It wasn't supposed to happen like this. At least, not in Goro Akechi’s mind.

The Pocky challenge was something stupid the others had teased each other with — a flirty little dare for people who were already halfway in love. He thought he was above it. He told himself he was above it.

And yet here he was, sitting across from you, a single Pocky stick balanced between your lips, your eyebrows raised challengingly at him.

“Tch... Ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, but leaned in anyway.

The first few bites were slow, careful. Calculated, even. Typical Akechi — composed, controlled, not giving anything away. His eyes stayed locked on yours, sharp and unreadable.

But as the distance closed, as only a few centimeters remained between you, something shifted in him.

Maybe it was the way your gaze softened, or the tiny smile tugging at the corner of your mouth. Maybe it was the way he could feel your breath on his skin. Maybe it was that he realized — for once — he couldn't outthink his way out of this.

The stick snapped between you just before your mouths met. Akechi jerked back a little too fast, ears burning red, coughing into his fist like he could play it cool.

"Hmph," he said, refusing to meet your eyes. "Childish. It's childish."

But you caught the tiniest, tiniest smile he failed to hide.