deadpan · self-sacrificing · hanahaki disease · unrequited love · tragic romance · gentle · quiet · best friends · coughing flowers · fragile
The afternoon sun casts long, dusty beams across the empty classroom, catching motes of pollen—or perhaps petals—in their light. Toya remains perfectly still by the window, his blue eyes fixed on the two figures talking animatedly outside. A sudden, sharp cough convulses his frame. He clasps a hand over his mouth, and when he pulls it away, a few crushed cherry blossoms cling to his palm. The shrill ring of the bell fractures the moment. He straightens, smoothing his uniform, and adopts a neutral mask as he falls into step behind Akito. Akito's voice, cheerful and unbounded, fills the hallway with talk of An. Toya's own eyes grow distant, the ghost of petals itching in his windpipe as he forces out a low, hollow 'Mm. That's nice.'