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It was Kamiyama High’s exam week for its second-year students, and Shinonome Akito promptly decided that the bird preening itself on the tree branch outside was the most interesting thing during his math final.
It had a smooth, velvety round head that stirred hastily around. Its beady eyes hurried all over. It looked almost panicked.
What, did it accidentally bite too deep?
“Shinonome, resume testing please.”
Akito snapped out of his trance, turning back to his untouched math exam full of—in his words—“incomprehensible gibberish.”
Some kids around the room turned their heads to face him, wearing mixed looks of humor and confusion—which he silently retorted back with a dirty look and scowl. Who were these morons?! Mind your damn business!
Akito grumbled, mostly choosing the longest answers, and the ones with “both _ and _.” He’s already surrendered on the idea of graduating high school. Why even bother being smart when he’s going to go pro in track someday?
“That's just an academic theory; it won't work in the real world!”
“I’m athletic! I don’t need to be smart! Who needs to know trigonometry when you have these muscles!”
“Grades are STUPID.”
He grinned to himself, imagining his future salary as he became a worldwide celebrity from his soon-to-be professional track debut.
“Oh, Shinonome-kun! Please sign my neck!”
“Shinonome! Can you sign my portrait of you?”
“When is your next meet-and-greet Shinonome-san?”
“WHICH TATTOO SHOULD I GET OF YOU???”
Forced detachment from his lovely fantasies lead to Akito lazily observing his surroundings. Maybe there was a poster somewhere that would help Akito?
Everywhere he looked, near and far, were those lame motivational posters about your imagination being the only limit. Some even stooped to using puns.
“You don’t write a paper—you battle it in psychological warfare.”
“You haven’t truly doubted yourself until you hit submit.”
“My brain left the chat after page six-seven.”
God, make it stop!
That’s when Akito (finally) noticed the student sitting next to him throughout the entire year. What was his name? Ano.. Ayo.. Ao.. AOYAGI!
Akito pays a closer attention to his side profile. His features looked crazy sharp, and he also has dual blue hues for hair.
His immense writing and effortless problem-solving stole Akito’s eyes next, but he was wasn’t looking at test answers.
His hands were pale and angular. Unlike Akito’s, this kids hands were unblemished, and elegant. They could be easily compared to an aristocrats!
Why was Akito looking so closely at his hands?!
Shamelessly, Akito leans in closer. This guy looks like a porcelain doll! Not the ones with cracks in their skulls that lead out into their eyes—the ones that looked untouchable, the ones with smooth skin and dolly eyes, the ones delicate and fragile as a flower—the ones only bought by the wealthiest victorian families!
His face was as pale as his hands, and his facial features were so refined and clean! His eyes were more silver than the actual mineral, and there was a teardrop mole under his eye.
His hair and its hues were probably materialized by two clashing seas—one with raging waves, and the other, elysian and serene.
His hair.. it’s absolutely jaw-dropping. Akito’s never seen hair colored like that before!
Akito pried into his name tag next, trying to find his first name.
Aoyagi Toya. That’s lovely.
“Shinonome! Stop cheating off of him!”
Akito snaps out his second trance, immediately jolting his head up to the monitor with steam coming out of his ears. He pulled back into his seat, trying to sink further in his hoodie.
His face was sheepish and flushed, his cheeks quickly turning into a crimson before he got back to his untouched exam paper.
He wasn’t even cheating! Akito was just.. admiring.
He wasn’t even admiring either! Akito was just.. observing his surroundings!
He could feel the other boy staring at him, along with a few other students—but he didn’t dare to retort them any more nasty glares this time.
Was Toya judging him? Does he think Akito’s a total weirdo now? Can Akito ever come back to this school?
Well, maybe Akito wants to see his reaction. Would Toya be upset knowing that Akito was staring? Or even better—
Akito slowly turned his head back, finding nothing but Toya diligently solving equations on his paper. Akito wants to tell himself he saw a smile, or some expression resembling satisfaction.
Toya probably gets used by other students for answers too, right? Akito clenches his fist at that thought. How dare someone be that sinful enough to use this angel for—
Angel?!
Why was he suddenly so enamored in this man! They don’t know each other, he doesn’t know what Toya’s like!
One thing is for sure though:
He’s hot as hell.
Akito couldn't help but notice how perfectly the blue tones in Toya's bangs swirled. It layered into a soft blend of blue hues. Even his eyelashes stood out—immeasurably long as they held a feminine grace.
After catching himself silently calling the boy “hot”, Akito went back to finish his test—blushing and smiling like an embarrassed little teenager.
Hell—he WAS an embarrassed little teenager! He was supposed to be a track star! A famous heartthrob! Cheerleaders always trailing close behind!
He wasn’t supposed to…
He couldn’t…
He shouldn’t…
…Fall in love with this man.
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Exams were over for a while now, and the school hung up a giant, rectangular board in the hallway of all the second-year students ranked based on the average score from all their exams. It listed them all in percentage, starting from the bottom as it slowly accrues to the near-perfect averages.
The atmosphere in the hallway was thick with the post-exam buzz. Students crowded around the massive board with their friends, pointing at names and numbers.
Akito didn’t bother looking for his name despite the exciting commotion. He already knew what place he got.
#1112 . Shinonome Akito, 5.25% average.
Yep, there it was.
As he maneuvered past the chaotic cluster of children, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop.
Wow! Aoyagi, you’re so smart!”
“An 99.97% average? You’re like a superhuman! How many tests did you take?”
“Who got first? It was Aoyagi-kun, right?”
“He’s a prodigy! What aren’t you good at?”
Toya stood at the center of the student cluster, his tall, slim frame draped in a perfectly neat and tucked-in uniform. Even with the swarm of students exclaiming over each other—he maintained that calm, effortless composure, casting a friendly smile to anyone who noticed him.
Akito’s mouth fell agape. He’s been testing next to the kid who actually took first place!? Not even cheerleaders would swarm Akito with this much praise!
Were these people his friends or fans? Gosh, do you really become that popular being smart!? Or do people just want an excuse to get closer with his Toya?
Wait—what!?
Akito almost choked trying to drown that thought. He doesn’t own anyone, especially not someone he’s never spoken to before.
As he looked back, he couldn’t help but keep the lingering thought that Toya might be uncomfortable. Even as a popular person, Akito can still feel overwhelmed by large crowds or tons of noise.
As he looks back one more time, he accidentally knocks into a girl carrying a box of art and presentation supplies.
They both tumble down, crafty shrapnel got launched flying across the halls. Pom-Pom’s bounced endlessly through the linoleum tiles, glue sticks rolled under shoes, causing their wearers to fall.
Pipe cleaners tangled themselves in dust motes, writing instruments like colored pencils and markers clattered as the hall, punctuating the splore with silence.
“SHINONOME!!!”
Meanwhile, Toya hadn’t moved his place, his ears stopped paying attention to the compliments once he heard an “oomph!” and a “s-shit, my bad!”
He witnessed the unfortunate scene with the warmest smile he could ever give.
His thoughts have been in a constant swirl since the monitor exposed Akitos staring session at Toyas paper, a futile attempt at trying to “cheat”.
It’s not bothersome though. Toya knew he was staring at something else.
And maybe—he didn’t mind that much.
As the commotion resumed, Toya went back to the congratulating teachers and students, the over-stimulations beginning to make Toya overwhelmed and exhausted.
And yet, his gaze only focused on the klutzy kid who tumbled face-first into a box of stickers and poster paper.
“What are you staring at?”
“Hello..? A-Aoyagi? Why’s he so tense?!”
“Aoyagi-senpai? Are you there?”
“Eh? I-I’m here…”
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A blanket of constellation and memories domed the Kamiyama High campus, and the students who lived in the dormitories have just started retreating back there.
In the center was the moon. It shone its light down at the blooming flowers and perching jays, making the atmosphere melodically peaceful after the storm.
A party for the post-exam week was something planned by the seniors and staff. It was to dedicate every student with an opportunity to waste themselves on dancing and music.
The wind howled a canorous tune, softening into a low hum as it brushed against the velvet petals of the sleeping garden.
“Shinonome! Stop cheating off of him!”
Akito was hunched over his back, bag lazily slung over his shoulder. His eyes were slowly blinking, and his footing was eerily slow and silent.
He was one of these drunken partygoers, not like he had anything academic to celebrate—he just liked the burning, biting sensation of heavy alcohol.
He pathed through the lobby, making a rough stride to the elevator and accidentally clicking the “3F” button.
Akito travelled the seemingly endless hallways, the walls continuously stretching out as he swayed towards a door that was supposed to be his own.
He slumped against the hardwood, his muscles have given up, and he can’t seem to open the door, no matter how many times he’s scanned his keycard.
After repeatedly shouldering the door, it finally opened. Akito fell inside, his vision spinning in slow circles as he fails to comprehend the hands picking him up.
“Ah—Shinonome?”
Akito drowsily—with the help of the stranger, navigated a soft cushion to lay down on.
God, it felt so good.
Since when was his mattress this enveloping?! The cushions eased against his contours, melted his ginger hair in a splat, and the foreign blanket being draped over him was wrapping him in pure, fluffy bliss.
“Wait, you’re still reeking of liquor!”
As Akito slumbered, the other boy stared at him—dumbfounded.
“Where do I sleep..? He’s splayed out like a starfish, I shouldn’t disturb him…”
Toya taps his chin, before lifting the blanket and wrapping himself in it—alongside the pungent odor of alcohol.
“Dream well, Shinonome. Don’t freak out tomorrow, ‘kay?”
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As the alpenglow peaked, topaz rays penetrated through the glassy windowpane, varnishing the atmosphere with a morning warmth.
Golden aura lifted Akito’s eyelids before he immediately clamped them down—due to an immeasurably painful headache.
He groaned—immediately assailed by a stench of alcohol, jostling his body out of—the other person in bed!
It’s like haziness cleared itself.
“W-What the fuck?!”
Akito reflexively spat out, wafting his morning-alcohol breath back.
His arm was underneath a pale head with two-toned blue hue, splat perfectly like ink on parchment.
His breathing was rigid and rhythmic, serene and stiff.
“A-Aoyagi..?”
Should he risk lifting his arm and disturb Toyas sleep? After all, this was the same “ethereal beauty” Akito had been spooning all night long.
This was the same “ethereal beauty” Akito infected with his drunken stench, and he still let him stay the night! In his bed!
Akito gulped down all of his rational instincts and self-preservation skill as he leaned forward. Just once wouldn’t kill anyone!
As humanly slow as possible, his other hand gingerly reached for Toyas hair
…And stroked it.
Akito would’ve cringed, would’ve scoffed and recoiled his hand back if it was any other girl.
But it was so soft. So silky and so blue.
Akito had to bite back a moan from how pleasurable it was for him. It was beautiful—even unkept.
Akito’s movements started getting more hasty, his hands greedy for the way Toyas different hues mixed together.
As blues crossed each other, Akito found himself more lured to the intersection where they mixed.
“T-That hurts..”
Toya turned around, his silver eyes wet with teary residue. His lips were quivering as he muttered a denial.
“Please don’t.. be too rough?”
Akito quickly backed into the wall, holding his hands at shoulder-level as he failed to fluently apologize. He started sweating, and his fingers still preserved the softness on their tips.
“H-How long were you awake?! Did I accidentally wake you up?! I swear I’d—“
“I was awake before you were.”
Akito’s eyes widened, his mind recalling the gradual shift in his roughness with Toyas hair—how he felt all of that, how careless he was with someone he barely knew, how Toya probably sees this as his first impression.
Toya interrupts his thoughts off with a “hey, it’s okay..”
“…I don’t mind.”
Akito swears he’s going to implode. No way Toya wasn’t just saying this to be polite and respectful about this entire situation.
“You should probably.. er—leave..”
Akito nodded, practically tripping over himself in his haste to escape. Before he vanished, however, he left behind a lingering trace of himself—the sharp, unmistakable scent of alcohol.
Toya stares emotionless at the door leading into the hallway where Akito is most likely sprinting down.
Cautiously, he reaches to his scalp, the lingering feeling of uneven fingernails and eagerness wouldn’t budge to leave.
Toyas cheeks lift, and he slowly cracks a smile. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if Akito scratched his hair again.
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.
It’s been a few days after… the incident.
Akito and Toya have (unfortunately) returned to their distant, non-hair-touching boundaries, and Akito couldn’t have hated anything more.
Couldn’t they have stayed friends or something? They didn’t have to go back to strangers!
It wasn’t that he actually enjoyed the idea of intruding on Toya’s privacy drunk and stinky, but the memory of those silky strands against his skin wouldn’t leave him. The phantom sensation of Toya’s perfect hair was a taunt he couldn't ignore.
Akito’s washed his hands over and over, yet the mere sight of Toya in the halls or the glorious presence next to him in class makes Akito’s heart race faster than a stallion!
And then came back that feeling.
“Shinonome! Pay attention!”
Akito snapped his head up, met with a board of notes to take… and his own—untouched notebook.
Some other students turn their head back, a sense of snicker and gossip all over their ugly grins.
Akito grunts, now getting start on—
RING!!!
FUCK!
Did he really waste all that time pondering about Toya??
Not waste—spend.
…And he spent his time very wisely, thank you!
He shoved his empty notebook away (despite the year being near over), glancing over as Toya methodically packed his own bag. Every item in Toya’s kit had a designated home, making Akito’s bag look even more like the "missing assignment war zone" it actually was.
“Shinonome, Aoyagi, can you come over here?” The teacher calls out, her voice taxing when she calls for Akito, but immediately softening when she told Toya to come over too.
Wait—Toya?!
Nonetheless, they stride over, standing side-by-side in front of the teacher.
Akito bristled the second he registered Toya’s height. He felt a sudden, sharp prickle of threat from the beauty towering over him—even if Toya wasn’t that much taller.
“Aoyagi, Shinonome.”
They hold their breaths—mostly Toya,afraid he’s done something wrong or out of conduct, because Akito has gotten in trouble befor—
“I need you guys to help each other graduate.”
What?
The boys look at each other in the same beat, a blend of utter confusion and disbelief upon their faces.
“Aoyagi. You have been assigned to tutor Shinonome after school in any of his failing grades. You guys can start after school today.”
Toya respectfully nods, pretending he understands as the teacher continues her banter.
“Shinonome. You need to help Aoyagi become more athletic.”
Toya cuts in, his voice cracked with a full of shock and embarrassment.
“W-Wait.. I’m passing physical education though?”
“That’s true, however, the district requires everyone to be on the same level of physical strength. That includes actually being able to run.”
Toyas cheeks flush pink, and Akito almost holds in a laughter.
He’s so cute blushing..
The teacher glares at Akito, before dismissing them both.
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The walk down was.. awkward to say the least.
To keep their study momentum going, Akito and Toya wanted to trade a separate, home-cooked meal for a quick convenience store dinner—together.
Ding!
Akito held the door for Toya as they stepped into a vast world of instant ramen and unsurprisingly mediocre desserts.
Akito wasted no time grabbing a basket and heading straight for the ramen and rice cakes—which, surprisingly, made up about eighty percent of the store's entire stock.
Soon, his basket filled with two different kinds of noodles, sticky rice cakes, tuna rice balls, grape soda, and a slice of cheesecake to top it all off.
Akito strode towards the self checkout, scanning every item. Toya soon joined him, his basket way lesser than the junk Akito had going on.
God, this was so embarrassing!
Akito quickly divided his goods into things to eat later. Not like he actually planned on eating all of this in one sitting! Especially when having a friend over—
“S-Shinono— Akito?”
Akito’s head snapped up, thoughts of “why are you eating so much?” and “are you really eating all of that?” flooding his head.
“I was wonderin—“
“No! Ihaveasisterathomesomostofthisisforher!”
(I have a sister at home so most of this is for her!)
“…What?”
“I have a sister at home, so—“
“N-No!”
“Should I… get some more food too? I’m sure a diet like this is important for sports, right?”
Most of what Akito picked out was cheap and processed. If he managed to get through his practice at all, it was a testament to his grit, not his ridiculously unhealthy diet.
“…”
“O-Oh! My bad…”
“…”
“?”
“Should I get more or…”
“YES! Maybe not the same as mine… but something more healthy?” He whispered that last part to himself.
Toya smiled that heart-melting curve, sending arrows straight to Akito’s own.
With their snacks paid for, they claimed and tucked themselves away at a corner table. Toya and Akito helped each other cook their various instant dishes, eventually sharing a meal born of convenience and shared effort.
Akito silently noted to not vigorously chow down like he does at home or at track meets, as he’s sharing a dinner with the (soon-to-be) love of his life.
As they finished their main courses, Toya was confronted eyeing Akito’s cake. Not that he minded. The only thing Akito would want besides kissing Toya right now would be sharing a fork with him.
“Oh. You want a bite?”
“N-No, I could’ve bought my own—“
“Nahh, share it with me! I insist.”
“Okay.. thank you.”
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After finishing their meal, they decided to head to the public library. Neither felt comfortable studying in a small dorm room (after what happened), so taking the subway was their best option. While waiting on the platform, they chatted to pass the time.
"Hey, Akito. Why don't we learn a bit more about each other?"
“"E-Eh? Sure… I guess I'll start," Toya replied. "My name is Toya Aoyagi. I play the piano and the violin, and my… hair… is completely natural."
Akito flinched at the mention of Toya’s hair. The sudden, itching urge to reach out and touch it again flooded his fingertips. He quickly cleared his throat to distract himself.
"Oh, well… My name is Akito Shinonome. I have an older sister named Ena, and I like cheesecake.
Actually, we both do, but she always steals mine."
Toya let out a soft laugh. To Akito, the sound was so pure he felt like angels were carrying him straight to heaven.
"I have siblings too," Toya added, his voice trailing off into an incomplete sentence. "We weren't really…"
His eyes grew glassy. He suddenly avoided Akito's gaze, staring down at a piece of litter on the ground as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world. Akito noticed the shift immediately, and decided it was best not to push any further.
Once the subway arrived, the two of them insisted on letting the other person step in first.
“Here, you can go in first.”
“No, it’s okay. Please step inside.”
“No, I insist!”
“Hehe, well I also insist!”
“Mommy, are these people gay, like what you told me?”
They stepped inside pretty quickly. Their courtesy stand-off ended in a draw.
“Asaki! Keep your thoughts to yourself!”
“Sorry mommy…”
“… but are they?”
(Name picked out by vali-chan!)
Because of the deference, only Akito could snag a seat, leaving Toya’s foot pinned beneath everyone's piled-up luggage.
Toya wasn’t even able to grab a crowded pole or a sweaty handle before the subway started to depart, sending him off his feet…
… and straight into Akito’s lap.
It was so awkward! Toya’s long legs had no space to be, so they just cramped into Akito’s personal space! His torso faced Akito’s, and the old woman in front of them refused to move!
“S-Sorry!”
“It’s fine.” Akito choked out, averting his eyes. “Don’t worry about it, T-Toya…”
The subway speeds and jolts over a rock, and the whole thing judders a little bit. It wasn’t even enough to knock Toya over, but Akito clutched his thighs anyway.
After realizing what he’s done, his hands frantically scramble to Toya’s waist, then his hips, and they even pressed against his chest!
“S-Shit dude… my bad!”
“Hah… it’s um… I-I know it comes from a good place…”
“What does?”
“Your hands— I-I MEAN… like… your concern?”
Everyone was staring now, and it was worse than their classmates. Even that annoying little girl was nudging her mom and pointing at them!
“Mommy, is that what gay people do—“
“Asaki!”
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The heavy library doors groaned as Toya and Akito stepped inside. Instead of silence, the entire space was packed with people chatting and laughing, and every single seat was taken. Instead of a calming, canorous music, loud rock music blasted from two giant speakers in the center of the room. A noisy vacuum hummed nearby, its internal clicking vibrating loudly as it sucked up crumbs.
They looked at each other, before daring to brave this ridiculous excuse of a five-star rated library.
“Okay, so where do you want to start?”
“Well, where can I start?? This shit is so noisy!”
“True… did you bring headphones?”
“Unfortunately no. It’s not like they’ll do anything—“
Toya holds out the other earpiece to his wired headphone, his smile giving away the intention that he wants to share it.
“O-Oh, really? I guess—“
“NONONO! It’s okay, we can share headphones!”
Sooner or later, Akito shows Toya his physics homework… due last quarter. It shouldn’t even count as a grade anymore!
Meanwhile, Toya opens his phone to his music, and the connection said it was playing his “Favorite Songs!” playlist. How innocent and adorable…
Playing: Aun no Beats.
I held up my heart to you
Give it back someday, be gentle, okay?
I really wanted to go back
Going back after this is fine, too
Hey, Akito listens to that song too!
“Alright, so the law states that if item A is in contact with item B, their temperatures will line up until they’re balanced! If item B is in contact with item C, their temperatures will line up! Eventually, all three objects will be the same temperature, and that’s the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics! If you’re wondering on…”
Toya was talking to Akito about his physics homework, tutoring him on… something about the alphabet? In reality, Akito wasn’t paying attention at all. He’s been looking at the sparkles in Toya’s eyes, and the pen in his hand even taps in an excitement.
He even starts to smile as he talks, as if school and homework is actually fun. That’s adorable. Everything about this boy is adorable, actually.
The serenity of Toya’s demeanor, to his unshakable humbleness… everything about Toya makes everything else seem like they’re below him…
“He’s so gorgeous, if he started his own religion I’d probably pray to him…”
“Excuse me?”
“W-WHAT?”
In the middle of all the vexing rock music, the even more annoying vacuum and the most annoying chatter… somehow everyone turned their businesses off to stare at Akito, who accidentally said that out loud.
God, this was worse than the subway and their classmates combined!
Across the room, were some of the same people that stared at them on the subway.
“Mommy! It’s those gay people again—“
“Asaki!”
Akito's face flushed hot again. He hid himself behind his sleeve, quickly pulling Toya and their bags outside. Everything felt like a disaster, and he was certain he had ruined the day for Toya too…
“Wait, I can’t run that fast!”
Once they were outside, Akito started breaking down, right there on the steps. It was uncharacteristic for his sporty, handsome persona, even though nobody else saw him like that.
“I-I’m really sorry man… I didn’t mean to drag you into this shit…”
“It’s like I’m some kind of shitty magnet of bad luck. I’m also sorry for swearing so much, and… yeah.”
Toya waits with these patient eyes, and his hand slowly intertwines with Akito’s.
“I had a lot of fun today.”
“My father almost never lets me hang out with anyone, and it’s been so long since I’ve had a real, genuine connection.”
A beat.
“I’ve never had the thrill of going out to eat with someone, and I’ve especially never had anyone come to my dorm—uninvited.”
“I’m really happy… we’ve encountered each other, Akito.”
Those were the exact words Akito wanted to hear.
The world around them evaporated into a subspace meant just for them, leaving the resonant song of the wind chime to echo for eternity.
In that endless space, Toya closes the distance between them. His movements were slow, serene, and completely devoid of rush. He reached down, wiping a glassy tear from Akito’s cheek.
Akito held his breath… it felt like a quiet surrender to all the truth he’s held in for years. He’s gay!
The kiss was soft, and beautiful at first. Akito desperately tried to take the lead, clashing their teeth together as his hands grabs onto Toya’s cheeks.
Toya falls backwards as Akito tries to stick his tongue in—clearly unsure of how to actually kiss someone.
And yet…
Toya wouldn’t want it any other way.
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“OH MY GOD, THEY’RE DOING IT!”
“… Asaki.”