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❃𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓼𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓪 𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮!❃

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Akira ran a hand over his hair, tied back in a neat bun as he and Huan made their way to the cafeteria for breakfast. It was early, the sun barely cutting through the morning fog, and Akira was still thinking about the wig from last night. He missed it, in a way, but it was nice to have his real hair free again, even if it meant tying it up to keep things neat.

Huan walked beside him, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning ahead. They were almost at the cafeteria when Huan came to an abrupt stop.

"What is it?" Akira asked, glancing at him, confused.

Huan's gaze narrowed as he spotted something through the glass windows of the cafeteria. "Ella's already at the table," he muttered, "and she's talking to... those two."

Akira squinted in the same direction. Sure enough, Ella was at their usual spot, but she wasn't alone. Two girls stood by her, chatting like they knew her well.

"Who are they?" Akira asked.

Huan grimaced. "Ella's crush... and a hell spawn."

Akira raised an eyebrow. "Which one's Ella's crush?"

Huan sighed, nodding at the girl with short, dyed purple hair. "The one with the purple hair. Andrea."

Akira nodded slowly. The other girl, with long black hair and a black dress that seemed far too dramatic for a simple breakfast, stood beside Andrea. "So... why is the other one a hell spawn?"

Huan muttered under his breath, his discomfort obvious. "I don't wanna talk about it..."

Before Akira could ask more, Ella spotted them and waved them over excitedly. Huan cursed softly, shoulders stiffening as he reluctantly led them to the table.

When they got there, Ella was practically glowing with excitement. "Hey, Akira! I want you to meet Andrea and Sofia."

Andrea gave them a casual wave, her smile was easygoing. Her bold eyeliner stoodout with her arms were covered with tattoos and she had alot of piercings, on her ears and nose. She wore a white top and black bell-bottom pants. In short she looked incredable, well at least to Akira, he knows his grandparents would faint, if they saw her. "Hey," she said.

Sofia, on the other hand, was very vain. Her long black hair fell past her shoulders, and her black dress hugged her figure, paired with knee-high stockings. But it wasn't her outfit that struck Akira—it was the way she was eyeing Huan, like she was hungry for his attention.

"Nice to meet you both," Akira said politely, keeping his smile in place even as Sofia's gaze made him uncomfortable on Huan's behalf.

Sofia didn't waste time. She stepped a little closer to Huan, a smirk playing on her lips. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Huan?" she said, her voice dripping with something that made Akira's skin crawl.

Huan, however, barely gave her a glance, focusing on sitting down instead. "Yeah. Sure," he muttered, clearly not in the mood for whatever she was trying to stir up.

Sofia wasn't deterred. "You're looking good," she said, leaning slightly closer, "but then again, you always do."

Akira could practically feel Huan's irritation as he ignored her, grabbing a piece of toast from the plate in front of him. Akira fought back a sigh. The confidence Sofia had... it was something he couldn't help but envy. She was shameless in her flirtation, whereas Akira couldn't even get a word out when it came to his own feelings for Huan.

Huan is my boyfriend...he just doesn't know it yet...

But Sofia wasn't the only one being obvious. Ella was practically beaming every time she glanced at Andrea, who was chatting casually with her like they were old friends. Akira could see it, clear as day—Ella had it bad for Andrea. 

Different people, same boat...

After a few more exchanged pleasantries, Andrea nudged Ella's arm. "We should get going. We'll talk later about the weekend?"

"Yeah, for sure!" Ella said, excited. Andrea smiled and gave a quick wave to the group before turning to leave. Sofia lingered a little longer, her eyes trailing after Huan until Andrea called her over, and she finally walked away with a sly smirk still on her face.

As soon as they were gone, Huan let out a long, exhausted breath, sinking back into his chair. "I wasn't kidding when I said she's a hell spawn," he muttered.

Akira chuckled softly. "You handled it well, at least."

Ella, who had been trying and failing to keep her cool during Andrea's visit, suddenly leaned forward, her voice hushed but excited. "Okay, okay, you guys have to help me with this! I'm going out with Andrea this weekend, and I need backup. Like, this is my first time going out with someone I actually like, and I can't mess this up!"

Akira smiled, happy for her but also a bit unsure. "What do you need us to do?"

Ella looked at him, eyes wide. "Just... come with us! Make it seem like it's a group thing, at least for a while, until I can gauge how things are going. I'll feel so much better if you guys are there."

Akira nodded. He liked the idea of being there to support her, but at the same time, the thought of Sofia being around made him uneasy. Especially with the way she had been looking at Huan. And then there was the bigger question: should he even go? He doesn't know if they consider him a friend? Or worse, what if he couldn't handle seeing Sofia flirt with Huan like that the whole time?

"I'll go," Huan said, surprising Akira. He turned to Akira with a raised eyebrow. "You coming?"

Akira hesitated. He didn't want to seem weak or like he was avoiding the situation just because it made him uncomfortable. But at the same time... Sofia.

"I... yeah, I'll come," he finally said, his voice firm despite his doubts. He wasn't about to back out now.

Ella grinned from ear to ear. "You guys are the best!"

As they finished their breakfast and Ella continued to excitedly talk about her plans, Akira felt so many emotions bubbling inside him. He was happy for Ella, of course. But that strange sense of jealousy and awkwardness lingered in the back of his mind.

And maybe, just maybe, this weekend would be the perfect chance to figure out where he stood with all of this. With Huan, with Huan's past and ith his own feelings.

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And just like that, the weekend crashed right into Akira's face.

He stepped out of the shower, rubbing a towel through his hair as he tried to decide what to do with it. His reflection stared back, his hair damp and tousled, a little wild in the way he liked it but not quite right for today. They were supposed to head out by 12 a.m., and it was only 11—plenty of time, yet he felt like he needed a head start to be ready. He glanced over at Huan, who was seated at his desk, hunched over the Shiji.

It seemed like every after-class practice for the Celestial Trials brought some new issue with the Shiji whenever he tried to use his Tamina-me. It left him wondering, maybe he just shouldn't use it. But then again, how was he supposed to explain that to Huan? He shook the thought off, choosing to focus on something he could control—his hair.

"What hairstyle do you think I should wear?" he asked, reaching for his comb as he glanced back at Huan. He already had his outfit picked out:  a dark red cardigan over a black turtleneck, black pants, and black shoes. It should look nice.

Huan shrugged without looking up from his work. "I don't know. It's your hair..."

"Not very helpful." Akira frowned, but then his face lit up as an idea struck him. "Do you know if Tayla's free?"

Huan looked up briefly, giving a nonchalant nod. "Hmm, I think she's at her dorm room. Ella's probably there too, getting ready."

"Okay, thanks!" Akira said with a grateful smile before slipping out the door. At least some people understood the importance of hair.

Excitement bubbled in Akira's chest as he reached Tayla's dorm, the muffled laughter of voices filtering through the door. He took a steadying breath and knocked lightly before stepping in. Sure enough, Ella, Tayla, and Jiamei were all scattered around the room, each surrounded by their own stash of beauty products and accessories.

"Oh, hey, Akira!" Ella greeted him, a warm smile spreading across her face.

Akira offered a shy smile back, glancing around the room. "I... was wondering if you guys could help me with my hair? I don't really know what to do with it." His fingers brushed through the stands of his hair nervously. "And I can do your makeup in return? I used to do it for my younger sisters... and my cousins, too."

A collective grin passed between the girls, and Tayla patted the chair next to her. "Come on, sit down! We'd love to help."

He sat down, relieved as he felt their welcoming warmth. Jiamei leaned in first, examining his hair thoughtfully. "What if we did multiple small braids on each side?" she suggested, her fingers tracing gentle lines along his scalp. "Then we could gather them and the remaining into one big ponytail—it'd give it texture and some volume."

"Ooh, I like that idea!" Ella chimed in, rifling through her bag. "And we could add some color with clip-on extensions." She held up a small bundle of red and black streaks, already matching his outfit perfectly.

Akira's smile grew wider as he watched them, the sense of ease settling over him. They were actually considering this seriously, treating it like an art form.

Tayla tilted her head, her gaze sharpening with inspiration. "Or... we could add a couple of twists in the front too, just to frame his face. It'd bring out your cheekbones."

Akira nodded, the excitement in his chest growing. "Yes, that sounds great." He could already picture it, each braid, twist, and color coming together to create something unique.

In that moment, surrounded by friends who didn't just put up with his interests but actually celebrated them, Akira felt something he hadn't in ages: freedom. A real kind of freedom—the kind where he didn't have to second-guess himself or worry about fitting in. Here, his passions weren't something to hide; they were something everyone wanted to see, and he could finally relax and just be himself.

He took a steady breath and turned to Ella, who was parked in front of him in her wheelchair, grinning up at him. "Alright," he said, lifting a palette of cool tones that matched her complexion perfectly, "let's make sure you look amazing for Andrea."

Ella chuckled, a light blush dusting her cheeks. "Andrea's probably not even notice," she joked, "but hey, it's worth a try."

The girls laughed, and Akira set to work, brushing on soft eyeshadows and blending in shades of cool orange and pink. The mood felt relaxed, and Akira felt comfortable here, doing something he hadn't done for himself but always loved doing for others.

"So, Ella..." he began, keeping his voice light as he applied mascara to her lashes, "how long have you been into Andrea?"

Ella shrugged, fidgeting with her hands. "Since, like, forever. She's so smart, and she always has these ideas that blow my mind. Plus, she just... I don't know, she's amazing."

"Does she know?" Tayla asked, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Ella's blush deepened. "I think she might... I mean, I'm not exactly subtle."

"Yeah, no kidding," Jiamei said with a chuckle. "The heart eyes kind of give it away."

The girls giggled, and Akira couldn't help but join in. As he moved to grab some blush, he noticed Jiamei watching him thoughtfully.

"What about you, Jiamei? Anyone you like?" he asked, curious.

She shook her head, letting out a soft sigh. "Not really. Most of the guys I grew up with in my clan feel more like brothers. It's hard to see them any other way."

"Brothers, huh?" Akira mused. "Sounds... safe."

Tayla gave him a knowing look. "Safe doesn't mean simple. Marcus and I are practically glued at the hip, but he drives me up the wall sometimes." She paused, laughing softly. "Though, I'm probably just as exhausting for him. We kind of balance each other out, I guess."

Akira blinked, watching the warmth in her eyes as she spoke about Marcus. That balance, the comfort—it made him wonder. Could he and Huan ever be like that? A small ache pressed at his chest, but he brushed it away quickly.

"Finished," he announced, stepping back to admire his work on Ella. "Perfect. You look amazing."

Ella beamed, glancing in the mirror. "Thank you! You're amazing, Akira."

Akira smiled, brushing off the compliment, but something had been itching at the back of his mind. Before he realized what he was saying, the words just slipped out. "How... how did you tell your parents? That you're... you know, you like girls?"

The room went quiet, and Akira's cheeks immediately flared red. The girls exchanged glances, their expressions softening. He wanted to crawl under the bed—he hadn't meant to ask so bluntly. But just as he opened his mouth to apologize, Ella put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," she said warmly. "I have two dads, so telling them was... not exactly hard. They got it right away." She paused, giving him a small smile. "But I know it's not that easy for everyone. Sometimes... parents don't understand, but that doesn't mean they won't. It just... might take time."

Akira felt something pull at his heart. He knew that they all understood what he was asking, and despite his embarrassment, they hadn't pried or pushed. They were trying to keep things normal, trying to ease the knot in his chest.

"Thanks, Ella," he managed, his voice softer now. "I... really appreciate that."

Jiamei, sensing the mood, smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Akira. You're doing great, and hey, if you ever need us... we're here."

"Yeah." Tayla added with her usual composer, giving him a firm pat on the back. "And now it's time for my makeup."

Akira chuckled, rolling his eyes, "Yes, yes, of course."

He gave Tayla and Jiamei quick, personalized looks that had both of them beaming in the mirror. Their excitement was contagious, and Ella, watching with a smirk, couldn't resist speaking up. "Akira, you should do your makeup too! You'd look amazing."

Akira blinked, cheeks tinged with red. "Uh... well, I'm not really supposed to," he murmured. "It's... not exactly encouraged back home."

Jiamei grinned knowingly. "Come on, Akira. You'd rock it. Men in ancient China wore makeup all the time as a mark of elegance and status."

Akira chuckled, blushing deeper. "Not exactly the case in Japan, but... I do like a clean, subtle look."

"Eh?" Jiamei tilted her head, "But you wear nail red polish?"

Tayla's eyes sparkled with an idea as she snapped her fingers. "Red eyeliner! You'd totally pull it off."

Feeling nerves and excitement, Akira nodded bitting his inner cheek. Tayla handed him the eyeliner, and he applied a thin line along his lashes. He looked in the mirror, and a smile crept onto his face. He didn't just like it; he loved it.

This feels amazing.

Ella clapped, grinning. "Akira, you look so good! That color really suits you."

He shrugged with a newfound confidence. "Red has always been my color."

Just as he was about to respond, Tayla's phone buzzed. Her eyes widened. "Oh shoot, it's Marcus! Guys, it's already twelve! We've gotta meet the others, or we'll totally be late!"

Jiamei sprang up from the bed. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

The group scrambled, gathering last-minute essentials as they hurried out, waking fast as they made their way to the main entrance of SSE. Stepping outside, Akira immediately spotted Huan standing against the glass wall. He looked so cute in the white and black baseball jacket with bold blue stripes running down each sleeve. The jacket bore a large embroidered 'S' on one side of the chest, it was an SSE jacket. His black pants had a crisp white stripe along the side, and his white sneakers looked fresh. His hair was artfully tousled, catching the afternoon light, and his deep brown eyes gleamed as the sun reflected off them. Huan looked so good that Akira felt himself staring, momentarily caught up in the sight.

"Hey, you guys look great!" Marcus's voice cut through the daze, snapping Akira back to the present.

Huan's gaze landed on Akira, taking in his look with a faint smile. "Nice hair."

Akira blushed, his ears warming to a shade nearly as bright as the red extensions threaded through his ponytail. "Thanks..."

"So, are we set to go?" Sanji asked, stretching his arms. "I'm dying to get out of this place."

Jimin nodded. "Same. I was hoping to see a bit of Tokyo while we're here."

"Hold up, we still gotta wait for Andrea!" Ella piped up, wheeling herself closer to the group.

Huan pursed his lips, his expression shifting. "Is Sofia coming along too?"

Ella nodded, adjusting her position in her chair. "Yeah, she'll be joining us."

Huan groaned, muttering under his breath. "Whyyy..."

"What's wrong with Sofia?" Jimin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sanji looked even more intrigued. "Better question, who's Sofia?"

Adi, hands casually tucked in his pockets, gave a knowing smirk. "She's the girl who's been obsessed with Huan ever since he saved her from some guys in an alleyway."

"No kidding," Jake chuckled, crossing his arms. "She practically haunted the halls looking for him."

Akira's brows knitted together. "What... what happened in the alley?"

Eddie hesitated for a moment, casting a glance at Huan before explaining. "Some guys tried to kidnap her... They, uh, worked in the adult industry, so... you know."

Huan's jaw tightened as he interjected, his tone slightly defensive. "I saved her because it was the right thing to do. I didn't expect her to start stalking me afterwards."

Eddie gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. "Hey, at least you did a good thing. And she hasn't been that invasive lately, right?"

Sanji's eyes twinkled mischievously as he teased, "Ooh~ seems like you've got a yandere trailing after you, Huan..."

Akira shot a quick look at Huan, fighting a jealous frown. Oh please I could be way creeper if I wasn't a decent person, he thought wryly. I could have like...written my erotic fantasies of him and I, while I watched him sleep at midnight...perhaps in another world...

Huan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever," he muttered, just as Andrea and Sofia arrived. Andrea, dressed in a sharp black trench coat, looked pleasantly surprised but a little confused at the size of the group.

"Ella," she greeted with a smile, glancing around. "Didn't realize you'd be bringing the entire crew along."

Ella's cheeks flushed. "Um... yeah, sorry! I didn't think it'd end up this... big."

Sanji laughed, waving it off casually. "Don't worry, Andrea. Some of us are just along for the ride; we'll split off once we're there."

Sofia, however, seemed focused solely on Huan. With a bright smile, she immediately stepped forward, attempting to link her arm with his. "Huan! Isn't it amazing we're going together? This is going to be so much fun!"

But Huan deftly slipped his arm away, moving just out of her grasp. In a smooth, quick motion, he reached over and grabbed Akira's arm instead. "Actually, we all need to get moving if we want to catch that speedrail," he said, his voice carrying just enough urgency. "We're going to miss it if we don't hurry!"

Akira's cheeks warmed as Huan's hand lingered on his arm. He managed a small smile, feeling a thrill at Huan's quick choice to pull him close instead of Sofia. "Right, the speedrail," he echoed, nodding.

"Let's go, people!" Marcus called, ushering the group forward with a grin.

They all picked up their pace, winding their way through the bustling streets of Tokyo under the bright afternoon sun. Towering buildings loomed above, their sleek surfaces gleaming with shifting holographic ads and messages in vibrant shades of blue, red, and gold. Drones flitted, delivering parcels and broadcasting soft, rhythmic music that seemed to blend with the distant hum of magnetic rails above.

Along the wide pedestrian walkways, people moved swiftly, some accompanied by android assistants, while others stopped to inspect the floating market stalls selling everything from rare tech gadgets to artisan street food. The air carried the wonderful scents — sizzling takoyaki, taiyaki, and the tang of ozone from the passing speedrail overhead.

The station entrance was visible just a few blocks ahead, its archway shimmering with digital signs displaying arrival times and routes. As they neared, Akira felt the warmth of Huan's hand on his arm, the contact steadying him flustered out of his mind.

As they walked, Huan glanced over at Akira, his expression curious. "Have you ever been around Tokyo much? Or other places outside?"

Akira hesitated, catching his breath. "Not really, no," he admitted. "I don't go out much... outside the estate, I mean. My family doesn't travel unless it's for clan gatherings or something important." He thought back, his gaze drifting toward the bright neon signs glimmering above them. "When I was younger, though, my mother used to take me and my sisters out sometimes. We'd slip away from the estate and find nearby street vendors. She loved the little shops, the food stands. Those were some of the best days." A gentle smile formed on his lips as he remembered, but it quickly faded as darker memories surfaced. He pushed them down, forcing himself to focus on the present, on Huan beside him.

He suddenly realized he didn't actually know where they were going. "Wait, where... where are we headed, exactly?"

Huan grinned, his eyes gleaming in the midday sun. "The mall. Thought it'd be a good place for Ella and Andrea to spend time together. Plus, there's something there for everyone." He nudged Akira lightly, his tone teasing. "And who knows? Maybe you'll find something for yourself too."

Akira felt his cheeks warm, but he nodded, a small smile breaking through as he glanced up at the skyscrapers around them. This was different from any outing he'd ever had, and with Huan guiding him, it felt almost like he was seeing the world for the first time.

I am having such a great time!

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We all wanna go shopping too but...

Akira, about be Huan's wallet.