The festival cleanup dragged late into the evening. Most of the class had already gone home, but Suki and Ryuzí stayed behind, helping stack chairs and fold banners. The quiet hum of the janitor's vacuum echoed faintly down the hall.
Suki balanced a stack of posters in his arms, wobbling as he walked toward the storage room. "Ugh—these are heavier than they look—!"
Ryuzí appeared beside him without a word, taking half the stack easily. "You'll drop them."
Suki grinned, panting. "You always know when to swoop in, huh?"
Ryuzí raised a brow. "Swoop in?"
"Like a knight in... a really grumpy hoodie."
"...Idiot."
But his lips twitched, the faintest ghost of a smile.
They stored the posters and sat on the steps outside the gym, catching their breath. The sky was dark now, lanterns swaying gently from leftover decorations. The festival grounds were nearly empty.
Suki leaned back on his elbows, staring at the stars. "It feels different when it's quiet like this. Like the whole school belongs to us."
Ryuzí glanced at him, the lantern light painting his face in warm gold. "...You're dramatic."
"Maybe," Suki chuckled. He turned his head, smiling softly. "But... I like it when it's just us."
The words slipped out before he could stop them. His eyes widened. "...Ah—wait—I didn't mean—"
Ryuzí tilted his head. "...Just us?"
Suki's heart thudded. He scrambled to explain, waving his hands. "I mean—! Not that I don't like other people, but with you it's—different, you know? Like my chest feels lighter but heavier at the same time and I—"
He cut himself off, realizing he was babbling. His face went crimson. "...Crap. I sound insane."
Ryuzí stared at him, expression unreadable. "...Say it clearly."
Suki froze. His pulse hammered. His throat went dry. And then, with no way out, the words tumbled out raw and trembling:
"...I like you, Ryuzí."
The world seemed to stop.
Suki's eyes widened in horror. His hands flew to his mouth. "I—! Wait—no—I mean—yes, but I didn't mean to say it like that—!"
Ryuzí sat completely still, his gaze locked on Suki's flushed face. His chest ached, his heart slamming against his ribs. He likes me? He... likes me?
The silence stretched until Suki groaned, covering his face. "Oh my god, kill me now. Forget I said anything. Please."
Ryuzí's lips parted. No sound came out. He wasn't used to words sticking in his throat for this reason. Not fear. Not guilt. But something terrifyingly warm.
Finally, he muttered, voice low and rough: "...Idiot."
Suki peeked through his fingers. "...I know."
But Ryuzí's ears were red. His chest was pounding. And though he didn't say the words back, he didn't move away.
Instead, he looked away, muttering almost too softly to hear: "...Don't take it back."
Suki blinked. His breath caught. "...Huh?"
Ryuzí didn't repeat it. He stood abruptly, hands shoved deep in his pockets. "Let's go. It's late."
Suki scrambled up, heart racing, his accidental confession replaying in his mind. He couldn't stop smiling, even as he tried to hide it.
And Ryuzí, walking a step ahead, pressed a hand to his chest, where his heart wouldn't calm down.