A shared secret

Twelve years ago, Umeda Hokuto spent his high school days in Osaka High, the very same school where the Hanakimi cast is in now. His rather abrupt nature then points out how much he didn't change by the time Hanakimi started, though it didn't hinder him from being popular with friends. Kijima Ryouichi was also in the same class, who initially stirred a slight interest in Umeda. That there was more to Ryouichi than what's on the surface added to that interest and enabled Umeda to recognize the insincerity behind the smile Ryouichi constantly wore, which he vocally addressed. When Ryouichi was made aware of it, he did not seem to be the least bit bothered by it. Instead, they kept it a secret, just like other memories they would soon share only with each other.

That Umeda saw through his mask seems to prompt Ryouichi to relax and hang around the guy as himself. He found no problems admitting to Umeda about his past, such as what happened between him and his maid when he was thirteen (although what he shared were merely fragments of the past.) They hung out so much that somewhere along the way, Umeda's interest in him developed to something much deeper, something akin to love - and something Umeda himself didn't realize until circumstances forced the two into a secluded area that was Umeda's closet. That he was more caught up with Ryouichi's arms around him than being caught smoking in his room allowed him to finally recognize how much things had changed.

However, Ryouichi isn't as transparent. Umeda soon found out about the other person in Ryouichi's life, Masato. He is a person who Ryouichi cherished more than anything (to the point when even his own life is no exception. My opinion on their relationship can be found here.) When it became clear Masato was the only person who Ryouichi had, (perhaps it answered why he had such an odd look when Io and Minami Nanba visited school as he witnessed the bond between the siblings) Umeda made his own confession by kissing Ryouichi, perhaps a revelation that it no longer had to be that way anymore.

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