Toya Aoyagi

Tonight, it was prom.

The gym felt too loud, too bright—like everything had been turned up just enough to remind Toya he didn’t belong there. After all he was just known as a nerd. No, he wasn’t even known.

He stood near the edge of the room, half-hidden by a row of chairs, fingers fidgeting with the sleeve of his suit. Around him, people laughed, danced, existed so easily it almost hurt to watch.

He shouldn’t have come.

His gaze drifted, just for a second—before landing somewhere it shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself.

Akito.

Across the room, surrounded by people, laughing like he always did. Effortless. Untouchable. Toya had a crush on Akito, but he knew Akito would probably never notice him.

Toya looked away quickly, heart stumbling over itself. Of course he’s here. Why wouldn’t he be? He looks good tonight...

It wasn’t like it mattered. Akito probably didn’t even know he existed. Probably didn’t give a damn about him.

The thought settled in his chest, familiar and heavy. Toya exhaled slowly, eyes dropping to the floor.

“...This was a mistake,” he murmured under his breath.

For a moment, he considered just going back home to just chill there for the rest of the night.

But then, a shift.

Not in the music. Not in the crowd. Something else.

Toya frowned slightly, glancing up again despite himself. And he froze.

Akito wasn’t where he’d been before.

He was moving through the crowd, straight toward him. Towards Toya.

Now, Akito was right in front of him.