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When Akito threw a punch, he held nothing back. Toya learned this the hard way.
Much like the many other fits of passion in his life, he gave his all until he was burnt out and left with nothing but a shadow of what he had been trying to grasp.
If any one person knows any one thing about Shinonome Akito, it's that he does nothing in halves.
... At least, that's what Toya would like to believe.
When it comes to pushing himself to his limits, or pushing himself over his limits, he truly exceeds expectations. He can't be satisfied with anything less.
So as Toya stumbled back from the sheer force of Akito's (admittedly, pretty solid) right hook, he couldn't help but wonder just where this boy learned to hit like that.
He didn't get much of a chance to think any more after that, since the sound of Akito's broken voice was filling his ears, screaming at him, demanding an answer, why? As if Toya didn't feel bad enough as is.
Looking back on it now, after having come to understand his partner more, he realizes Akito didn't think Toya was the problem. He never did.
But Toya didn't know that back then. If he did, maybe he would have explained his flawed reasoning. Maybe he could have explained that, for all the hate Akito harbors for himself, Toya holds an even greater amount of love.
Later, after Akito ran, betrayal clear across his face, and after Toya dragged himself back to his house, he wanted to cry. He wanted to scream and fight with his parents. He wanted to do all the things children should be allowed to do when they're upset.
He did none of those things. Instead, he went to his room, didn’t dare lock the door behind him, and prepared himself for the rest of his dull life. He did not allow himself to think about how unfair it was. He was the one who carved a divide between them. The sting in his cheek was a reminder of that. He hoped it bruised.
Before Toya could fall asleep, one more thought invaded his mind, disturbing the quiet he had been fighting so hard for.
Shinonome Akito does nothing in halves.
So of course (despite anyone's best efforts, and without the boy's own knowledge), no one can fall in love with him halfway.
Toya learned this the hard way.