The next morning, Hikaru walked into the school a little earlier than usual. His wound was bandaged neatly, but the ache in his chest was something no medicine could fix.
Ren hadn't texted. Not that they texted... but still.
Hikaru was walking past the garden when he heard Daiki laughing loudly with some friends. He ignored it and kept going.
Inside the classroom, he slipped into his seat quietly — but his heart skipped when he saw Ren already there, leaning back on his chair, looking at him.
Their eyes met for a moment.
Hikaru looked away immediately, pretending to shuffle his books. His fingers trembled a little.
Ren didn't say anything either. He just kept staring... a strange kind of frustration twisting inside him.
The whole morning dragged painfully. Hikaru was quieter than usual, and even Daiki noticed. During lunch break, Daiki tried to joke with him, but Hikaru simply smiled weakly.
Ren couldn't take it anymore.
When the bell rang for the afternoon break, he grabbed Hikaru's wrist — not hard, but firm — and dragged him outside, behind the school building where no one usually came.
Ren:
"Why are you acting like you don't even know me anymore?"
His voice was low, almost growling.
Hikaru bit his lip.
"I... I just don't want to be a burden anymore."
Ren:
"Burden?" he scoffed. "You think treating you like a human being makes you a burden?"
Hikaru lowered his head, the memory of Ren grabbing Miyu's hand flashing painfully behind his eyes.
Hikaru:
"It's better if we stay away... You already have someone."
Ren went silent. The words hit him harder than expected.
Without thinking, he stepped closer, tilting Hikaru's chin up with two fingers.
Hikaru's eyes widened at the sudden touch.
Ren:
"Idiot... If I had someone... do you think I'd still be chasing after you in my head?"
For a second, it felt like the whole world stopped.
Hikaru's lips parted, but no words came out.
Their faces were so close now... too close...
Ren could feel Hikaru's breath trembling against his own.
Hikaru's back pressed lightly against the cold wall behind him as Ren's hand remained firm under his chin, forcing him to look into his eyes — those dark, heavy eyes filled with frustration... and something dangerously intoxicating.
Ren leaned in even closer, his forehead almost brushing Hikaru's.
Their breaths tangled, hot and heavy in the little space between them.
Ren (in a low voice):
"Tell me to stop... if you really want me to."
Hikaru's heart hammered against his ribs so hard he was sure Ren could hear it.
But his lips stayed sealed.
He didn't — he couldn't — say anything.
That was all the permission Ren needed.
Without another second of hesitation, Ren closed the gap between them — crashing his lips onto Hikaru's in a kiss far more desperate than the first one.
It wasn't gentle.
It wasn't soft.
It was messy, hungry, filled with days of tension exploding at once.
Ren's hand left Hikaru's chin, sliding down to grip his waist, pulling him closer until not even air could slip between them.
Hikaru gasped against his mouth, but Ren didn't let up — tilting his head, deepening the kiss as his fingers tightened possessively around Hikaru's slim body.
Hikaru, overwhelmed by the intensity, clutched onto Ren's uniform, his small fists curling into the fabric as if afraid Ren might pull away.
But Ren had no plans of letting go.
Their kiss grew rougher, wetter, needier — both of them losing themselves completely in the fire they'd tried so hard to deny.
Only when Hikaru whimpered softly, needing air, did Ren finally break the kiss — but he didn't move far.
Their noses brushed, their breaths ragged.
Ren (panting, his voice rough):
"You drive me crazy, Hikaru..."
Hikaru stared at him with wide, glassy eyes, his lips swollen from the kiss.
The sight made Ren curse under his breath and lean his forehead against Hikaru's.
For a moment, neither spoke.
They just stood there, tangled in each other, hearts beating madly.
Hikaru (whispering, almost breaking):
"You're the one who's crazy... for making me feel like this..."
Ren chuckled softly — a deep, almost dangerous sound — before whispering back,
Ren:
"Good. Then you can go crazy with me."
Ren still had Hikaru trapped between his body and the wall, their heartbeats wild and their bodies burning.
Before either could say more, the sudden sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Ren (gritting his teeth):
"Tch... someone's coming."
Without thinking, he grabbed Hikaru's hand and yanked him toward the nearby empty storage room — it was small, barely enough space for two people, but it was dark, and hidden.
The door clicked shut behind them.
They stood there, chests almost touching, the space so tight they could barely move without brushing against each other.
Hikaru (whispering, flustered):
"R-Ren... it's too close..."
Ren smirked in the darkness, his fingers still curled tightly around Hikaru's wrist.
Their faces were barely an inch apart — the smell of Hikaru's shampoo, the soft tremble of his breath — everything was driving Ren crazy.
Ren (murmuring lowly):
"You complaining?"
Instead of answering, Hikaru looked down shyly, his cheeks burning even in the dark.
Ren couldn't resist.
He brushed Hikaru's hair back gently, letting his fingers trail down his jaw, to his neck — so slow, so teasing it made Hikaru shudder.
Ren (whispering by his ear):
"You look adorable when you're scared."
Hikaru bit his lip, trying hard to stay still — but when Ren's fingers grazed lightly down his waist, Hikaru let out the tiniest whimper.
That tiny sound broke Ren's last bit of patience.
In one swift move, he pushed Hikaru against the wall again — but this time it was softer, his body shielding him protectively.
Ren tilted his head and captured Hikaru's lips once more, but this kiss was different.
It was slow, deep, almost worshiping.
Hikaru kissed back shyly, his arms wrapping weakly around Ren's neck, pulling him closer without even realizing it.
His fingers tangled into Ren's hair, desperate for something to hold onto.
It felt like time stopped — just the two of them, the darkness, their racing hearts.
After what felt like forever, they pulled apart, breathing hard.
Ren rested his forehead against Hikaru's again, smiling lazily.
Ren (softly):
"You're mine now... got it?"
Hikaru looked up at him, dazed, lips red and swollen, eyes shining.
He nodded shyly — and Ren swore he never saw anything cuter in his life.
Just then, the noise outside faded — whoever had been passing was gone.
Ren reluctantly pulled back a little, brushing Hikaru's hair one more time.
Ren (teasing):
"Come on, dummy. Let's get out before someone really catches us this time."
Hikaru just smiled shyly, his heart feeling full — and for the first time, a small, real smile spread across his lips.
After that stolen kiss in the storage room, Ren couldn't focus.
In class, he kept glancing sideways at Hikaru.
When Daiki casually leaned down to Hikaru's desk to "talk", Ren's hand twitched.
He didn't even think — he just stood up, walked over, and grabbed Hikaru's wrist in front of everyone.
Ren (coldly):
"We have something to talk about."
He pulled Hikaru away from Daiki without explaining — not harshly, but firmly enough that Hikaru stumbled after him, blinking in confusion.
Hikaru (whispering):
"R-Ren, what are you doing?"
Ren (grumbling under breath):
"Keeping what's mine."
---
After school, Ren was restless.
His heart kept pounding stupidly, thinking about Hikaru's small smiles.
Normally, he'd just hook up with someone or ignore them when bored...
But with Hikaru, he wanted to do more.
Make him laugh.
Make him feel special.
Even if he had no idea how.
He nervously googled "first date ideas" on his phone like an idiot, then cursed under his breath.
Ren (gritting his teeth):
"Why the hell am I acting like a damn romcom idiot…"
But he still ended up texting Hikaru anyway:
> Ren: "Meet me after school. Don't be late. And don't ask questions."
Hikaru stared at the message for five minutes straight, blushing hard.
---
Later, at the school rooftop:
Hikaru showed up, nervously holding the strap of his bag.
Ren was already there, awkwardly standing beside a small blanket he'd somehow found from the art club, with a few snacks and two sodas placed messily on it.
Hikaru (blinking in surprise):
"W-What's this...?"
Ren scratched the back of his neck, looking everywhere except at Hikaru.
Ren (muttering):
"A date. I guess."
Hikaru's heart squeezed painfully sweet at the effort.
No candles. No flowers.
Just... a stupid little setup.
But it was perfect.
Because it was Ren.
He sat down shyly on the blanket.
Ren sat beside him, way too close — their knees brushing, neither moving away.
Ren offered him a soda, but their fingers brushed and stayed touching.
Hikaru (whispering):
"T-Thank you..."
Ren (grinning):
"You owe me for this trouble, you know."
Hikaru (smiling small):
"Then... I'll pay you back."
He leaned forward, cheeks burning, and kissed Ren softly on the cheek.
Ren froze — literally froze.
Ren (voice hoarse):
"D-Don't do that unless you mean it, idiot..."
Hikaru looked up at him shyly, smiling.
He meant it.
Ren couldn't take it anymore.
He cupped Hikaru's face and kissed him properly — long, slow, and possessive, like claiming him over and over again.
The sun was setting behind them, bathing everything in warm gold, but all they could feel was each other.
For the first time, Ren thought maybe those stupid small things — picnics, sunsets, shy kisses —
maybe they weren't stupid at all.
Maybe they were everything.