Chapter Text
Ryo hummed softly to himself as he walked through the music hall to get to his next class. He had opted to take an elective course this semester just for fun and had chosen a piano class. He had played when he was a child, but stopped playing once he reached middle school because he got bored of it.
It was nice being able to play now that he was older. Of course, getting graded on his piano skills was nerve wracking but it was the perfect motivation he needed.
He had a few friends that were in the music department, either as a music theory student or a composition major, so he knew some of the students that were passing by him.
Ryo was almost to his classroom when he saw two very familiar faces.
Coming toward him, laughing and deep in conversation, were Daeyoung and Riku. The two of them walked side by side, heads slightly bowed together as they spoke in low tones. Daeyoung's easy smile and Riku’s relaxed posture caught Ryo off guard. He’d never pictured them as friends—as far as he knew, the only connection they had was that their friends were roommates and yet here they were, talking as if they’d known each other for years.
The two must not have seen him, because they passed by him without even a glance. Ryo puffed his cheeks out a bit, an overwhelming sense of curiosity taking over him.
Sakuya might know the answer.
But for now, he needed to get to class.
────୨ৎ────
Riku sat in the university’s cafeteria, hunched over his notes for his anatomy class. He hadn’t done too well on the last exam and wanted to make sure that he passed the next exam with a better score. It was unfortunate that the exam was going to be before the fundraiser because now he could’t focus on anything.
He and Daeyoung were talking, either in person or via text messages, nearly every day.
It has been about five days since they had dinner together. The fundraiser was going to take place in two days. And his exam was tomorrow.
He let out a sigh and gently placed his forehead against the table, resting his eyes from the words that he was not absorbing at all.
“How’s the studying going?”
Riku looked up and saw an angel staring down at him, a wide smile on their face.
Except it was actually Daeyoung who was holding a coffee cup in each hand. He placed one cup close to Riku before taking a seat in the empty chair across from him.
“Horrible, I’m tired from practice and I still have two chapters to go over.” Riku pouted. Thankfully, it only took Riku a few more conversations with Daeyoung to get used to speaking with music theory student. Their conversations started to feel more natural to Riku and he was no longer as nervous whenever Daeyoung would talk to him.
Daeyoung just smiled sympathetically, “I wish I could help you, but I don’t even like science.”
“I think science can be fun! Thank you for the coffee though.” Riku said as he took a sip out of the coffee cup. Daeyoung somehow managed to guess his favorite coffee order a couple days ago.
“You’re welcome, anything to help you get through the day.” Daeyoung replied, his small smile still on his face.
Riku could feel himself blushing at Daeyoung’s comment. He looked back down at his notes and pretended to be studying as Daeyoung just spent some time on his phone.
Every so often, Riku glanced up at Daeyoung, almost expecting him to comment or ask a question. But Daeyoung just kept tapping at his screen, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he chuckled at something he read.
“Don’t you have notes to study too?” Riku finally asked, raising an eyebrow.
Daeyoung shrugged, not looking up. “Already memorized it,” he replied smoothly, his tone just teasing enough to get a small, exasperated sigh from Riku. But a hint of a smile softened his face as he returned to his notes, while Daeyoung resumed scrolling, clearly content just being there.
────୨ৎ────
“Hey, isn’t that Riku and Daeyoung?” Yushi asked as he stood in line to order his milk tea.
Sion was with him, keeping him company. The engineering student looked over to where Yushi was staring and he just chuckled, spotting the music theory student and the volleyball player sitting together at a table.
“How much longer do you think those two are going to be tiptoeing around one another?” Sion asked, leaning in towards Yushi. The Japanese student placed a hand on Sion’s chin and gently pushed him away.
“I’m willing to bet money that Riku confesses at the volleyball fundraiser.” Yushi said, glancing back over to his best friend.
Sion grinned, “And I bet Daeyoung will confess first.”
Both Sion and Yushi knew that Daeyoung and Riku had a crush on one another, but they promised that they wouldn’t interfere and that they would let the two come together naturally. With the volleyball game only two days away, it was becoming more and more likely that either one of them might confess to the other.
“Didn’t you say you were going to try to play in the volleyball fundraiser?” Yushi asked Sion, who nodded.
“I promised Sakuya that I would play against him. You have an exam during the game, right?” Sion questioned, placing his hand on Yushi’s lower back and ushering him forward as the line to order moved along.
“I’ll go to the gym once I finish my exam. Hopefully I don’t miss anything important.” Yushi answered, seemingly unfazed by Sion leading him forward.
He was a very affectionate roommate.
“I kind of wanted to have Daeyoung play also, but that might just cause Riku to forfeit the match.” Sion said as Yushi stepped up to the cashier to order.
The cashier was an underclassman that Sion recognized. She was in the finance department, if he remembered correctly. Yushi leaned forward to tell her his order and the cashier was clearly flustered over how close Yushi had to get in order for his voice to reach her. It was clear Yushi had no idea of what effect he was having on the younger girl.
The cashier put in his order and once it was time for Yushi to pay, Sion gently moved him out of the way and gave the cashier his card instead. She stared at him, confused, but took the card and used it for the payment.
Yushi sighed, already used to Sion’s antics, “I don’t understand why you always insist on paying. You didn’t even order anything.”
“Just accept the free milk tea.” Sion replied when the cashier passed him his card back.
While Daeyoung had his own struggle, so did Sion.
But he would get to that another day.
────୨ৎ────
Sakuya was running late.
He was running very very late.
There was no way he was going to get to his class on time, especially with his class being on the other side of campus.
He normally didn’t use his roller-skates because he was worried about bumping into people, but it was the only way he would be getting to class on-time. He tied the laces tight and made sure the strap was fastened tightly enough before starting to skate down the hall to the elevator to get to the first floor of his dorm.
Once he was on the first floor, he skated towards the entrance of the building. Sakuya coasted across campus, his roller skates gliding smoothly over the path, the cool air rushing past his face. He dodged a few distracted students, barely missing them as he weaved through the crowd. He was focused on getting to class on time, but something made him glance to the side.
There, sitting on a bench, was Riku, his head bent over a notebook, his brows knitted in concentration. Sakuya slowed just a bit, savoring the sight of him, even if it was just a brief moment. Riku didn’t look up, oblivious to the world around him.
Just then, Daeyoung walked up, stopping beside Riku with his usual confident ease. The two exchanged a few words, and then Riku closed his notebook, stood up, and followed Daeyoung down the path, leaving together.
Sakuya had never seen the two actually interact, so he was surprised to see that they were friends.
As Sakuya continued down the path, he heard someone call out, “Hey, Sakuya! Where’s your helmet?” He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Ryo grinning at him from a nearby bench, his eyebrows raised in mock concern.
Sakuya laughed and waved him off. “It’s fine, Ryo! I’m a pro at this!” he called back, though he knew Ryo was only looking out for him.
“Sure, sure,” Ryo replied, shaking his head. “Just don’t come crying to me when you crash!”
Sakuya chuckled, giving a playful salute before skating off again.
────୨ৎ────
Riku took a deep breath as he glanced over his answers one final time. He knew he’d prepared hard for this exam, and, for once, the familiar feeling of anxiety was quieter, replaced by a sense of calm. The questions that usually haunted him after handing in his papers—the “Did I do enough?” and “What if I missed something?”—felt smaller this time, like mere whispers instead of a storm. He gathered his things, took another breath, and made his way to the door.
As he stepped out of the classroom, he almost jumped when he saw Daeyoung leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking right at him. He was scrolling through his phone, but as soon as he noticed Riku, he slipped his phone into his pocket and pushed off the wall.
“Hey! All done?” Daeyoung greeted him with an easy smile.
Riku felt his shoulders relax a little more. “Yeah… and I think it went well. Like, really well.”
“Of course, it did!” Daeyoung said, his voice full of certainty. “I knew you’d crush it.” He clapped Riku on the shoulder, his grip warm and reassuring. Riku’s heard did a flip. “So—let’s go celebrate. My treat.”
Riku smiled, but then shook his head. “You treated me last time, remember?”
Daeyoung shrugged, unfazed. “So? Consider this my way of saying ‘I told you so.’ I knew you’d ace it.”
Riku laughed, feeling the stress drain away a little more. “But seriously, I’ll pay this time. It’s only fair.”
Daeyoung gave him a look, crossing his arms with a reluctant sigh. “Fine. But only because you seem pretty set on it.”
“Thank you,” Riku replied, his grin widening. As they started walking toward the campus exit, Riku glanced over. “Actually… why don’t we save our ‘celebration’ for tomorrow? You know, to celebrate the fundraiser too?”
Daeyoung raised an eyebrow, “So, just skip out on celebrating today?”
“No, I mean—” Riku stammered, feeling his face warm. “We could combine them both tomorrow, make it a bigger deal?”
Daeyoung just laughed, shaking his head. “Who says we can’t do both? One meal today for your exam, another meal tomorrow for the fundraiser. It’s called efficient celebrating.”
Riku couldn’t help but laugh. “Efficient, huh? You just want more food.”
“True, but it’s also a flawless plan. Admit it.”
“Alright, alright,” Riku said, finally conceding. “But today’s on me. Tomorrow, we can split it.”
Daeyoung grinned, clearly pleased. “Deal.”
With that, they headed off, the last remnants of Riku’s exam stress fading as he let himself enjoy Daeyoung’s light-hearted energy. Everything just felt so easy with Daeyoung, now that he was comfortable around him.
It surprised him, this ease, this ability to laugh without second-guessing every little thing. Even though he knew he had a crush on Daeyoung—a quiet, persistent feeling that lingered in the background—he didn’t feel the usual pressure to impress or say the “right” thing. Instead, he could just be himself.
He wanted to tell Daeyoung how he felt, to confess the way his heart beat faster when they were together. But every time he imagined saying it, a pang of worry settled in his chest.
What if it ruined everything? What if, by opening up, he lost Daeyoung’s warmth, his laughter, the friendship they’d built? Riku didn’t want to risk that.
But now, with Daeyoung right beside him, Riku couldn’t shake the persistent thought: Should I tell him?
“Bet you’ll ace it,” Daeyoung said suddenly, snapping Riku from his thoughts.
Riku blinked. “Huh?”
“The exam. You were so confident when you finished—you’re gonna ace it, I know it,” Daeyoung said, his voice warm, and he gave Riku a quick, reassuring nudge.
Riku felt like his heart was nudging him in return. They were alone together, just like this, sharing a quiet, comfortable moment before dinner. Would there ever be a better time to say it? He could tell him, right here, about the way his stomach twisted every time Daeyoung smiled at him, or how being around him made the world feel warmer. But then… what if Daeyoung didn’t feel the same? What if he laughed it off, or worse—what if he pulled back, the easy closeness they shared replaced with a strange, awkward distance?
“Riku?” Daeyoung was watching him again, eyebrows raised. “You keep spacing out on me.”
“Sorry,” Riku mumbled, his face warming. “I guess… I’m still winding down from the exam.”
Daeyoung chuckled. “Yeah? You sure you’re not just hungry?”
Riku laughed, grateful for the easy way Daeyoung brushed off his distracted state. “Maybe it’s a little bit of both.”
“Come on, then. Let’s get you fed then.” Daeyoung said, giving him a teasing grin.
Riku followed, his heart still pounding as they headed toward the diner. He wasn’t sure if tonight was the right time to confess, or if that time would ever come. But for now, being here with Daeyoung, talking and laughing like this—it felt like enough.
────୨ৎ────
It was not enough at all.
Later that night, Riku lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his heart still racing from dinner. He could still picture Daeyoung’s face, his warm smile, the way his eyes lit up as he talked about his latest music theory project. It was something Riku had admired about him—that spark he got when talking about things he loved, his passion for every little detail.
Tonight had felt different somehow. Maybe it was the way Daeyoung had leaned in when he listened, his gaze so steady and attentive that Riku had to keep glancing away just to keep from melting. Every time their eyes met, Riku felt like his heart might actually burst. His feelings for Daeyoung weren’t just lingering in the background anymore—they were filling every inch of him, growing faster and stronger than he knew how to handle.
He wanted to tell him. The urge had been nearly overwhelming, especially as they’d walked back from dinner, Daeyoung’s laughter filling the night air. Riku had imagined stopping, turning to him, and confessing everything: the way Daeyoung made him feel safe. But as much as he wanted to say the words, there was that lingering fear—of what would happen if Daeyoung didn’t feel the same, if he broke the spell of their new friendship.
He sighed, running a hand over his face, trying to quiet his mind. But he knew, deep down, that his heart wasn’t going to let this go. His feelings for Daeyoung had rooted themselves too deeply, and they were only growing stronger. Sooner or later, he’d have to find the courage to tell him.
Suddenly, his phone’s ringtone went off. Riku grabbed his phone and saw that Yushi had texted him.
hey r u ready for the game tomorrow?
(இдஇ; ) no of course not! i’m having a crisis right now
oh, boy trouble? i saw that u and daeyoung were pretty comfortable with each other in the cafeteria
Riku paused. He had not even seen Yushi at all while at the cafeteria earlier and he normally had no trouble spotting his best friend, even in crowded places.
(╯°□°）╯︵┻━┻
don’t u get tired of having to copy paste those?
can you not change the subject??? (。Ó﹏Ò。)
just compete like normal tomorrow, don’t overthink it. lose the game so that the other team wins and try not to hurt sion or else he’ll be sad in the dorm
sakuya wants to win the game and who am i to deny my teammate of a win ╮(﹀_﹀”)╭
but really, i think u will be fine tomorrow. imagine telling the u from last week that the u right now is able to talk to daeyoung everyday?
Riku laughed at Yushi’s choice of words. He had a unique way of speaking sometimes.
you ♡´·ᴗ·`♡ always ♡´·ᴗ·`♡ know ♡´·ᴗ·`♡ what ♡´·ᴗ·`♡ to ♡´·ᴗ·`♡ say ♡´·ᴗ·`♡
that was so painful to read
it was hard to type, please appreciate my effort (◡‿◡✿)
i will be late to ur game, don’t do anything silly before i get there
(´；ω；`) what would i even do?
knowing u and ur daeyoung one-track mind, the possibilities are endless
Yushi was right. He really knew Riku too well.
tomorrow i am going to be on my best behavior, i will not do anything out of the ordinary (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)
somehow i highly doubt that but we’ll see. anyways, good luck tomorrow! see u when i get there
.☆.*·*.♪。･ﾟ･｡.☆.* (´ー｀*)ﾉ”ｇｏｏｄ ｎｉｇｈｔ♪
Riku locked his phone then found himself staring back up at the ceiling. He was going to be on his best behavior during the game. He needed to help Daeyoung and the music theory department. That was the purpose of tomorrow’s fundraiser!
He was also going to be able to get a front row seat to Daeyoung performing, which is something he had never experience before. That was what he was actually excited for.
Daeyoung had said they were just going to be performing a few covers because they did not have enough time to prepare any original songs in such a short time span. Although Riku was bit bummed at that, he knew that he shouldn’t be getting his hopes up anyways.
It was going to be fun to see Daeyoung performing, enjoying himself. Just like how Daeyoung was going to see him, enjoying himself at the volleyball game.
────୨ৎ────
The next day, Ryo stood at the entrance of the gym, surprised at how many people were in line to buy tickets to watch the volleyball game. As a member of the university council, he had volunteered to help the music theory department with the fundraiser.
Plus, he got free entry to the game. Honestly speaking, that was why he had volunteered to help.
“Do I get free admission?” A familiar voice said as they came up to him. Ryo just laughed and shook his head, “No, if anything, you should be willing to pay for admission considering the fact that it’s for your department.”
Daeyoung just sighed and took his wallet out of his pocket. He handed Ryo his admission fee and Ryo collected it, placing it in the box he was using to keep track go the funds. Daeyoung waved goodbye and then stepped into the gym.
Ryo stared at him as he walked in, still curious about Daeyoung’s sudden friendship with Riku, who was already in the gym. Riku and Sakuya were busy, setting a ball back and forth to one another. The other team, which was comprised of a few music theory students as well as Sion, who was really only playing because Sakuya asked him to.
It was going to be a very interesting match.
Ryo had been to a few volleyball matches before, although he could only understand the bare basics, he needed to show some school spirit.
The bleachers in the gym slowly started to fill up, everyone bustling with excitement at the thought of watching the volleyball team compete against random students. The opposing team had gotten together the day before and made matching shirts for them to wear, all sporting a number as well as their family name on the back of the shirt. It felt like an official game.
The coach of the volleyball team seemed relaxed and he was letting one of the more senior players on the team coach this time. The music theory department had one of their professors, who played volleyball in high school, coaching them.
“Jeno, please tell your team to go easy on my students!” The music theory professor called out, waving a clipboard around. Once Ryo’s fellow university council member arrived to take over handling the entrance feeds, Ryo made his way to the bleachers and sat over on the music theory department’s side. He could see that the clipboard being held by the music theory professor had nothing clipped to it. It wast just for show.
The volleyball coach laughed, “I’m not coaching today Renjun, I am simply a person here to help raise money for your piano.”
The music theory professor just sighed and went back to coaching his students and Sion. The engineering student looked excited to play volleyball, despite the fact that he had no prior experience to playing the sport. Ryo wondered how competitive Riku would get, knowing that he was playing against one of his friends.
Riku glanced across the net at Sion, who was stretching awkwardly and still looked slightly out of place in athletic gear, already fidgeting with his headband.
“Alright, music theory, huddle up!” Sion called, his voice filled with enthusiasm. His teammates gathered around him, faces a mix of excitement and nerves. There was no mistaking that Riku's team had the advantage, but Sion’s group was more determined to at least put up some sort of a fight.
Daeyoung sat in the audience, hands tucked in his hoodie pockets, grinning as he watched his friends. He shouted, “Go, Sion! Show them how music theory dominates the court!”
Sion looked over at Daeyoung, rolling his eyes but laughing. “You’re supposed to cheer for everyone, Daeyoung!” he yelled back.
With a whistle from the referee, the game began. Riku’s team quickly scored the first point with a sharp spike, but the crowd cheered all the same, rallying even louder for the music theory students.
On the next serve, one of Sion’s teammates managed a haphazard dig that miraculously sent the ball flying back over the net. The crowd erupted with laughter and cheers as the ball sailed just out of reach of Riku’s team. Sion raised his arms in triumph. “See? We got this!”
But as the game continued, it became clear that Sion’s team had more spirit than skill. Despite Riku’s team racking up points, he made sure not to go too hard on them, exchanging a grin with Sion every time they volleyed.
Daeyoung watched, smiling as Sion fumbled an attempt to block, resulting in him diving and landing on the floor. The crowd’s laughter and cheers rang louder. Sion’s team might not have been winning, but they were definitely having the most fun.
As the teams lined up for the next serve, Riku scanned the bleachers, his gaze landing on Daeyoung in the crowd. His crush was leaning forward, clearly invested in the game, hands resting on his knees and a grin lighting up his face as he waved toward Riku. Riku’s heart did a double flip, and he couldn’t help but grin back, a rush of energy fueling him even more.
“Let’s go, Riku!” Sakuya shouted, slapping him on the back.
The game kicked off again, the volleyball soaring over the net with a satisfying thud as their opponents served. Riku leapt into action, his feet quick and agile on the polished gym floor. His teammates rallied around him, each play unfolding seamlessly as they worked in sync to keep the ball in the air. Every time Riku scored a point or made a save, the crowd erupted, and he’d sneak a glance at Daeyoung, who was cheering and clapping with a bright smile.
By the middle of the game, Riku felt like he was on fire. The score was not close at all, but the atmosphere carefree and Riku could sense his team’s determination to pull through. With the ball heading toward him, he set up for a powerful spike, his eyes narrowing as he focused. He leaped, swinging his arm down to smash the ball over the net, watching it sail past the opponents' blockers and hit the court.
The gym exploded with cheers, and he caught Daeyoung laughing, hands clapping above his head. Riku’s stomach did a backflip, feeling like a superstar under Daeyoung’s gaze.
He flashed a confident grin, catching Daeyoung’s eye once more. They locked eyes for a second, and Riku raised a hand in a wave. Daeyoung waved back, his cheeks tinged pink.
As the timeout ended and he returned to the court, Riku couldn’t help but feel like this game was his chance not just to win for his team, but to maybe, just maybe, also impress Daeyoung.
The volleyball team easily won the first set, 15 to 6. It was amazing how well the opposing team did, however most of the points scored were because Sion was distracting Sakuya on purpose.
There were going to be intermission numbers between each set so volunteers quickly started to take down the net on the court to allow more room for the performance. Even though that took some time to set up, everyone seemed willing to wait because they were excited to be able to watch a performance from the music theory students.
Riku plopped onto the bench, breathing hard, wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. His heart still raced from the last set, but he felt an electric buzz from the crowd’s cheers and the thrill of the game. Sakuya took a seat besides him, clearly out of breath besides the fact that they were not playing against a team that was to their level. Sakuya’s one-sided rivalry with Sion was making him play hard, but he was having fun.
Across the court, Daeyoung and his classmates were bustling about, setting up the stage for their intermission performance. Riku watched them with an eager, almost childlike anticipation. Being able to see him perform with a front row seat was exciting.
Riku caught Daeyoung’s eye as he stretched near the sideline, and they exchanged a quick nod and grin. Daeyoung gave a quick thumbs-up before turning back to his task of setting up the microphone and microphone stand. Riku chuckled, feeling a little starstruck despite himself. Watching the others roll out the cords, place lights in just the right positions, and mark their spots on the floor, he could tell they were gearing up to put on an unforgettable show.
Their professor was helping with directing the students into their correct spots. Riku knew that their professor was exceptionally proud of his students and how well they performed.
However, Riku was surprised that as soon as the microphones were set up, Daeyoung left the court and started to walk over to him. Daeyoung just smiled and sat down in the empty seat next to Riku.
“Wait, I thought you’re performing?” Riku questioned as Daeyoung handed him a water bottle that was passed to him by Sakuya.
Daeyoung shook his head, “Not for this one. I’ll be singing during the second intermission number.”
Riku pouted, a bit upset about the news that Daeyoung wouldn’t be performing, but having him sit next to him was a tradeoff he would accept.
“We’re still going to dinner after, right?” Daeyoung asked casually, keeping his eyes forward and on the performance that was going to start. Riku blushed, not sure if it was the adrenaline from the game or the adrenaline of Daeyoung being so close to him.
Riku’s heart gave a small, traitorous leap. “Of course,” he replied, trying to sound casual. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good,” Daeyoung murmured, his voice just loud enough for Riku to hear over the gym’s noise.
The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the room as the first notes of the performance filled the air. Daeyoung sat forward slightly, eyes intent on the stage, his expression a mix of pride and focus as he watched his classmates.
Riku glanced sideways, catching the slight smile tugging at the corner of Daeyoung’s mouth. He felt his heart skip a beat, grateful for the darkened room. Somehow, the sight of Daeyoung—lost in the music, fully absorbed—was as mesmerizing as the performance itself.
“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Daeyoung whispered, glancing over at Riku with a gleam in his eyes.
“Yeah,” Riku replied, though he wasn’t entirely sure if he was talking about the performance or the look on Daeyoung’s face.
The performance was a blur to Riku, who could only think of Daeyoung sitting beside him. He needed to get back into his volleyball mindset, so Riku took a deep breath in and closed his eyes. This would always calm his nerves before a big game and even though this was just a friendly match, his anxiety was through the roof.
“Good luck on the next set, but I know you guys will probably be fine.” Daeyoung stood up and gave Riku a quick smile before going back onto the court to help his classmates get their equipment. Then volleyball net was back up, which meant the next set was going to start soon.
Riku took his position on the court, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the opposing team. This was the second set, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation. Across the net, the group of music theory students stood huddled, looking a bit out of their element—except for Sion, who had a wide smile on his face
As the whistle blew, the ball was served high and fast toward Riku’s side. Riku rushed to meet it, his focus intense. He received the ball cleanly, setting it up for his teammate to spike, but Sion leapt up just in time, deflecting the shot with a solid block.
Riku grimaced, impressed. Sion was tougher than he’d anticipated. Sakuya let out a frustrated yell at his friend being able to block the spike.
The game moved quickly, with the music theory students hustling to keep up, clearly determined to put up a fight even if they were slightly outmatched.
However, this set seemed to move faster than the first and it was suddenly match point for Riku’s team. Sakuya was serving and instead of doing an hard serve, he opted for a floater. Riku watched the ball as it was received and bumped over.
The ball came soaring over the net, spinning fast as it barreled toward Riku’s team. One of his teammates dove to dig it, just managing to pop it up. Sakuya was there in an instant, hands ready as he set the ball with perfect precision.
“Riku!” he called, his voice steady and confident.
Riku surged forward, eyes locked on the ball, timing his jump with practiced precision. He rose above the net, his hand arcing back, and then, with a powerful swing, he drove the ball down onto the opposing team’s side.
It hit the court with a sharp, final thud. The gym exploded in cheers, and Riku grinned, catching Sakuya’s grin as they shared a quick, victorious nod. The game was over. They had won by winning the two sets.
The crowd cheered, however no one seemed surprised at the outcome. The music theory students all came to the net and exchanged handshakes and smiles with the volleyball team. Riku went back to the bleachers had a sense of deja vu when he saw Daeyoung helping his classmates to ready to court for the final performance.
Riku settled into his seat, his heartbeat still racing from the game—but now for a different reason. On the court, under the soft glow of the spotlight, stood Daeyoung, gripping the microphone as the opening notes of a familiar serenade filled the air.
The volleyball player tried to keep his expression neutral, but his heart thumped faster as Daeyoung began to sing. His voice was low and rich, each word carrying a hint of something tender. But it wasn’t just the melody that held Riku’s attention—it was Daeyoung’s gaze, steady and unwavering, that seemed locked right on him.
Riku’s breath caught, and he felt a warmth creeping up his neck. Daeyoung’s eyes didn’t stray, his expression open, almost vulnerable, like he was singing to Riku alone. The words of the song, sweet and yearning, wrapped around Riku like a secret message meant only for him.
As the song built, Daeyoung’s gaze softened, and a small, knowing smile touched his lips. Riku felt a mixture of hope and disbelief, barely aware of the crowd around them. For those few minutes, it was as if they were the only two in the room, caught in a silent conversation in the space between the lyrics.
When the final note faded, Daeyoung held his gaze a beat longer before lowering the mic, a shy smile ghosting across his face. Riku sat there, heart pounding, realizing that maybe his feelings weren’t so one-sided after all.
────୨ৎ────
Yushi sighed as he made his way into the gym. He hadn’t expected his exam to be as difficult as it was and took too long on some of the questions, so he had ended up missing the entire game. He wanted to be there to support Sion and Riku, but unfortunately that did not work out so well.
But the game was over, there was no longer an entrance fee that he had to pay.
He would count that as a victory in itself.
When he stepped inside the gym, he could see that Daeyoung was performing with his fellow classmates. It was a cover of a romantic pop song, one about unrequited love.
There weren’t really any seats left in the bleachers and he didn’t want to get in anyone’s way to try to sneak into a spot, so he stood by the entrance and just smiled at the performance. He could see that Daeyoung was very clearly singing towards Riku’s direction, especially because Riku was seated in the front row.
“You missed me scoring a bunch of points against Sakuya.” A voice said softly beside him. Yushi turned and saw his roommate smiling with a towel over his head. He looked happy, but also tired from the game.
Yushi frowned, “Sorry, I didn’t think that exam would take so long.”
“You can make it up to me by getting breakfast with me tomorrow morning.” Sion replied, taking a sip from his bottled water. Yushi would have came with him regardless.
“I suppose you won the bet. This is basically just Daeyoung confessing his feelings to Riku.” Yushi said, a small smiling growing on his face as the song slowly came to an end. He was happy for Riku, he truly was.
“Since I won, you can get lunch with me too.” Sion chuckled and reached forward, pinching Yushi’s cheek. The Japanese student made no move to stop him.
He would check in on Riku tomorrow.
────୨ৎ────
Once the performance was over, Riku was whisked away by his teammates to go shower. He had no time to even tell Daeyoung to wait for him outside because Sakuya was already pulling him into the locker room.
He knew better than to go against the first year student and decided to just quickly shower and get ready to meet Daeyoung back on the court. However, despite the fact that his teammates dragged him to the locker room, they seemed determined to make him leave last.
Riku had to wait for a shower to be free to use and once he was finally in one, everyone seemed to be quickly leaving the locker room. He showered quickly and when he was going to his locker, he spotted Sakuya slinging his bag over his shoulder.
“Bye Riku!” Sakuya called out when leaving the locker room. Riku stared at the exit of the locker room, now alone after the game.
As he was changing into his clothes, his phone notified him that a text had come through.
It was from Daeyoung.
I’m waiting on the court for you!
Once Riku was finished changing, he glanced at his appearance in the mirror. This felt like deja vu with Daeyoung waiting for him after volleyball. This time, at least, he wasn’t just dressed in sweatpants and a hoodie. He ran a hand through his hair and decided it was time to face his feelings.
He left the locker room and as his eyes scanned the gym, he spotted Daeyoung leaning against the bleachers, casually waiting. The sight of him made Riku’s pulse quicken.
"Hey," Riku greeted, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth as he walked toward him.
"Hey," Daeyoung replied with a soft smile, pushing off from the bleacher and stepping closer. "You were amazing out there. Thanks for everything—you really gave it your all for the fundraiser.”
Riku shrugged, feeling the weight of the game lift off his shoulders. “It was nothing. I’m just glad it went well.”
Daeyoung’s eyes softened as he looked at Riku, a glint of something he couldn’t quite place in his gaze. He stepped a little closer, the distance between them now barely a few feet.
"Actually… there's something else I wanted to ask you.”
Riku raised an eyebrow, curious. "Yeah? What is it?”
Daeyoung hesitated for a moment, his lips parting slightly as he seemed to gather his thoughts. "The song I sang at the end... did you like it?”
Riku blinked, his chest tightening. "Yeah, I loved it," he replied without hesitation. "It was beautiful. You really put everything into it.”
Daeyoung’s smile grew, but it was a little shy, a little uncertain. “Well…” He took a deep breath, meeting Riku’s eyes with a vulnerable intensity. “The lyrics... they were how I felt about you. I’ve been trying to figure out how to say it…”
Riku’s heart skipped, his mind momentarily blank as the words sunk in. “Wait, you mean... you were singing about me?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper. So he wasn’t imagining it?
Daeyoung nodded, a soft laugh escaping his lips as he looked down at his feet, almost bashful. "Yeah, I know it sounds cliché, but the way you move, the way you focus, it’s... it's like nothing else. And every time I watch you play, I can’t help but feel like maybe there’s something more between us, something beyond just the games, you know?" He glanced at Riku again, his eyes full of warmth and something more. "I didn’t know how to say it, but I thought... the song might help me.”
Riku stood frozen for a moment, his heart pounding so loudly in his ears he almost couldn’t hear the hum of the gym around them. But then, a smile slowly spread across his face as the words Daeyoung had sung echoed in his mind. The feelings he’d been trying to bury all this time—feelings that were clearly shared—finally came rushing to the surface.
Riku hesitated, but he could feel the truth inside him pushing to the surface. "I—" He swallowed, taking a deep breath. "I like you, Daeyoung. I really like you. I’ve liked you for a long time.”
Daeyoung’s eyes softened, his lips curving into a smile. "I’ve been waiting for you to say that," he murmured, stepping closer. “Because I like you too, Riku. I have for a while now also.”
Riku’s heart skipped a beat, relief flooding through him as the words he'd held onto for so long finally found their way out. Without thinking, he closed the distance between them, his hand reaching out to gently touch Daeyoung’s arm. Their gazes locked, and the world outside the gym seemed to disappear.
“I’m so glad you feel the same,” Riku whispered, his voice barely audible.
Daeyoung didn’t say anything, but he leaned in, his lips brushing softly against Riku’s in a brief, sweet kiss. It was tender, the kind of kiss that spoke volumes without saying a word. When they pulled apart, Daeyoung’s eyes were full of affection, and Riku could see the quiet joy in them.
Then, with a soft smile, Daeyoung leaned down and kissed him again, deeper this time. Riku melted into the kiss, his hands gently cupping Daeyoung’s face as they lost themselves in the moment, the world outside forgotten. The only thing that mattered was the warmth between them, the connection they’d both been waiting for.
The two reluctantly pulled away from one another to breathe. Daeyoung’s face brightened, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had paused around them. Riku felt the air between them shift, a subtle tension giving way to something soft, something real.
But before Riku could speak, Daeyoung leaned in once more, this time more certain, more eager. Their lips met again—deeper, slower this time—allowing them to savor the connection. Riku’s hand found Daeyoung’s cheek, pulling him closer, as Daeyoung’s fingers threaded through his hair, their kiss growing more intense, more desperate.
When they finally pulled back, breathless and flushed, Daeyoung smiled against his lips, his voice barely a whisper. “I think I could kiss you forever,” he said.
Riku chuckled softly, his forehead still resting against Daeyoung’s. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
They looked at each other, sharing a quiet laugh, both a little shy but undeniably happy. Riku’s eyes sparkled, and Daeyoung couldn’t help but smile wider, feeling his heart race all over again.
“So…” Riku whispered, barely containing his grin. “I guess this makes things official?”
Daeyoung chuckled, nodding as he leaned in just a little closer. “I’d say so." And with a hint of mischief returning to his voice, he continued, "now that we’ve got that sorted… how about dinner? I’m starving.”
Riku laughed, feeling lighter than he had in ages. "Yeah, me too," he said softly, still breathless from the kiss. He reached out and took Daeyoung’s hand, interlocking their fingers together, “Let’s go.”
────୨ৎ────
“You guys are disgusting, I never want to see you both ever again.”
“Sakuya, that’s a little extreme.”
“Look at them!”
Riku just laughed and threw some popcorn at Sakuya, who was seated at the other end of the couch. The other volleyball player seemed to be trying to get himself as far away from Riku and Daeyoung.
It was movie night so Sion had gathered everyone to his and Yushi’s shared dorm. However, fitting six people into a cramped living space was difficult so to save a seat, Riku planted himself right onto Daeyoung’s lap. His heart fluttered at how Daeyoung’s arms easily made their way around his waist, allowing Riku to lean back into his chest.
Meanwhile, Ryo was busy flipping through the options on the screen, sighing in exasperation. “Guys, can you stop fighting for one second? We still need to pick a movie.”
Sion chuckled, leaning over to poke Ryo’s shoulder. “You’re the one who’s making us wait. Just pick something already!”
Although he didn’t like to be rushed, Ryo muttered, “Fine, fine,” but Riku could see the faintest hint of a smile as he scrolled through the list of movies.
The air in the room was light, filled with the scent of buttered popcorn and the warmth of friendship. Riku’s hand found Daeyoung’s, their fingers intertwined, and he couldn’t help but smile at the easy comfort between them now. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have even dared to hope for this—for the gentle rhythm of their relationship, the little glances, the quiet moments just like this one.
He glanced around the room, taking in each of his friends. Sakuya was making a fake snoring sound, trying to hurry Ryo along, while Yushi rolled his eyes and tossed him a pillow, hitting him squarely on the shoulder. Even Ryo, who was usually the one focused on keeping things in order, was laughing as he scanned the movie list.
Riku squeezed Daeyoung’s hand a little tighter, warmth blooming in his chest. This was his group—messy, loud, but perfect nonetheless. He felt Daeyoung’s arms wrap around him just a bit more securely, and he leaned back, letting himself savor the feeling. Daeyoung pressed a quick kiss to the back of his head and Riku tried not to melt on the spot.
As Ryo finally selected a movie, the lights dimmed, and the opening music started. Riku closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting it all sink in. He was exactly where he wanted to be—with Daeyoung, with his friends, with the comfort of knowing he belonged here.
Everything had worked out, in ways he hadn’t expected. And as the movie began, Riku couldn’t think of a single thing he’d change.
────୨ৎ────
Seven months earlier
Although he had no interest in anything athletic, Daeyoung had reluctantly agreed to go to the volleyball game because Sakuya, one of his neighbors in the dorm, had practically begged him to come watch. Sakuya had also mentioned that Daeyoung needed a break from his endless music theory homework. When he’d arrived, Sakuya was already on the court warming up, so Daeyoung found a seat alone in the bleachers, only half paying attention as he scanned the players.
The game began, and almost immediately, Daeyoung’s gaze was drawn to a player he hadn’t noticed before. Someone with dark hair and an intense, focused expression, moving with a precision and confidence that seemed to set him apart. As he ran across the court, every motion was purposeful, every step sure. Daeyoung found himself leaning forward, watching him more closely.
The announcer’s voice echoed across the gym. “Nice save, Riku!” they called, and Daeyoung quickly matched the name to the player he was watching.
Riku. Daeyoung watched as Riku dove, arms stretched, managing to save a ball that looked impossible to catch. Riku’s face was calm yet intensely focused, and as the play continued, his energy seemed to fill the court. When Riku spiked the ball and scored, the sound of it slamming into the other side of the court was almost drowned out by the cheer that erupted from the crowd. Riku’s face broke into a grin, brief but genuine, before he high-fived his teammates, his focus already shifting back to the game.
Daeyoung felt his pulse quicken, a feeling he couldn’t quite place fluttering in his chest. He wasn’t usually one to focus on sports, but something about Riku—his quiet confidence, his calm intensity—kept drawing him in. It wasn’t just admiration. Daeyoung found himself watching Riku’s every move, studying the way he seemed to predict the ball’s direction, his quick reactions, the way he encouraged his teammates without needing to say much.
As the game went on, Daeyoung barely noticed the score. All he could focus on was Riku—his expressive face, his laugh, the way he glanced up toward the bleachers once in a while, as though taking in the crowd.
By the end of the game, Daeyoung’s heart was beating faster than he’d expected, a small smile playing on his lips. Riku’s team won, and Daeyoung watched him celebrate with his teammates, his eyes never leaving Riku until he finally walked off the court.
Later, as Daeyoung left the gym, he could still picture Riku’s face, that quiet determination and unassuming charisma that had left him unexpectedly captivated. He knew he’d be back to watch more games, but he also knew it wasn’t just for Sakuya. It was for that player who’d caught his attention the moment he’d stepped onto the court—
Riku.