High School Host club to me recently and I have enjoyed some of that.”
A bigger smile came across the boy’s face at that last statement. “Oh? Okay I didn’t expect that but that’s a great start. Is there anything you don’t like?”
Rentaro nodded, finding himself focusing on the boy’s captivating eyes and warm smile. “Umm, yeah I don’t really like harem stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with multiple partners of course. It’s just that they usually don’t treat the girls very well usually.”
“Huh. Okay. That… is interesting. Let me think through a few options.” He tapped his fingers in a strange rhythm on the table as he thought.
The little tick of the boy’s concentration struck Rentaro as kind of adorable, which lead Rentaro back onto the idea that he must actually like boys and girls. He guessed he could be okay with that. I mean, it would maybe cause some problems socially but it wasn’t like that wasn’t something that he had been willing to overcome for love already. Rentaro shook his head to get himself out of getting lost on that thought. “Uhh… what are you reading? Would that be good?”
The boy’s concentration broke and he turned back to Rentaro. “Oh no. No way.” He lifts the book, revealing the cover as a group of extravagantly dressed people, including a red haired woman in kabuki style makeup and a man with a shaved head with an American flag covering them like a blanket. “The Invisibles is a little heady and hard to follow. Not a recommend for beginners. Basically a group of people use psychic powers focused through gods or myths to fight inter-dimensional monsters, but its more about the characters than the plot.”
Rentaro thought about that description and it did sound a little hard to follow. “Kind of like Persona?”
The boy made a wavering motion with his hand. “Kind of but with a very different feel. Wait!” The boy cried, popping out of his chair and quickly zipping to one of the nearby shelves. He grabbed a book off of the shelf and quickly came back to Rentaro. He held up a softcover book. The white cover showed only a burning feather and the name The Wicked + The Divine.”
“This has a similar premise but is a little more fun and approachable. Less psychedelic. It’s about a girl who is trying to connect to people who realize they are reincarnated gods but will only live for a few years. The main character is great and the variety in it is a lit of fun. If you want something that isn’t a basic western superhero book this is a good option.” His face lit up as he was describing the book. Rentaro realized this was a true passion for him and it warmed his heart to see the boy showing such passion.
The boy pushed the book into Rentaro’s arms and then turned and began leaving through a nearby shelf. “But if you do want something more classical superhero. These are a couple of good crossover books that will let you find some characters you like so you can find some of their own books. I really think that following characters is the best way to get through western comics since the lines get so complicated.” He pushed a few more of the collected editions into his arms. The boy stood in front of Rentaro and only then did Rentaro see that the boy was several inches taller than him. He seemed thin and lanky but it was hard for Rentaro to tell with the oversize hoodie concealing his frame. “I really hope you enjoy them. It would be great to see some more regulars here.” The boy smiled at him again and Rentaro found himself dazzled.
“I’m sure that they will be great. Thanks for your help. By the way, I am Rentarou Aijou. It’s nice to meet you.” Rentaro smiled at the boy in front of him, unable to conceal his admiration.
“Oh. Yeah. I’m Omi Shirahama. It’s nice to meet you. Er, well I mean talk to you I guess. I am pretty sure we go to the same school.” The boy shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you Shirahama. I feel like I should.” Retaro sincerely apologized to the boy.
Omi shook his head. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m a year ahead of you I think and I try to blend in.”
Rentaro reached out and placed a hand on Omi’s arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry you feel like you need to do that. I think you are worthy of being seen.”
Omi’s face turned bright red and he looked down. “I.. uhh… thanks Aijo. I don’t see it. But, thank you.”
Rentaro gave his arm another gentle squeeze and let go. “Call me Rentaro.”
Omi gulped, still bright red. “Oh. Okay… Rentaro. Then you can call me Omi.”
Rentaro’s smile grew wider, taken with how cute Omi was blushing like that. It made him think of Shizuka. “I’d like that Omi.”
As Rentaro went to check out, Omi called out from behind him. “Hey Rentaro.”
Rentaro turned, seeing the brightly blushing Omi, looking down with his index fingers pushed together. “Would you… maybe like to read together at lunch tomorrow.”
Rentaro’s smile deflated a bit. “Actually I have plans at lunch every day.”
Omi seemed to collapse in on himself. “Oh, its okay. I just thought it might be fun to talk through what you thought of them. But i get it.”
Rentaro felt his heart break but he knew what he needed to do. “Well Omi, I would love for you to join me at lunch though. There are some people I would love you to meet. We meet up on the roof.”
Omi looked up at him, hopeful but fragile. “Really?”
Rentaro nodded and gave him a beaming smile. “Of course. I would love to have you there.”
Omi blushed gain and looked away. “I’d like that. Thanks Rentaro.”
“No thanks needed Omi chan. I will be happy to have you along.” Retaro said, giving him another smile before returning to pay. Rentaro wasn’t sure what he said chan instead of kun, but it had just felt right.
Omi behind him turned even more red and collapsed into the chair.
—
The next day, Omi made their way to the roof when class was released for their lunch break. They were excited but also on edge. They always felt so uncomfortable wearing the school uniform. And that was on top of the stress of Rentaro actually wanting to spend time with them. They were worried that they had misread his interest. They were worried they were going to walk onto an empty roof having been the but of a harsh joke. Though that worry rung hollow since Rentaro seemed too genuine of a guy to do something that cruel.
Omi paused at the door to the roof and took a deep breath. As they opened the door, they saw a surprisingly large group of people turn to look at them. It was all girls except for Rentaro who smiled and waved to them. He called out “Omi chan, I’m glad you made it.”
Omi blushed and returned the wave before approaching the group. As they got close, Rentaro stood and placed a hand on their shoulder. “It’s good to see you.”
Omi nodded and shyly added. “It’s good to see you too Rentaro.” They wished that they had a hoodie on. They just felt so exposed in front of so many people in the uniform. “I wasn’t expecting quite so many people.” They ran a hand through their hair, hoping it wasn’t too messy.
Rentaro gave their shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry Omi chan. They will love you.” Omi saw the earnestness in Rentaro’s expression and somehow managed to hold their ground. They forced a smile in return and turned to face the examining gazes of the seven girls staring at them.
Beside them Rentaro spoke. “Okay everyone. I would like you all to meet Omi Shirahama. We met yesterday at the comic book store and really hit it off so I invited them to come have lunch with us today. Omi… these are my girlfriends, Hakari Hanazono, Karane Inda, Shizuka Yoshimoto, Nano Eiai, Kusuri Yakuzen, Hahari Hanazono, and Kurumi Haraga.”
Omi couldn’t form actual words in light of all the information they had just learned but was able to give a smile and a wave.
There was a variety of interactions from the women was mixed.
Karane passed some money to Hakari who looked smug.
Shizuka hit some buttons on her phone which produced an electronic voice. “There is a beauty in the love between two warriors.”
Eiai stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Given past patterns I can only assume that it is your intention to include Shirahama in our relationship. I have no personal objections bit it would be efficient to have some discussion about possible changes to our dynamic that this might cause.”
Kusuiri returned their wave. “Are you named after the beach or is it a coincidence?”
Kurumi cocked her head curiously, but did not actually stop eating.
Most curiously though, Hahari looked positively jubilant. Her eyes had literal stars in them as she looked at rentaro and Omi standing together.
Omi turned their head to Rentaro. “So you are interested in me then? I mean I had thought so, but given that you are in a relationship and with a bunch of girls I kind of assumed that you might not really be interested. In someone like me I mean."
Rentaro nodded, an easy but earnest expression on his face. “I believe I am. It isn’t something I have experienced before but … meeting you has felt the same as meeting the rest of my girlfriends. They all bring something special to the table and compliment each other. And I think you can to. Labels don’t mean anything when you know something feels right.”
Omi felt themself blush deeper and a warmth fill their belly. They fought through the fire in them and managed to mutter. “I like you too Rentaro kun.”
Hahari grabbed her face and let out an actual shriek, disrupting any potential reply. As everyone turned to face her, they saw the jubilant look on her face. “You two will be so adorable together!”
Omi blushed even harder and looked down, unable to reply.
Rentaro let out a laugh and rubbed the back of his head. “Thanks Hahari. That sounds like at least one more yes vote.”
Hahari nodded and stepped toward them. “An enthusiastic one. After all it will give me the perfect excuse to get you dressed up again Rentaro.”
Rentaro looked at her curiously. “Not that you ever need an excuse, but why?”
Hahari raised a hand and placed it gently on Rentaro’s face. “Well two men together in romantic settings will get no end of negative attention and trouble. But if you let me show off your feminine side Rentaro you and Omi kun here can go on all kinds of cute little dates together.”
Rentaro smiled at her then turned to Omi. “That isn’t necessary Hahari chan. I would be happy to be seen with Omi chan. You know that I won’t let social pressure stop me from showing my love for someone.”
Omi looked up at Rentaro then, a shy smile on their face. “Isn’t it early for saying love Rentaro Kun?”
Rentaro shook his head and reached over to grab Omi’s hand. “It doesn’t have to be. I’m not afraid to feel.”
Omi’s smile grew. “Thanks Rentaro. And I think Hahari might have a good idea actually. Don’t get me wrong, I would be happy to be seen with you but it might be nice to be with you without feeling people judge us. Though…” They paused for a few seconds, until Rantaro gave their hand a supportive squeeze. “I think if one of us had to dress as a girl I ... could do it.”
A look of realization came over Rentaro’s face. “That is a good idea Omi chan.” He grabbed their other hand and faced them. “I think you would make a beautiful girl.”
Hahari placed a hand on Rentaro’s shoulder “Thank you for this precious gift Rentaro darling. Omi here’s thin frame and slight build combined with her height giver her a perfect form. Built like a fashion mode. I can’t wait to get some pictures of you two dressed up together.”
Omi blushed and managed a quiet. “Thank you Hahari.”
Rentaro let out a chuckle and shook his head. “You are encouragable Hahari chan.”
Behind them Kusuri raised and eyebrow and began considering the pros and cons of different processes to synthesize hormones.
Eiai began muttering to herself about necessary schedule changes.
Kurumi just kept eating her lunch, much to focused on the taste of the sweets that Rentaro had brough her to follow the conversation.
Shizuka tapped her phone several times before the electronic voice said. “So they bolstered their numbers.”
Hakari, looking disappointed passed the wad of money back to Karane who now had a smug smile of her own.