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Cale Henituse is tired early in the morning. He went inside the classroom and sat on his respective seat. He slept very late last night, doing his requirements. He makes sure it is not excellent and not bad. Just right.
Cale does not like the attention he gets if he does it excellently. He learned his lesson from the past. So getting into university, he makes sure he is lowkey.
It became easier when he was dub as a failure, he could skip classes and do what he wanted the most. To slack to his heart's content.
Everything is great aside from seeing Alver Crossman. He hates seeing the bright smile Alver gave to others. The sly smile was shot towards him whenever they had eye contact. Furthermore, he hates hearing his voice at lunch.
Alver seems to be everywhere. Cale does not understand why it appears to be so. He cannot shake the feeling that he is being monitored. Because who the hell would care about a failure?
No one right? Right.
Cale’s impression of Alver when he met him is, that he is a hypocrite scheming man. He uses his glib tongue to his advantage and fawn on others so they have a better impression of him.
He sometimes pities the man, he has so many responsibilities on his shoulders. He cannot blame Alver for doing things like that, apparently, it was the only way for Alver to secure his position as heir.
Cale could never imagine himself doing something so tiring. Being a slacker is the best.
After meeting the famous Alver, he starts to avoid him everywhere. But to his surprise, he keeps on bumping him.
It was not strange at first, besides the school is quite small, so he dismiss his idea of being monitored.
The bumping became too frequent that he become suspicious. He still dismisses the idea because it would surely ruin his slacker life. He let it be and went with the flow.
As time passes, they became acquainted but he still hates Alver’s guts.
People were glancing at them weirdly every time they talk to each other or when Alver sat beside him.
Rumors spread something along the lines like, ‘He’s tainting the reputation of our favorite broadcaster!’ or ‘Alver might get influenced by that failure!’
Cale did not pay any attention to it. He is not the one who keeps on clinging, it was Alver! He does not know when or how it happened.
It just happen. He did not realize Alver integrated his presence into his life. Whatever he is used to it now.
Cale discovers many sides of Alver. The sides Alver does not show in the public eyes. It perks his interest in a way.
Because of that, they became acquaintances to friends. Cale can now shed his fake facade after Alver shed his.
Both knew each other's true nature which make them a bit closer.
In private, where no one sees and hears, both debate about the topic they learned in class, teaches each other when the other cannot grasp the concept, and much to Cale’s amazement, even gossips about the other students!
This side of Alver is a surprise to him. He still remembers that exact moment.
“Cale, have you heard the rumor about Dorph?”
“What rumor is it? You know, I don’t pay attention to others.”
“I know but I would still spill the tea.”
“Tsk, alright. Spill it.”
“Sayeru made another girl pregnant.”
“WHAT?”
It shook his core when Alver is up to date on the rumors surrounding others. Cale does not where he got such information.
It became their routine to have a sleepover after class. Practically, they decided to live in the same apartment. Cale moved into Alver’s apartment with no problem.
Alver suggested it. He does not know why but he accepted. Why not? It’s for free!
Besides, he is comfortable with his presence.
There was something bothering him, why does he feel happy whenever Alver is around? With this feeling, he does not know what to do.
He shrugs it off and put it behind his mind. He would just ponder about it when the time comes. For now, he would forget about it.
Students started to pour inside the classroom. He looks around discreetly, looking for Alver who went to school early for his school duties. Not like Cale minds.
Classes are not starting yet so he decided to take a nap as he waits for Alver.
Alver did not know he would fall for the red-haired man. At first, it was just pure curiosity.
A distance memory overlaps on the red-haired man when he first saw him. His childhood first love.
The way Cale acts is like his young love. He knows, he had not changed. He still remembers his talks about having a slacker life.
It was a surprise when they met each other once again. Sad to say, Cale does not remember him.
It is okay though, he understands. It’s been a long time since they had met. Of course, Cale would forget him.
His longing for Cale intensified when he talk to him. It was up to Alver to integrate his presence again. He made up his mind when his frozen heart starts beating once more.
It was a great joy for Alver. He works hard for Cale to open up. He made it a mission to talk and be near to him.
In the end, he did not fail. It was pure bliss for him, seeing Cale opening up to him. Shedding his facade for Cale to be comfortable.
He could tell, that Cale becomes more of himself whenever they are together. Especially in private, he enjoys their discussions.
He mentioned the idea of living together. He nervously asks Cale, hoping for him to approve of it.
“Cale, how about we just live together in the same apartment?”
“Hmmm, okay. No problem with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, besides I’m comfortable with you. There would be no problem in living together.”
Alver became the happiest man. He thanked the gods on earth. Their relationship improves from being acquaintances to friends.
Alas, he is still not satisfied with it.
‘It should be lovers.’ Alver thought to himself.
He looks at his watch to see he has only five minutes left before his class began with Cale.
“Alver, you’re the broadcaster this lunch right?” Rosalyn, a member of the council, inquires.
“Ah yes. It’s my turn.”
“Here you go. These are the love confessions I have collected.”
Rosalyn passes him the confessions. He flips it over just to see that almost all the confessions are about him. His lips twisted downwards.
Seeing Alver’s expression, Rosalyn let out a chuckle. She is the other one who knows who Alver likes.
She cannot blame him, the man already loves someone. Many hearts are about to be broken if they knew who holds Alver’s heart.
Rosalyn shakes her head.
“Aigoo, Alver. You’re really popular. Everyone loves you and wants to be with you!” Rosalyn exclaims.
“But Cale does not.” Alver bitterly replies back, pushing his fluffy hair back to stop obstructing his view.
“Well, how would Cale know if you do not confess right? Still have no courage?”
Alver nods in agreement. Rosalyn rubs her chin hearing Alver’s answer.
“You will need to confess soon. I heard rumors saying Barrow is interested in Cale.”
Alver’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Fucking really?”
“Hmmmm.” Rosalyn hums showing that what she said is true.
“Alright, I’ll go ahead. I don’t want to be late for my class. Professor Rasheel is a pain in the ass when a student is late.”
Rosalyn waves her hand as a goodbye then hurriedly ran off to her class.
Alver pinches the bridge of his nose, feeling irritation bubbling inside him hearing what Rosalyn stated.
He sighs and went ahead to his class. He would think it over later.
Alver went inside the classroom and could see the class is already crowded. He tries to find Cale, letting his eyes roam around the students’ faces.
Many blushed and squealed seeing Alver look at their face for a moment. They are lucky for the famous Alver glancing their way.
Alver finally caught sight of Cale. Cale is at the back, his head on the table. It appears to be he is taking a nap.
Alver unconsciously chuckles. He knows Cale is tired from doing his requirements last night.
Girls near Alver let out a shriek hearing Alver’s laugh.
‘It is a good day to be alive! We heard an angel laugh!’ Is what almost everyone internally thought.
Alver went ahead and sat beside the sleeping Cale. Many are disappointed when they saw it.
They have noticed that Alver appears to be fond of the known failure. Alver’s attention is always solely on the red-haired man.
They wonder, what’s special about the Cale? He is a disgrace to the school. Why would Alver be near him and even talk to him?
Many questions swim inside their heads glancing a bit towards the two before removing their gaze. Girls and some guys having romantic affection for Alver click their tongues in irritation.
They did not bother the two anymore because they do not like being glared at by Alver. Their attention focus on waiting for their professor to come.
Seeing the students’ attention are not on them anymore, Alver nods lightly, a little bit satisfied.
“Are you going to have lunch with me?” Cale asks softly, his head still on the table, not looking up.
Alver chuckles seeing Cale being lazy. He ran his fingers on Cale’s red hair while he responds.
“No, I am the broadcaster for today.”
“Oh, is it about the love confessions?”
Alver hums in acknowledgment.
“Pity, no one would eat with me,” Cale mumbles sadly.
Alver felt an itch on his heart.
“You could ask Choi Han to join you. I’ll make it up to you later. Hmmm, how about I cook dinner for us?”
Cale sat up straighter, startling Alver who was caressing his hair. His eyes lit up in joy.
“Really?”
“Of course. Ah, here. You could buy your lunch.”
Alver gave some money to Cale. Cale frowns a bit. He looks around before leaning on in Alver’s ear to whisper.
“Why are you giving me this? I’m rich. I have money.”
Alver whispers back, “ Just compensation for not eating with you later. Besides, I know you like free money.”
Cale smiles before he nods and reaches out to get the money. When Cale got the money, Alver let his hand linger a bit more to his slightly cold hand of Cale before removing it from its grasp.
He sighs when Cale did not notice a thing. He forgot Cale can be sometimes dense in this love department.
Professor Eruhaben went inside the classroom, signaling the start of the class.
Eruhaben swears he saw his student, Alver, lovestruck by his other student which is Cale.
‘Ah, young love.’ The professor nostalgic thought before removing his gaze from the two.
He starts to talk.
Alver sat in the broadcasting studio. He makes sure the button on-air is not on.
No one is inside except for him. He was focusing on reading his script when Chester, his secretary suddenly barges into the studio with Rosalyn in tow.
He furrows his eyebrows before facing him, not noticing he accidentally push the on-air button.
He did not know, his confession about his love for Cale would be about to be broadcast for all to hear.
Cale was eating his lunch in the cafeteria with Choi Han, his friend.
“Cale-nim, why is Alver not with you?”
“Oh, he is the broadcaster for the day.”
As they continue to eat their lunch, the speakers in the corners suddenly turn on.
Cale was confused because it was not yet time. It should be fifteen minutes later as scheduled, but maybe they decided to start earlier. Cale shrugs it off.
Choi Han could hear the squeals of other students, he shakes his head as well.
‘Poor them, Alver is not interested. Alver’s love is in front of him.’
Choi Han is the other who knows Alver’s puppy love. He did not tell Cale because he wants Alver to confess.
Moreover, he knows it will end well because Cale seems to like Alver too. Choi Han is sure, that Cale is lazy to confess and does not want to ruin whatever relationship the two have.
Choi Han, being a friend of Cale, knew a lot of things. Even Cale is dense, his actions tell otherwise. Choi Han chuckles a bit making Cale frown.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Nothing.”
Cale sharply gazes at Choi Han who is gazes back at him innocently. Not finding something suspicious on his face, he continued to eat.
He is waiting to hear the love confession uttered by Alver. He does not care about the content of the confession.
He liked Alver’s husky soothing voice. It calms him down every time. It even makes him safe so he still listens even sometimes the confessions’ contents make him want to barf.
He waits.
“President Alver.”
Cale identifies the voice as Chester.
“What?”
“Hmmmm, may I boldly ask something personal?”
“What is it? “
“Do you like Cale Henituse?”
Suddenly, the noises inside the cafeteria quieted down. All eyes were on Cale who was a bit frozen by what he heard.
“Cale? Hmmmmm. Like? Not really.”
Cale feels something heavy in his heart. He does not know why he felt like that. He ignores the concerned glance of Choi Han.
“Hahahahhaha, right right. Who would like a fail-”
“I love him.”
Numerous trays fell down on the floor at the same time. Everyone is shocked by what they hearing right now.
Cale did not hear the noises, he only focuses on what Alver would say.
“Why?”
“Hmmm, how can I explain this? Wait, do I need a reason why I love him?”
“Of course! It is important.”
Cale left his lunch on the table, leaving an amuse Choi Han behind. The students pave a way for him, still shock evident on their faces.
Nothing else matters.
Cale has only one thing on his mind.
Go to the broadcasting studio.
Alver is baffled by what Chester is asking.
“Really? Well, let me explain. He is the best thing that happened to me. The way he smiles brightens my gloomy day. The way he laughs makes me want to give everything best to him. When he is sad, I felt this urge to destroy the thing that made him sad. He is the reason why I want to live in this rotten world. The reason why I find myself smiling fondly whenever something reminds me of him.”
Alver could see a bewildered expression on Chester’s face. He could see Rosalyn looking at him with wide eyes.
He continues to talk.
“He is the reason why I became my true self. Besides, loving someone does not need any explanation. It's just like one day, you would say to yourself like Ah, I really love this person.”
Before Alver could add more, the door opens. Cale came in a stoic expression on his face.
“I’m sorry to bother you guys, but it seems like your conversation is being broadcasted to the whole university.”
Shock, Alver looks back to see the on-air green light up. It means all he said is being broadcasted.
Rosalyn quickly pulls Alver out then she starts to talk.
“This is the Love Confession segment. Time check, it is 11: 45 in the morning. Rosalyn would be your broadcaster for the day. Alver, ahem, appears to be occupied today.”
Rosalyn gestures to them to get out. She would handle the rest. She starts to read off the confessions submitted to her.
Chester bows down to them before going ahead. Cale grabs Alver’s hands and starts pulling him towards the council room which is near the broadcasting studio.
No one is inside except for them.
Alver’s heart starts beating quickly, his hands start to sweat from being nervous, and he wipes the sweat on his forehead.
‘Would I get rejected? Damn it, I was not prepared!”
Alver nervously glance at Cale who was facing him. He cannot read Cale’s expression. His face is blank.
No emotions could be seen. He gulps in distress, his lips start to go dry.
As Alver is panicking inside, Cale, on the other hand, is observing Alver.
He brushes his hair up. He felt quite happy hearing Alver’s confession.
So that means, the feeling he felt is love towards the blond man.
Love, Cale Henituse, experience it once more, in the form of Alver.
He thought he was incapable of loving someone but he was proven wrong. His lips turn upwards.
Smile.
Cale smiles at Alver.
Seeing Cale’s genuine smile, Alver gains the courage to speak.
“You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be angry?”
“Because I love you?”
“Idiot. Come here, let me hug you.”
Gaining permission, Alver swiftly hugs Cale in his arms.
“I love you too,” Cale whispers.
Alver tightens his hug on Cale, tears drop on Cale’s shoulders making him rub Alver’s back.
“Aigoo, why are you crying?”
“Bastard, I’m just happy.”
After a few minutes, Alver lifts his head up.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Hmmmm yes.” Cale hums.
Alver cups Cale’s cheeks carefully, his lips touching Cale’s for a moment before pulling back. Cale snickers in amusement.
“That’s not a kiss you know. It’s just a peck.”
“I know, I’ll kiss you properly next time. I want to be in a special place not here.”
Alver lends his hand to Cale who intertwines it with his. Both have soft smiles on their faces.
Alver’s unintended confession is a success.
Extra:
“Ho, are you Cale Henituse? The one who Alver confesses to?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk, students these days are focusing on love.”
“At least, I did not get rejected inside a cat cafe Professor Rasheel.”
“YOU PUNK, COME HERE!”
The loud voice of Professor Rasheel echoed throughout the hallway. At a distance, a peal of laughter could be heard.