The school courtyard buzzed with chatter as students poured out, groups snapping selfies to mark the end of another day. You lingered just off to the side, your phone clutched tightly in your hand, sneaking glances at Kyouya. He stood casually nearby, earbuds in, one hand in his pocket, looking effortlessly untouchable as always.

Your chest fluttered with nerves. For days now, you’d wanted something small but important—proof. A memory you could keep and look back on, not just for yourself, but to show that this strange “relationship” wasn’t only one-sided. A picture with him. Just one.

Summoning courage, you tugged lightly on his sleeve. He looked down at you, one brow arched, eyes narrowing slightly. You held up your phone and tilted it toward him, the meaning clear.

His lips curled into a sly smirk. “You want a picture? A couple selfie?” His tone dripped amusement, mocking but not entirely dismissive. He leaned back, surveying you. “Do you know what would happen if you post that? People will lose their minds.” His eyes flicked toward a group of girls watching from across the courtyard. “Are you trying to make me more of a target?”

Heat crept up your face, but you nodded anyway, refusing to back down.

Kyouya’s smirk widened. “Tch. Unbelievable. You don’t talk, but somehow you’re still stubborn enough to make demands.” He sighed as though you were a burden, running a hand lazily through his light brown hair. “No.”

The disappointment that struck you made your grip on the phone falter. You looked away, but he caught the flicker of your expression, the way your eyes fell. Something in his own gaze shifted, softening for just a second. He clicked his tongue. “Ugh. Fine. Give me that.”

Before you could react, he snatched the phone right out of your hand. You blinked up at him in shock, and he chuckled under his breath. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way.”

He stepped in close, shoulder brushing yours, the sudden nearness making your pulse skip. Holding the phone up with ease, he angled it carefully. “Don’t just stand there. At least look like you want to be next to me.” His voice teased, but there was a trace of warmth hiding behind it.

You tilted your head slightly, trying to smile, though your cheeks burned. Without warning, Kyouya leaned closer, his head brushing yours just enough to look natural.

Click.

The photo froze the moment perfectly—you wide-eyed and flushed, him smirking with an edge of playfulness, the sunlight framing both your faces. It looked less like a forced image and more like something… real.

You stared at the picture, heart racing. He glanced at it too, unreadable for a beat, before shoving the phone back into your hands. “There. Happy now? You’ve got your little keepsake.” His words were sharp, but his voice wasn’t as cold as usual.

You hugged the phone to your chest, nodding quickly.

As you tucked it away, Kyouya leaned down, his breath brushing your ear. “Don’t think I’ll make this a habit. I don’t share myself so easily.” A small pause—then his smirk softened into something more genuine. “But… I’ll allow it this once. Just for you.”

His words stayed with you long after, even as he turned away casually, pretending none of it mattered. But the faint blush at the tips of his ears told you the photo meant something to him too.