Two months had passed almost quietly.
The rhythm of living together had become natural.
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains as Akira and Hanoka entered the school gates side by side.
Conversations around them softened.
Students noticed — of course they noticed — but something had changed.
No teasing.
No loud whispers.
Only curious glances.
The rumor phase had already burned itself out.
They were simply… Akira and Hanoka now.
Hanoka adjusted her bag strap, walking slightly ahead before slowing down to match his pace.
Akira noticed.
He always noticed.
They climbed the stairs toward their classroom.
The hallway buzzed with early morning chatter, lockers opening, shoes tapping against the floor.
Yet an odd tension lingered in the air — something Akira felt immediately.
His eyes narrowed behind the mask.
Something’s different today.
When they stepped inside the classroom, conversations stopped for half a second.
Then resumed.
Too quickly.
Akira walked to his desk without reacting, placing his bag down with practiced calm.
Hanoka took her seat, but she could feel several classmates secretly observing them.
A group of boys whispered near the window.
“Did you hear?”
“They said a celebrity might visit today.”
“No way… seriously?”
“Yeah, some actor related to the school.”
Hanoka’s ears perked up.
Actor?
Her heart skipped once.
She glanced toward Akira.
He had already sat down, pulling out his MP3 player, untangling the earphones slowly — too slowly.
His movements were controlled.
Measured.
Careful.
He heard it too.
Inside, Akira felt his stomach tighten.
Nitagawa… don’t you dare.
He checked the clock.
8:03 AM.
Still time before disaster.
Hanoka leaned closer from her seat.
“Did you hear that?” she whispered.
Akira didn’t look at her.
“I hear many things every day.”
“That wasn’t an answer.”
Silence.
Then quietly—
“Rumors are usually disappointing.”
Hanoka puffed her cheeks slightly.
“You always say things like that.”
Akira finally glanced sideways.
“And you always chase excitement.”
She smiled.
Because he wasn’t wrong.
First period passed normally.
Second period too.
Akira almost began believing Nitagawa had been joking.
Then—
The classroom door slid open.
Not violently.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to steal the room’s attention.
Their homeroom teacher stepped inside… accompanied by a tall young man wearing sunglasses, casual designer clothes, and an easygoing smile.
The classroom exploded.
“NO WAY—!”
“IS THAT—?!”
“IT’S HIM!”
The teacher raised her hand.
“Quiet, everyone.
We have a special visitor today.”
The man removed his sunglasses.
Instant recognition spread across the room.
Toru Nitagawa.
A rising star actor.
Popular.
Charismatic.
Famous for spontaneous appearances.
Hanoka’s eyes widened.
Akira froze.
You absolute idiot.
Nitagawa scanned the classroom casually — and then his gaze landed directly on Akira.
A small grin appeared.
Dangerous.
Knowing.
Hanoka noticed the direction of his gaze.
Why is he looking at Akira?
Nitagawa waved lightly.
“I heard one of my friend studies here,” he said playfully.
“Thought I’d visit.”
The class erupted again.
Girls whispered excitedly.
Boys straightened their posture.
Akira lowered his head, pretending complete disinterest.
Do not come closer.
Do not speak to me.
Do not—
Nitagawa began walking between desks.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Every footstep sounded louder to Akira than drifting tires on mountain asphalt.
He stopped beside Akira’s desk.
Silence spread nearby.
Hanoka looked between them.
Nitagawa tilted his head.
“So this is where you hide during the day.”
Akira slowly lifted his eyes.
A warning look.
Sharp enough to cut glass.
Nitagawa’s smile widened.
“Oh?
Did I say something strange?”
Students leaned closer.
Teacher confused.
Hanoka confused.
Akira removed one earphone calmly.
“…You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
Perfectly delivered.
Cold.
Neutral.
Nitagawa chuckled softly.
“Maybe.”
But his eyes said otherwise.
He tapped Akira’s desk twice — like a secret signal — before turning back toward the class.
“Well then,” he said brightly, “study hard, everyone.”
The tension dissolved as quickly as it came.
Students flooded him with questions.
Hanoka watched Akira carefully.
His posture remained relaxed… but his fingers were clenched beneath the desk.
He knows him.
She was sure now.
During break time, chaos filled the classroom as students surrounded Nitagawa in the hallway.
Hanoka leaned toward Akira again.
“…You really don’t know him?”
Akira sighed.
“I know many people.”
“That still isn’t an answer.”
He stood up.
“I need air.”
And walked out.
Hanoka watched him leave.
Her curiosity had turned into certainty.
Too many coincidences.
The car.
The schedules.
The gestures.
The jokes.
The actor visiting specifically today.
Her heart beat faster.
Akira… who are you really?
Other than my childhood friend?
Outside, near the stairwell balcony, Akira leaned against the railing.
Seconds later—
Nitagawa appeared beside him.
Grinning like a villain.
“You owe me lunch,” Nitagawa said.
Akira didn’t look at him.
“You’re trying to kill me.”
“Relax.
Nobody suspects anything.”
Akira finally turned.
“They will.”
Nitagawa laughed.
“You should’ve seen your face.”
Akira exhaled slowly.
“Why are you really here?”
Nitagawa crossed his arms.
“I wanted to see the girl.”
Akira’s expression hardened instantly.
“…What girl?”
“The one who changed you.”
Silence.
Wind moved through the corridor.
Nitagawa’s playful tone softened slightly.
“You smile more now,” he said.
Akira looked away toward the school grounds — where Hanoka could be seen through the window laughing with classmates.
His voice dropped.
“…Stay away from her.”
Nitagawa raised his hands dramatically.
“Oho.
Protective.”
Akira’s reply came instantly.
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
No denial.
Nitagawa smirked.
“Well then, Isamu… looks like things are getting interesting.”
Akira closed his eyes briefly.
The disaster had begun.
And tension — accidental or not — was unavoidable.
The classroom buzzed quietly, but Hanoka’s eyes never left Akira.
She was certain now.
Nitagawa knew something.
Every time Nitagawa spoke, Akira denied knowing him — too quickly, too carefully.
Nitagawa suddenly bent down beside Akira’s desk and whispered near his ear.
“Let this period pass… I’ll be waiting outside.”
Then he straightened up dramatically and clapped his hands.
“HEY EVERYONE!” he shouted.
“At lunch time, someone lock the classroom door from outside.
Nobody leaves!”
The class erupted in confusion.
Akira buried his face slightly behind his hand and muttered under his breath,
“…You dummy.
King of dummies.”
Nitagawa only grinned.
“Tehehe.
Lunch Time
The bell rang.
Akira immediately stood up, planning to escape before anything ridiculous happened.
He walked to the door—
Click.
Locked.
Akira froze.
“…I am doomed.”
Defeated, he returned to his seat.
The classroom filled with whispers.
Then—
SLIDE
The door slowly opened.
Nitagawa walked in like he owned the world.
Every student fell silent.
He walked straight to the front of the class.
“Alright everyone,” he announced casually, “today you’ll actually pay attention.”
He paused.
“My real reason for coming here… is my close best friend.”
His eyes shifted directly toward Akira.
“The guy who makes me run errands whenever he’s late to school.” ”The Guy who makes me drive his car to his home whenever he gets late.”
Student 1: Car!!??..
Student 2: Akira has a car!!??
Student 3: No freaking way!
Class: Akira has a car!!?????
The class followed his gaze.
Akira looked away.
“So please,” Nitagawa continued, smiling mischievously,
“my homie… remove your mask and let’s see what happens.”
Akira stood slowly.
“…Why would I remove it?
I don’t even know you.”
Gasps and murmurs spread.
Nitagawa began walking toward him.
Step.
Step.
Step.
He stopped right in front of Akira.
Without warning, he gently grabbed Akira’s chin and turned his face toward the class cabinet — close enough that the entire class held its breath, thinking something unbelievable was about to happen.
Instead, Nitagawa suddenly announced:
“Two boys!
Come forward and hold him still!”
The students hesitated… then obeyed.
One held Akira’s arms.
Another steadied his legs.
Akira struggled.
“Nitagawa— DON’T YOU DARE—”
Nitagawa smiled wider.
And slowly…
He pulled the mask down.
Silence fell over the classroom.
Time stopped.
The hidden face appeared.
The same eyes.
The same expression.
The same person seen on television screens across Japan.
Whispers exploded.
“No way…”
“IS THAT—?”
“It can’t be—”
Nitagawa raised his hand dramatically.
“Everyone, meet Isamu Sawada of the entertainment industry.”
He pointed proudly.
“And his real name…”
He tapped Akira’s shoulder.
“Akira Tamayama.”
Shock swallowed the room whole.
Akira stood frozen, exposed.
Nitagawa leaned closer and added loudly,
“Surprised?”
Then his gaze shifted toward Hanoka.
“And yes… he’s also the guy who jumped from his window on April 27th at 7:00 PM, slid down a drain pipe, and rushed to a premiere…”
He smirked.
“…all to avoid someone figuring out the truth.”
Every eye turned toward Hanoka.
And Akira realized— there was no hiding anymore.
Akira suddenly grabbed Nitagawa’s wrist.
Hard.
“Come with me.”
Before anyone could react, he dragged him out of the classroom, through the hallway, and up the emergency stairs.
The rooftop door slammed open.
Wind rushed across the empty roof.
Wind cut sharply across the rooftop, louder than before — like the building itself was holding its breath.
Akira stood trembling.
His fists were clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
“I thought you were my friend…”
His voice cracked mid-sentence.
“WHY DID YOU DO THIS?!”
Nitagawa didn’t step back.
For once, his usual confidence was gone.
“I am your friend,” he said, voice lower now.
“That’s exactly why I did it.”
Akira’s breathing became uneven.
“I know you,” Nitagawa continued quickly, almost desperately.
“You hate attention.
You run from it.
You hide behind that mask like it’s the only way you can survive people.”
Akira’s eyes shook.
“Shut up…”
“You always say you don’t want connection,” Nitagawa said, stepping closer.
“But that’s not true.”
His voice tightened.
“The ‘Isamu Sawada’ part of you… the actor… the part of you that stands on stage in front of thousands—”
Akira flinched.
“—it still exists inside you.
And it’s suffocating.”
Akira’s voice broke.
“…Stop.”
Nitagawa’s expression twisted with frustration.
“So I brought it out,” he said.
“I forced the truth into the open so you wouldn’t keep living split in two!”
Silence hit.
Then Akira shouted—
“WHO ASKED YOU TO DECIDE THAT FOR ME?!”
His voice echoed across the rooftop.
Even Nitagawa froze.
Akira stepped back, shaking.
“…You don’t understand anything…”
His breath became unstable.
His legs wavered slightly.
Nitagawa noticed instantly.
“…Akira?”
Akira’s hand went to his chest.
His breathing turned shallow.
Too fast.
Too irregular.
“…I—”
His voice stopped.
His body suddenly weakened.
And before anyone could react—
Akira collapsed forward.
Nitagawa lunged instantly.
“AKIRA!”
He caught him just before he hit the concrete.
But the moment he touched him, he froze.
Akira’s skin was burning.
Not just warm — dangerously hot.
Nitagawa’s face changed completely.
“…No…”
He pressed his hand against Akira’s forehead again.
“Don’t do this…”
His voice dropped.
“Not now…”
Akira didn’t respond.
His breathing was unstable — shallow, uneven, slipping in and out of rhythm.
Nitagawa’s hands began shaking.
“I forgot…” he whispered to himself. Get faster updates on g.com.
“I actually forgot…”
He looked down at Akira like he had seen something terrifying.
“If he gets overwhelmed like this… if his body temperature spikes too fast…”
His voice cracked.
“It doesn’t stabilize normally.”
A pause.
“…His system goes into shutdown mode.”
The wind felt colder now.
Nitagawa’s eyes widened as the realization fully hit him.
“…Fifty–fifty.”
He swallowed hard.
“If it gets worse… his body might not recover on its own.”
His grip tightened around Akira.
“…I didn’t mean for this.”
His voice broke completely.
“I just wanted to force him forward…”
Tears fell freely now.
“…I didn’t want to hurt him.”
Akira didn’t move.
Still unconscious.
Still burning.
Nitagawa looked down at him in panic.
“…Akira… please…”
His voice cracked into desperation.
“Wake up…”
“I’m sorry…”
“I’m sorry I pushed you…”
“I’m sorry I didn’t listen…”
“I’m sorry…”
His hands trembled violently as he looked up.
Hanoka stood frozen at the rooftop entrance.
Her face had gone pale and tears streaming down her face
Nitagawa’s voice snapped into urgency as he shouted—
“CALL AN AMBULANCE!”
His voice broke mid-shout.
“NOW!”
He looked back at Akira, holding him tightly.
“Tell them it’s a critical collapse case — unconscious, high fever, unstable condition!”
His voice dropped again, almost pleading.
“…Please hurry.”
The rooftop felt suddenly too large.
Too silent.
And in the center of it—
Akira’s body, barely holding on.
The ambulance arrived within minutes.
Sirens cut through the air as students gathered at the school gates, murmuring in shock.
“Is that Akira?”
“No way…”
“The actor??”
“He’s going to the hospital?!”
The ambulance disappeared down the road.
Inside, Hanoka sat beside the stretcher, hands trembling.
Nitagawa stood nearby, silent for once.
Hospital
The doors swung open.
Doctors rushed in immediately.
“Critical condition.
High fever, unconscious state—prepare monitoring.”
Everything moved fast.
Too fast.
Hanoka barely registered anything except Akira being taken away.
Hours later.
White hospital lights.
Beeping machines.
Akira lay in bed, pale, still weak but alive.
Hanoka sat beside him.
Nitagawa stood near the door, uneasy.
The doctor stepped out after checking reports.
“His condition is stable for now,” he said.
“But he needs strict rest for at least three days… possibly up to a week.”
Doctor turned towards Nitagawa and said
“Mr.
Nitagawa how did this happen this is the second time…?!”
Nitagawa: “I don’t know we were having an argument then he collapsed”
Doctor: “I told you that don’t raise your voice besides your voice is so deep that anyone would collapse in fear..!!!”
Doctor: “Anyways returning to the point, Akira needs to get at least three days rest… possibly up to a week”
Hanoka’s breath stopped.
“A week…?”
The doctor nodded.
“No stress.
No emotional shock.
No physical strain.”
He left.
Silence filled the room.
Suddenly—
Akira’s fingers moved.
His eyes slowly opened.
“…I heard everything.”
Hanoka froze.
Nitagawa looked up instantly.
Akira’s voice was weak, but firm.
“My condition… it’s worse than that.
Isn’t it.”
Silence.
He turned his head slightly.
“…Don’t stay here because of me.”
His eyes softened faintly.
“If you stay, I’ll feel like I’m holding you back.”
He looked toward Nitagawa.
“…You too.
Go.”
Nitagawa hesitated.
Akira’s voice dropped slightly.
“…I’ll be fine.”
After a long pause—
Nitagawa lowered his head.
“…Idiot.”
Then quietly left the room.
The door closed.
Akira slowly turned his head toward Hanoka.
“…You too.
Go home.”
Hanoka didn’t move.
“School—”
“I don’t care.”
Her voice cut through his words.
“Akira.”
She stood up slowly.
“I’m not leaving.”
Akira’s eyes widened slightly.
“…Hanoka…”
She walked closer.
Her hands were trembling, but her voice was steady.
“Do you know how many times I thought about you these past months?”
A pause.
“I didn’t think about Isamu Sawada.”
Akira froze.
“…What?”
“I thought about you.”
Her voice broke slightly.
“Every time you pushed me away… every time you acted cold… every time you protected me without saying anything…”
She clenched her fists.
“I stayed.”
She looked down at him.
“I don’t care if it’s dangerous.”
“I don’t care if people talk.”
“I don’t care if I lose everything.”
Her voice shook.
“…I love you.”
Silence.
Akira’s eyes widened completely.
“…Hanoka…”
She stepped closer, tears forming.
“I’ve loved you for a long time.”
“Since the day you protected me.”
“I just didn’t understand it before.”
Her breath trembled.
“But I understand it now.”
“I can’t leave you.”
“I won’t leave you.”
Even if it means risking everything.”
She leaned slightly forward.
“…I love you, Akira Tamayama.”
Akira stared at her.
Completely frozen.
His breath hitched.
His voice came out quietly.
“…Hanoka…”
A pause.
Then—
“…I felt the same.”
Her eyes widened.
Akira slowly continued.
“Since the day we started living together…”
“I kept thinking about you.”
“In school… in silence… even when I was alone…”
His hand tightened slightly on the bedsheet.
“I couldn’t stop.”
He looked at her directly now.
“…I always wanted to protect you.”
His voice softened.
“So…”
A long pause.
“…be my girlfriend.”
Hanoka stared at him for a second.
Then smiled through tears.
“…I’d love to.”
Having so much fun writing this.