By Monday, it was impossible to pretend nothing had changed.
Suki walked into class with his usual grin, but this time, instead of "Morning, Ryuuuuziii!" he leaned across the desk, lips quirking.
"Morning, honey."
The word dropped like a bomb. Heads snapped around. Whispers flared instantly.
Ryuzí froze, face blazing. "…Don't call me that here."
Suki only smirked, voice light. "Why not? It's true."
Kenji snorted from two rows back, kicking his chair back on two legs. "Ha! See? I told you guys ages ago. They're a thing."
Aoi didn't even glance up from her notebook. "It was obvious. Some of us have functioning eyes."
Kenji jabbed a finger at Ryuzí. "And look at him! Blushing like crazy."
Ryuzí scowled, ears flaming. "…Shut up."
The class buzzed louder, curious eyes darting between the pair.
"Are they really…?""No way, Takeda? He's so cold.""But Aoyama's always chasing him—makes sense.""Actually, they look kinda cute together."
Ryuzí's grip tightened on his pen, his jaw set. But when Suki's hand brushed his under the desk, he didn't pull away. His chest ached, but not with fear.
With something warmer.
At lunch, the rooftop wasn't quiet anymore.
Suki leaned comfortably against Ryuzí, head resting on his shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Mmm. Perfect pillow."
Ryuzí stiffened, darting a glance at the door. "Someone might see."
"They already know," Suki said simply, eyes half-lidded with a lazy smile. "Why hide?"
Ryuzí's throat worked. "…You're reckless."
"And you love me for it," Suki teased, poking his chest.
Kenji sprawled nearby, chewing bread, watching with glee. "Man, this is better than TV."
Aoi sipped her tea. "Finally. No more pining stares and awkward tension. Peace at last."
"Peace?" Kenji barked a laugh. "This is chaos, Aoi! Beautiful chaos!"
Suki chuckled, curling closer. "Told you, honey. Everyone's fine with it."
Ryuzí groaned, covering his face with one hand. "…I regret everything."
But his free hand rested lightly on Suki's back, fingers brushing without thought.
The rest of the week was filled with whispers.
In gym, Suki cupped his hands around his mouth. "Go, honey!"
Ryuzí stumbled mid-sprint, cursing under his breath.
The other boys snickered. "Did he just call him honey?""Seriously? In gym?"
Ryuzí's glare shut them up quick — but his ears burned scarlet.
In the library, Suki leaned over his textbook, whispering, "I study better when you're beside me."
Ryuzí's pencil slipped, scribbling a messy line across the page.
Kenji spotted it from a table over. "Ohoho, busted~!"
Aoi smacked him with a book. "Shut up. People are staring."
Suki only grinned, resting his chin on his hand as he watched Ryuzí struggle to compose himself.
In the cafeteria, Suki held out his chopsticks. "Say ahh~."
Ryuzí's face flamed. "…Absolutely not."
"Please? Just once?"
Kenji leaned in, chanting, "Do it! Do it!"
Aoi sighed, pinching her nose. "Children."
Ryuzí muttered curses under his breath but leaned forward anyway, taking the bite.
The cafeteria erupted into squeals and laughter.
Ryuzí groaned, shoving his tray forward. "…Never again."
Suki's grin was triumphant. "Worth it."
But there were quieter moments, too.
Ryuzí's hand brushing Suki's under the desk.Suki tucking Ryuzí's hair behind his ear during study hall.Their eyes catching across the room, lingering for a second too long before they both looked away, small smiles tugging at their lips.
For the first time, Ryuzí wasn't just enduring Suki's sunshine. He was reaching for it.
One afternoon, as they packed up, Ryuzí caught Suki's wrist.
"…Thanks."
Suki blinked. "For what?"
Ryuzí looked away, ears pink. "…For not hiding."
Suki's smile softened, his voice low. "I'll never hide you. Not from anyone."
Ryuzí's chest clenched, his lips pressing tight. "…You're ridiculous."
Suki leaned in, whispering just for him: "Your ridiculous."
The warmth that spread through Ryuzí's chest was undeniable. He let go reluctantly, muttering, "…Id—" He stopped, shaking his head. "…Suki."
That night, Ryuzí lay in bed, phone buzzing with a new message.
"Goodnight, honey. Sweet dreams. ❤️"
Ryuzí groaned, burying his face in the pillow. "…Idiot."
But his lips curved faintly as he whispered into the dark: "…Goodnight."