Archive of Our Own ^beta

How was it possible? How could someone so painfully, frustratingly oblivious read romance in everyone else, but fail to notice the one person practically broadcasting it in bold, blinking neon?

Even Sakura, whose love-radar was picking up the signals, but Nirei remained blissfully unaware.

Just how thick was that wall of denial? Suo was starting to think Nirei’s skull was made of reinforced brick.

Suo had never been the type to back down, not ever, and certainly not now. Not when it comes to him.

The moment Suo’s crimson eye locked onto those soft, honey-gold irises, he’d known. This boy was worth chasing. Worth fighting for. He’d been determined to pursue him.

He’d even said it, clear as day. “I love you,” right to Nirei’s face...  and the boy had replied, “I love you too...”

Suo nearly transcended. Nearly launched into orbit. He almost tackled the boy straight to the ground in pure, undiluted bliss–

Until reality dropped like thunder–

“Isn’t that normal? I love our friends too!”

Friendship.

The kind that crushed your ribs from the inside out, but Suo had gotten used to it. He even lived with it.

Now, the only thing left was...

As the thought crept deeper, so did the shadow across his face. Desperation curled around his spine like a fox coiling protectively around its prey, waiting, and starving.

Suo just needed a little more time.

“Suo! It’s your turn, man!”

“Suo-chan~ you're totally zoning out. What’s got you so distracted?”

Snapped back to the present, Suo blinked. Oh. Right. This. The haze of longing lifting just enough to realize he was sitting in Sakura’s cramped apartment, playing the hellish game called Truth or Dare.

“Ah sorry, sorry. Nothing worth fussing over, let’s carry on.” Suo delivered it with ease, a smile curled in playful deflection.

He glanced down at the empty bottle, a thinly veiled excuse, it was pointing straight at him.

“Tch, like hell he was lookin’ at the bottle!” Sakura huffed.

“You should really be paying attention, Suo-san!” Nirei giggled, and Suo’s soul ascended. 

Suo’s gaze lingered, as always it did on Nirei, laughing, and shoulder shaking.

So pretty. So bright, and so painfully unaware. The words slipped from Suo’s mouth before he could stop them.

“Oh I am.” It was almost sinful in how he said it, voice dipped in something soft and intentional.

The group exploded.

Sakura practically combusted, yelling nonsense as his ahoge twitched in distress.

“C-C-Cut it out!! Not in my apartment! Go f-f-flirt outside!”

“Aww~ Suo-chan, you’re so hopelessly smitten, aren’t you?” Kiryu grinned, smug as a cat who’d seen it coming miles away.

“Aye! He’s so down bad, bro. You’re in love. You’re done!” Tsugeura fist-pumped the air, cheering like they’d just won the lottery.

Suo only gave them a soft, vaguely mocking smile. They knew. They’d known since the first-year. Probably before he even did.

Though beyond the noise, Suo only watched him. Nirei, tilting his head in that confused little way, eyes round with innocence.

Completely, heartbreakingly lost. 

“Huh? Wait– why is everyone yelling at Suo-san?”

Every head collectively slumped onto the tatami floor. Spirits deflated, and hope is now gone.

They didn’t even speak, they just looked at Suo with a silent, heavy sympathy. ‘It’s over for you, man.’

Suo forced a tight-lipped smile, and quietly, internally screamed.

He needed to tap into every ounce of his spiritual restraint to not just explode on the spot.

“Ah.. don’t mind them, Nire-kun. I think they’re just… really into the game.”

“O-Oh! Okay then– let’s keep playing! Suo-san, it’s your turn!”

Suo gave a tight, calculated grin. This was it. His chance to finally corner his sweet little oblivious prey.

Patience, they said, was a virtue. Suo agreed.

But greed? Greed had teeth and it was devouring what little patience he had left.

“Hmm… I wonder how this thing works,” he mused, all innocent, eye locked only on Nirei.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group watched like spectators at an arena, breath held, waiting for the bottle to spin.

Suo spun the bottle...

Ten whole seconds of tension. Suo never once looked away from Nirei, smile unmoving.

The bottle finally stopped unfortunately fortunately to Nirei.

Everyone’s breath caught.

The room was so silent they could practically hear Sakura’s AC humming in the background.

“Whoa! Suo, that’s some crazy luck!” Tsugeura beamed, practically bouncing.

“Mm, looks like fate’s on your side today~” Kiryu purred, green eyes gleaming knowingly.

Sakura just stared, caught between amazement and disbelief, as if Suo had just summoned a demon with his hands.

Of course, Suo timed the strength perfectly. Controlled the momentum like an expert that he is.

‘Ahh... what a beautiful day, indeed.’

“So…” His sharp eye flicked toward Nirei.

“Nire-kun. Truth or Dare?”

Nirei puffed out his cheeks, looking vaguely skeptical. All eyes were on him, the weight of their stares made the room feel suddenly too hot.

“A-Ah.. well… I-I guess... a dare sounds f-fine?” He said it slowly, carefully, like each word was being tested before release.

A small, predatory grin curled at Suo’s lips.

Oh, he was pleased.

Everything was going exactly according to plan.

“D-Don’t give him anything weird, Suo! Don’t you dare!” Sakura snapped, trying to sound threatening, despite the fact his ears and cheeks were bright red.

“Eh? Calm down, Sakura-kun~” He tilted his head, feigning offense.

“What kind of person do you take me for?”

Nirei tried to soothe Sakura with that usual sunny, puppy-like charm, waving his hands in a flustered panic.

“Ah, calm down, Sakura-san! You’ll make the summer heat worse, your face is so red–”

*BONK!*

“–Ouch!”

There was always chaos with this group.

While Suo found it all amusing, what came next is far more entertaining.

“So, Nire-kun, you picked dare, right...?”

Nirei nodded, unsure.

“Then...kiss the person who told you they loved you.”

“W-WHAT?! B-But you… you were the… the per—” Nirei’s voice trailed off, and just like that, his brain caught up.

Realization slamming into him like lightning.

Suo’s eye curled into a gentle crescent, lips tugging upward in that signature smug-soft smile.

“Exactly.”

A collective gasp shot through the room. This plot twist wasn’t just off the bingo card, it flipped the whole damn board.

Yet Suo… Suo was too focused.

His eye quietly traced the way Nirei’s blush bloomed, first his cheeks, then creeping up to his ears.

So pretty when flustered.

“Hmm? Suo-chan? Nirei-chan? Did something happen while we weren’t looking?” Kiryu blinked, genuinely baffled, and a little too amused.

“That’s not fair, Suo-kun…” Tsugeura mumbled, casting Nirei a deeply sympathetic glance, as if he’d just been thrown to the wolves.

Suo chose to ignore them all, especially Sakura who had now slapped a hand over his eyes and turned the color of a ripe tomato like he couldn’t handle what was in front of him.

He wanted to laugh, really, he did. Their reactions were priceless, but possession still clawed at him, hunger gnawing deep like a beast unsatisfied by a mere glance.

Nirei squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to meet Suo’s gaze. Trying to calm himself, and failing miserably.

Suo’s eyes dropped to his trembling fingers, so small, so endearing. So his.

As soon as Nirei dared to peek open his eyes, Suo moved. Hands planted on the floor, body low, creeping forward like a predator closing in.

He stopped just short, a ruler’s length away, Not too close. Not enough to overwhelm.(He definitely overwhelmed him anyway.)

Suo met those honey-gold eyes, now shimmering with visible fluster, barely holding their shape from trembling.

“S-Suo-san...” Nirei’s voice was soft, and breathless. A whisper teetering on panic.

“Don’t worry… For Nire-kun, I’ll try to make it quick.” His voice dipped low, almost sultry, as his hand reached for Nirei’s cheek.

Suo’s fingertips traced over freckles, mapping them like constellations.

They stood out against the blooming red of his face.

Suo leaned in, head tilted. Slowly, intimately, stretching a single second into forever.

So much for ‘quick.’

*PONK!*

A bottle struck Suo square on the head. Nirei flinched at the sharp sound, eyes snapping wide in shock.

“Y-YOU–You bastard! Have you lost your mind?! W-We’re RIGHT HERE!!” Sakura shrieked, sputtering so hard he practically forgot how to speak.

“Exactly~ And why’re you taking the lead, Suo-chan? Shouldn’t it be Nirei-chan?” Kiryu added casually, one hand over Tsugeura’s eyes while the poor boy tried to peek through, face pressed to Kiryu’s chest in protest.

“Kiryu-kun, lemme seeee!”

“Shh. You’re too pure for this world, my guy.”

“You guys…” Suo turned to them slowly, smile dark and ominous, aura practically leaking cursed energy.

“Please don’t interrupt.”

“You’ve completely lost it! Y-You’re scaring him!” Sakura hissed through his palm, half screaming, half blushing into oblivion.

That wasn’t really quite right. Nirei didn’t look scared. He looked embarrassed for sure, and flustered beyond reason as he shyly turned his face away, eyes darting everywhere but Suo.

“Suo-chan,” Kiryu said firmly, “you really should ask for permission first.”

Ah… that’s right.

When greed finally swallowed patience whole, restraint vanished in an instant.

Suo’s eyes flashed, glinting with renewed intent, as he turned back the boy.

He placed his hand on Nirei’s cheek once more, savoring the warmth. Leaning in closer, and closer... until only a breath separated them.

“Nire-kun…” Suo’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Can I?”

In that closeness, Suo swore he saw it, clear as day.

Nirei’s lashes fluttered. His eyes, half-lidded and dazed, held a glint Suo recognized too well... Wanting.

Almost like a yes. Suo took it as one.

He surged forward and... finally!

Their lips met for a heartbeat. Just a second, but to Suo, it was eternity. It was soft and cloudlike.

Suddenly...

Something shoved his chest, and the warmth vanished.

Suo blinked, and was stunned, lips still tingling as he touched them with astonishment. Heart swelling with childlike joy, for a second.

“I-I’m sorry! I-I need to go!– See you all tomorrow!!”

“Ah– Nirei-chan wai–!”

“O-Oi! Your cap! You forgot your–!”

Nirei’s words tumbled out too fast, before Suo could even process what happened or stop him, the only thing that echoed in the room...

*SLAM!*

...was the door shut behind him.

“–and just like that, he’s gone.”

Kiryu sighed, then turned toward Suo with a teasing grin.

“Oho~ Suo-chan, aren’t you just thrilled?”

He should be happy.

This was a once in a lifetime chance, a gamble taken with nothing but fragile hope and luck, but the feeling in his chest was anything but joy.

The memory hit him like a stray punch.

The look in Nirei’s eyes burned into his mind, so crystal clear. So painfully real and couldn't be mistaken.

‘All this time… then why? Why hide it, Nire-kun…?’

“T-Tch! You insufferable bastards!”

Sakura yelled, face burning. “Doing that in my apartment?! You’re all shameless– no, idiots!”

“Kiryu-kun!! I didn’t see anything! What happened?!”

“Oops~ Sorry, Tsuge-chan. Trust me, it was for your own good. That kind of thing’ll attract eye ants.”

𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘

Under the streetlamps, Nirei ran.

He clutched his chest, gasping for air, heart pounding through his ribs, sweat clinging to his skin, but he didn’t stop, running...

running from everything that just happened.

The ache in his chest had nothing to do with the sprint, it was the pain of leaving.

Of choosing distance.

Over and over again, his mind keeps repeating an apology..

‘I’m sorry, Suo-san. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…’

Each day, it got harder to ignore the sound of his own heartbeat, harder to pretend he didn’t feel something.

Deep down… Nirei couldn’t afford to be selfish. It’s better to suffer quietly, than to let his heart spill out where it could be seen.

A memory from yesterday struck him like the sun’s glare scorching bare skin, hot and unforgiving.

Even worse when Nirei realized… He’d left his cap behind!

flashback of yesterday...

Nirei was completely absorbed in his doodling, the soft scratch of pencil on paper was the only sound cutting through the rooftop breeze.

It was so peaceful, unlike the constant classroom chatter....and, more importantly, far away from him.

This solitude was perfect as he preferred being alone when he drew.

Nirei was so focused and immersed in his sketch, he didn’t notice the rooftop door creak open, didn’t hear the silent footsteps behind him, and not even the faintest shift of a shoe.

“Ah, so you are up here agai–”

“AHH–!” His pencil snapped. He spun around, and there he was.

The absolute last person he wanted to see right now had materialized in front of him like a ghost.

Sometimes, Nirei wondered about the way others saw them, like some cosmic joke where wherever he went, Suo would follow, and wherever Suo stood, Nirei was never far behind.

As if the universe deliberately paired them, tying invisible strings so they were always stuck orbiting each other.

“Ahaha sorry, I didn’t think you’d react that adorably.”

The intruder walked right over, without hesitation he plopped down beside him. Completely uninvited. As always.

The moment their arms brushed, Nirei’s breath hitched, a jolt, like static.

He inched away, barely a centimeter praying Suo wouldn’t notice.(he always did).

“S-Suo-san, what are you doing here? aren’t you supposed to be, uh… keeping the captain from starting a fight?” Nirei tried to sound nonchalant, as if he was unbothered, but his voice cracked with effort.

“But Nire-kun how could I focus... knowing the other half of me was missing?”

How could he say something like that, so shamelessly, and with the eye wounded, like a sad puppy being scolded face to match?!

By sheer grace of the heavens, Nirei didn’t faint right then and there.

“I… don’t think I understand what you mean by that…” He muttered, swallowing hard. His eyes stayed locked on his sketch. Anywhere but Suo.

“Hmm...”

Suddenly, hands captured his face. Nirei’s thoughts scattered, his eyes blinked. Suo’s face was right there, barely inches away.

He was smiling so softly, sweetly, like someone looking at the source of his happiness.

Like he was Suo’s entire world.

Nirei didn’t even try to resist anymore. He was used to this by now, Suo always crossing lines  always closing gaps, and slowly crumbling the fragile walls he barely managed to build.

“Then let me show you, Nire-kun!” He grinned like a kid waiting for praise after doing something clever.

“H-Huh?? Wh-What are you– what are you trying to do?!”

Nirei couldn’t see what Suo was fiddling with on the table, something buried in his scattered supplies, but then suddenly Nirei felt it.

A cold, metallic, something sharp gliding across his cheek.

“Suo-san, you’re messing aro–” But Suo’s expression was deadly focused. Nirei could feel it now, he was writing something.

On his face.

“Hold still, Nire-kun. I’d rather not stab your eye out by accident.”

Nirei instinctively reached up, fingers brushing Suo’s wrist, but Suo kept going, dragging the pen slowly, and precisely, like he was putting the final touch on a masterpiece.

“There. All done!” Suo leaned back, admiring his handiwork with a proud grin, crimson eye crinkling into a bright crescent moon, like he’d just hung the stars.

“...What did you write on me?”

Nirei squinted at him, suspicion in his eyes, especially as Suo barely held back a laugh. He grabbed his phone and flipped the camera.

Nirei blinked, he doubled take it, and read it again.

Nope, the letters weren’t changing..

‘Mine ♡

–Suo Hayato.’

“S-Suo-san...” Nirei’s voice cracked as the heat rushed up his neck. The warmth on his cheeks definitely wasn’t from the sun overhead.

His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. One hand trembled faintly.

“Do you get it now, Nire-kun?” Suo’s voice dropped to a whisper as he tilted his gaze up, fingers brushing the cheek where he’d written his claim.

Nirei never expected the Suo Hayato of all people to blush, but eyes don’t lie... and Suo’s ears? It was bright red.

“If you still don’t get it, I’ve got hundreds of ways to prove it.” Suo’s eye dropped, from Nirei’s wide stare down to his lips.

With a feather-light touch, Suo traced his finger along Nirei’s lower lip.

As if a sudden jolt of awareness slammed into him, Nirei pushed Suo’s hand away. He couldn’t take it anymore.

Not when every touch was breaking down the walls he fought so hard to keep up.

He kept reciting the same internal spell don’t lean in, don’t give in, but it was impossible to maintain when his greatest weakness kept touching him like this.

“A-ah seriously.. h-how am I supposed to wash this off now, Suo-san?”

The moment shattered, just like Nirei intended, a desperate attempt to ground them back in reality.

“Nire-kun.” There was frustration under the softness in his voice. He stepped closer, placing both hands firmly on Nirei’s shoulders.

Nirei flinched at the firmness of the grip. Suo’s eye, usually so gentle, had deepened into something intense... burning red.

“Is it really that hard to get that... that I love you so much. I love you, Nirei Akihiko. I love you so damn much.” Suo’s voice cracked, crimson eye shimmered like glass.

Nirei swallowed hard, the pressure in his chest, his head, his heart, it’s too much. He slipped again, completely undone by how much he wanted to believe him. 

“..I love you too...”

Just for a second–

Suo froze, his eye widened, lips trembled at the corners, like a smile was ready to bloom.

Nirei knew. He’d let it slip again, let his heart barrel out before he could lock it down.

He needed to take it back.

Stuff it inside his sleeve, hide it under his ribs, bury it in the deepest pit of him.... before he hurt Suo more.

“Isn’t that normal? I mean–I love our friends too! I-I love you guys, All of you!” Nirei prayed thank duck that his face didn’t give him away. He was never good at lying, but maybe this once.

He nearly choked on the urge to take it all back the moment Suo’s expression dimmed.

From glowing joy to quiet ruin. As if the world had just caved in on him.

 Still like stone Nirei held his ground, because he didn’t deserve someone like Suo.

This perfect, brilliantly crafted person.

From the start, he should’ve never let these feelings take root, but he’d underestimated how deep they would grow, and how impossible they’d be to rip out.

Why did Suo always make it harder?

Why wouldn’t he give up already?

Why didn’t he find someone else... someone better for him...

Someone who didn’t drown in self-doubt. Someone cool, elegant, and perfect. Just like him.

To Nirei, Suo was like a red orchid, he is so elegant, and so untouchably perfect.

While he… he was nothing more than a yellow gerbera. Bright on the surface, blooming with a smile, but wilting underneath from the ache of knowing..

Next to something so breathtaking, he could only wither in comparison.

*THUNK!!*

The rooftop door slammed against the wall, jolting them both with a start.

Nirei just hoped the impact didn’t leave a dent, and that mercifully, none of their upperclassmen were nearby to witness it.

“Oi! Suo! What the hell took you so long to call Nirei!? It’s patrol time, dumbass!” Sakura’s voice cut through the tense air like a blade.

The mood that had just barely begun to settle was scattered instantly.

“Ah! Sakura-san! I-I’m sorry! You two go on ahead! I still need to, um, wash my face!”

Nirei was spluttering panic as he gathered his things while Suo stood up ever composed despite his faltered smile the hurt wasn’t gone on his face but it’s no longer subtle anymore.

His hands were folded calmly behind his back, as if he had to restrain himself from reaching out.

"Hah? What’s up with you two?" Sakura’s eyes darted between them, with suspicion. Something was definitely wrong, and he knew it.

“It’s better if you don’t ask, Sakura-kun.”

𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘

After the rooftop incident, and even during the game at Sakura’s apartment, Nirei couldn’t bring himself to face Suo. It felt like it was over.

After all the hurt he’d caused, after every rejection, the only right thing left to do was stay away, it wasn’t easy, but it felt necessary.

It sucked even more during special training, especially where every move involved close contact.

And so here he was hiding again...

Tucked into a quiet corner of the schoolyard, scribbling new notes in his journal, trying desperately to distract himself from the endless thoughts that haunted him through sleepless nights.

He was halfway through his notes when a strangely familiar voice called out, followed by the sound of footsteps sprinting toward him.

“....Oi! If it isn’t Sakura’s little friend!”

‘HUH!!?!’

Terror spiked through him. That face, he knew it. Nirei’s brain screamed danger, but there was no killer aura like there’d been in the Shishitoren basement.

Still, prevention was better than cure, and Nirei had no plans of needing to be cured, better safe than sorry, they say.

More importantly, what the hell was he doing at their school?

‘Don’t tell me...are they starting something again!?’

“I-I’m sorry if I did something wrong!! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” Nirei leapt to his feet in full panic, nearly tripping as he tried to bolt.

“Ah– wait! Wait! You’re Sakura’s friend, right? Nirei, yeah? Sorry for scaring you, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

Before he could flee, the man, this brute he once feared, was already in front of him, scratching the back of his head, bowing slightly with an apologetic smile.

Nirei blinked, still unsure, but nodded slowly. “Y-Yes. I’m N-Nirei Akihiko… s-sir.”

“Haha! It’s really you! You’re the shrimp he told me about! Relax, just call me Togame.”

As the fear drained from his body, Nirei let out a shaky sigh of relief, clutching his chest.

The moment the tension left his body, Nirei let out a heavy sigh and clutched his chest like he’d barely escaped death.

‘I seriously thought I was gonna drop dead right there...’

The whole encounter felt like a blur, and before Nirei could register what was happening, he was sitting side by side in the schoolyard with none other than Shishitoren’s second in command, Togame Jo.

“T-Togame-san, w-what brings you here– ah! Sorry! I-I didn’t mean it like you’re not welcome! Umemiya-san’s been hoping you guys would visit!” Nirei panicked, tripping over his words and nearly backpedaling off the bench.

Nirei was practically hyperventilating, trying to steady his breathing as his brain scrambled to recover from the panic.

Togame didn’t look upset at all.

In fact, he smiled warmly, like he was used to this kind of energy.

“Don’t sweat it, I’m just the delivery guy today.” Togame chuckled, ruffling Nirei’s hair.

Something about Nirei reminded him of Choji, maybe it was the height, maybe the vibe.

The thought made him laugh.

“D-Delivery... guy?”

“Yup! I work part-time at a restaurant. Sakura wanted to try different kinds of omurice, so.. I brought this over.” Togame lifted a paper bag, and the scent of hot, savory omurice wafted out.

Nirei’s stomach grumbled, he hadn’t realized it was nearly lunchtime.

“It’s Hayashi Omurice this time! Yesterday I brought him Omusoba, and even Sunomono, but he nearly threw it in my face, hahaha! That guy’s so picky. Doesn’t even eat veggies.”

“Ah! I totally get that, we tried forcing him to eat vegetables once and he whacked us in the head! Suo-san even used to hide the tomatoes in his Omurice!” Nirei burst out laughing, remembering it like it happened yesterday, though it was way back in their first year.

“Hahaha, Sakura really did that, huh? Hey, do you mind giving this to Sakura for me?” Togame gave a hopeful look, holding out the bag.

“O-Of course! Leave it to me, Togame-san! I’ll get it to Sakura-san safe and sound!” Nirei nodded so hard it looked like he might topple over from enthusiasm.

Honestly, Nirei had no idea what was going on between Togame and Sakura.

He made a mental note to update the relationship chart. ASAP.

“You’ll take care of it? Thanks, kid! Hang on, lemme give you a little somethin’..." Togame patted down his jacket pockets in a mild frenzy. “Pretty sure Choji dumped some candy on me earlier…”

‘Kid?’ Nirei twitched slightly. Was he offended? Maybe. But for the sake of inner peace, he let it slide.

“Here ya go, Nirei-kun! A little sugar for your hard work!”

Togame grabbed Nirei’s hand without warning. Startled, Nirei opened his palm, and got blessed with Purè Omamori gummies and a colorful trio of assorted flavored candies.

“A-Ah, you really didn’t have to, but thank you, Togame-san.” A soft, surprised smile bloomed on his lips.

‘Guess he’s not as scary as I thought…’

“I should be thanking you, really. Gotta bounce back to work! Oh– and tell Sakura not to inhale his food, will ya?”

“Uh sure! I’ll tell him, Togame-san!”

“Later, kid!” Togame gave a careless wave, already jogging off.

‘Kid again… AH! crap– I totally forgot to ask for the details!’

Just a few feet away at the hallway entrance stood a looming figure of pure rage, barely restrained by Kiryu and Tsugeura, each clinging to a shoulder.

Kiryu gave a low whistle. “Chill, chill~ No one’s crossed a line yet.” He glanced sideways at Suo, shrouded in black aura, fists tight enough to crack bone.

“Tsugeura-chan, play Jealous by (nick) Jo(nas).”

“Eh!? I-I forgot my phone, Kiryu-kun!” Tsugeura gasped, patting his empty pockets.

Kiryu sighed, lips twitching like he might laugh or cry. “…Useless.”

“…Let me go. Now, Kiryu-kun. Tsugeura-kun.” Suo finally spoke, voice too calm in a way that was not reassuring.

“Y-You’re calm now, right, Suo-kun?” Tsugeura asked, voice cracking with worry.

“You’re not thinking of decking Togame-chan or anything… riiight?” Kiryu tilted his head, knowingly.

There was a heavy pause, Suo’s expression didn’t change, but something dark beneath the surface. Murderous intent, expertly caged.

“Huh? Me? I’m not that kind of person, Kiryu-kun. I’m totally fine.” Suo said it with a bright, mocking smile and one crescent-shaped eye. It was terrifying.

There was still a 50/50 chance Suo would snap and let his demons slip out, but Kiryu just gave Tsugeura a silent nod, before they finally let him go.

When all of a sudden...

“Eh? Everyone! What are you all doing out here?” Nirei called out, jogging over with both arms full, notes in one hand, a paper bag in the other.

He clearly hadn’t meant to run into them, just returning to the room, with arms full and expression brighter than the sun.

The two flinched visibly, shaky smiles emerged one by one.

Suo stood perfectly still, dark crimson eye locked on Nirei’s paper bag like it had just personally betrayed him.

“Welcome back, Nirei-chan. Suo–err, I mean, we’ve been looking for you.” Kiryu said smoothly, pivoting mid-lie.

“Ah, perfect timing! Let’s eat, then!” Nirei beamed, completely oblivious to the growing tension in the air.

“Yaaay! I’ll set the table~!” Tsugeura bolted off like an overexcited puppy chasing the scent of curry.

“Actually–” Suo stepped forward, fast. In a blink, he snatched the paper bag from Nirei’s hands before he could react.

“We need to talk. Now.”

“H-Hey! Suo-san, wait– careful! You’ll rip it!” Nirei reached out in panic, but it only seemed to add gasoline to Suo’s smoldering fury.

“Suo-chan…” Kiryu gently hovered a hand over the bag, shaking his head firmly.

Suo’s fingers clenched tighter. The paper bag let out a tragic crunch. It was doomed.

“Tell me, Nire-kun,” Suo murmured darkly, his eye burning, “what’s inside this… pathetic bag that’s apparently more important than me?”

Nirei squinted, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed. There was no mistaking it, Suo was genuinely, violently jealous.

It baffled him. Suo? The Suo Hayato? Getting jealous? Over a paper bag? The idea was so absurd, Nirei almost laughed out loud. ‘He’s… seriously cute, though.’

A few passing students slowed down, staring at the bizarre sight: three pairs of hands all clinging to a crumpled paper bag, as if they were fighting over it.

“Suo-san,” Nirei muttered, flustered. “Give it back before you destroy it completely and regret it later.”

“No. You’re not getting it back. It’s… tainted.” Suo sneered at the wrinkled paper like it had personally offended his ancestors.

‘Oh god. How jealous is this man?’

Nirei finally snapped, the last thread of patience frayed. If he let Suo crumple that bag any further, Sakura’s lunch would become floor seasoning, and he promised Togame he’d deliver it safely.

“Suo-san! Can you please calm down?!” Nirei barked, eyes flashing.. “It’s not even mine! It’s for Sakura-san, for god’s sake!”

Suo froze. Nirei’s anger hit him like a bucket of cold water. The fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a slow, creeping wave of shame.

The unpleasant emotion wasn’t gone, but its edge had dulled, like a blade reluctantly sheathed.

“Ahh, fighting over something that isn’t even yours?” Kiryu cut in with a dramatic sigh. “Give it a rest, you two. I’ll take it to Sakura-chan.”

The two reluctantly let go, the bag now crumpled beyond salvation. It looked like it had barely survived a war. Kiryu smoothed it out with exaggerated care, as if that could somehow undo the trauma it had endured.

“I’ll leave you two lovebirds to talk it out~ Don’t skip lunch, okay?” Kiryu sang, already heading back inside with a wink over his shoulder.

Nirei sighed, thinking it was finally over.

Until a sudden warmth closed around his hand. Suo had grabbed it, without a word.

Yes. Suo was angry, furious, even. But never at him. Never at Nirei.

“S-Suo-san?! W-Where are we going..?!” Nirei stammered, stumbling after him.

His words were lost to the wind. Suo didn’t slow, and somehow Nirei didn’t resist. He followed.

Only once they reached the quiet space behind the school, tucked away from wandering eyes, did Suo stop.

He let go, but only to press a hand to Nirei’s shoulder, guiding him gently back against the wall. His other hand came up, palm resting by Nirei’s cheek, face leaning in, far too close.

“Nire-kun.”

“S-Suo-san..”

They spoke at once, but Suo didn’t pause. He had to ask, the question had haunted him all day.

“Is there something.. wrong with me?” Suo’s voice was barely audible. “Why is it… the closer I get to you, the more you pull away?”

Nirei shivered. His throat closed up, choked on words he couldn’t form. No. There was nothing wrong with Suo. Not even close. 

“I can read you, Nire-kun. Like a book. I feel it, I see it in your eyes. I see me in you.” Suo’s words shook with conviction.

Nirei dropped his gaze to the ground to where their shoes nearly touched, but Suo lifted his chin, gently, forcing their eyes to meet again.

Nirei’s walls were crumbling, one trembling piece at a time. He couldn’t hold them up anymore.

Tears brimmed in his eyes, seeing Suo’s pain, the kind he never voiced, the kind he always buried.

Suo’s hand instinctively moved up, brushing his cheek, wiping the tears away with unbearable gentleness.

“I know you feel it too. That we’re connected. So why, Nire-kun? Why do you keep hiding your heart from me?”

“A-Am I really that hard… to love?” Suo’s voice cracked as he choked out the last words.

“NO!”

Nirei shouted, sharper than he meant to, but full of desperation.

Suo blinked in shock as Nirei’s trembling hands shot up, cold fingers cupping his cheeks, forcing him to look.

“Don’t say that, Suo-san! It’s never been you. I-I’m the one ruining everything!....” Nirei paused.

“...B-Because I-I thought I didn’t deserve you. T-That someone like me could never be loved by someone... like you.”

Suo’s lips parted, stunned. His crimson eye so full of questions, searched Nirei like he was the only one who could answer them.

So Nirei told him, everything. All the secrets he’d buried deep inside, kept hidden for a year.

Nirei’s voice cracked mid-breath, the weight of a year pressing down on his chest.

His voice cracked halfway through, chest tight beneath the weight of twelve months of silence, fear.. and love.

“Every time you look at me. I-I felt it, how deeply you cared, Suo-san... but instead of feeling happy.. I-I got scared!” Nirei’s voice cracked between sobs.

Suo’s hands never left his face, thumbs brushing away the endless stream of tears with a warmth that could shatter stone.

“I-I’m so pathetic…” Nirei whispered, rubbing his sleeve across his face, even though Suo had already been doing that, gently like it mattered.

Suo couldn’t take it, seeing Nirei like this hurt is worse than every rejection combined. It was a wound ten layers deep.

Yet even through his ache, Suo knew, Nirei needed to break. Needed to spill everything he’d locked away just to breathe again. So he didn’t stop him.

Suo held on and let Nirei speak.

“I-I ruin everything. I push you away. I lie– look you in the eye and act like I don’t care. Who even does that, Suo-san? What kind of messed up joke am I? I-I’m just–”

“Nire-kun.” Suo’s voice cut through the spiral.

His hands moved, slowly cupping Nirei’s cheeks again, thumbs brushing away the sorrow that stained his skin.

“You’re not pathetic.” Suo’s voice trembled. “You’re scared, and that’s okay. You’re human, but you’re also kind. You’re… everything I’ve ever wanted to run toward.”

Nirei continued, gulping down another breath. “N-No, I hated myself for not being brave enough to reach out to you, Suo-san. I-I’m sorry, Suo-san, I'm so sorry.”

Suo shook his head, gently leaning in until their foreheads met, breath to breath, as Nirei’s voice began to tremble.

“Stop apologizing, Nire-kun.” Suo whispered. “I didn’t come all this way to watch you punish yourself. I never asked you to protect me from pain.”

“But I did h-hurt you.. I-I’m so sorry, Suo-san.” Nirei said, with a fragile voice.

“I rejected you, again, and again–” The guilt laced through every syllable.

“And I came back. Every time, Nire-kun.” Suo’s smile cracked at the edges, his crimson eye still held the same fondness.

“The pain is mine to choose, and if it’s you, if you’re the reason, I’ll take every sharp edge of it, with no regrets.”

Hearing Nirei say those things, it was so wrong, so undeserved, felt like a sharp pain in Suo’s chest.

Nirei, whom Suo admired the most, not in spite of his silence, but because of it.

For the softness he carried like armor, the quiet strength he never saw in himself.

“S-Someone like me would only drag you down.” Nirei’s voice wavered.

Still, Nirei pressed on, voice splintering under the weight. Suo’s hand moved in soft, slow circles on his back.

“If I stayed close, I’d be the reason your light faded. So I-I kept pushing you away. Telling myself y-you’d find s-someone b-better someday.. S-Someone… who actually deserved to stand beside you.”

Suo hated that word someone like Nirei was just talking about a stranger.

As if Suo wasn’t right here, wasn’t his. The boy he’d burn the whole world down for.

“Nire-kun, please. Listen to me.” 

Nirei’s head snapped up, startled. His breath caught. Suo’s voice holding on to gentleness like it was the only thing keeping him together.

“You keep saying those things about yourself like they’re facts, like that’s all you are..” Suo’s voice cracked.

“I’ve tried to be patient. Because I know this is how you’ve learned to survive, but...” he sucked in a trembling breath.

“I can’t just stand here and watch you destroy yourself anymore.”

“You’ve put me so high up, you forgot how much you shine too. You’re more than what your thoughts are telling you right now, Nire-kun.”

“Suo-san....”

With both hands gently cradling Nirei’s face, Suo leaned in closer. “Then let me give you something better to remember than those cruel lies you told yourself.”

“Wha–!!”

Suo leaned in, his hair brushed Nirei’s exposed forehead, and then something soft, impossibly gentle, landed on Nirei’s lips.

Nirei’s eyes flew wide, breath caught in his throat. His hands twitched at his sides, chest thudding with a heartbeat that didn’t know what to do.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it echoed like thunder. Suo pulled back just slightly, enough for their foreheads to meet again.

His eye, his one, beautiful crimson eye, burned with quiet fire and aching softness.

“I’ll always stay close, Nire-kun.” Suo whispered the words against Nirei’s lips like a vow.

Nirei’s eyes welled up again. His chest ached, bloomed like everything he’d buried inside was slowly lifting, melting away like a fading dark clouds.

“When you’re ready to stop running, I’ll be right here.. Waiting.”

Suo leaned in again, closer, and deeper. Sealing his vow with a kiss, longer than the first.

A desperate, wordless plea to pull Nirei out of his doubt and into something real.

This time, Nirei moved.

His arms flew around Suo’s neck, holding tight, like letting go would break him. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and at last, finally, he kissed Suo back with everything he had left.

They didn’t know how long they stayed in that, wrapped up in each other, lips locked, breath forgotten.

They broke the kiss slowly, reluctantly. The closeness remained, as Nirei leaned forward forehead to Suo’s, breath unsteady as he whispered between soft kisses.

“I love you, Suo-san...” His lips brushed gently against Suo’s left cheek, barely a kiss, more a trembling confession made flesh.

“This time for real. No more pretending…” Nirei leaned in again, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Suo’s mouth. 

“..No more pretending that we don’t feel this.” And this time, he kissed him full on the lips.

It came out like a prayer, a confession, a sob carved from every moment he’d held it in too long.

That was all it took.

Suo’s hands came up to cradle Nirei’s face, thumbs brushing beneath tear-bright eyes before he kissed him back. No hesitation, or barriers.

Their mouths moved in sync, breath tangled. Suo kissed him like he was starved for it, like he had been holding back for a year of longing, and now it was flooding out all at once.

Their kiss slowed, breath hitching between them, lips parting only to meet again in a softer rhythm, until finally, Suo stilled.

His forehead leaned against Nirei’s, both of them panting, flushed, and shaken.

Suo pressed a kiss to Nirei’s exposed forehead, and Nirei’s eyes fluttered shut at the feeling, his hands still clutching Suo’s changsan, his heart pounding so loud it felt like it might burst.

Suo felt like he could float right off the earth.

Pure overwhelming joy surged through him as he wrapped his arms around Nirei in an instant, pulling him close, holding him like he’d never let go again.

“I love you, Nire-kun.” Suo whispered against Nirei’s shoulder, right by his ear. “So, so much.”

Nirei exhaled, the weight in his chest finally lifted. Their hearts beat in sync, steadily and quietly, but never indifferent.

Never had been.

Until he felt something damp against his shoulder. Nirei blinked, glancing sideways, Suo’s head still rested there.

“S-Suo-san.. are you crying?” Nirei asked, his own voice still rough from tears, one hand traced soft circles along Suo’s back while the other gently combed through his brown curtained hair.

“Nire-kun, I’m just so happy, thank you.” Suo’s muffled reply, but Nirei heard it, the slight crack in his voice.

It tugged at his heart. Suo had always been his rock, and this… this was the first time he’d seen him crumble.

“–And no, I’m not crying.” Suo added quickly, still trying to mask the quiver in his tone.

Their height difference made the moment awkwardly sweet with Suo’s head resting snugly against his shoulder, while Nirei continued to stroke the taller’s back with quiet affection.

Nirei smiled softly, playing along. “Right, right... whatever Suo-san says.”

Suo must’ve worked so hard to stay composed all this time, but now with every missing piece finally in place, his walls fell quietly apart.

Just like Suo had held him moments ago, Nirei now stayed by his side, offering comfort in silence.

Just like always, they stayed close, inseparable...

but this time, Nirei wasn’t running anymore. He was choosing to stay.

“Suo-san… I’ve felt the same way. I always have.”

𖤣.𖥧. A little while later .𖡼.⚘

“WHERE the hell have you two disappeared to this time!?” Sakura’s voice rang across the classroom like a whip. 

“Sorry, Sakura-kun! We just got lost… in a different way.” Suo grinned shamelessly. “But hey, look we’re together now!” 

Completely unfazed, Suo raised their intertwined hands, Nirei’s still trembling from embarrassment, and Suo showed them off like a trophy.

Sakura combusted on the spot, his face flaming red.

Behind him, Kiryu and Tsugeura calmly placed hands on his shoulders, as if to hold him back.

Their faces wore the smug smiles of co-conspirators watching a mission succeed.

Sakura launched into a tirade, scolding the two of them for always vanishing in pairs. “I swear, if one of you’s gone, the other follows! You’re impossible to sub for! I need at least one vice-captain who doesn’t go missing on me!!”

𖤣.𖥧.𖡼.⚘