Akito enters the school first thing in the morning. The crowd of eager (and not so eager) students ready to learn are all in the same place, at least, for the time being. Aki opens his locker, and as he does he notices his friends making their way to him (them all being here on time for once).

  Takuma wraps his arm around Akito, Ryu and Kenji standing around the locker, a sense of closeness between the friends is definitely present here.

  “How’s it goin’ Aki? Something good happen recently?” Takuma asks Akito

  I mean, you could say that.

  Akari appears in Akito’s head, flashing the good moments they’ve shared, although limited.

  “H-H-How’d you know that?” Akito stammers, his face turning red out of fear of this moment being exposed.

  “You seem different now, it’s hard to explain. It’s like….”

  We look into Takuma’s brain, showing the group hanging out, but Akito is nothing but a silhouette of shadows, but as he sees Aki now, he’s much more filled out, no longer a full shadow.

  “...you’re reachable now, like there’s more of you here” Takuma’s usually happy face is more serious now, but this goes over the friend group’s heads, Kenji and Akito being confused at Takuma’s wording.

  The 2, still confused, look at Ryu to see his reaction, but his gaze is fixated somewhere else, someone else.

  Kenji and Akito look over to where Ryu’s eyes are fixed on, seeing a group of girls.

  4 of them. People I've seen before, but I don’t think I’ve talked to any of them. I’m not too sure about the names of the other 3, but the one he’s looking at is clear to me.

  A face of realization comes over Kenji, leaning in to whisper in Akito’s ear.

  “The one he’s looking at…”

  I already know.

  Akito’s vision focuses on one of the girls, the purple, long-ish hair glistening in the morning sun.

  “...is Aizawa Miki. I think that he might, y’know, have a thing for her” Kenji whispers.

  Akito’s face isn’t surprised at this, which isn’t the reaction that Kenji wanted, so he looks over to Takuma and whispers the same thing.

  Akito looks at Ryu's face, seeing not a look of spite, or envy, but a genuine look of care and affection, whether Ryu notices it himself or not is another thing.

  I think that look might be…

  “....RYU HAS A CR-”

  Kenji covers Takuma’s mouth to stop him from saying the rest. Ryu finally focuses on the conversation happening in front of him, slowly panning to the group of 3 standing in an awkward pose and staring at him.

  The 3 boys share the same thought

  Hopefully he didn’t hear that…

  Ryu’s face turns extremely red, stammering incoherently for a moment, then pointing toward the girls, specifically Miki.

  “...I…do…not have a…CRUSH ON AIZAWA” Ryu shouts, catching the attention of nearby people, his face super embarrassed and sweating nervously.

  The bell to start the classes rings, and people begin walking toward first period rooms, the event that just happened being erased almost immediately. Ryu stands, frozen in place, and Akito puts a hand on Ryu’s shoulder/

  “Whatever helps you sleep at night” Akito’s face grows with a big grin, Takuma and Kenji walking with the crowd.

  “Like you’re one to talk” Ryu retorts, Akito’s face growing more red.

  “You…might have a point.” Aki whispers under his breath.

  “Huh?”

  “NOTHING. SEE YOU IN CLASS!” Akito screams out and runs to class.

  Ryu’s eyes remain fixed on Akito, walking next to Takuma and Kenji. Akito’s face looks bright, like nothing could dim this light coming from him.

  Good for you, Aki. You finally met your match, it’s been too long since things have gone your way. Maybe…

  Ryu’s eyes close, then open once more, a look of slight optimism coming over him.

  …I can find that someday.

  The group’s all in class now, each doing their version of schoolwork. Kenji’s face down, trying to sleep while laying on his book, Ryu stares toward the front of the class, not really paying attention to what’s in front of him, and then there’s Takuma, extremely focused on his notebook, more specifically his drawing of a cartoon-ish flower.

  Akito looks toward his friends, not surprised at this point to how his friends are “learning”, and singles out Kenji to focus his attention on.

  He claims to be “learning by osmosis”...but I don’t think he used that word right.

  Kenji’s name gets called to answer a question, and Ryu kicks his chair, which startles him awake. He stands up, takes a look at the board and guesses the completely incorrect answer, followed by a few quiet chuckles in the class.

  The class finishes up, and lunch time rolls around, and Takuma, Kenji and Ryu all gather at Akito's desk. Kenji moves his head to indicate the door.

  “We should head down to get a good spot. We all know what happens when we don’t…”

  A flashback shows Akito, Takuma, Kenji and Ryu sitting next to the trash can on the floor, the cafeteria full of people eating their lunch.

  A remembrance of this moment brings a look of shame upon all the boys, regretting not getting there to sit like civilized people. Akito gets up, and the group walks through the hallways and into the cafeteria.

  Kenji spots something in the corner of his eye, then gets a bright idea. He sets his bento on a table in the middle of the room, and the group follows. Ryu tries to sit next to Kenji, but Kenji stops him with his hand.

  “What’re you doing?” Ryu asks, confused at this action

  “Reserving a spot for my bestest friend ever.” Kenji defiantly states, signaling Akito to sit where Ryu was going to.

  Takuma sits across from Akito and Kenji, Ryu still confused at this, but doesn’t feel like putting up a fight so moves to sit next to Takuma. Ryu’s confused and conflicted face is focused on.

  What’s he trying to pull? It’s not like he doesn’t joke like this, but that stuck up attitude like he’s doing me a favor needs to stop.

  Ryu sets his food down, and looks toward Kenji, who has a smug look on his face. Ryu spots something behind Kenji’s shoulder and his face turns bright red from embarrassment.

  “What’s got you so red, Ryu?” Takuma asks, putting the back of one of his palms to check his temperature to test for a fever.

  Kenji fakes a cough to grab his attention, then signals over his left shoulder with his thumb toward the table behind them.

  Akito glances over to see, then the pieces fall into place in his mind. The other table is where the group of girls is eating, the same one Ryu was staring at before school.

  This position…this time….this angle…it’s perfect!

  Akito looks toward Kenji and gives an approval in the form of a thumbs up. They both look toward Takuma and Ryu, only to see Takuma looking at the ceiling (following Kenji’s thumbs up), and Ryu looking down at his food, face red and hands on top of his head.

  Akito is about to begin eating, but his stomach gurgles. Not for food…but for something else. He clutches his stomach.

  “I’ll be right back…” Akito says, with a look of a hard fight ahead of him.

  Takuma is about to stand up, but Ryu holds him in place. They watch on as Akito leaves the lunchroom.

  “Some battles must be fought alone” Ryu says valiantly, Kenji chuckling at the subject, but Takuma has a blank expression on his face.

  Takuma puts his hands together in a praying gesture, a golden light covering him like he’s an angel in this very moment. Ryu and Kenji pay it no mind and start to eat.

  “O Lord, allow Aki win this hard battle ahead of him, and emerge unscathed”

  Kenji and Ryu choke on their food after witnessing this, then their lunch continues as normal.

  After some time, Akito finishes up in the bathroom, and washes his hands, throwing the paper towel out on his way out of the bathroom. He makes his way out of the bathroom, and looks up only to be caught off guard by Akari, waiting for him outside. Akito’s face turns bright red, followed by Akari’s face doing the same.

  “...hey”

  “...hey”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  An awkward pause follows this interaction, neither knowing what to do next, or even what to say.

  Come on brain, think! You’re up there for a reason, so give me something to say! I can’t just let it end there!

  Akito stands there, his mind blank on subjects, but out of nowhere Akari clears her throat.

  “So…uhhh…I wanted to ask you something, A…Akito”

  Akito’s heart starts racing, nervous sweat spilling down his face.

  She’s gonna ask me something?!?! What could it be, what could she want with me!??!

  “Actually, I d-d-did too”

  “Y-Y-You go first”

  Akito nervously swallows the spit gathering in his mouth, his hand shaking, but his fist clenches, and his resolve strengthens.

  “Would you want to…go to the…m-m-m-mall with me this weekend?” Akito asks in a shy, and nervous tone

  Akari’s eyes light up, a glimmer of relief reflection to Akito’s gaze. She grabs Akito’s arm and a smile washes over her face.

  “...yes”

  Akito’s face looks tense, but a slight relief is seen when he exhales. He’d finally done it, he got over the hump.

  “How does 14:00 sound?”

  “...I don’t have any problems with it”

  Akari’s phone starts going off with notifications and phone calls, Akito catching a peep of the name, it being her father.

  “Sorry, my parents make me eat with them during off periods. I only had a few minutes before this would happen”

  Akito is still at a loss for words, and Akari speeds down the hall, yelling back at Akito.

  “You better be read for Saturday, Akito”

  Did…did I just…

  Akito blankly stares at the hallway Akari ran off in, then looking at his own hands, them shaking after the adrenaline wore off.

  I did it. With these 2 hands, with this person….with only me…I did it.

  Akito smiles, looking at the ground with his face red and a look of happiness on his face.

  Akito smiles all the way back to the Cafeteria, sitting back down and eating his food, practically glowing.

  Takuma, Kenji and Ryu look at Akito, wondering why he’d be so happy after doing something like…that. Lunch proceeds with them talking about regular subjects, each of the boys being happy to be around each other.

  “Those midterms were pretty tough this time around, don’t you think?” Akito complains to the group, with Ryu with an unsurprised look directed at him.

  “Who cares! They’re just pieces of paper!” Kenji preaches a relaxed tone and care-free attitude taken with this subject.

  Takuma smiles innocently and laughs a bit, slightly embarrassed about the subject.

  “Would’ve gone a bit better if I’d understood what we learned”

  Akito and Kenji look for Ryu’s answer, but his gaze is fixed on the girls now. Kenji gives a kick under the table to snap him back to this conversation.

  “What about you, Ryu?”

  “Yeah, what? Sure, I do too”

  This response makes not a single shred of sense, Kenji smiling at this.

  “You guys need to start taking this stuff seriously, you know? If you need help just come and ask” Akito tells the group, Takuma grateful at this proposition.

  “I’d rather get stuck in a thunderstorm with nothing but pajamas on than study, no offense to you” Kenji retorts.

  “Thanks for the offer, Aki. I’ll let you know” Ryu calmly says back.

  The bell rings, indicating lunch is over, and the boys get up to head to class. The focus shifts from the group of boys to the girls, them still sitting down.

  Miki Aizawa is watching the boys get up and leave the lunchroom, Rei Funjino , sitting next to her, noticing her attention somewhere else.

  “What’s this? Has someone captivated the lonely heart of the great wall of Miki?” Rei says in a sarcastic, almost joking tone.

  Miki’s face turns flustered, then gets defensive on this.

  “N-N-NO! I WASN’T!” Miki shouts back, her face as red as ever.

  Fumiko Ishigami looks toward Miki’s face, a cold gaze being present on her face.

  “She was laughing at how intensely you were staring at Iwatani-san”

  Miki’s face remains red, her unable to say another word back. The girls finally get up to leave the lunch room, Miki being the last to get up. As they leave the room, Umi Nishikawa walks next to Miki.

  “Next time, you should try to make it less obvious” Umi whispers in Miki’s ear, grinning from ear-to-ear at this, while Miki remains flustered.

  …

  The day finally ends, with the boys meeting in the lobby and walking home together, as usual. They make it to a bridge, all of them walking over, but as they reach the other side, Takuma realizes something. He’d lost his phone.

  Takuma pats down his pockets, getting more concerned by the second. Akito pulls out his phone and dials a number.

  “Hold on a second, I’ll call it”

  I really don’t want to go back to school. But if we have to, it’s life…

  Akito’s phone is ringing Takuma’s, Takuma sifting through his bag to find this lost phone.

  RRRRRRRRRRRING. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRING

  A ringtone is heard nearby, Takuma looking up at spotting it. The boys look shocked, Ryu pausing in place for a moment.\

  The phone is on the other side of the bridge, showing Akito’s name ringing it, but it’s being held up by someone. Fujino Rei is holding it up, her painted nails on the sides of the screen.

  “Did you…drop this by any chance?”

  Takuma rushes over to grab his phone, profusely thanking Rei for finding his phone, the other boys walk toward them but the girls meet them halfway, with Takuma and Rei in the background.

  “Thank you for finding my lost phone!” Takuma gratefully tells Rei, bowing to her.

  “N-No need to thank me! It’s just what anyone would’ve done!” Rei dismisses this, flustered at the sheer amount of bowing Takuma is doing.

  Takuma raises his head, and gives a heartfelt smile to Rei, genuinely thankful for this act.

  “I was pretty scared for a moment, you’re a lifesaver!”

  Takuma’s innocent smile gets to Rei, her blushing in response. She reaches her arm out to hand the phone over to Takuma, and as the exchange happens their hands meet. Rei seems to acknowledge this, but Takuma seems unfazed.

  The phone turns on, showing the background on the lock screen. Her eyes widen, and Takuma slips the phone back in his pocket.

  “Was that…Lawrence Wright?” Rei shyly asks

  Takuma’s eyes light up, being really happy someone brought up his favorite series.

  “You know Vickor?! Yeah! It was Lawrence! He’s one of my favorite characters!” Takuma happily answers the question, excited that someone else knows his favorite series.

  “...Yeah, I like him too” Rei shyly continues, the focus coming back to the 2 groups looking at Takuma and Rei talking, but not knowing what the hell they’re talking about.

  Takuma is expressive, talking with his hands, while Rei is more conserved, but still into the conversation. Kenji takes notice of this, then laughs a bit.

  “It’s almost like you can tell what he’s talking about, just with that body expression alone.”

  Everyone but Fumiko laughs at this, the girls giving a more conceited laugh at this. Akito takes a step forward.

  “Sorry about my friend over there disturbing you guys. He may look intimidating, but he’s a total softie” Akito specifies, apologetic to the girls.

  Umi dismissively waves her hands, looking back at Rei and Takuma

  “It’s okay, really. I’ve never really seen her this into a conversation” Umi replies.

  Akito extends a hand out to the girls, introducing himself.

  “I think this is the first time I’ve talked with you guys. I’m Akito Azuma” Akito points toward Takuma.

  “My friend over there is Oshiro Takuma.”

  Miki shakes Akito’s hand, introducing herself and Rei.

  “I’m Miki Aizawa, and over there is Rei Fujino”

  Umi doesn’t know how to really introduce herself, so bows down at Aki.

  “....I'm…Umi Nishikawa. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance”

  So formal! What brought this on.

  Akito bows back, matching her sincerity. Kenji scratches the back of his head nervously.

  “I’m Kenji Hitonoka, Nice to meet ya!”

  Ryu’s eyes dart around, as he tries not to make eye contact and gets flustered. Akito and Umi straighten themselves up, Akito laughing nervously as Umi tries to forget what she just did.

  “Nice to meet you guys, I’m Ryunosuke Iwatani”

  Ryu nervously looks around, refusing to look their way, but makes eye contact with Miki, them both flustered to the maximum.

  Fumiko walks forward and copies Umi’s bowing, her white hair falling over her face as she bows down.

  “I am Fumiko Ishigami. It’s a pleasure to meet you”

  Fumiko looks up, her gaze being as unshifting as ever.

  Takuma and Rei head back to the groups, Takuma showing his phone.

  “What’re you guys talking about over here?”

  The groups split off, the groups going their separate direction, them all waving back, with Takuma waving a lot.

  “Thanks again, Fujino-san! If you ever wanna talk about Vicktor again send me a message!” Rei doesn’t turn around at this, Takuma being confused at this, but walks with his friends.

  “YOU GOT HER NUMBER?!?” the boys ask Takuma in unison.

  “Yeah, why? What’s up?” Takuma asks, confused at this progression of relationships that none of them had made.

  Kenji, Akito and Ryu all facepalm at this, but continue onward, making it to a bench where the paths fork, Takuma going to the right, Kenji and Akito going left, them all waving at going their separate ways. Ryu turns around seeing the girls in the distance, and sits on the bench.

  I should probably wait a little.

  We focus on the girl’s group, Rei’s face is completely red, Miki and Umi prodding her about that last comment by Takuma.

  “MESSAGE? YOU GAVE HIM YOUR NUMBER?!?!” Miki shouts, out of earshot of the boys.

  “Y-Yeah…is that bad?” Rei asks the group, skeptical if she did the right thing.

  “No, it’s not bad at all! Just…surprising is all” Umi replies back to Rei, reassuring her about this choice while being shocked at this.

  Fumiko and Miki nod in agreement to this, Rei looking back at her phone to see Takuma’s contact info, his profile picture being a star.

  “Are they actually in our class?” Umi skeptically asks

  “Yes. They’ve been in the class the entire year.” Fumiko replies, robot-like.

  “Really? I never even knew they existed.”

  “Seriously? You don’t remember the whole ‘baseball incident’?” Miki asks, confused how she doesn’t remember this event

  “That was him? I never got the name of the person”

  The girls walk toward another neighborhood, heading to Fumiko’s house to hang out. Umi looks back to the bridge, her glasses reflecting the sun and her face washed in a warm light.

  He doesn’t seem like a bad guy…then again, neither did he.

  …

  Later that night, the boys are texting in a group chat.

  Takuma - You guys got plans this weekend?

  Takuma - I’m thinking we should hang out tomorrow since midterms are over.

  Kenji - I’ll see if I got anything. I’ll let you know.

  Aki- Sorry! I can’t this weekend! Already got plans, but I’ll make it up to you!

  Takuma- It’s alright, Aki! I just wanted to hang out with you guys!

  Ryu- I should be able to.

  Akito shuts his phone off, then turns the TV on and watches, but really just blankly stares at it.

  Saturday, huh? It’ll be my first date…ever.

  Akito can no longer contain his emotions and jumps up, happy at his progression.

  “YOU HEAR THAT, WORLD! AKITO AZUMA IS FINALLY GETTING EVEN WITH YOU!!!”

  Akito takes a step forward, but slips and slams his head on the floor, a mini scoreboard popping up.

  Akito Azuma - 0, World- 209731

  Shoya steps in, wondering what the noise was, but seeing his brother in a weird position decides to slowly slide the door closed and walk away, laughing as he goes back upstairs.

  Just you wait, world. Saturday is coming, and once it does, I’ll finally be able to see what you have to offer, and accept it on my own 2 feet.

  …

  The weekend finally arrives, and Akito is waiting at the entrance to the mall, people walking in and out.

  It is a weekend after all, but man. There are so many people!

  Akito stands against a wall, watching the automatic door open for people about to start their shopping journey.

  A moment of calmness comes, with people no longer flowing in, Akito nervously glancing at his phone, seeing the time is 13:53.

  I did come early, she shouldn't be here for another….

  Akito’s train of thought is interrupted as he spots Akari walking toward the door, then he remembers something.

  A TV show shows a man doing courteous things for a woman on a date, like opening the door, sliding her chair for her to sit on, and so forth. An idea pops into his head.

  Akito rushes over toward the automatic door, but as he approaches the door doesn’t start opening. His attention is focused on Akari, leading him to walk into the automatic door, and he falls backwards..

  The door finally opens, Akari walking into the mall, then crouches down and extends a hand to Akito.

  “Are you okay?”

  Everything else in that very moment disappeared, leaving only the 2 of them isolated, together.

  Up until a second ago, the ambient noise of this place was nauseating to me. Louder than I expected, but nothing intolerable…but when I saw her, it’s like that pestering noise was gone, like it’d vanished into thin air. Usually silence itself is overwhelming, but this silence…I like it.