The bell rang for lunch, and students poured out of the classroom in noisy waves. Kenji immediately suggested yakisoba bread raids, Aoi muttered about needing peace, and in the corner, Ryuzí stood with his bag slung over his shoulder.
He made for the door, head down, hoping to escape the crowd before a certain someone—
"Ryuuuuu~ziiii!"
Too late.
Suki appeared at his side, grinning, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Where you going? Rooftop?"
Ryuzí didn't answer, just kept walking.
Suki caught his wrist, tugging him toward the stairs. "Good. Because I've got things to say, and you're going to listen."
Ryuzí scowled. "Let go."
"Nope."
"Suki—"
"Don't Suki me. You've been avoiding me all morning, and I'm not letting you run off this time."
Ryuzí gritted his teeth, but the determination in Suki's grip left him no choice. They climbed the final steps to the rooftop, the wind rushing around them as the heavy door clanged shut.
The rooftop was empty, the city stretching far below, sunlight glinting off the glass windows. Suki finally released his wrist, spinning to face him.
"Okay," Suki said, crossing his arms. "Talk."
Ryuzí raised a brow. "You dragged me up here. You talk."
"Fine!" Suki huffed, cheeks puffing. Then, with sudden seriousness, his eyes locked on Ryuzí. "...I like you. I said it before, and I'll say it again. I like you."
The words hit harder the second time. Ryuzí's chest squeezed, his ears going pink. "...You don't know what you're saying."
"Yes, I do." Suki stepped closer, his voice steady. "I've liked you since the first time you actually smiled in front of me. Since I realized the 'Ice Prince' isn't cold at all—just lonely."
Ryuzí's breath caught. "You're wrong."
"No, I'm not." Suki's voice was firm, unwavering. "I've seen it. The way you protect people without thinking. The way you defended me when others called me girly. The way you've carried something heavy all by yourself for so long."
Ryuzí's fists clenched. "Stop."
Suki took another step closer. "No. I won't stop. Because you matter to me, Ryuzí. And I'm not letting you run away from that."
The rooftop wind whipped around them. Ryuzí's eyes burned, his chest twisting with panic and something far more dangerous—hope.
"You don't understand," he rasped. "I'm not—good. You deserve—"
"Don't tell me what I deserve," Suki cut in, fire in his eyes. "I decide that. And I've already decided—I want you."
Ryuzí froze. His breath hitched, his heart slamming so hard it hurt.
The silence stretched, thick and unbearable.
Finally, he whispered, hoarse: "...Idiot."
Suki smiled, soft and trembling.
They stood there for a long time, the city humming below, the sky endless above.
For the first time, Ryuzí didn't turn away.