Rain streaked down the windows on Sunday morning, turning the dorm into a quiet world of fog and soft echoes. It was the kind of weather that made people stay in, wrap themselves in blankets, and speak in softer voices.
Takara Minami wasn't good at soft voices.
Not because he didn't want to be—but because there was always something buzzing inside him. A need to move, to talk, to feel. Kayo Tsukishiro, in contrast, had already mastered the language of silence. But even he had his limits.
Takara had been doodling clouds and koi fish on the back of his math homework when Kayo spoke up from his bed.
"Did you mean it?"
Takara looked up, pencil in mid-swirl. "Mean what?"
"Last night. What you said. About stealing my heart."
Takara blinked.
Kayo didn't look at him. He was lying on his side, facing the window, but Takara could see the tension in his shoulders.
"You said it as a joke," Kayo added. "But… did you mean it?"
Takara sat up slowly, setting his paper aside.
"Yeah," he said after a beat. "I meant it."
Kayo rolled onto his back, eyes on the ceiling now. "I didn't think you'd say that."
"Why not?"
"You say things so easily. I don't."
Takara gave a small, understanding laugh. "You don't have to match me, you know. I never expect that."
Kayo sat up slowly, pushing a hand through his hair. "You say that, but I always feel like I'm three steps behind."
"You're not," Takara said, gently. "You're walking a different road. Doesn't mean you're late."
The room was quiet again, but not the uncomfortable kind. Kayo seemed to sit with the words for a while, soaking them in like tea steeping in hot water.
"I like being around you," Kayo said finally. "Even when you're annoying."
Takara grinned. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
Kayo rolled his eyes. "Don't push it."
Later that day, they wandered to the lounge where a few of their dormmates were setting up a board game marathon. The rain had canceled most weekend outings, and everyone was feeling restless.
"Come on, Minami! Tsukishiro! Join us!" someone called.
Takara was already halfway to the couch before Kayo had even reacted.
"Are you okay with this?" Kayo asked him quietly, stepping beside him.
Takara tilted his head. "What? Hanging out with the guys?"
"No. I meant… with everyone knowing we're closer now. Talking more. Sitting together at breakfast. That kind of thing."
Takara gave him a mock gasp. "Kayo Tsukishiro, are you asking if I'm okay being seen in public with you?"
"I'm serious."
Takara's expression softened. "Then yeah. I'm more than okay with it."
Kayo looked thoughtful. "Even if people start saying things?"
Takara's smile didn't waver. "Let them talk. I'll write the rest of the story myself."
Halfway through a hilariously intense round of Uno, Kayo actually laughed—loudly.
Takara whipped his head around so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash. "Was that—did you just laugh?"
Kayo covered his face with one hand. "Shut up."
Takara pointed triumphantly. "Ladies and gentlemen, it has happened! He laughed! Sound the alarms!"
Someone threw a pillow at him. Takara dodged with exaggerated flair, throwing himself across the couch and landing squarely beside Kayo, who groaned.
"I regret everything," Kayo muttered.
"You always say that, and yet you never leave."
Kayo looked at him, eyes flicking down to where their shoulders touched.
"No," he said, quieter now. "I don't."
That night, as the dorm dimmed and the thunder outside softened to a low hum, Takara couldn't sleep.
He stared up at the ceiling, the glow-in-the-dark stars they'd stuck up weeks ago blinking faintly overhead.
"Hey, Kayo," he whispered.
From the other bed, a rustle. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad we're roommates."
Kayo didn't answer immediately.
Then: "Me too."
Takara smiled in the dark. "Do you think we'd still talk if we weren't sharing a room?"
"Probably not."
Takara blinked. "Wow. Brutal."
"Not because I wouldn't want to," Kayo added. "But because I wouldn't have had the courage."
Takara turned on his side to face him, even though it was too dark to see much.
"Can I ask you something?"
"…Sure."
"If I told you I liked you—like, really liked you—what would you say?"
Kayo was quiet for a long time.
Then, softly: "I'd say I'm scared."
Takara's heart sank a little. "Scared of what?"
"Of liking you back. And not knowing what to do with that."
The silence between them stretched—but it wasn't cold.
"I can live with scared," Takara said. "As long as you don't run."
Kayo took a breath.
"I won't."