"Okay!" someone yelled. "Let's play Truth or Dare!"
The words that have ruined peaceful friendships and started chaos since the beginning of time.
Of course, Hinata was the first to clap and sit in the center like a gremlin summoning drama.
"We're doing it!" she grinned. "No skipping turns. No backing out. If you say 'truth,' be honest. If you say 'dare,' be brave."
I looked around.
Everyone was into it.
Even Rei looked amused.
And Shinbou? Well, he was in the corner sipping soda like he'd already made 10 emotional backups in case something exploded.
---
The bottle spun.
First victim: Rei.
Hinata smirked. "Truth or Dare?"
"Truth," Rei said smoothly.
"Do you have a crush on anyone in this room?"
Gasps.
I froze.
Rei glanced at me.
Then, with a tiny smirk:
> "Yes."
He didn't say who.
But now half the class was whispering.
And I wanted to sink through the floor.
---
Next spin.
Hinata.
"Dare!" she said instantly.
"Text your crush and say you dreamt about them last night."
"Oh please," Hinata grinned, already typing. "I'll even add sparkles."
---
Spin.
Kuroyuki.
Oh no.
Hinata practically rubbed her hands together. "Truth or dare, Yuki?"
I looked at Rei. Then at Shinbou.
Then at everyone staring.
"…Truth."
"What do you think of Aizawa Rei?"
My soul left my body.
"I— I think he's… loud. And… confident. And nice. And kind of annoying. In a weirdly charming way."
Rei leaned back, looking very pleased with himself.
I, on the other hand, was dying.
---
Spin again.
It landed on Shinbou.
Everyone turned.
He looked up from his drink slowly. "…Truth."
"Have you ever liked someone who doesn't remember you?"
Dead silence.
Even Hinata looked surprised.
Shinbou blinked once.
Then looked directly at me.
And said,
> "Yes."
My throat tightened.
The others laughed it off, already moving on.
But my hands were cold.
Because he hadn't laughed.
---
Later, as the game continued, the bottle landed on Rei again.
"Dare!"
Someone said: "Sit beside the person you like for the rest of the game."
Rei stood up without hesitation…
And sat right next to me.
"Hi again, Yuki," he whispered.
From across the circle, Shinbou stared at the carpet.
Not saying a word.
But that look…
It said more than the entire game.