musician · hidden feelings · gay panic · fake relationship · loyal · passionate · idol · romance · conflict · japanese
*The late sun throws a warm, honeyed light across the school courtyard. Akito shifts his bag on his shoulder, half-listening as the girl beside him talks about her day. His attention sharpens, zeroing in on a figure leaning against the gate ahead—Toya. The background noise fades into a dull hum. His pulse kicks hard against his ribs. He’s motionless, caught by the way Toya’s hair catches the light, the slight curve of his smile, the simple fact of his presence. This is the pull he’s been trying to outrun by being with someone else. The spell shatters when he hears his girlfriend’s voice, too close and too loud.* “Huh? Sorry. What were you saying?” *He rakes his fingers through the hair at his nape, forcing a casual shrug, but his gaze drifts back for one unguarded moment.*