They say that sometimes the most innocent of questions can lead to something much larger than the person anticipated. This would be one of those very times. Our story begins in a quaint cafe named Cafe Kichijouji. Let's enter, shall we?

 Loud sounds and shouts filled the cafe as Tarou and Maki once again fell into another of their trademark arguments, which should really just be called screaming matches since that is all they do in them. Oh, wait, that's not all they do, Tarou also smacks Maki with a mop or broom or anything else he can get his hands on. And here comes the savior, the pastry chef Minagawa. "Maki-chan, Tarou-chan, I'd say that's enough, wouldn't you?" he asked calmly in his eerie voice as he prepared to poke needles through a couple of wara-ningyou labeled with the names of his victims. With those words, the argument/screaming match came to a temporary end.

 "Minagawa-san, why are you always so interested in the occult, anyway?" Tokumi asked innocently. "You never seem to hesitate in bringing out the wara-ningyou, your cookbook looks like an occult spellbook, you're a master at placing curses on others, but why do you like it so much?"

 There! Did you catch it? That was the innocent question! Let's see what it shall lead to.

Minagawa tucked away his wara-ningyou until they'd be needed again, which would be in another few minutes. He didn't bring out the one he saved especially for Tokumi. "That is none of your business, Toku-chan," he replied before making his way into the kitchen.

 Tarou smacked Tokumi over the head with a broom handle. "Idiot! You complete and total idiot!"

 Tokumi rubbed the sore spot, moving his hand once to see if he was bleeding. He wasn't. "What? It was just an innocent little question. I was curious, that's all."

 "You just hit on a sensitive subject!"

 Maki scoffed. "Sensitive? Please, he uses it all the time! The only ones it would be sensitive to are those who fall victim to it each time." No sooner had he finished saying those words did he feel Tarou's wrath in the form of a double broom and mop handle smack, enough to knock a man out.

 Jun and Natsumi had been silently watching the whole exchange. Jun just shook his head at what was going on, while Natsumi cast a worried glance towards the kitchen. 'Hifumi-chan...'

***

 The cafe had closed for the day. Minagawa hadn't said a word all day since Tokumi had asked his question. He'd stayed hidden in a cupboard when he wasn't busy, and didn't use his wara-ningyou threats on Maki, Tokumi or Tarou. He finished washing everything up before grabbing his jacket and making his way out of the cafe. Waiting for him at the entrance was... "Na-chan?"

 Natsumi smiled widely. "Come on, we had a big day today, so I will treat you to a fun evening out~!"

 Minagawa smiled in response. Trust Natsumi to pick up on his negative feelings. "Very well, Na-chan. Where are we going?"

 "First we'll go out for dinner, I know of a great restaurant! Then we can go and catch a movie, and then go bowling afterwards if the alley is still open by the time the movie ends!"

 "Sounds good. Then I shall take you up on your offer."

 Natsumi's grin widened if that was possible. He was glad Minagawa had accepted his offer; he wanted his friend to cheer up. "Great! Then let's go~!" Without thinking about it, he took Minagawa's hand in his own and happily led the way.

 Minagawa smiled in amusement. He loved to see Natsumi so energetic, it suited him. And to have the part-time waiter holding his hand, he felt completely relaxed. He was already feeling better.

 "Hifumi-chan, your hand is so smooth~! It's nothing like mine~!"

 "That just adds to your charm, Na-chan."

 Wait, were they really having this conversation? None felt bothered by it though, ever since the day they'd met they had been really good friends. Natsumi still appreciated how Minagawa saved him from dying of starvation and dehydration, in his mind, Minagawa was one of the kindest people he'd known.

***

 They arrived at the restaurant. Minagawa was indeed pleased with Natsumi's choice; he'd heard nothing but good things about this restaurant. "This is a fine choice of venue, Na-chan."

 Natsumi reluctantly let go of Minagawa's hand before they entered. "My oldest sister used to come here all the time whenever she stayed in Musashino; she always recommended this particular restaurant to all of the family." He opened the door and allowed Minagawa to enter before following him inside the building. "And I can see why, this place is beautiful!"

 "Indeed it is, Na-chan."

 "From what Sis told me, we just need to find ourselves a table and put up a little sign to say we wish to be served."

 "That's a very different way to go about things."

 "So, where would you like to sit?"

 Minagawa glanced around and found a preferable area away from too many people. "Over there, if that's alright."

 "Of course, Hifumi-chan, this is your special night." Natsumi followed Minagawa to the preferred table and had to admit it was a great place to sit.

 Minagawa sat down and sighed in relief that the seats were comfortable.

 Natsumi sat across from him. "Would you like to order anything, Hifumi-chan?"

 Minagawa thought about it for a second. "No, not quite yet, Na-chan. Actually, I would like to speak with you, and do not wish for any disturbances."

 "Of course."

 "It's about today. About Toku-chan's question. I overheard Tarou-chan mention it's a sensitive subject for me, and he was right, it is. I became interested in the occult because my grandmother enjoyed it. Even though my parents continued to discourage it, I enjoyed learning more about it from my grandmother. She taught me numerous practices and how they can be used, such as a barrier to keep people in or people out of a certain area, or even how to use voodoo on someone, not powerful enough to kill them, but enough to give them a bit of pain so they may learn their lesson. As the years passed, Grandmother became ill, and none of the practices could help her. She had passed all of her knowledge onto me, and just after my eleventh birthday, she had passed away in her sleep."

 "Hifumi-chan..."

 "I continued to study the occult in memory of her, and each new practice would be something I wished I could've allowed her to know. Toku-chan didn't understand, so I felt hurt when he asked the way he did. To him, it just seemed like something I was intrigued in all on my own, but it was my grandmother who helped me develop my interest. And Maki-chan's statement didn't help either."

 "No wonder Tarou-chan delivered a really hard blow when he said that. Oh, Hifumi-chan, that was so sad~!"

 "The anniversary of her passing is next week. Master already knows, so I will be away on that day. Na-chan, I would appreciate it very much if you spent the day with me. I need a friend on that day."

 "Of course, Hifumi-chan, of course I will." He reached out and squeezed Minagawa's hand. "She was very special to you, wasn't she?"

 "Yes, Grandmother raised me more than my parents did, they were always away." He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply to try to calm himself. "It's so close to the anniversary, so Toku-chan's question was timed rather badly."

 Natsumi nodded in agreement. "Hifumi-chan, do you still feel up to our night of fun? Or should we postpone it until you feel better?"

 "You went through so much to plan this evening..."

 "It's no problem. The plan was to cheer you up, but you are going through a tough time right now. Maybe we should just hold our night of fun in a few weeks."

 "Very well." He opened his eyes again. "Come to my house, it's the least I could do after this..."

 "Of course, Hifumi-chan."

 Both men got to their feet and left the restaurant, planning on returning another night.

***

 Natsumi waited at the table while Minagawa went to get something. His friend soon returned with a photo album. "What is that, Hifumi-chan?"

 Minagawa knelt down beside Natsumi and placed the album on the table. "Photos of my grandmother and myself." He opened to the first page and pointed at each one, recounting the pleasant situations to Natsumi. He chuckled as the memories from each photograph replayed in his mind.

 Natsumi heard the different chuckle and smiled gently. "You have a cute laugh."

 "Thank you. This is my real laugh, but Grandmother taught me the eerie laugh gives more of an effect. I cannot change my tone to my normal one, this has stuck with me."

 "Don't worry, Hifumi-chan, I like it." He saw a young Minagawa dressed up for Halloween and his smile widened slightly. He noticed the elderly woman in the photo was dressed up the same way.

 Minagawa's tone started to sadden as they reached the second half of the album. He shakily pointed to a photo and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. It was obvious his grandmother was ill judging by how she looked in the photo. He reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, pulled it out and dabbed at his eye.

 Natsumi noticed the movement in the corner of his eye. "Hifumi-chan? Are you alright?"

 Minagawa didn't lie to Natsumi; he could never bring himself to do so. He just shook his head in response.

 Natsumi became worried. Without thinking about it, he wrapped his strong arms around the chef and pulled him into an embrace, stroking his purple hair and whispering to him.

 Those gestures allowed him to break down, he cried into Natsumi's chest, knowing he would not be judged for it. He felt the hold around him tighten slightly. He heard the gentle whispering. Those were the only words exchanged between them.

 This was not the first time Natsumi had witnessed Minagawa shedding tears, though it was out of sorrow this time. He continued to offer comfort any way he felt he could and should.

***

 After what felt like forever, Minagawa finally pulled back and wiped his eyes again, he'd finished crying for this evening. "Thank you, Na-chan. I am glad you are here right now."

 "I'll be here anytime you need me, Hifumi-chan, that's what friends do for each other."

 "And those who could be potentially more than friends?"

 Oh! Another innocent question!

 "Hifumi-chan? Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

 "And it is not because I am tired either."

 Natsumi blushed lightly. "Hifumi-chan, you should know that I have had the biggest crush on you ever since the day we met. And well, as time passed, it did become more than a crush. But, I was scared to tell you how I feel. Even though our compliments and actions may be intimate to most, they are just a sign that we are really good friends. That's why I avoided giving too many hints, aside from my behavior. So, I...I kind of feel wrong for telling you this now, you've just finished crying, it would seem like I'm taking advantage of the situation, but I don't want that, I..." he was silenced by an index finger on his lips.

 "You're ranting, Na-chan..." Minagawa murmured. "And it is like I said, I am not feeling too tired right now, I am in my right state of mind. You are not taking advantage of the situation; I started it with my question." He leaned in close and moved his finger from Natsumi's lips. "This is fine with you, isn't it?"

 Natsumi nodded in reply. "More than anything, Hifumi-chan," he whispered before he felt a couple of soft lips on his own. He returned the kiss instantly. After a few seconds, he felt Minagawa pull back slowly. "It's more than alright, because I love you."

 "I love you too, Na-chan." And with that, the chef leaned in again for another kiss.

***

 Tarou, Maki, Tokumi and Yuuichi all stared wide-eyed at the sight before them. Natsumi and Minagawa had walked into the cafe holding hands with each other, and in a more than friendly way too. Jun smiled knowingly, he'd always seen this coming.
 Yuuichi thought about how he would break the news to Reina that her future husband has found the person he loved. Part of him was relieved; he didn't want Reina to marry any of his employees. But part of him was worried about his daughter's reaction to the news.
 Not feeling the least bit modest, Natsumi and Minagawa gave each other a quick peck on the lips before they set off to do their jobs, not noticing Tarou and Maki standing stone still with mouths wide open, Tokumi becoming faint and Yuuichi murmuring about how he has to be the one to tell Reina the recent events.
 "Congratulations, Minagawa-san, Natsumi-san," Jun stated before numerous thuds could be heard.

 And that was one of those situations in which an innocent question can lead to larger things.