Minaho likes Manabe.
It is a truth which our young detective could not deny. He wondered when he even fell for him. Minaho only realized that he was being kind to Manabe when Kusaka mentioned it while the both of them were having dinner together.
He had to admit, Minaho disliked the bespectacled boy at first. He thought Manabe will beat him at his goal in becoming a detective. He told himself, after his father’s passing, that he will become someone like him, someone who will help people and solve cases no one could solve. That was until the purple haired boy came.
But then…Minaho thought hard, why did he use his efforts to persuade Manabe to get along with his father? Why did he make sure their father and son relationship was restored? Why did he give him a hamburger after he read that Manabe never tried one before? Why was he happy to know that Manabe was selected to train with him with the same program? Why was his heart pounding so hard when he was beside Manabe? Be it from hiding in the same bush or working together on their opponent’s data. More importantly, why was he even in love with him?
Minaho thought about it and deduced it to himself having a crush on the purple haired boy, although a crush would not explain the amount of time he spent doing those things. Love would fit. Minaho Kazuto loves Manabe Jinichirou.
He loved how the boy’s sweet sounding voice called his name. He loved how the boy always brought up scientific facts to explain the situation. He loved how Manabe likes reading sci fi books. He loved everything about the young boy and he could not help but love him more each day.
Therefore, Minaho decided, he was going to confess his feelings to Manabe. Of course, like any other boy who realized he was in love, Minaho had to check if Manabe liked him the same way or not. With great detective skills in the orange haired boy’s hands, Minaho could watch the first year’s every move and actions, and see if Manabe showed signs of liking him as well. However, like every other boy who went to check, Minaho came up with zero indication.
The orange haired defender was disappointed, knowing Manabe did not like him back. However, he really wanted the defender to at least know Minaho’s affections. Therefore, he spent night after night thinking of a way to confess, some even ridiculous confessions like bumping into him and printing the confession on to Manabe’s skin. It was after three days of pondering when Minaho gave up the whole point of confessing. That was until one day when Earth Eleven were talking about jobs in the future and where they will go to pursue it when Minaho found out he really wanted Manabe by his side more than anything in the world.
So there he was, standing near the hologram projector, waiting for the purple haired boy to come. He told Manabe to meet him at the centre of Faram Orbius town through a message after dinner. Minaho was not going to confess. He was not sure if Manabe would accept and he feared the answer. That was why, he was going to ask a question. A question and that was it.
Minaho felt his hands shaking as every minute passed. It had already passed dinner five minutes ago…but where was Manabe?
“Minaho-kun.” Said boy’s ears twitched when he heard the voice he loved listening to. Minaho looked up and found Manabe standing in front of him, “You want to talk to me about something?” He asked, lifting his spectacles. In removing his hand from his spectacles, Minaho felt his breath taken away. The light emitting from the hologram projector casted a soft glow on Manabe’s face, making Minaho unable to utter any words out of his mouth. “Minaho-kun?”
“Ah yes…” Minaho answered, somehow got his breath back. A long silence filled the air with Manabe waiting patiently and Minaho trying to decide if he should continue with the discussion or not. The orange haired defender gulped. Having his love standing in front of him face-to-face made Minaho recall his aim for wanting to talk to him privately. His face straightened, giving off the determination in his eyes as he looked at Manabe.
“Hey, Manabe-kun. Want to be a pair with me in the future?” He asked, watching as Manabe’s eyes widened, “Let’s solve cases together. Like Sherlock and Watson.” Manabe flinched,
“…! I’m not Watson, am I?” Minaho gulped disappointedly, he knew Manabe would not accept his request, even after spending hours at night thinking, “…Well, I guess that’s alright.” Now it was Minaho’s turn to be confused. Manabe lifted his spectacles and gave a smile after that, “Let’s win the finals first.” Minaho could not hold back a smile and nodded,
“Right!” Minaho was glad. He need not worry about the future, as long as Manabe is by his side. Minaho now have one more reason to become a detective, to work together with Manabe and confess to him when they become partners. The two defenders left to head back to the Galaxy Nauts Gou with an extremely happy Minaho and a confused Manabe.