Iris

Prologue

Notes: This is my first story on this site, as well as my first story using the name “Ortensia”. I hope you will all support me through this heart-warming tale of an unexpected love that blooms despite societal demands. EDIT: I finally got to starting the rewrites of this story! Please enjoy the new and improved Iris!

Kiyoshi Katsumoto moved to Tokyo with his older sister, Hoshiko, after their mother died with the plans of graduating and going on to become a writer. But he never planned to fall in love. Love at first sight was always something Kiyoshi accepted could happen to anyone, but he had never expected it to happen to him. How could he, when the person he fell in love with was another guy?

It was about a month after he had moved to the area. He was on his way home one day when some bullies threw his bag into the bushes and stole his book from him, pulling out the bookmark and laughing.

“Hahaha! What the hell is this? A flimsy plastic bookmark with a purple iris on it? You’re such a loser!”, one of them had said. Kiyoshi was at first indifferent to the taunts, not caring about his bookbag so much, but as soon as they insulted his bookmark he looked up, eyes shining with anger as he tried to get it back.

“Give it back, you jerks! My mother gave me that, you have no idea what it means to me!”, he shouted, stumbling as they dodged his lunging attempt to get it back. They were laughing at him again.

“Oh, a gift from your mommy? What are you, a little kid? Just ask her to buy you another one. Friggin moron.”, another taunted. The others laughed, agreeing. Kiyoshi stopped in his tracks, looking down and allowing his bangs to hide his eyes. He stood there, fists shaking as he tried to get a hold on himself. “What? What’s wrong, is momma’s boy pissed off now?” Kiyoshi couldn’t help but want to throw himself at he bullies, get the bookmark back, and run. Just as he was about to, a voice called out.

“What do you guys think you’re doing, huh?”

“Oh? What do you want, Yuuji? Can’t you see we’re busy?”, the leader of the group said menacingly, his dark eyes glaring at the disturbance.

The one they had called Yuuji came over and snatched the bookmark back from him, ignoring their protests, and studied it a moment before Kiyoshi hesitantly asked, “Can I have that back please?”. The bullies were walking away and scowling, complaining amongst each other about being interrupted, and the young man they had called Yuuji stared after them for a moment before handing the bookmark back.

“Here. Now get lost.”, the young man said, giving Kiyoshi a push, not a mean push but rather an exasperated shove.

Stumbling, Kiyoshi turned around and looked back confused. “T-thank you...! Um... wait, what’s your name?”, he asked, calling out after the young man who was walking away.

The young man stopped, turning to face Kiyoshi. “Makoto Yuuji. I’m a second year. You’re new here, aren’t you?”, Makoto asked, sounding irritated that Kiyoshi was still here despite his warning to get lost. Makoto was not a patient person. Kiyoshi nodded, and Makoto acknowledged this. “Well,” he began, placing a hand on Kiyoshi’s shoulder, “Good luck, then. Those guys usually only pick on first year’s, anyway. See you around.” And with a casual wave of his hand, Makoto turned again and walked off. Kiyoshi watched with sad eyes as he left, feeling strangely abandoned that his savior just up and left like that.

On his way home that day, Kiyoshi couldn’t get Makoto out of his mind. Sure, the young man had been a bit rude and somewhat anti-social but for some reason, Kiyoshi felt drawn to him. Like despite how he had acted on the outside, Kiyoshi felt that on the inside, he was different. Kinder, more gentle. But hiding it for whatever reason. And (this was the part the confused him), Kiyoshi wanted to know what that reason was.

Little did he know, Makoto was also thinking about him. Makoto walked home and all the while thought about the boy whose light blue eyes seemed so expressive, yet subtly so. Not in-your-face, not loud and obnoxious, but expressive nonethe less. And observant. He had felt as if those eyes had seen... had seen him.

Both young men confused and not wanting to think about it, they both made the simultaneous (though they didn't know it at the time) decision to live their separate lives.

To Be Continued

End notes: oooh this is my first original story that I’m posting here! Alright, I’d like to get comments on this and I would greatly appreciate opinions and suggestions. This is one the prologue, and its gonna get more interesting from here. Plot bunnies are forming in my mind and who knows what’s gonna happen! Please review, I won’t update unless there are at least 3!