SPORTS DAY!
That day, the school was alive with energy. Banners fluttered in the wind, each house colour boldly displayed. Students filled the stands, dressed in matching jerseys or waving pompoms.
Music blasted from the speakers, whistles blew, and cheers echoed through the air. The basketball court was freshly marked, and stalls lined the edges selling snacks and drinks.
Laughter, chants, and the sound of bouncing balls created a festival-like atmosphere. Everyone was buzzing with school spirit, teachers included. It wasn't just a sports day; it was the event of the term.
The crowd roared as the buzzer blared, ending the first half of the game. Crescent High's team looked worn out, heads down, sweat dripping. The rival school had taken the lead with sharp moves, tall players, and relentless pressure.
Coach barked orders, but it was Ruan who stood in the middle of the huddle, eyes blazing.
"We're not losing this," he said firmly. "Not on our turf."
With new energy, the second half began. Ruan transformed. He was everywhere, stealing, blocking, and shooting. One three-pointer. Then another. Then a smooth lay-up. The crowd chanted his name. The points kept stacking. The scoreboard was slowly tipping in Crescent's favour.
Final buzzer. 63–61. Crescent wins.
The crowd exploded. Ruan threw his arms in the air, chest heaving, heart racing. He scanned the sidelines, he wasn't looking for the crowd, or the trophy. He was looking for Akari.
And there he was, standing behind the fence, clapping with a small proud smile.
Ruan smiled at him. The two kept eye contact smiling at each other. Akari clapping. Nobody discovered them because everybody was busy cheering and happy.
Later, after another game began. Ruan led Akari behind the locker rooms, private, quiet. His smile softened.
"You were amazing out there," Akari said. "I couldn't take my eyes off you."
Ruan leaned in. "Was that the only reason?"
Akari chuckled softly. "Maybe not. Has somebody ever told you that you look super sexy in this jersey?"
"Well...somebody special once told me already. Maybe if only he's just reminding me again," Ruan said leaning more closer.
They kissed, quick, breathless, and full of adrenaline and emotion.
But just around the corner, a phone camera zoomed in.
Lumi stood in silence, her face blank but her eyes dangerous. Her fingers tightened around the phone. She watched, lips curling into a sneer.
"Perfect. Now lets see who knows to play the game Ruan," she whispered.
Evidence.
Enough to destroy everything.
And Ruan had no idea.
***
Akari had just finished his shopping for a couple of toiletries at the convenience store. The neon lights faded behind him as he walked past the quiet park on his way home.
Couples passed him along the pathway, hands intertwined, leaning close to each other, laughing softly as if the world belonged only to them.
Akari glanced down at his own empty hand.
He sighed.
Could we ever…? I miss him already.
The thought slipped into his mind before he could stop it.
Suddenly, he felt warmth wrap around his fingers. Someone had taken his hand.
Akari jolted in surprise, turning quickly, only to see a tall figure beside him wearing a hoodie and a mask. For a moment he froze, but the familiar scent reached him before the face did.
Ruan.
"Wh...what are you doing here?" Akari asked eyes wide with disbelief.
Ruan tilted his head slightly, his eyes smiling above the mask.
"What? You don't want me here?" he teased lightly. "I can leave."
"No, no, don't!" Akari said quickly, tightening his hold on Ruan's hand without realizing it. "I mean… I thought you were supposed to be at the party with your friends."
"I was," Ruan replied calmly.
He looked at Akari for a moment before continuing.
"But I was missing somebody so badly that I couldn't wait even a second to see them."
Akari rolled his eyes, though a smile crept onto his lips. "Such a tease."
He walked ahead, pretending to be annoyed.
"I know you missed me too," Ruan said, catching up easily.
Akari didn't answer. His silence was enough.
They continued walking through the dimly lit park path, their hands still clasped together. Neither of them tried to pull away.
The air was cool and quiet.
After a while, Ruan spoke again.
"Akari."
"Hm?"
"What will you do after I graduate?"
The question came suddenly.
Akari slowed his steps.
He hadn't wanted to think about that.
"I… don't know," he said softly. "You'll probably leave the city, right?"
"Maybe," Ruan admitted. "Depends on my father."
Akari forced a small laugh. "Then you'll get busy… meet new people… probably forget about me."
Ruan stopped walking.
Akari felt the pull and turned back.
"Hey," Ruan said quietly.
His grip tightened around Akari's hand.
"Why do you always assume the worst?"
Akari avoided his gaze. "Because it is the reality and it happens."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Ruan gently flicked Akari's forehead.
"Ow!"
"You overthink too much," Ruan said chuckling.
But he didn't let go of Akari's hand.
They resumed walking, slower now.
Soon they reached the street near Akari's house. The porch light from the small building glowed softly. Akari stopped.
"So… this is my stop."
Ruan nodded.
But neither of them moved. Their hands were still intertwined. Akari tried to pull away once. But he stopped halfway.
Ruan didn't let go either.
For some reason, it suddenly felt incredibly hard to separate. As if letting go meant something bigger. Finally, Ruan released his hand.
"Go inside," he said gently.
Akari nodded.
But before entering, he looked back once.
Ruan was still standing there. Watching. Akari gave a small wave before closing the door. But then he came back outside and wrapped his arms around Ruan's torso.
That caught Ruan by surprise. But he hugged back, slowly strocking Akari's back.
He then slowly pulled out from the hug and gave Akari a forehead kiss, then connected their foreheads together. They stayed like that for a moment feeling each other's breath.
"I will do anything for us just like I promised. And we will be together no matter what," Ruan said cupping Akari's cheeks.
A smile of relief escaped Akari's lips as he nodded. He stood on his toes and gave Ruan a mouth peck.
"I will go now," Akari said, then walked by the door and closed it behind him.
That night neither of them had a wink of a sleep.
Why did I even bring that topic at the first place?
Ruan thought bouncing his ball on the wall and back. The end exams were around the corner and after that was the engagement. He had to do something to stop it. As soon as possible.
As for Akari, he laid on his bed staring at the ceiling in the dark room. Sleep wouldn't come. No matter how much he tried. His mind replayed the night again and again. The warmth of Ruan's hand, his hug, his kiss, his voice and then...
His question.
What will you do after I graduate?
Akari turned to his side, hugging his pillow. A small, shaky breath escaped him.
If he graduates… he'll leave. He'll meet new people. Better people.
Akari's chest tightened.
Tears gathered in his eyes before he could stop them. He buried his face into the pillow, muffling the quiet sob that escaped.
"Idiot…" he whispered to himself. "Why did I fall so hard?"
The night stretched on.
And somewhere between overthinking and exhaustion, Akari finally drifted into a restless sleep.
But even then, the warmth of Ruan's hand still lingered in his memory.