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Maki had always been made aware of his status. Even when he was a young boy. He needed the best grades, the best wardrobe, the best friends--the best everything.
That's why he had been enrolled into WOLF Private Academy. The best school money could buy. For the most part, his peers and classmates were fellow heirs, bound and tied to the ropes of wealth. There were a few that weren't so lucky.
Those people were what his classmates called 'castoffs'. Irrelevant, rowdy, annoying. Or so he had been told. Maki's seen the castoffs gather together during recreation, but his friends keep him in check.
Guiding him away from the mess, making sure he stays in line. Like an order from his parents. Sometimes it could get annoying and feel rather harsh, but Maki trusted his friends.
"They're getting a new one today," K said, tapping his pencil on his notebook.
"What are you on about now," Harua asked, eyes still focused on his notes.
"Another castoff. Honestly our school needs to stop giving out pity admissions," K sighed.
Maki felt a shift in his stomach. His friends talking like this always made him nervous, he never really understood it. Maki heard a scoff from behind K. It was Fuma.
"I'd rather have been admitted as charity rather than have mommy and daddy buy my way in," he said.
Fuma was tall and muscular but still lean. He looked rugged, voice deep and sharp. Looked like he could fight.
And win.
K didn't even look up. "At least my place here is permanent. Charity cases can be replaced."
Maki's fingers tightened around his pen. He glanced between them, half-expecting Fuma to laugh it off, but he didn't. Fuma's jaw clenched.
"Funny," Fuma started slowly, "All I'm hearing is that you're afraid of being outshined by someone who doesn't need a trust fund to be successful."
Harua finally looked up, his brows knitted together with frustration. "Can we not do this right now?" he muttered.
"Class hasn't even started yet..." Jo whispered. Euijoo stirred silently beside him.
K scoffed again, finally turning his head to look at Fuma. "WOLF should have standards. Bringing in another pity project doesn't help anyone."
Maki swallowed. His chest felt tight, like it had been tied in a knot. He wondered what it would feel like, to be reduced to a single word, a single title. 'Castoff." The thought made his stomach churn.
“What if they’re good?” Maki blurted out
before he could stop himself.
All five of them looked at him.
K raised a brow. “Good at what?”
“I don’t know,” Maki said quickly, heat creeping up his neck. “At school. Or… something. You don’t get into WOLF for nothing, right?”
For a moment, no one spoke. Then Fuma let out a quiet huff. “See?” Fuma said, glancing at Maki. “At least someone here still remembers that.”
K’s expression loosened, he let out a small laugh. "Please," he rolled his eyes, "Maki's still naive. He'll learn soon enough."
The door at the front of the classroom opened then, cutting the tension clean in half. Conversations hushed as their instructor stepped in, followed by a figure just behind her.
Maki’s breath caught.
“So,” the instructor announced, voice calm and practiced, “we’ll be welcoming a new student to WOLF Private Academy today.”
Maki felt his pulse quicken.
Somewhere beside him, K clicked his pen.
The new student stood in front of the class loosely. He looked fairly normal, long black hair, dark brown eyes, moles splattered across his tan skin.
"This is Takayama Riki," the instructor said, "But informally, he goes by Taki."
A murmur rippled throughout the room, a few giggles here and there. But Taki didn't seem bothered. His eyes scanned across the room slowly, settling on the back row.
“There’s an open seat in the fifth row,” the instructor continued, gesturing. “You can take that one.”
Taki nodded and started down the aisle.
As he passed, Maki caught small details he hadn’t noticed before. The faint scar near his eyebrow, the way his uniform looked worn in, not tailored to perfection like everyone else’s.
K leaned back in his chair, voice low. “Definitely a castoff.”
The instructor clapped her hands once. “Let’s begin. Open your textbooks to page
forty-two.”
Pages rustled. Pens clicked. The room settled, but Maki couldn’t focus.
Taki followed along easily, flipping to the correct page without hesitation. He read quickly, eyes scanning ahead, lips pressed together in concentration.
Halfway through the lecture, the instructor paused. “Takayama,” she said, glancing up. “Could you answer the next question?”
A few students shifted, suddenly interested. Taki looked up immediately. “Yes, ma’am.”
He answered the question without stumbling—clear, confident, and precise. When he finished, the room was quiet.
The instructor nodded once. “Correct.”
K stiffened.
Taki simply looked back down at his book, as if nothing had happened.
But Maki noticed the way K’s pen snapped between his fingers. And the way Fuma’s mouth curved up, just slightly.
______________________________________________________
Lunch came quicker than usual. Maybe it was Maki's lack of concentration today, but he couldn't help it. Taki was so enticing.
He had managed to sneak away from his friends, making an excuse about forgetting something in the classroom.
In a way, he had. Taki.
He peeked his head into the classroom silently.
"Trust us," Yuma said, leaning on Taki's desk, "Those are the last people you want to get involved with."
"Totally," Nicholas scowled, "But don't worry, we'll teach you the ropes, kid."
Nakakita Yuma and Nicholas Wang. The other castoffs.
Yuma had been admitted on a dancing and performing arts scholarship. He performed in every school theatre production, it was rather impressive. Nicholas was admitted for fashion design. Maki had seen some of his pieces at a showcase, they were practically flawless.
They were the duo that was the very definition of castoff. Yuma had messy, colored baby pink hair with too many piercings to count. Nicholas had dark hair and an eyebrow slit, which Maki thought looked rather cool. Which he would never admit out loud.
"Is that really such a big deal here?" Taki asked.
Yuma snorted. “Big deal? It’s the deal,” he said, spinning a chair around and sitting on it backward. “WOLF runs on labels."
Nicholas shrugged, arms crossed. “As long as we stay useful, they don’t kick us out. Simple.”
Taki hummed, considering that. “And if you
don’t?”
“Then your peers will remind you,” Yuma said lightly. “Every chance they get.”
Maki’s chest tightened with guilt. He hadn’t realized he’d been gripping the doorframe until his fingers ached.
Taki leaned back in his chair, gaze drifting toward the windows. “Sounds exhausting.”
“It is,” Nicholas replied. His eyes flicked toward the doorway, sharp. “You can come out, you know. We’re not blind.”
Maki froze.
Yuma turned, grin already forming. “Yeah. We saw you lurking, Maus."
Heat rushed to Maki’s face as he stepped inside, hands curling awkwardly at his sides as he made his way to his desk. He pretended to look for something awkwardly. “I--sorry. I didn’t mean to--”
“It’s fine,” Taki said, cutting in gently. He turned in his seat to look at Maki properly now, eyes curious rather than annoyed. “You’re Maki, right?”
Maki blinked, looking up. “You know my name?”
Taki smiled, small but genuine. “Everyone knows your name.”
That somehow made it worse.
“Uh--yeah,” Maki said. “I just wanted to say, um, about class earlier--”
Nicholas raised a brow, cutting him off. “You mean when you defended him?”
"Maki!" K called, rushing in the classroom, "There you are, lunch is halfway ove--" K stopped at the sight of the trio.
Yuma tilted his head, trying not to laugh. Taki raised a brow at Nicholas, who remained still.
Maki quickly grabbed a random paper from his desk, flailing his arms and almost dropping it. "Sorry, K hyung, I left this here. We can go now."
K turned his attention back to Maki, softer now but still sharp. “Maki, I suggest you remember why you’re here. And who you’re supposed to associate with.”
Maki swallowed, paper clenched in his hands. “Sorry, K hyung.”
K gave him a short nod. “Good. Now, lunch is almost over, and I don’t want to see any more...extracurricular socializing.”
As K led Maki out of the room by the wrist, Yuma let out a low whistle. “Wow. That was brutal.”
Nicholas smirked faintly. “Classic heir intimidation.”
K took Maki into a small nook in the hallway where they couldn't be seen. "Maki," K started, "I know you're curious. But please. Don't damage your reputation."
Maki looked down at the floor. "I was only wondering. I feel like we're so harsh and.."
"And there's good reason for it," K interrupted sternly. "I know firsthand. Castoffs want nothing good from you. So stay away from them, alright?"
"If you're talking about you and Fuma-" Maki said, voice meek, barely above a whisper.
K instantly hushed him, voice shaky. "This has nothing to do with me and Murata. I know you think you're one of them because of your...situation. But please Maki, don't you understand how privileged you are?"
It was a stupid question. Of course Maki knew he was privileged. Technically, Maki was meant to be a castoff too.
His father runs the biggest idol managing company in Japan, and married Maki's mother shortly after the business took off. They had tried to have a baby, but it just wasn't working.
So they went out to the adoption center, and that's where they found Maki. The public knew nothing of it, his mother practically never went out anyway, so the whole 'nine months pregnant' thing wasn't questioned. Maki even looked a great deal like both of his parents.
Nobody knew. Except for K. K and Maki's families have been good friends since forever. K was practically Maki's bodyguard since childhood.
"I know I'm privileged but I just want to--" Maki tried to say.
K cut him off again, his voice thick with warning. "Then listen to me, Riki."
Maki fell silent. Unable to speak, he looked at the ground and nodded. K reached a hand out to fix a strand of his hair.
K's voice was barely above a whisper. "You're too kind for your own good," he let out a soft huff, "I’ve seen what happens when lines blur,” he said, “Because people like them don’t play fair.”
Maki looked back up, and sighed. He didn't even try to say anything this time, K would only shut it down.
______________________________________________________
The rest of the day dragged on. Boring classes that required full attention, but Maki couldn't focus. He lay at his desk with his head down.
Euijoo stood in front of him, and nudged his head. "Maki, class is over."
Maki groaned and picked his head up, rubbing it.
"Headache?" Jo asked from beside Euijoo, "I can walk you to the nurse," he offered.
Maki stood, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "I'll go myself," he yawned, "I need the quiet anyway."
"I'll bring you the Calculus homework tonight," Harua hummed, "If your headache is starting now you'll probably be absent for that period."
Maki smiled lopsidedly, "Thanks, Harua," he said, exiting the classroom with a small wave over his shoulder.
The hallway was stuffy, packed with students trying to get to their next class. Maki didn't miss classes often, considering pretty much all eyes were on him--being the second highest rank. Of course, K, was the highest--some people even went as far as calling him King.
He stepped into the nurse's office.
"Mr. Maus, what brings you in?" She asked, standing from her desk.
"Just a headache," Maki said, "Pain killers and a nap should probably get rid of it, right?"
"Of course," she said with a smile, "Go ahead and lay on that cot, I'll get you some water and capsules."
Maki set his back pack on the ground beside the cot and sat down as the nurse passed him the pain killers.
He took them quickly. Maki never liked the papery taste of them, but right now he needed this headache to go away. The nurse smiled as Maki laid back.
She closed the curtain surrounding the cot and shut off the overhead lights. Finally, peace. That was until Maki heard the door creek open.
Maki heard the nurse whisper back and forth with someone before the cot beside his rustled. He became curious. He reached his hand out to move the curtain, but the person on the other side did it before he could. Maki jolted a bit.
It was Taki. His right wrist and part of his hand was bandaged up, barely holding onto an ice pack.
"Oh, hey," Taki smiled, "Don't worry, Mrs. Jun went to do something so it's just us here."
"What happened to your hand?" Maki asked, looking at his wrapped wrist.
"Oh," Taki said, "I was messing around with Yuma and totally twisted it. It's probably fine."
Maki hissed, "That sounds like it hurts, are you sure you're okay?"
Taki laughed quietly, "What about you? Why're you in here?"
"Just a headache," Maki sighed "It got me out of Calculus though," he laughed.
"You're nice to talk to," Taki looked into Maki's eyes, and Maki noticed how they sparkled, even in the dark, "It's too bad I'm apparently social suicide."
"I think it's all stupid," Maki said quietly, not looking away from Taki, "I want to be friends with you anyway."
"We'd have to sneak around your friends," Taki said, raising a brow.
"I don't mind," Maki shrugged, "It's my life. I don't know what his problem is."
"He absolutely hates Fuma," Taki pondered, "Nicholas was telling me about what happened."
Maki tilted his head, "What are you talking about?"
"Apparently Fuma and K used to be really close in middle school, like, even hung out outside of class," Taki recalled, "But a scholarship opportunity from WOLF came, the school would only take one kid,"
Maki's breath hitched in his throat. K had never told him why he disliked Fuma, all he had known was that they used to be close. He figured they had just drifted apart.
"So K's father paid a bribe to the administrator to choose him, leaving Fuma behind" Taki sighed, "He thought he'd never see Fuma again--wouldn't have to deal with the guilt. But Fuma worked hard so WOLF would notice him. So in K's second year here, Fuma got admitted."
Maki’s chest felt hollow.
He stared at Taki, the words echoing in his head like something dropped off a building--bribe, guilt. It all rearranged pieces he’d never known were there.
“K did that?” Maki whispered. Saying it out loud felt wrong, so, so wrong.
Taki shrugged lightly, careful not to jostle his wrist, “I don’t think Fuma even wants revenge. He just hates what K represents now.”
Before Maki could respond, the curtain rustled again. Mrs. Jun’s voice chimed in. “Takayama, how’s the wrist?”
Taki straightened slightly. “Still attached.”
She chuckled. “Good. You’ll need to keep it wrapped for a few days. No roughhousing.”
Mrs. Jun turned to Maki next. “And you, Mr. Maus? Head feeling any better?”
Maki nodded. “Yeah. Thank you.”
“Good,” she said, smiling kindly. “You can both head back home, ninth period is over.”
Once she disappeared, Taki swung his legs off the cot carefully. “Guess this is where we pretend we don’t know each other again.”
Maki stood too, heart thudding. “Yeah,” he said with a sigh, "I would offer to walk you to your locker but K is probably lurking outside the door."
"I'll stay back for a bit so he doesn't know we were talking," Taki smiled, "See you, Maki," he said with a small wave.
"Bye, Taki," Maki said quietly picking up his bag and leaving. And he was right. K was just outside the door to the nurses office. They walked down the hallway together.
"I heard you talking in there," K said, "Who was it?"
Maki let out an annoyed sigh, "Just Mrs. Jun."
"Are you feeling any better?" K asked, putting a hand to Maki's forehead.
Maki laughed, "K hyung, I'm fine. It was just a headache."
The corners of K's mouth turned upwards into a worried smile as he sighed in relief. "You worry me, I can't help it."
Maki bumped K's shoulder as they finally made it outside. "You're such a grandpa," he laughed.
______________________________________________________
Harua sat on Maki's bed, digging around in his bag and pulling out Maki's homework. Harua had been over dozens of times, and Maki's parents welcomed him with open arms. Of course because he was of high status, but at least he was allowed in.
"Thanks," Maki said, taking the papers, "You're gonna spend the night, right?" he asked.
Harua was Maki's best friend. He was a little weird about interacting with the castoffs, but Maki figures that was more of a Harua being shy thing.
Maki felt like he could tell Harua everything, and he did. Well, almost.
"Course," Harua said, laying back on the bed, "Did you hear about K? I don't think he'd have told you."
Maki tried to act natural, it went horribly. "Nope!! What about K? What happened to K?"....Great. That was just perfect.
Harua raised an eyebrow and laughed a little. "He and Fuma were arguing again," Harua sighed, "Poor Mr. Seita had to break them apart."
"Like, they got physical?" Maki asked, shocked. K and Fuma hated each other, sure, but he didn't think they'd actually get into a physical fight.
"Nah, got broken apart too early for any of that," Harua said way too calmly, "Plus, K knows better."
"Yeah, he'd get expelled immediately," Maki said quietly finishing up his homework.
"Huh? Oh, I guess that too. I meant Fuma would fold his ass in half if they ever really fought." Harua laughed.
Maki rolled his eyes playfully and shoved his completed homework back into his bag. "You're awful," he said, fighting a smile.
The room settled into a quiet that felt heavier than it should have. The lamp on Maki’s desk cast a warm glow over the scattered notebooks, half-finished doodles, and the faint reflection of the city lights beyond the window.
Harua shifted on the bed, stretching out like he owned the place, scrolling through his phone.
“Hey,” Harua said after a moment, tone softer now, “You were kinda spaced out today.”
Maki hummed. “Just a long day.”
Harua glanced at him over his phone. “K?”
The single word made Maki’s chest tighten. He shrugged. “He’s just… being K."
Harua snorted. “Yeah. Figures.”
Silence stretched again. Harua eventually set his phone aside and rolled onto his side, facing Maki. “You know,” he said carefully, “You don’t have to carry everything on your own.”
Maki smiled faintly, “You sound like my mom.”
“Your mom is very wise,” Harua replied solemnly.
That earned a quiet laugh from Maki, but it faded almost as quickly as it came. His thoughts drifted back to the nurse’s office.
To the dimmed light, the curtain drawn halfway open. To Taki’s smile, easy and warm, like he hadn’t already been labeled, sorted and dismissed.
"Thanks, Rua," Maki said finally.
"I've always got your back, Riki," Harua smiled, "Even when you think nobody's there to catch you."
______________________________________________________
The next morning came quickly. He and Harua made their way downstairs, ready for school already.
Maki's mother spoke as she finished up dishes from breakfast. "Boys, Koga is outside to pick you up."
"Thanks, Mom," Maki hummed.
"Thank you, Mrs. Maus," Harua said politely as they left.
They got into the car happily, as routine. Maki slid into the passenger seat while Harua sat behind K in the back. K drove in the direction towards the school.
"Are you both excited?" K smiled brightly, "It's club orientation day."
Maki and Harua both lit up. "I totally forgot!" Harua squealed, "I'm going to do art club again."
"Only because Jo is president," Maki cooed.
Harua scoffed, his cheeks unmistakably pink, "Maybe I'm just good at art, Riki."
"You are, but Jo being the president makes it better am I right?" he asked mischievously.
K laughed with Maki. "Seriously, we need to set you guys up."
"You're both impossible," Harua muttered, turning his attention to the sights outside of his window.
Maki was grateful for the playful atmosphere this morning. After everything yesterday, he really needed it.
"What about you, Maki?" K asked, eyes still on the road.
Maki blinked, pulled from his thoughts. “Huh?”
K glanced at him through the rearview mirror, smiling. “What club are you joining this year?”
“Oh," Maki hesitated. He’d always known the answer to that question. Student council adjunct, business club, etiquette committee--things that looked good on paper, things his parents approved of, things K approved of. Safe things.
“I haven’t decided yet,” he said instead.
The car went quiet.
Harua leaned forward from the back seat, peering between them. “Seriously? That’s new.”
K chuckled lightly, but there was something tight underneath it. “You always decide early. Did you not look at the signup forms?”
“No,” Maki said quickly. “I just...want to look around first.”
K hummed. “Alright,” he said after a beat. “As long as you don’t waste your time.”
Maki nodded, turning his gaze out the window. His uneasy reflection stared back at him faintly. He barely recognized himself lately.
______________________________________________________
"Art club's table is near the fountain, I'm going over there," Harua said.
"Don't get lost," K said as Harua ran off, "Meet at our normal spot for lunch!" K called after him. Maki laughed. "That kid..." K chuckled.
"Running through the fair like a maniac," Maki laughed.
K smiled. "I'm going to the student council booth. Want to join me?"
Maki hesitated. Any other time he would've said yes. Would've said yes to not make things difficult, to fulfill expectations. But this time, he didn't.
"No, that's okay," he said, "I'm going to look around."
K stilled. Slightly surprised, he snapped back out of his thoughts. "Oh, sure," he said a bit quieter, "Meet back up for lunch."
"Got it!" Maki said happily, waving at K as he walked off. He exhaled a breath of relief when K faded into the crowd.
Maki walked around the fair slowly--cautiously. He saw advertisements for debate club, financing club, etiquette club--all things he was expected to be interested in.
Then he heard laughter. Not just any laughter. It was Taki's loud, unfiltered cackle. On instinct, Maki followed it through the crowd. Then he saw it.
Taki stood in front of the photography club booth, chatting and writing his name on the sign up sheet. Maki made his way over, not thinking.
Taki glanced up, and their eyes met. He gave a small, casual smile that made Maki’s chest tighten. “Hey,” Taki said, tilting his head slightly.
Maki cleared his throat. “Hi… I, uh…” He swallowed hard. “…I’m thinking about signing up too.”
Taki raised a brow, leaning against the table lazily. “Really? You?" There was no mockery in his voice, just curiosity.
Maki flushed, shifting his weight. “I… I like photography. I mean, I’ve never really done it seriously, but…”
Taki shrugged, a light grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “That’s the best reason to join. You’ll learn fast if you’re curious enough.”
Maki nodded, a little awkwardly. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s true.”
Nicholas glanced over, eyebrow raised, clearly amused by the hesitation. “Don’t overthink it, Maus. Just write your name down already.”
Yuma chuckled behind him. “Yeah, man. The sooner you start, the sooner you stop lurking in hallways staring at us.”
Maki’s gaze flicked between the three of them. He wanted to run back to the safety of K and the others. But a part of him, a part that had been buried under years of “proper behavior,” wanted to stay. To choose for himself.
With a shaky hand, he grabbed a pen and wrote his name neatly on the signup sheet.
Taki’s eyes met his again. “Looks like we’re clubmates then,” he said softly.
Maki swallowed. “Yeah… clubmates.”
______________________________________________________
Lunch came quickly. He met K, Harua, Jo, and Euijoo at their usual table. Everyone had gotten a tray except for him--Maki felt so nervous yet so thrilled that he couldn't stomach anything.
"Maki," Euijoo started, "You sure you're not hungry?"
"Are you feeling alright?" Jo asked immediately.
"Need the nurse again?" Harua asked, still picking around at his tray.
"I'm not a baby you guys," Maki sighed, "I'm fine, and I can take care of myself."
"They grow up so fast.." Euijoo joked, putting unwanted steamed carrots onto Harua's tray.
Maki peered across the cafeteria subtly, instantly spotting Taki. Taki sat with Yuma, Nicholas, and Fuma. They were laughing and joking about something. .
Maki just stared, watched the way Taki's whole face lit up when Yuma swatted him on the arm. He watched Taki get up from the table, his friends waving.
Maki stood up before he could stop himself. "Ah-" he stumbled, "I have to go ask Mr. Seita something. Don't wait up for me okay? I'll walk myself home."
"We have first club meetings after school," Jo raised a brow.
"Yeah just, don't wait up, okay?" Maki said, looking at K.
K set down his chopsticks and straightened with a sigh. "Alright, don't get into any trouble." And with that, Maki sped after Taki.
Taki walked down the empty hallway, towards his locker. Maki ran up beside him.
"Hey, Taki," he said with a smile.
Taki smiled back. "Hey," he waved with his bandaged hand unknowingly, then hissed at the pain.
Taki winced, clutching his wrist a little closer to his chest. “Right. Still not my best idea.”
Maki reached out instinctively, then stopped himself halfway, fingers hovering awkwardly in the air. “Sorry-- I mean, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Taki said, laughing softly. “I keep forgetting it’s there.”
They reached the lockers. Taki leaned his shoulder against his, digging for the combination one-handed. The hallway was quiet this time of day, most students already filtering in toward their clubs. The silence felt different than it had with K--less sharp, less watched.
“You followed me,” Taki said lightly, glancing sideways at him.
Maki froze for half a second. “…Yeah.”
Taki didn’t tease him for it. He just nodded, like it made sense. “Photography club?”
Maki nodded too, relief loosening something in his chest. “I signed up.”
That got Taki to really look at him. His eyes
widened a little, then softened. “Seriously?”
“Yeah,” Maki said, voice steadier now. “I wanted to try something that was…mine.”
Taki smiled, slow and warm. “That’s kind of a big deal here, isn’t it?”
Maki huffed out a quiet laugh. “You have no idea.”
Taki shut his locker and adjusted his bag strap. “You’re brave, you know.”
Maki blinked. “I don’t think so.”
“Well,” Taki shrugged, “most people with your kind of reputation don’t go against the current. They just…float.”
Maki looked down at his hands. “I’m tired
of floating.”
For a moment, Taki didn’t say anything. Then he nudged Maki gently with his shoulder. “Come on. First photography meeting’s in the old media room.”
Maki hesitated. “K’s probably going to notice I didn’t go to student council.”
Taki glanced at him, expression unreadable. “And?”
Maki swallowed. His heart pounded, loud in his ears. Then, “And I think I don’t care. At least…not today.”
Taki grinned ear to ear. “Good answer.”
They walked side by side, not touching but close enough that Maki could feel the warmth of him. It felt reckless. It felt freeing.
They entered the old media room, it was almost completely empty. Dust floating in the air where the sun filtered through the window.
Taki stepped toward the camera bags that littered the table in the middle of the room. With his good hand, he reached in and grabbed one, gently removing the lense cap.
Taki lifted the camera with practiced ease, cradling it like it was something fragile and familiar all at once. He glanced down at the settings, brow furrowing in concentration.
“Ever used one of these before?” he asked, not looking up.
Maki shook his head. “Not really. My mom takes pictures sometimes, but they’re always posed. Like magazine spreads.”
Taki snorted softly. “Yeah, that tracks.” He flicked a dial, then finally looked at Maki. “Photography’s better when it’s messy.”
He held the camera out toward him. Maki hesitated, then took it carefully, the weight surprising him. It felt solid in his hands. Real.
“Okay,” Taki said, stepping closer, voice lowering instinctively in the quiet room. “First rule--don’t think too hard. You see something you like, you shoot it.”
Maki adjusted his grip clumsily. “What if it’s bad?”
“Then it’s bad,” Taki shrugged. “And then you take another one.”
Taki gestured toward the window, where dust drifted lazily through the sunlight. “Try that.”
Maki raised the camera, peering through the lens. The world narrowed, framed suddenly by edges and focus. The floating dust looked almost golden now.
He pressed the shutter.
The click echoed softly.
Maki’s breath caught. “Oh.”
Taki smiled at the sound alone. “Yeah. That.”
Maki lowered the camera slowly, something warm blooming in his chest. “It felt…nice.”
“Addictive,” Taki corrected gently.
The door creaked open behind them. A few other students filtered in--faces unfamiliar, voices low. The club advisor followed shortly after, clapping his hands together and launching into introductions.
Maki barely heard him.
He was too aware of Taki standing beside him. Of the fact that no one was pulling him away. No one was correcting him. No one was telling him where he should be.
When the meeting wrapped up, the sun had dipped lower, painting the room in amber tones. Students trickled out in small groups. Yuma popped his head in long enough to yell something about grabbing snacks, Nicholas trailing after him.
Soon, it was just the two of them again.
“You did good today,” Taki said as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
Maki blinked. “I only took one picture.”
“And you looked happy doing it,” Taki replied simply.
That made Maki pause.
“I don’t think I get to do things just because they make me happy,” he admitted quietly.
Taki studied him for a moment, expression softer now. “You can. You just haven’t been allowed to yet.”
They walked out together, the hallway empty and echoing. Maki spotted K at the far end of the building through the glass doors, talking with a few student council members, posture straight, smile practiced.
His stomach flipped.
Taki noticed immediately. “You okay?”
Maki inhaled slowly. “…Yeah.”
He surprised himself when he didn’t look away.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Taki asked.
Maki nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”
Taki lifted his bandaged hand in a clumsy wave and headed off down the opposite corridor, disappearing around the corner.
Maki stood there for a second longer than necessary.
Then he turned and walked forward, heart pounding, knowing full well that the lines were already blurring.
And this time, he wasn’t sure he wanted them back.
______________________________________________________
Maki woke up sore throated and groggy. He was so cold that he was shivering, wrapping himself up in his blanket tighter.
"Riki!" Maki's mother called from downstairs, "You'll be late!"
Maki gathered whatever voice he had left and weakly called back to her. "I don't feel well, I'll stay home today."
His mother called back after a short pause. "Make sure you get plenty of rest! I'll leave some soup on the stove before I leave for work!"
Maki smiled. His mother was always considerate, he was grateful for that. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
Maki woke up again sometime later to the soft buzz of his phone vibrating against the nightstand.
He groaned, blinking blearily at the screen. 3 unread messages.
K hyung
"Are you awake?"
"Your mom said you stayed home."
"Are you sick?"
Maki sighed, throat burning as he swallowed. He typed back slowly.
Maki
"Yeah. Fever and sore throat. I’m okay though."
The reply came almost immediately.
K hyung
"I’ll come by after school."
Maki stared at the message longer than necessary, chest tightening. He locked his phone without replying and rolled onto his side, pulling the blanket up to his chin.
He woke again closer to noon, sunlight bleeding through the curtains. His throat felt raw, his head heavy. After a slow trip downstairs for soup and medicine, he padded back up to his room, curled into his bed, and scrolled mindlessly until another notification popped up.
This time, the name made his heart jump.
Taki.
Maki sat up a little too fast, dizziness
forcing him to pause before opening it.
Taki
"Yuma said you weren’t at school. You okay?"
Maki smiled faintly.
Maki
"Yeah. Just sick. Sorry I didn’t tell you."
A few seconds passed.
Taki
"Don’t apologize. I was just worried."
"Photography club was boring without you btw."
Maki huffed a quiet laugh, then winced when it made his throat hurt.
Maki
"Liar."
Taki
"Okay maybe a little."
"But you should’ve seen Nicholas try to explain ISO like he knows what he’s doing."
Maki let out a small laugh.
Maki
"I wish I was there."
The reply came slower.
Taki
"We’ll make up for it."
"I’ll save you a camera."
Maki’s chest warmed in a way that had nothing to do with his fever.
Before he could respond, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway made his
stomach drop.
A knock came barely a minute later.
“Maki?” K’s voice filtered through the door, gentle but firm. “Can I come in?”
Maki stared at his phone one last time before locking it and setting it face-down.
“…Yeah.”
The door opened quietly. K stepped inside, jacket still on, eyes immediately scanning Maki from head to toe. His expression softened when he saw the flushed cheeks and tired eyes.
“You look awful,” K said softly.
“Wow. Thanks,” Maki rasped.
K huffed out a quiet laugh and moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. He pressed the back of his hand to Maki’s forehead, brows knitting together. “You’re warm.”
“I know,” Maki muttered.
K sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick last night?”
“I didn’t feel this bad yet,” Maki said, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. “It got worse this morning.”
K nodded, accepting that, but his gaze lingered--watchful, searching. “Your mom said you’ve barely eaten.”
“I had soup,” Maki said defensively.
“Half a bowl,” K countered, lips twitching.
Silence settled between them, heavier than usual. K’s hand dropped to his lap.
“…How was yesterday?” K asked carefully.
Maki’s heart skipped. “It was fine.”
K hummed. “You didn’t come to student council.”
“I told you I was looking around,” Maki said, voice low but steady even through the soreness.
“I know.” K hesitated. “You joined photography club.”
Maki blinked. “…How did you know?”
K exhaled slowly. “People talk.”
Of course they did.
Maki turned his head away, staring at the wall. “I like it.”
“I figured,” K said quietly. “You looked happy. Yesterday.”
Maki’s throat tightened, and not just because he was sick. “That’s not a bad thing.”
“No,” K agreed. “It’s not.”
Another pause.
“…You were with Takayama a lot,” K added, tone careful.
Maki’s fingers curled into the blanket. “Yeah.”
K didn’t raise his voice. Didn’t scold him.
“I told you to be careful,” K said instead. “I’m not trying to control you, Riki. I just...”
“I know,” Maki interrupted softly. He finally looked back at him, eyes tired but sincere. “But I don’t want to be afraid of people just because I’m told to be.”
K fell quiet.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Then K reached out and gently tucked the blanket closer around Maki’s shoulders.
“…Get better,” he said finally. “We’ll talk later.”
Maki nodded. “Okay.”
K stood, pausing at the door. “Text me if your fever gets worse.”
“I will.”
Once the door closed, Maki let out a shaky breath.
______________________________________________________
Maki hurried down the hallway. Late late late--he was going to be late. He had never been late.
The further he got down the hallway, the closer the voices got. Two men arguing around the corner. Maki slowed and looked cautiously around the corner.
K had Fuma backed against a wall. And neither of them looked happy.
"Keep Takayama away from Maki," K spat, "He's already confused enough, I don't want your pack running around with him."
Fuma scoffed. "He's not your puppet, Koga. Maki can run around with who ever he likes. You're going to have to accept that."
"I've been with this kid since he was born. I won't let someone like you ruin his future." K's voice shook, like he was about to cry.
"What do I have to do with any of this? Koga you sound insane." Fuma rasped.
“Keep Takayama away from him,” K said again, voice low and shaking. “I’m not asking.”
Fuma laughed, but there was no humor in it. “God, you still say things like that. Like you own him.”
“I’ve protected him his entire life,” K snapped. “I won’t let you poison him.”
“That’s funny,” Fuma shot back, eyes blazing. “Because last time I checked, you were the one who taught me how poison works.”
K stiffened.
“Don’t,” he warned.
“Why?” Fuma leaned forward despite the wall behind him. “Afraid he’ll hear what you really did? Or afraid he’ll finally see you the way I do?”
“You don’t know anything anymore,” K hissed.
“Oh, I know plenty,” Fuma said. “I know you still can’t stand that I made it here without you buying the ground I walk on.”
“That’s not--”
“You left me,” Fuma interrupted sharply. “You looked me in the eye and told me we’d figure it out together, and then you vanished.”
K’s voice cracked. “I didn’t vanish.”
“You stopped answering,” Fuma said. “You stopped showing up. And then suddenly--surprise! You’re WOLF’s golden boy and
I’m nobody.”
K clenched his jaw so hard it ached. “I did what I had to.”
“No,” Fuma said quietly. “You did what was easiest.”
The words landed like a slap.
“You think this is easy?” K snapped, finally losing control. “You think living every day knowing I ruined someone else’s future is easy?”
Fuma blinked.
For a second, his anger faltered.
“…So you do feel guilty,” he said softly.
K laughed harshly. “Of course I do. I just don’t have the luxury of pretending guilt fixes anything.”
“You could’ve told me,” Fuma said. “You could’ve apologized.”
“And say what?” K demanded. “‘Sorry I chose survival over you’?”
“Yes,” Fuma said immediately. “That. Exactly that.”
Silence roared between them.
“I hated you,” Fuma admitted, voice rough. “I spent years hating you. And then I got here and realized you hated yourself more than I ever could.”
K looked away.
“That doesn’t give you the right to do this,” Fuma continued. “To isolate Maki the same way you isolated yourself.”
“You don’t understand,” K said hoarsely. “He’s different.”
“He’s human,” Fuma shot back. “And he’s suffocating.”
Maki’s chest burned.
He stepped out from around the corner.
“K.”
Both of them froze.
K turned slowly, face draining of color. “Riki!”
“How long?” Maki asked quietly.
K swallowed. “How long what?”
“How long were you planning on fighting my battles for me?” Maki said. “Without even telling me the truth.”
Fuma straightened. “Maki...”
“Don’t,” Maki said softly. “I need to hear this from him.”
K’s hands trembled at his sides. “I was scared,” he admitted. “I thought if you got close to them--if you got close to him--you’d realize how fragile all of this is.“
All of what?” Maki asked. “My life? Or your control over it?”
That hurt. K flinched.
“I loved you like a brother,” K said desperately. “Everything I did was to keep you safe.”
“Safe from what?” Maki pressed. “People who don’t look like you? Who didn’t grow up protected?”
K couldn’t answer.
Fuma spoke instead, voice quieter now. “He’s not your mistake to fix, K.”
K’s eyes snapped to him. “You don’t get to talk about him.”
“And you don’t get to rewrite what we were,” Fuma shot back. “You don’t get to pretend we were never friends just because it hurts.”
Maki looked between them, heart pounding. “Friends?”
K shut his eyes.
“…We were,” he said. “Before I ruined it.”
Maki inhaled shakily. “Then stop ruining things.”
K opened his eyes.
“I don’t need a shield,” Maki said. “I need honesty.”
K stared at him for a long moment. Really looked at him--then nodded, once.
“…I don’t know how to let go,” he admitted.
Maki stepped closer. “Then learn. Because I’m not going back.”
Silence stretched.
Fuma finally stepped away from the wall. “I’m done fighting,” he said, “But I won’t keep Taki away from Maki just because you’re scared.”
K didn’t argue this time.
Maki turned and walked down the hall, legs shaking, heart raw but strangely light.
Behind him, neither of them followed.
______________________________________________________
Photography club came as an escape. Maki picked up the camera that was positioned in his hands, snapping pictures of the sun.
Taki sighed blissfully, laying in the grass beside where Maki stood.
"Isn't this nice," he hummed, "Hanging out without hiding."
Maki's heart tied in a knot remembering the hallway encounter earlier.
"About that," Maki said, aiming the camera lower, "I'm tired of hiding. I told K that. He knows that I'm not staying away from you anymore."
Maki positioned the camera at Taki, sprawled out on the grass beautifully. Taki's breath hitched when Maki snapped a photo.
"You really told him that?" Taki asked, face a bit flushed. Maki nodded. "I'm glad. I'm glad you're not letting someone else control your life."
Maki looked at the photo he had taken. He admired the way the sun hit Taki's dark eyes and the way the wind softly tousled his hair. "Me too." he said finally.
"Are you going to use that photo in the showcase?" Taki asked with a small smile.
"Hm, I think I have a better photo idea for the showcase," Maki said, laying next to Taki. He stretched his arms up and positioned his thumb over the photo button. "Ready?" he asked.
"Mhm," Taki hummed.
And just as Maki took the photo, Taki pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. Maki's breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening a little. Taki laughed.
"What was that for?" Maki asked, stunned.
"I'm not an idiot," Taki smiled, still looking at Maki, "You don't follow me around everywhere and send stupid cheesy texts because you want to be just friends."
Maki set the camera down beside them and covered his face with his hands.
"...I wasn't that cheesy." he said finally.
"Mhm, sureee..." Taki trailed off.
"Can I tell you something? While I'm on a rule breaking streak." Maki smiled.
Taki nodded, open to listening. Like he always was.
"I'm...I'm a castoff too," Maki said quietly, "I was adopted because my parents couldn't have a baby. I'm not a legitimate heir. I think that's why K is so protective over me. So that nobody finds out."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Taki whispered, "Maki, there really is no such thing as a castoff. It's just some stupid label made by idiotic teenagers who are insecure. To put people they see as inferior into a box." Taki sighed.
Maki swallowed hard. He felt so incredibly guilty.
"I don't care what I'm called. I know my place. And I know who my friends are." Taki smiled, elbowing Maki.
Maki smiled slightly, "Friends huh?"
"For now," Taki hummed, sitting up. "Until you get the nerve to ask me out."
Maki laughed weakly, heat rushing up his neck. “You make it sound so easy.”
Taki tilted his head, studying him. “It’s not easy,” he said honestly, “Just worth it.”
______________________________________________________
Maki laid in bed, scrolling through his phone when a message popped up.
K hyung
"Riki, I know you don't want to hear from me, and I wouldn't want to either. But could you meet me outside your house? It's important."
Maki groaned. The last thing he wanted right now was another fight. But he had a gut feeling that maybe this would be different.
So, he slipped on his shoes and stepped outside.
K stood in front of him, puffy eyed and apologetic.
"Riki," he sighed, "Thank you, for coming out here."
Maki had never seen K like this before. It made him uneasy. He stood firm, and just nodded.
"I want to apologize," K sniffled, "For everything. I never should've meddled with your life like that. I wanted to protect you, but I realize now that I was only hurting you and--"
K's voice broke, tears streaming down his cheeks. Maki winced.
"I'm done with all this. Controlling you. I hope you can forgive me, I really do see you as my baby brother." K sobbed quietly.
Maki's heart may as well have snapped in two. He rushed to K and pulled him into a hug. K was taken aback, but clung onto Maki like his life depended on it.
"I'll forgive you on one condition," Maki said.
"Anything," K sniffled, using his jacket sleeve to wipe away his tears.
"You become friends with Fuma. And apologize." Maki said sternly.
"Ah actually I...I did that before coming here." K smiled weakly. "And I have a surprise for you."
Maki tilted his head curiously before K called out. A group of boys came from around the corner of the house.
Maki was stunned. It was Fuma, Nicholas, Yuma, Taki, Jo, Euijoo and Harua.
"Surprise!" Yuma yelled, clearly the loudest of the bunch.
K smiled. "I apologized to everyone. And I want us all to go see the northern lights. Together. You can get some good pictures for your showcase."
Maki ran back excitedly inside to grab his jacket and rushed back out.
They piled into the cars in a way that felt chaotic and unplanned. Euijoo arguing about who got the window seat, Nicholas already complaining about the cold, Harua squished between Yuma and Jo and pretending not to enjoy it. Fuma took the back without complaint, gaze forward, jaw relaxed for the first time Maki could remember.
K drove.
The road stretched long and dark, city lights slowly giving way to open sky. Conversation flowed--music arguments, dumb jokes, someone daring Euijoo to sing and immediately regretting it. Maki mostly listened, forehead resting against the cool glass, heart humming softly in his chest.
At some point, Taki leaned closer. Not touching. Just close enough.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
Maki nodded. “Yeah. I just…didn’t think this kind of night was possible.”
Taki smiled, eyes forward. “That’s usually when the best ones happen.”
When they finally stopped, the world felt impossibly big. The sky above them was clear, stars sharp and countless.
Minutes passed. Fingers went numb. Someone passed around hot chocolate from a thermos. Maki adjusted the camera strap around his neck, hands shaking–not from the cold, but anticipation.
Then,
“Oh,” Jo breathed.
A faint ribbon of green spread across the sky, barely there at first. It shimmered, then grew brighter, stretching and curling through the stars.
Yuma gasped. Harua’s mouth fell open. Even Nicholas went quiet.
Maki forgot to breathe.
He lifted the camera on instinct, hands steady now, framing the impossible light above them. Click. Click. Click.
Taki stepped into his frame without meaning to, looking up, eyes reflecting green and blue. Maki lowered the camera slowly.
"Taki," he said softly.
Taki looked at him instead of the sky. “Yeah?”
Maki swallowed, heart pounding louder than the wind. “I think… I’m ready now.”
Taki’s smile was small, careful. “Ready for what?”
Maki took a breath. “To stop pretending.”
For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. The cold, the light, the quiet understanding between them.
“Would you go out with me?” Maki asked.
“Like actually. No hiding. No rules.”
Taki didn’t answer right away.
Then he reached out, gently tugging Maki’s scarf straighter, fingers lingering at his collar.
“Yeah,” he said. “I would.”
Someone wolf-whistled.
“FINALLY,” Yuma yelled.
Maki pulled back, face burning, but he didn’t let go. He didn’t want to.
He lifted the camera one more time and snapped a photo--not of the sky, but of all of them standing there together, messy and laughing and unboxed.
______________________________________________________
Maki's photo was the center of the photography display.
It was messy, slightly blurry, a little bit rough around the edges. But being perfect was something Maki no longer cared about. He learned there was much more to life than labels.
Under the photo read the piece name.
'Blurred Lines'.