Closer

The next day, Yukito and Ling planned a day out at a national park, since it was an off-day.
"I found the park yesterday online, and I thought we should check it out!" Ling said.
"Nice! I'll get some food," Yukito said.

***

About thirty minutes after leaving their respective homes, Yukito, Ling, Quinn, and Ishigami were all at the park. It was sunny, and there were some pine trees. There was also a small breeze, so it was cool, but not cold.
"Really nice day out here today," Quinn said, looking at the flying birds.
"Yeah!" Ling said. "Super clear and bright."
Ishigami was quiet, but he seemed to be enjoying this.

Maybe.

Yeah, he was enjoying it — a small smile, hard to see but still there.

***

After eating his sandwich, Yukito went to walk on the trail that was near the park. He looked up at the trees on the sides of the path.
'Woaah, it's so pretty~' Yukito thought. He started wondering how long those trees had been around, until he remembered something important.
'Wait, shouldn't I talk to Ishigami now? I mean, I have the chance to, so I-!'
"It's nice out today," Ishigami said suddenly. It seems he had been following Yukito — or, most likely, just also walking on the same trail.
"Uh- oh, yeah it is," Yukito said, a bit surprised by Ishigami.

The two walked in silence for a few minutes, until Ishigami spoke.
"So, Akiyama," he said, "is there something on your mind?"
Yukito looked at Ishigami. "Uhhhh no, why?" he chuckled awkwardly,.
"You look like something's bothering you," Ishigami said.

Yukito scratched his head. "Well, I mean... There is something I wanted to talk to you about, but I don't really- well, like- I um-" He stammered.
Ishigami stood there next to Yukito. 'Take your time,' he thought; not mad, just waiting. 'I have all day.'
"I- I uh- I'm gay??" Yukito said.
Ishigami just looked at him with that face he always made. That same calm and/or slightly tired face.
"Cool, me too," Ishigami said.

'... Huh,' Yukito thought. He was a bit surprised at how easily Ishigami said it. 'Maybe I could ask him- no wait, not right away, that's too rushed... I'll wait a few weeks maybe.'
"Well, uhm, anyways," Yukito said, continuing his walk awkwardly. "That was kinda weird to mention, wasn't it?"
"Not really," Ishigami said. "I don't think so, at least."

The two kept walking and talked a bit, until they reached a really tall tree. It looked like it must be really old, it was so tall. Maybe around 100 years old.
"Wooaaah!!" Yukito said excitedly. "It's so tall!!!"
"No kidding," Ishigami said, looking up at the tree.
"Ooh! Can you take a picture of me next to it??" Yukito asked, hopping around a bit.
Ishigami looked at him with that slightly tired face. "Can't you do it yourself?"
"Yeah, but it would be more fun if you did it!!" Yukito said with a grin.

Ishigami sighed. "Alright, gimme your phone," he said. "I'll take the picture."
Yukito stuck his hands in his pockets, looking for his phone, only to realize he left it at home.
"Ah damn it," he muttered. "I forgot my phone..."
Ishigami sighed again. "I'll just use my own, what's your number?" he asked. "So I can send it to you."
"Oh, that's OK with you?" Yukito said. "Thanks, hehe. Now, my number..."

After taking the picture, the group started going back home.
When Yukito got to his apartment, he checked his phone, and saw a text from a number. He knew it was Ishigami's, since they had given each other their numbers so neither would block the other by accident.
'Oh, that's my picture!' Yukito thought. "≪Thanks for taking the picture! I'm gonna download it now≫, and send!"
Ishigami replied right away.

≪No problem
I thought I may as well anyways, since we've known each other for a while now.≫

'"Known each other for a while now"?' Yukito thought.

≪Does that make us friends?? :DD≫

Ishigami started texting, then stopped. He did that twice, then sent his message.

≪Maybe
Depends on you
Do you want to be friends with me?≫

Yukito fist-pumped the air. 'Yes!!' he thought.

≪YES PLS
I'D LUV THAT≫

Ishigami replied kinda fast this time.

≪Calm down dude
Less all caps pls≫

Yukito giggled a little and sat down on his couch.

≪OK OK lol
I'll be chill~≫

Meanwhile, on Ishigami's end:
He sat in his apartment at the kitchen table. He kinda chuckled at Yukito's texts; he was enjoying himself, even if a bit. Until, that is, he remembered something. Something important.

'He... he wouldn't, right?' Ishigami thought. 'He shouldn't, but... I don't know why, but I don't fully trust this... friendly-ness.'

He remembered someone he used to trust, and how that someone had left him for someone, quote, "hotter".

"Akiyama Yukito," Ishigami muttered under his breath. "If you try anything, you-" Ishigami sighed, but in a angry, yet strangely worried way.
"I will not let that day happen to me twice," he said to himself.

Ishigami:
≪Alr
Btw, would you want to come to my place sometime?
Actually nvm that's probably weird≫

Yukito:
≪Nah it's not weird!
I'd luv that :3≫

Ishigami:
≪Ok then
Next weekend?≫

Yukito:
≪Sure thing! :D≫

And so they would wait.

Wait til Yukito would go to Ishigami's apartment next weekend.