stay by my side; you are the end of me.

This section is sticky so prepare tissues and water for there is a high chance, I'll get you dirty. Sit back, try not to squiggle much, and enjoy the mess.

♦∳ The tie that holds us together // the significance of this pairing

Throughout the series, the other couples appear simultaneously only during Egoist’s airtime. It is then that all pairings are ever present together. Egoist is the thread that weaves the other lovers from past to present:

Akihiko [Romantica] ⇌ Hiroki [Egoist] ⇋ Yoh [Terrorist]

Romantica: Akihiko is the childhood friend of Hiroki. / Misaki attends the school where Hiroki teaches | Egoist: Hiroki is the childhood friend of Akihiko and works under Yoh. / Nowaki crosses paths with Misaki when he was buying flowers to congratulate Akihiko | Terrorist: Hiroki is Yoh's assitant

One thing to note: between all three couples, Egoist is the only one that features the older man as the uke and the younger one, the seme. *laughs*

♦∳ You’re hot then you’re cold // polar opposites

If Hiroki is the brisk, scorching sun then Nowaki is the smooth, tranquil moon. While Hiroki is cantankerous and frank, Nowaki is calm and affable. When Hiroki thrusts his fiery sprit, Nowaki is there to embrace and eventually subdue him. Like the beast that gnaws at approaching strangers, Nowaki is the only one who can really tame Hiroki, draining him weak and vulnerable.

They're each other's fuel; their idiosyncrasies - unfamiliarity with ideas of one another makes them tick. Each one is a sedative to the other, so strong and addictive, leaving them nothing to want but one another.

Nowaki is able to quench Hiroki's inner turmoil with his soothing words/proclamtions as Hiroki is to Nowaki with his subtle actions and embarrassed countenance. While Hiroki would shy and run away, Nowaki would spring forth and try to reach for him.

∳ Of numbers and anxieties // nature of their relationship

Their humble beginnings span six years back. For Hiroki, it was an ending for his long, unrequited, first love. For Nowaki, it was the birth of his one and only love. While the two didn't hit it off quite good in the beginning, it worked out in the end with Hiroki subconsciously becoming accustomed to Nowaki and eventually falling for him. But while they're the immediate, "solid" relationship established in the story, their tale contains the most angst as their demons inside feed of one another that causes jagged roads in their life.

The major components of their conflict reside in age, pride, the running-and-chasing scenario, and of course lack in communication.

Because of their age gap, Nowaki feels inferior to Hiroki who have strived and reached his goals accordingly. His inferiority only adds more when Hiroki mentions those he admire (i.e. Usami Akihiko / Miyagi Yoh) as Nowaki, then becomes jealous since he wants to be on the same level as Hiroki. He knows cannot make up for the years he missed and because of pride, Nowaki keeps silent of his strategies (goals) which only leads Hiroki into a state of confusion and distress, feeling as if he's aimlessly trying to grasp a hold on Nowaki when in reality, Niroki is the one earnestly trying to catch up to him.

Because of Hiroki's shy nature and his macho pride, he's unable to easily voice out a few affectionate words to his lover which he knows would make Nowaki easily happy. This, then results of Nowaki always on the giving end and until Hiroki is left susceptible (or finally burst his emotions), it is only then that Nowaki receives obvious statements of ardor. Because of his pride, Hiroki is also unable to admit his mistakes (i.e. the America arc).

And when it all comes down to reconciliation, both realize (well, more to Hiroki than Nowaki) that they are deliberately reaching for one other.

Despite living in the same roof, these two generally lack in communication. Excluding their hectic schedules, if they only tried to be more open with each other (namely Hiroki), then they would save a great deal of time away from trouble's hair.

∳ Our hearts beat the same tune // egoist love

Despite the disparities between these two, both are essentially of the same nature, craving one and only one thing: to be loved even more by the other. To love until one pushes the other's limits. Loving to the point of inflicting wounds so that neither can forget the other. The most destructive and perilous aspect of love; bringing the end of one another. Their love then, is bittersweet for even pain can taste just as beautiful.