Shin walked casually down the school corridor, shoulder brushing lightly with Yuki's every now and then. After the teasing, he'd finally shifted into a more calm, friendly mode, his tone more thoughtful. It made Yuki relax a little—but he couldn't deny he missed the playful pokes too.
"So…" Shin glanced sideways, "you slept okay last night?"
Yuki blinked, surprised by the normal question. "Huh? Yeah… I did. You?"
Shin's grin turned a little smug. "Best night ever."
Yuki blinked again. "Huh?"
"Me and my little sister cuddled together naked all night," Shin said like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Kissing and other things. It was the best."
Yuki tripped on nothing. "Wha—?! O-O-O-O-O-O-O-Ot—!!"
Shin looked unbothered, hands in his pockets, glancing at the ceiling like he was recalling a fond dream. "She was really clingy yesterday. Ended up falling asleep all tangled up, and it was warm and soft and perfect."
Yuki's brain stalled. But then he managed to blurt out, "Aiko-san told me you two just… kiss on the cheek! So that was just… cheek kisses, right?!"
Shin turned to him with that signature smirk—the one that made Yuki's heart thump and stomach twist. "Yeah… it was. Until last night."
Yuki froze. "Until…?"
"We kinda upgraded," Shin said, eyes twinkling with wicked amusement. "Lip to lip. Tongue to tongue."
"W-WHAAAAAAT?!"
Shin laughed, clearly enjoying every second of Yuki's meltdown.
"Y-You can't just—! That's not—! Isn't that weird?!"
Shin shrugged. "Only if you think too much."
Yuki covered his face. "I think I'm gonna die…"
"Cute," Shin whispered, amused.
But then—his eyes caught movement ahead.
About twenty feet away, three students walked together with their backs turned to them—one of them unmistakably Aiko. She strolled confidently between two boys. The shorter boy, with short black hair and a slightly feminine look, was tugging the arm of the taller boy, who had a more laid-back air. They walked close, their hands intertwined. The taller boy's free hand was possessively resting on the shorter boy's hip, squeezing every now and then with a lazy fondness.
Shin's grin widened.
"Yuki," he said quickly, voice lifting with excitement, "I'll be right back!"
Before Yuki could ask anything, Shin sprinted forward, his eyes locked on the girl ahead.
"Haa-Chan!" he called out, his voice booming through the corridor.
Aiko stopped and turned—just in time to receive a full-force punch to the gut.
"Gfh—!" Aiko gasped, doubling over with a wheeze. "Y-You bastard…"
"You got soft," Shin smirked, shaking his fist dramatically.
"You've gotten stronger," she groaned with a grin.
"Obviously."
But just as he basked in that moment of triumph—
SMACK!
Aiko's punch landed squarely on Shin's shoulder, making him stumble a step back.
"Agh—! That still hurts!" Shin laughed.
"You always start it, idiot!" Aiko snapped back, though her grin betrayed how fond she was of this exchange.
The two boys behind her watched the scene unfold with amused eyes, not surprised in the slightest.
Yuki, a few steps behind, had quickened his pace. He watched the chaotic reunion with wide eyes—deja vu washing over him.
He remembered this. The second day of school.
This was exactly how Shin and Aiko had greeted each other back then, too. Punches thrown like flowers in bloom. Everyone around them just kept walking, not sparing a single glance. No one flinched. It was normal. As if this wild, violent friendship was just an everyday occurrence.
Yuki finally reached them, stepping up just as Shin and Aiko finished their little brawl.
And without missing a beat, the two hugged each other warmly.
But Shin, as always, had to be Shin.
His hand slipped casually under Aiko's skirt—low and smooth—squeezing her butt with expert timing. The movement was subtle, hidden by the angle of their hug and the folds of her skirt. Aiko's eyes widened slightly, a silent inhale caught in her throat—but she didn't react. Not a word. Not a slap. It was clear this wasn't the first time.
They separated like nothing happened, Shin's expression completely innocent.
"Morning, boys," Shin said with a grin, turning to the two who had accompanied Aiko.
"Yo, Shin," the taller boy replied coolly.
The shorter one smiled brightly. "It's been a while!"
Yuki stood awkwardly beside them, eyeing the two curiously. "Um… who are they?"
Aiko turned to him with a small smile. "They're my classmates. And our friends."
Shin gestured between them. "That's Haru,"—he pointed to the shorter, more feminine one—"and that's Sora,"—now to the taller, laid-back guy.
Sora raised his hand in a brief wave. Haru grinned and clung to his boyfriend's arm tighter.
"They're, uh…" Yuki tilted his head, noticing how close the two were. "…holding hands?"
"And?" Haru blinked innocently.
Yuki's eyes widened. "Wait… Are you two…?"
Sora raised a brow and then smiled softly. "Boyfriends."
Haru leaned against Sora's side, smiling up at him. "Is it wrong to hold your boyfriend's hand?"
"B-Boyfriends?!" Yuki repeated, nearly stumbling back.
To seal the deal, Haru stood on tiptoe and kissed Sora's cheek sweetly. Sora responded with a fond kiss on Haru's lips—gentle and unashamed.
Yuki's face was the color of a ripe tomato.
Aiko smirked. "They're disgustingly cute. You'll get used to it."
"I'm not— I wasn't— I didn't say it was bad!" Yuki stammered, looking away.
Shin clapped a hand on Yuki's back. "You're blushing again."
"I'm not!"
Sora chuckled. "He's cute."
"So are you~" Haru beamed, then gave a little wiggle that made Sora squeeze his waist again possessively.
"You two are a menace," Aiko muttered with a fond eye roll.
Shin was laughing. "Still together, huh?"
"Still grossly in love," Sora said without shame.
"I'm proud of you," Shin said with a grin. "You used to get all weird when Haru kissed you."
"That was before I realized resisting was futile."
"I'm irresistible," Haru giggled, leaning against his chest dramatically.
As the group stood together, the bell rang faintly in the distance.
Aiko slung her bag higher. "We should head in."
"Agreed," Sora nodded.
Haru reached out and took his hand again like it was second nature.
Yuki still hadn't recovered from the surprise smooch.
Shin leaned down and whispered, "You okay?"
"Y-Yeah…" Yuki mumbled, his voice soft. "I just didn't expect… all of that."
Shin laughed. "Better get used to it. This school's full of surprises."
Yuki glanced at Shin, heart thudding—not from shock, but something gentler. Warmer.
Maybe… he didn't mind surprises so much.
---
As the group started walking toward their classrooms, the buzz of students filled the halls. Sora suddenly slowed his steps and leaned close to Aiko, his voice low.
"Aiko," he said calmly, "Haru needs to use the washroom. I'll go with him. Mind taking our bags to class?"
Aiko turned to look at them both. Haru was fidgeting slightly, his hand still clasped with Sora's, but his eyes were glinting with mischief beneath his soft smile.
She narrowed her eyes knowingly, then gave a little sigh and flicked her wrist. "Sure. Go ahead. I'll cover for you."
Sora nodded with a slight smirk. "Thanks."
Haru leaned closer to Aiko and whispered with a playful grin, "You're the best."
"Don't leave bite marks on him again," Aiko warned, grabbing both their bags from Sora's free hand. "It was hard enough to explain last time."
"No promises~" Haru chimed, already pulling Sora toward the direction of the nearest restroom.
As the two walked off, hands still tightly clasped, Sora's posture shifted from cool and composed to slightly more protective—his arm wrapping around Haru's shoulders. Haru snuggled into it, grinning like he was about to commit a crime. (Which, to be fair, he kind of was.)
Yuki watched them disappear down the hallway, eyes still wide.
"They're really… close, huh?" he muttered.
"'Close' is putting it lightly," Aiko snorted, adjusting the bags on her shoulder with a practiced motion. "They've been like that since middle school. Haru's a handful, but Sora likes being the one who handles him."
Shin let out a low laugh. "Can't even be mad. They're consistent."
Yuki blinked. "But… did he really need to go to the washroom?"
Aiko turned to him with a look that said, oh, you sweet, naive little thing.
"Sure," she said flatly. "And I'm a fairy princess."
Yuki turned red. Again. "O-Oh…"
Shin leaned in close to Yuki's ear, voice low and teasing. "Don't worry. They'll be back before class starts. Hopefully without messing up Sora's tie this time."
"SHIN!"
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Let's go before we get marked late."
"Lead the way, Princess," Shin grinned.
Yuki followed, still dazed. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if Shin would ever grab his hand in public like that. Or hug him tightly. Or kiss him—lip to lip, tongue to tongue…
Nope nope nope not thinking about that in the hallway!
Shin glanced back and caught Yuki's expression. "You're imagining weird stuff, aren't you?"
"I'M NOT!!"
"Cute."
---
END OF CHAPTER : 51 : SORA AND HARU!
---