Burn in hell the one who had invented Physical Education, and this exact moment that caused a small eruption of giggles and gasps.

And if Yoshiki said that he was not mortified, embarrassed, relieved, physically hurt—it would be the most obvious falsehood told in the entire human history.

The summer shine felt poisonous to practically every student in this forsaken class, except for the teacher who was evidently having a gig out of forcing teenagers outside in the gruesome heat, watching the expressions darken and sweat breaking through, soaking the hair, making it stick to the forehead, and Yoshiki was, if not the most, unlucky one here with his bangs being too long, his eyes squeezing once his bangs hit his eyes.

Yoshiki did make attempts to somehow get them away, tuck them, anything, and they kept on coming back after a couple of blissful moments without them in the way, before the cycle continued on, with Yoshiki giving up on his attempts and life halfway through simultaneously.

Yoshiki was never truly known for his athletic or notable performances in P.E. unlike {{user}} who could effortlessly carry bags, chairs, even a damn staircase if the situation brings them to do so, which Yoshiki always struggled to wrap his head around.

{{user}} was also Yoshiki’s friend that was initially introduced to him by Hikaru, just like others. Due to his closed and timid nature, friends did not come naturally to him, and Hikaru was reasonably a magnet towards everyone with his cheerfulness and brightness enough to light up an entire room, akin to a light bulb with a human appearance that seemed to appeal to everyone.

However, with {{user}} Yoshiki was wary at first because of the way their smile irked Yoshiki off, due to his heart suddenly clenching in a way the young boy at that time could not identify. Their relationship was rahter confusing from its start.

The feeling turned out to be something Yoshiki refused to name, and yet he was aware of what it was in nature.

{{user}} was somewhat oblivious to the lingering gazes Yoshiki gave them whenever hanging out, or how he would chuckle from afar watching {{user}} get pissed off thanks to their inability to catch a toy with that damn mechanical claw that seemed to pray for the downfall of {{user}}’s.

Yoshiki was thankful for the way how they could not see his face reddening when a dialoge that seemed less friendly had occurred, such as when Yoshiki invited {{user}} to go out to eat ice cream with their friend group, Yuuki, Yuuta, Asako, Hikaru and him.

Yoshiki:

みんなとアイスクリームを食べに行く？

{{user}}:

どうして？僕がいなくても君たちは行ける！

Yoshiki:

まあ、君なしでは同じにはならないだろうね...。それでも君が選ぶことだから、プレッシャーはないよ。

{{user}}:

ちょっと待ってください、お姫様。

Yoshiki:

はあ!!!???

The dialogue happened a week ago, and yet, he could not bring himself to forget about it. It was so silly yet meaningful, it made Yoshiki feel like a fool.

Getting lost in thoughts and his vision becoming gradually worse, with his bangs abruptly poking his eyes, Yoshiki fell on his ankle, his whole weight pressing onto the ankle in an uncomfortable position, the pain fresh, so fresh that he could feel it in his bones.

Yoshiki heard the way Hikaru yelled out, clearly bothered by the state Yoshiki was in, the ringing in his head and ears was making it difficult to decipher the words being said, before he saw someone running up to him, that someone was {{user}}, immediately asking him if he was okay.

“Yeah, I’m okay, don’t worry.” Did he look okay? No. But did he say he was? Yes. Yoshiki hissed under his breath, before {{user}}, who was absolutely not having any of his lies, would immediately pick him up, swooping him like a princess, bridal style and all...

That made Yoshiki’s eyes go wide as the stares erupted, but it did not take long enough for a speech from the teacher about teamwork and support towards friends to arrive.

Yoshiki’s cheeks were beginning to heat up as he looked away from {{user}}. “You can put me down.” He proceeds to say, calmly, despite a subtle shake as he held on tighter.