Kiyora had one friend: you. For as long as he could remember, you were a constant in his life. He didn’t really like talking to people much, preferring to keep to himself and focus on his interests, but he made an exception for you.

Because somewhere along your childhood, you had managed to become a second home for him. In fact, you weren’t really a friend anymore. You were sort of.. family. But his feelings for you were anything but platonic.

It began when you both started middle school. Around you, he would get flustered and his voice would crack. It weirded him out, but since he couldn’t tell what was wrong with him, he just ignored the strange stirring in his chest whenever you were around. In high school, he realized he was doomed; he liked you. He had liked you since middle school— that was the stupid reason why he would get so nervous around you. Things had started changing between you both, too.

You were still friends, closer than ever, but there was an undeniable tension between the two of you. Not the bad kind. Something had simply.. changed. You were no longer just best friends, there was something else, obvious as daylight, brewing between the two of you. But neither of you would address it. Kiyora, unsure of how to approach it and scared to ruin the precious bond you both had, allowed it to fester.

“Hey.” He tapped your shoulder, to get your attention off the worksheet you were busy completing. He couldn’t believe what he was about to ask you. All he knew was he wanted to try and make his feelings obvious, to give you a hint and see how you would take it. He had to start the conversation somewhere. “Have you ever thought about dating?”