By lunch, of course, the secret didn't last.
Fumiko and Sakura spotted Yu fiddling with his new necklace, the silver star glinting whenever it caught the light. They squealed so loud the whole classroom turned.
"OH MY GOD, YU-CHAN—so romantic!!"
Sakura clasped her hands together, nearly vibrating.
Fumiko leaned across the desk, eyes sparkling.
"He gave you jewelry again?! It's basically screaming a proposal!"
Yu's face flushed crimson as he waved his hands.
"N-no! It's not—it's just a necklace—"
Souma strolled by, smirking.
"Taichi, you sly bastard. You actually pulled it off."
Taichi grunted, yanking his beanie lower to hide his red ears.
"Shut up before I deck you."
Yamato raised a brow, deadpan as always.
"Bold of you to think you'll survive the girls' interrogation."
Right on cue, Sakura and Fumiko leaned toward Taichi like detectives, firing questions:
"When did you get it?"
"Why a star?"
"Did you plan it long?"
Taichi choked out.
"I—it was nothing special—!"
Meanwhile, Haruka breezed in with a bright smile, holding out little heart-shaped packages.
"Here! Friendship chocolates for everyone~"
She handed them to Yu, Taichi, Souma, Yamato, Sakura, and Fumiko in turn. Sakura immediately hugged her, declaring her "the true MVP of Valentine's."
The chatter swirled light and sweet, laughter bouncing between them. Yu touched the pendant at his chest again, smiling shyly. The weight of Taichi's gift felt like an anchor and a promise, even as their friends' voices filled the air.
---
Yu and Taichi's evening had begun so innocently. Just two boys curled under a blanket, the television's glow painting their faces in soft hues while a romantic movie whispered across the room. The studio apartment was small, cozy, their private little world against the cold outside.
At first, it was only the warmth of their sides pressing together, the occasional brush of Yu's pale hand along Taichi's sleeve. But Yu shifted — tilted his head, eyes shy but glowing — and pressed the lightest kiss to Taichi's lips.
Taichi froze for a heartbeat, stunned at Yu's boldness. But then his chest ached, too full, and he bent in return, deepening it.
One kiss became another. Then another. Until all the space between them was gone.
The blanket slipped down their shoulders as Yu, with a little whimper, climbed onto Taichi's lap, straddling him like he was the only safe place left in the world. Taichi's big hands slid automatically to Yu's slim hips, steadying him, but then holding tighter, needing to feel him.
Their mouths moved with hungry rhythm, breaths mingling. Yu's thighs trembled as they closed around Taichi's waist. Instinct took over Taichi's body, his hips jerked upward, pressing against Yu's heat.
The gasp that fell from Yu's lips nearly undid him. A sound too sweet, too innocent, yet full of want.
Taichi grunted, tried to slow down, but Yu kissed him harder. His small fingers curled into Taichi's shoulders, pulling him closer, and Taichi gave in just long enough to rut gently between Yu's thighs. The rhythm made Yu moan softly, breathless, his name tumbling over and over against Taichi's mouth.
"Taichi. Taichi—hah! Taichi, ah!"
Taichi answered with low, guttural sounds, grunts that vibrated from his chest, the occasional husky whisper of—
"Yu…"
or
"Baby…"
—Between kisses. Each grind of his hips was clumsy, desperate, more emotion than control.
The heat coiled fast. Taichi's rhythm stuttered as shivers racked his body, release rushing through him. He clutched Yu tightly, forehead pressed to Yu's shoulder, groaning through it.
Yu shivered too, though his body—his soul—craved more, his lips searching blindly for another kiss. His small hands tugged at his own hem, trying to pull his shirt up— to bare himself, to invite Taichi closer.
But Taichi caught his wrists firmly, chest heaving.
"No… not yet."
His voice was hoarse, trembling.
"If I start now, Yu… I won't be able to stop myself."
Yu blinked, flushed, aching, but softened at the fierce restraint in Taichi's eyes.
So Taichi kissed his forehead instead, tender, reverent, while fighting to catch his breath. He pushed himself up and stumbled toward the bathroom to steady his pounding heart.
Yu lay sprawled on the couch, lips swollen, body warm and trembling with want and hunger. Unsatisfied, yes — but safe. Loved. Cherished. He knew Taichi's holding back wasn't rejection, it was protection. And that made Yu's chest glow with happiness.
By the time Taichi returned, hair damp from splashing cold water, Yu had cleaned up, shut off the TV and settled into their bed. His face turned away, feigning sleep.
With a sigh, Taichi slid under the blanket, wrapped an arm around Yu's waist, and pulled him against his chest.
Yu turned just enough to nestle closer, sighing in contentment at the beat of Taichi's heart under his ear. Their bodies tangled naturally, still humming from passion, but now softened into warmth.
Together, they drifted to sleep.
---
The whirlwind of chocolates, blushing confessions, and laughter faded quickly. After Valentine's Day, the atmosphere in school shifted as though someone had thrown a heavy blanket over the halls. Chatter dimmed. Laughter softened. Students were no longer gossiping about couples, Yu's confession, or Isuke's departure—they were bent over books, practice tests, and notebooks, all of them consumed by the looming final exams.
But unlike before—when even a pop quiz would send Yu into a spiral—he wasn't afraid. Not this time. He had Taichi beside him, a partner with a sharp memory that could recall entire textbooks as if he'd just flipped through them. And he had his circle of friends, all of them committed to making sure Yu succeeded.
Each study session became less about anxiety and more about shared warmth. Fumiko Fujimori and Sakura Sato made the atmosphere playful, rewarding every right answer with sweets. Haruka Minami drilled Yu on tricky points with patient precision. Souma Satou and Yamato Yamada, rowdy as ever, turned quiz games into competitions that made Yu laugh until his stomach hurt.
And then there was Taichi. Always steady, always firm, sometimes gruff when Yu pouted or tried to dodge a problem, but never letting him fall behind. Yu found that when he studied in Taichi's presence, everything was easier. Concepts that had once been terrifying untangled themselves when Taichi explained them. Even when Yu stumbled, Taichi's rough encouragement carried him through.
Sometimes, in quieter moments, Yu would glance up from his notes to see Taichi already watching him—his lips curved in the faintest smile, his green eyes warm. It made Yu's heart flutter and his cheeks warm, but instead of breaking his concentration, it steadied him.
Studying wasn't just work anymore. It was laughter, companionship, and the warm glow of being surrounded by people who believed in him. With Taichi's hand brushing against his, with friends cheering him on, Yu no longer felt like the fragile outsider he had once been.
He felt like he belonged.
---
The final exams came. The tension across the school was thick enough to touch—quiet classrooms, pencils scratching, every student locked in their own private battle.
Yu, though nervous, felt different this time. He remembered Taichi's steady voice, Fumiko's encouragement, Sakura's playful rewards, Haruka's drills, Souma and Yamato's competitions. And most of all, he remembered the warmth of Taichi's hand brushing his when he felt overwhelmed.
When the results were finally posted on the board, the crowd swarmed to see.
First place: Yukio Hokohayashi.
Second place: Taichi Arifukua.
No one was surprised at Yu's standing anymore—it had become natural, expected. But for Yu, seeing his name at the very top still made his chest swell with disbelief and pride.
Taichi smirked and bumped his shoulder.
"See? Told you."
Sakura and Fumiko squealed, wrapping him in a proud hug.
Haruka smiled knowingly, nodding like a teacher who had expected nothing less.
Souma and Yamato whooped, declaring it was time for a proper celebration.
Yu blushed crimson under all the attention, clinging to Taichi's sleeve. But this time, he didn't try to hide or downplay his achievement. Instead, surrounded by his friends and the boy he loved, he let himself bask in it.
---
The results had barely been posted for five minutes before Souma and Yamato dragged everyone out of the school gates, declaring an emergency "victory celebration" for Yu.
They ended up at a cozy family restaurant nearby, laughter spilling across the booth as they ordered way too much food.
Fumiko Fujimori and Sakura Sato wouldn't stop teasing Yu, pinching his cheeks and calling him their "genius baby."
Haruka Minami sat beside him with quiet pride, offering little congratulations that made Yu feel warm inside.
Souma and Yamato turned everything into a competition again, from who could drink their soda the fastest to who could eat the most fried chicken.
Taichi mostly watched—smiling, smirking, nudging Yu whenever he got too overwhelmed by the attention. He didn't say much, but his presence was grounding.
By the time dessert came, Yu was nearly hiding in his scarf, red to the ears, but he couldn't stop smiling. It wasn't just the test score. It was being here. Surrounded. Celebrated. Safe.
---
After everyone parted ways, Yu and Taichi walked home together in the crisp evening air. The night was quieter, and without the rowdy noise of their friends, Yu leaned into Taichi's side, their joined hands hidden in Taichi's coat pocket.
"You did it."
Taichi said finally, voice low, almost reverent.
Yu ducked his head.
"I… I didn't do it alone."
Taichi stopped walking. When Yu looked up, he found Taichi staring at him with an intensity that made his heart race.
"You would've, Yu. With or without me. But I'm glad I was here. I'm glad I get to see you like this—confident, smiling… proud."
Yu's eyes blurred, his chest tight in that way that was both overwhelming and wonderful. Before he could stop himself, he threw his arms around Taichi, burying his face into his chest.
"I'm proud because of you…"
Yu mumbled against him.
"Because you're with me."
Taichi's arms tightened instantly, crushing and protective. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss into Yu's hair, holding him as though he never planned to let go.
They stayed like that under the dim glow of the streetlamp, the world reduced to just the two of them—Yu's trembling vulnerability, Taichi's unshakable warmth—and when they finally started walking again, their hands never parted.
---
Winter passed in fragments of warmth and laughter.
On snowbound mornings, Yu clung tightly to Taichi's arm as they shuffled across the ice to meet their friends in the park. Souma and Yamato turned snowball fights into full-blown wars, while Sakura and Fumiko squealed over snow angels. Yu, however, barely left Taichi's side. His steps were unsteady, his scarf tucked high, his pale hair dusted with frost like spun glass. Every stumble earned him a steadying hand from Taichi, who teased him gently but never once let him fall.
At night, their tiny apartment became a haven. The heater hummed softly, cocoa steamed in chipped mugs, and Yu crocheted with quiet concentration under the glow of the desk lamp. Taichi sprawled across the couch behind him, eyes half-lidded, drifting off to the soft hum of Yu's voice. Sometimes their friends stopped by—Haruka with baked treats, Sakura and Fumiko armed with shopping bags, Souma and Yamato laughing as they dragged Taichi into pick-up basketball matches in the snow. But always, it circled back to the two of them, together, cocooned against the cold.
And then, as if overnight, the seasons shifted.
By March, the snow receded, leaving the earth damp and the air alive with the first hints of green. The cherry blossom trees swelled with tight buds, ready to burst. On their walks to school, Yu still clung to Taichi's hand, but the reason had changed. It wasn't fear anymore—it was want.
Taichi noticed, of course. He always noticed. And though he still had his sharp edges, he softened in these moments, chuckling low when Yu's shy fingers curled tighter around his own.
The school's chatter turned toward the end of the year. Exams were finished, the air was lighter, yet bittersweet. The closing ceremony loomed only weeks away, and the corridors buzzed with the melancholy excitement of goodbyes and fresh starts.
Yu often caught himself pausing to take it all in. Just twelve months ago, he had walked these same halls trembling, isolated, and afraid. Now, spring air filled his lungs, his hand was firmly twined with Taichi's, and his friends' laughter surrounded him like sunlight.
It felt almost unreal. Like stepping into a dream he wasn't sure he deserved—but one he never wanted to wake from.
---
As March warmed the air, Yu and Taichi found more excuses to slip away together.
They spent afternoons beneath budding cherry blossom trees, Yu leaning against Taichi's side with his notebook in hand while Taichi pretended to nap. Sometimes they sat on the school rooftop, trading bento bites in silence, the wind tugging Yu's hair loose. Even walking home felt different now—lighter, brighter, with Yu openly clinging to Taichi's arm, no longer shy of the eyes around them.
These little moments stitched together something profound. It wasn't just romance—it was life, shared.
---
Then, quickly arrived, the closing ceremony.
The gymnasium was filled with the smell of polished floors and spring air wafting through half-open windows. Rows of students sat in uniform, their chatter hushed by the significance of the day.
Teachers spoke of achievements, of the year gone by, of the years still to come. Applause rippled, then quieted, then rose again.
Yu sat in the front with his class, hands folded tightly in his lap. The weight of the moment pressed on him:
How far he had come, the friends he had gained, the love he had found. Just months ago, he never could have imagined himself here, smiling as the petals outside began to fall.
When the ceremony ended and students spilled out into the courtyard, cherry blossoms danced on the breeze. Sakura and Fumiko pulled Yu into a hug, crying that their baby had grown. Yamato and Souma clapped Taichi on the back, already planning one last game before break. Haruka snapped pictures, laughing softly.
And then Yu found Taichi's hand, warm and steady amid the bustle.
"One year's over."
Yu whispered.
"Yeah."
Taichi said, his voice rough but fond.
"But it's just the start for us."
The bell rang one final time, echoing through the spring air. Yu squeezed Taichi's hand, the petals swirling around them like confetti, and for the first time, he didn't feel like a stranger in this life.
He felt home.
---
However, just because the first year of high school had ended, didn't mean the group of friends didn't stop hanging out. With springs warm breeze, it only increased their outings especially to Park Hanami for cherry blossom viewing.
The group spread picnic blankets beneath the blooming cherry blossoms, their laughter mingling with the chatter of other families and students out enjoying the season.
Yu sat nestled against Taichi, nibbling on homemade treats Sakura and Fumiko had prepared. His white hair shimmered beneath the falling petals, and Taichi kept brushing stray blossoms from it, smirking each time Yu pouted.
Souma and Yamato had an impromptu wrestling match for the last skewer of dango, knocking over half the drinks in the process.
Haruka snapped dozens of pictures—especially of Yu and Taichi together, which she declared were "so disgustingly couple-y it hurt."
Yu's cheeks burned, but when Taichi squeezed his hand beneath the blanket, he smiled and leaned in closer.
---
One afternoon, the group tried bowling.
Taichi dominated the game with strike after strike, much to Yamato and Souma's annoyance.
Yu's first attempt sent the ball rolling so slowly it stopped halfway down the lane. The others laughed until Taichi stepped up behind him, guiding his arms. With Taichi's hands on his waist and their fingers laced over the ball, Yu managed a respectable score.
Later, they crammed into a karaoke room. Yu, flushed, only meant to hum quietly this time, but the others quickly pushed him to take the mic. When his clear, angelic voice filled the space, the whole room stilled so Sakura and Fumiko could record—until Souma broke it by shouting.
"Our princess has the voice of a goddess! Please release an album!"
The girls squealed, Taichi chuckled, and Yu buried his face in his hands, embarrassed but glowing.
---
Not every day was busy. Some were soft and quiet.
Yu and Taichi wandered the streets in casual clothes, stopping for seasonal sakura-flavored ice cream. Yu always dripped a little, and Taichi wiped it from his lip with his thumb before licking it off, making Yu sputter with scandalized blushes.
They sat on park benches watching children play, the sound of laughter and the warmth of the sun surrounding them. For once, the world felt still and safe.
---
As the week wound down, the group gathered one last time, watching the sun set behind the cherry blossoms. They teased, reminisced, and promised to make more memories in the coming school year.
Yu leaned into Taichi's side, heart full, realizing that for the first time since arriving in this world, the shadows of fear and doubt had loosened their grip. He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was living.
---
Three years passed in what felt like the blink of an eye.
Seasons shifted, exams came and went, and through it all, Yu and Taichi remained side by side. They weren't simply a couple anymore—they were an institution. The kind of bond whispered about in hallways, admired from afar, and envied by many.
Yu's soft warmth and Taichi's unshakable presence fit together like two halves of a single soul. The girls who gathered the courage to confess to Taichi always walked away empty-handed, their cheeks burning, their hearts unbroken only because they had expected his rejection all along. Yu, meanwhile, was shielded on every side—not only by Taichi's watchful gaze, but by the loyalty of their circle of friends. No one dared to touch him, and no one dared to try.
They became known as the "legendary soul mates," the couple who had survived everything—rumors, rivals, even shadows darker than most could imagine. Their love didn't falter; it deepened. Other couples tried to imitate them, to become the next great romance of the school, but most ended in days, too fragile to last against time. Yu and Taichi endured.
And then, just like that, high school came to an end.
The final closing ceremony arrived, petals drifting across the schoolyard like a curtain call. Yu sat straight-backed in his seat, Taichi at his side, both of them quiet in a way that carried the weight of years behind them. When the bell tolled for the last time, it was not an ending, but a promise of what came next.
The world opened to them—colleges, futures, choices.
The ceremony ended with the ringing of the bell, but none of them were ready to part just yet.
Outside the school gates, the group clustered together one last time in their uniforms, the cherry blossoms falling like confetti. Sakura and Fumiko clung to Yu, crying loudly that their "baby was all grown up." Yu blushed furiously, laughing through the tears as they dabbed at their mascara with tissues. Haruka snapped picture after picture, insisting these would be "memories for life."
Yamato and Souma were loud as always, tossing their caps into the air, only to scramble when they landed on the roof. Taichi just rolled his eyes, slipping an arm around Yu's waist and pulling him close.
"High school's finally over."
He muttered, but his voice carried a fond weight.
Yu leaned into him, overwhelmed but warm. Around them, their friends joked, teased, and promised they'd all meet again soon, even if college paths would scatter them. It wasn't really goodbye—it was just the end of one chapter.
Fumiko Fujimori and Sakura Sato, their grades solid but not dazzling, had already secured places in a beautician's course at C College, eager to chase their dreams of fashion and beauty.
Yamato Yamada and Souma Satou were both swept into C College as well, riding the strength of their basketball scholarships, grinning at the thought of sticking together on the court.
Only Haruka Minami had barely managed entry into A College, clutching her scholarship with fierce pride.
And Yu and Taichi? They had claimed the top without question—first and second in the school, awarded full rides to A College. Their names, once whispered with envy and admiration, now carried the weight of achievement as much as love.
Eighteen, nineteen now, they stood on the edge of something new. High school was behind them. College awaited. And for Yu, who had once trembled just walking these halls, it was almost unbelievable that this was his life now—hand in hand with Taichi, their future spread wide before them.
---
The months passed quickly, spring folding into summer, and then a new beginning arrived.
Yu and Taichi found themselves stepping onto the campus of A College, their next stage in life.
Yu, inspired by Sakura and Fumiko, had chosen the beautician course. He remembered how makeup and fashion had given him courage when he needed it most, how it let him shine despite fear, and he wanted to do the same for others. His eyes lit up when he talked about changing lives with brushes and colors, and though shy, he felt a growing sense of purpose.
Taichi, ever pragmatic, pursued a dual major in business and economics. It wasn't glamorous, but it was steady—and for someone who once only lived day to day, the thought of building something long-term with Yu at his side gave him determination he had never known before.
Their friends weren't far—Fumiko, Sakura, Yamato, and Souma all started at C College, buzzing with excitement about their new lives. Even Haruka Minami was close by, having barely scraped into A College on a scholarship.
The stage was set. A new campus, new faces, new challenges. And though Yu still clung to Taichi's hand as they walked the unfamiliar paths, there was no trembling anymore. Only a steady warmth, the kind born from years of love tested and strengthened.
---
Moving in together wasn't just symbolic—it was official.
Yu's studio apartment became theirs, Taichi's name inked onto the lease. His old apartment, untouched since his first year of high school, had to be dealt with first.
When they unlocked the door, the smell of dust hit them like a wave. The place was dark, stale, filled with boxes and clutter that time had abandoned. Yu sneezed almost immediately, tugging his sleeve up to cover his nose.
"It's like a time capsule."
Yu whispered, brushing his fingers over the desk layered in gray.
Taichi sighed, dragging a hand through his hair.
"More like a landfill. We're gonna need days."
And they did. It took three full days of scrubbing, airing out, and sorting through Taichi's old life before they could hand the keys over. Some memories were harder than others—old uniforms, scraps of notebooks, even pictures that carried the weight of years Taichi would rather forget. But Yu was there for each moment, quiet when he needed space, steady when he faltered.
By the time the apartment was ready for rent, it felt like a chapter had been closed for good.
---
Their first year at A College began like stepping into a new world.
Yu was radiant, finding his footing in the beautician's course. Makeup brushes became wands in his hands, his skill surprising even himself. The more he worked, the more confident he became—he dressed boldly now, feminine and delicate, walking with a grace that turned heads.
Taichi, meanwhile, dove into his business and economics dual major. His classes were grueling, but he thrived in their structure, his focus sharp, his determination ironclad.
Still, even in their separate courses, they gravitated back to each other. At lunch, at night, always—two halves orbiting the same center.
---
One Saturday, Taichi sat cross-legged on the couch, reading with a small smile curving his lips. His phone buzzed, and Taichi glanced over.
My Angel Yu❤️: ✨️I'm going to the mall with the girls today.🤗🤗 Don't wait up for lunch.❤️😘🐰
Taichi frowned, scowling at the message as if it had personally insulted him. He typed, erased, then finally tossed his phone aside with a low growl.
Jealousy gnawed at him, unreasonable but undeniable. Before long, he found himself tugging on a hoodie and slipping out the door.
By the time he arrived at the mall, he told himself it was coincidence. Just a stroll. Nothing suspicious. He wandered, pretended to browse, before ducking into a familiar shop—one Yu loved to visit.
And there he was.
Yu stood in front of a rack of pastel dresses, his pale hair catching the fluorescent lights, his skirt swaying gently around his knees. He was smiling, cheeks dusted pink, holding a blouse against himself in thought.
But what caught Taichi's eye—and made his chest tighten—wasn't the clothes.
It was the man standing beside Yu, holding his jacket and a bundle of cute outfits in his arms. Clothes Taichi instantly recognized as Yu's style, clothes Yu undoubtedly planned to buy.
Taichi's hands curled into fists in his hoodie pocket, a storm already rising.