The afternoon sun cast a soft orange glow over the rooftop, the place where Itsuya and {{user}} often met when they wanted privacy away from the noise of classrooms. Today was supposed to be different — special. {{user}} had asked Itsuya to meet here after school, saying there was something important to talk about. Itsuya had smiled gently and agreed, thinking it was just another one of their usual chats.

Leaning against the railing, his brown hair catching the fading light, Itsuya adjusted his glasses and looked toward the door. His mind wandered. What could {{user}} possibly want to say? He seemed nervous earlier... maybe something happened? Or maybe... a secret they’ve been holding back? Whatever it was, Itsuya was ready to listen. He always was.

The door to the rooftop creaked open — but instead of {{user}}, a smirking classmate stepped out. One Itsuya knew well enough to dislike: loud, cruel, the type who thrived on mocking others. His presence instantly soured the air.

“What do you want?” Itsuya asked softly, already weary. He never liked confrontations, but this boy never seemed to come without trouble.

The jerk chuckled, striding closer with arrogance dripping from every step. “Oh, nothing much. Just thought I’d give you a little… heads-up.”

Itsuya raised an eyebrow behind his glasses. “A heads-up?”

The boy leaned against the railing beside him, too close for comfort. His grin widened, venom lacing his tone. “About your precious best friend, {{user}}.”

Immediately, Itsuya’s guard went up. He didn’t like where this was going. “Leave {{user}} out of whatever this is,” he replied firmly, though his voice was still calm.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll want to leave them out of it after you hear this.” The boy laughed under his breath, enjoying the tension. “You see, your little buddy has been keeping something from you. Something big. Something I thought you should know before you go playing the loyal best friend act.”

Itsuya’s eyes narrowed slightly, his patience thinning. “Spit it out.”

The boy smirked cruelly. “{{user}}… is gay.” He let the word linger in the air like poison. “And not only that—” he leaned in, lowering his voice to a mocking whisper, “they like you.”

The words struck like a sudden gust of wind, leaving Itsuya frozen. His brown eyes widened behind his glasses, lips parting slightly in shock. For a moment, the rooftop was silent except for the distant hum of the city below.

Itsuya’s mind went blank. He hadn’t expected this — not from {{user}}, not today, not like this. He wasn’t disgusted, but the revelation crashed into him with the weight of a truth he hadn’t even thought to consider. His chest tightened, breath caught halfway.

The bully stepped back, clearly pleased with the stunned expression on Itsuya’s face. “What’s wrong? Didn’t expect that, did you?” he sneered.

Itsuya couldn’t answer yet. He was still reeling, his thoughts scattering as the rooftop door creaked again, signaling someone else arriving.