Monday morning felt different.
The sky was the same soft blue. The classroom buzzed with the same chatter. Kenji was already snoring at his desk, Aoi scribbling notes with her usual intensity.
But for Ryuzí, everything had changed.
He caught himself staring at the desk beside him before Suki even walked in, his heart thudding with quiet anticipation.
And then Suki arrived — messy hair, sunshine grin, a little late as always.
"Morning," Suki said brightly, sliding into his seat.
Ryuzí's lips curved without permission. "...Morning."
No bite. No scowl. Just warmth.
Suki blinked, then smirked slowly. "Ohhh. No 'idiot'? Someone's getting soft."
Ryuzí rolled his eyes, but the tips of his ears turned pink. "...Shut up."
Throughout the day, the shift was obvious — at least, to anyone paying close attention.
During math, Suki leaned over, poking Ryuzí's arm with his pen. "Help me, honey. I don't get this problem."
Ryuzí froze. "...What did you just call me?"
"Honey," Suki repeated shamelessly, batting his lashes. "Come on, don't leave your sweetie struggling."
Kenji nearly choked on his drink two rows over. "WHAT?!"
Aoi didn't even look up. "Pathetic."
Ryuzí's face went crimson. "...You're insane."
Suki only grinned, whispering softer so only Ryuzí could hear. "...But you didn't tell me to stop."
Ryuzí's pen wavered, his chest tightening. He muttered under his breath, "...Idio—" He stopped himself, lips pressing into a thin line.
Suki beamed. "See? You're cured!"
Ryuzí groaned, dragging a hand down his face. Why do I put up with him?
And yet, when Suki leaned closer, shoulder brushing his, Ryuzí didn't move away.
At lunch, the rooftop wasn't empty anymore.
Suki sprawled on the bench, head resting on Ryuzí's shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Mmm. Perfect pillow."
Ryuzí stiffened. "...You're heavy."
"No, I'm not. I'm cozy." Suki tilted his head, smiling up at him. "Right, honey?"
Ryuzí's heart slammed. He looked away quickly, muttering, "...Eat your food."
Suki laughed, eyes sparkling. "That's not a no."
Kenji barged onto the rooftop mid-bite of bread. He froze, eyes wide. "...Are you two...?"
Suki waved lazily. "Oh, hey. Don't mind us."
Aoi followed behind, setting down her tray. "Finally. Took you long enough."
Ryuzí's jaw dropped. "...You knew?!"
"Of course," Aoi said flatly, opening her bento. "You both were unbearably obvious. The tension was suffocating."
Kenji gaped. "Wait, wait, WAIT—so all that blushing, all those weird stares, the rooftop drama—THAT WAS REAL?!"
Suki chuckled, cuddling closer against Ryuzí just to watch him turn crimson. "Yep. All real. And now, officially mine."
Ryuzí buried his face in his hand. "...I regret everything."
But his hand didn't push Suki away. If anything, it lingered against his hair a moment too long.
Kenji groaned dramatically. "I feel betrayed! You mean my bro was starring in a romance drama this whole time and didn't tell me?!"
"Not everything revolves around you," Aoi deadpanned.
The rest of the week only deepened the changes.
Ryuzí still scowled, still muttered under his breath — but the harsh "idiot" was gone. In its place, soft sighs, quiet chuckles, the occasional murmured "...You're impossible."
And Suki only leaned into it harder.
In gym, he yelled across the field: "Go, honey!"
Ryuzí nearly tripped mid-sprint.
Kenji laughed so hard he fell off the bench.
In the library, Suki whispered while pretending to study: "Pass me that eraser, honey."
Ryuzí's hand trembled so badly he dropped it.
The librarian shushed them both.
In the cafeteria, Suki beamed at him across the table, cheeks puffed with food. "Thanks for waiting for me, honey."
Ryuzí stared, his face burning, muttering, "...Stop saying that."
Suki grinned. "Make me."
Every time, Ryuzí flushed red, groaned, and muttered a weak protest. But not once did he truly tell him to stop.
One evening, walking home together, Suki suddenly caught Ryuzí's hand.
Ryuzí jolted, eyes wide. "...What are you doing?"
"Practicing," Suki said cheerfully, swinging their joined hands.
"For what?"
"For being disgustingly cute in public."
Ryuzí groaned. "You're unbearable."
But he didn't pull away. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly, holding on even as his ears burned scarlet.
Suki noticed. His grin softened, voice lowering. "...See? You don't hate it."
Ryuzí's chest ached, warmth spreading. "...Id—" He stopped himself, exhaling shakily. "...No. I don't."
Suki's heart fluttered. He leaned his head against Ryuzí's shoulder as they walked, whispering with a mischievous smile: "...Goodnight, honey."
Ryuzí groaned, but the corner of his lips betrayed him, twitching upward.