PE was the only time the girls at school didn't complain about sweat.
Because it was the only time Yozora Akimatsu wore short sleeves.
And when Yozora Akimatsu wore short sleeves… the gym became a holy site.
Girls whispered. Boys stared in fear and awe.
Yozora stood by the bleachers, arms crossed, black hair glinting under the sun like it had intentions.
"He's so perfect," one girl breathed.
"Do you think he's dating someone?"
"He's probably too busy being president and hot to even notice girls."
That was a lie. Yozora noticed one girl. Momo. But that was classified.
On the track, Riku adjusted his headband and inhaled.
He could feel the butterflies.
"You're not seriously gonna talk to him today, right?"
His friend Sora raised a brow.
"Riku. Bro. That guy's-"
"I just wanna say hi…" Riku mumbled. "He smiled at me yesterday."
"He smiles at the lunch trays. That doesn't mean he likes you!"
Still, Riku jogged toward Yozora, his calm footsteps tapping against the asphalt.
Yozora sensed him before he arrived.
His temples pulsed. His jaw clenched so tightly you could hear his molars scream.
Still, when Riku waved—
"Akimatsu-kun! You're amazing at hurdles," Riku said with a sweet smile.
Yozora turned, eyes blank. Smile: activated.
"Thank you, Riku-kun. You're… trying your best."
Oof. That sounded nice. But it hurt.
Riku beamed anyway.
"I run the cooking club! You should drop by sometime. I'm making spicy omurice this week."
"No," Yozora said, still smiling.
"Ah. Okay." Riku tucked his hands behind his back, still bright. "You're really popular, huh?"
"I don't care."
The smile didn't fade, but Yozora's eye twitched.
From the bleachers.
"OMG, look at them talk! Do you think they're friends?"
"They're both so cute. Opposites attract?"
"Yozora's so sweet to everyone, I can't stand it."
Yozora heard it all. But none of them mattered. They were noise. They were pigs in uniform.
But Riku?
For some cursed reason, Yozora couldn't lie to him.
After PE, Yozora stared at his reflection in the gym mirror.
"Why can't I fake it around him?"
He pulled his shirt over his head, irritated.
"He's too kind. It's disgusting. It's annoying."
He paused.
"And he's the only one I haven't imagined stabbing with a pencil yet."
Then frowned.
"...That's worse."
Meanwhile, Riku walked home smiling.
He smiled back. That's progress.
Maybe tomorrow I'll bring cupcakes.