For some reason, in these past few days, Ren feels ominous feelings following him, especially in school. At certain times he can sense someone drilling a hole in the back of his head. And when he turns around he often finds Kaito, intensely glaring at him as if he just wronged him in a way. 

Though, Ren isn’t sure where he’s wrong. Why is Kaito suddenly mad at him?

Now, he has to find him, he has no choice since Nakamura sensei asked him, but still, Ren isn't comfortable dragging Kaito from whatever he might be doing right now.

He was okay to do the class chores, absent recap, distributing exam results, whatever but Ren couldn’t believe sensei also makes him deal with troublesome kids. Kaito, that emo kid is someone Ren doesn't wish to be involved with. He doubts there’s even a single topic both of them can mutually converse. Heck, based on their different personalities and their views about school it’s fortunate that both of them haven’t clashed with each other yet. Both of them are simply the opposite poles of the magnet. If Ren wants to maintain his peaceful, organised, controlled, and bright school life - he believes he should stay away from the rebel kid like Kaito.

This task should be up to his closest friends; Yuuta, Asahi, Haruki, or Masao. At least they won't be scared of Kaito like the other kids. Especially with the rumour circulating around the school that Kaito often gets involved in a brawl fight and is unhesitant to beat up kids from other schools. It's also said that Kaito is a secret member of an underground gang and even Yakuza have an eye for him. As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s not completely baseless. Kaito is indeed a trained martial artist. After all, he is the captain of the Karate club.

Not the usual Karate they taught in usual school. But Kaito specialises in Kyokushin Karate. 

Widely regarded as a brutal karate system where students and competitors perform bare-knuckle fighting without wearing any protective gear.

Ren heard the club was established in this school not long ago - exactly last year by Kaito himself. The school originally opposed it since Kyokushin is a dangerous style and high risk of serious injury. But Kaito somehow succeeds in convincing the school committee with an agreement to keep following the tournament rules; such as never teaching to strike in the head. The school also couldn’t ignore Kaito’s talent as he made the name of the school with his victories in a few tournaments.

Ren walks into the school’s hall of glory where they display cabinets full of trophies and medals from students’ achievements in various fields. One of the biggest goblets belongs to Kaito from the Kyokushin World Tournament Open which is only arranged every four years. And another one on its side from the national league which is only held once a year.

The teachers and students often consider Ren as their school’s pride according to the number of trophies and medals he won. But, little do they know, that’s happened only because swimming competitions are held more frequently and available at various levels; between schools in the same prefecture, between prefectures, national to asian’s championship - but never once Ren won in the world league like Kaito. 

Martial arts championships couldn't be held by amateurs - a lot of things need to be prepared; the organisers and participants alike. And more importantly, Ren is sure training for martial arts requires more blood, sweat and tears than his swimming. The amount of grit, self-discipline and bone-breaking training to endure until reaching a black belt like Kaito is something that normal people would never understand. Even an adult need at least 4 years to earns black belt, but Kaito not even 20.

Ren thought Kaito has his own amazing aspect, only unfortunately overshadowed by him.

Just if Kaito puts in a bit of effort in his school grade, people perhaps would acknowledge him more. “It must be nice to never think about others but himself, huh?”

The Dojo itself is located in a separate building. Outside the main building, Ren needs to walk across the school field, down to the school’s entrance, right before the gate - on the excess land of the school’s facility where it’s still unconcreted and the grass thrives, right under the cherry blossom tree - a traditional wooden-made training hall built on the tilts.

Another rumour said Kaito’s family has a big contribution to building this Dojo. Ren assumes his family must be quite supportive. After all, their son becomes the first one to establish Kyokushin as a school club in this prefecture. There’s no reason for them to not be proud.

“Making me walk all the way here…what a hassle…” Ren brushes his sticking bangs. It’s only spring but he is already sweating profusely with how intense the sun is. He itches to take off his sweater, yet he refrains himself as the sweater is part of the winter uniform and taking off it with only the white shirt on would turn his uniform into a summer model which is only regularly allowed to start on June 1st. Though, considering the unpredictable weather due to global warming nowadays, the school never punished the students for such trivial matters anymore. Yet, still, breaking the rule just does not suit Ren. As a model student, he has an obligation to stick with the rule at least.

Arriving at the Dojo, he doesn’t find anyone around. As expected since there should be no training schedule today. The bamboo sliding door is also tightly closed. Ren is a bit reluctant to step his foot inside. He heard that they wipe the floor to the point they are sparkling as part of the disciplined training. Not wanting to give anyone trouble, Ren takes a detour to the back of the Dojo. 

He makes the right decision since he finds the boy he’s been looking for. Lying on his back while using his arm as a pillow. Kaito sleeps peacefully on the porch with only his T-shirt on. 

For a couple of seconds, Ren is seething to find a guy who causes him to walk so far from class, on this hot day, now obviously sleeping thoughtlessly as if he’s in his own bedroom. “What are you coming to school for…” he hisses, talking to the waving grass.

But then, seeing a rare sight of defenceless Kaito - sleeping without covering his face unlike when he’s in the class - Ren can’t help but gawk at his face. Skin as white as raw tofu. Long lashes, thick eyebrows that framed his usual sharp gaze, straight hair all black jet, contrast with his skin. His hair appears a tad long but when he slightly tilts his head to the side, it’s clear he’s having a two-block haircut under the fringe. The two-block haircut is banned in school, but if it’s Kaito no one would be surprised anymore. 

From this close, Ren also notices that Kaito is taller than him. Though Ren has been a swimmer since he was a child, it doesn't make him become the tallest in class, he’s just genetically born with an average height. 

Not just that, Kaito also has a more athletic body proportion and more muscle mass than him. Unconsciously, Kaito trashed around while slipping his other hand inside his shirt and rubbing his belly contently. Exposing his toned abs like a sculpted statue of the Greek god. Ren touches his own stomach - he only has 4 but Kaito got 6 of them perfectly. His swimming instructor said after thorough body measurement that Ren can not be too ‘ripped’ since too much muscle will limit his movements, he needs to keep his body light and flexible - just enough routine fitness to maintain his stamina and the other muscle he gains now is mostly the result from being in the pool for a long time. 

But Kaito clearly has been training his body to get those muscles alone. Ren once witnessed the Dojo members train while standing on one foot for hours like a sleeping flamingo, then continue throwing jabs while holding iron barbells for another hour. Ren can’t fathom the cruciating pain they would endure at night before going to bed. He has a lot of respect for them, truly.

“Aren’t you staring too long?” a gravely low voice brings Ren back from his drifting thought. His wide pupils immediately meet Kaito’s bleary ones. Obsidian eyes stare lazily at him with a subtle smirk that blooms smugly in a teasing manner. He’s clearly not fully awake.

/What’s with that expression? Stone-faced Kaito can also make that kind of expression?/

Ren is stupefied. The time temporarily stops as no one makes a move except the coincidental gush of wind that blows over the cherry blossom tree, sending the pale pink petals fluttering down between the lingering silence. Wingless butterflies flew along with the ones inside Ren’s stomach - tenderly dancing with a strike of strange feeling within him, causing him to breathe in pink.

/The hell with this drama-like scene? Can’t the author be more cliche?/ - Grumbles inwardly, Ren tries to give himself a bit of a mental shake. Shrugs off the fleeting thought, he reminds himself his purpose is coming all the way here.

And that moment is when the bouquet of fireworks has been lit as well as the explosion of glorious confetti when two budding leaves begin to be fully bloomed in blossoming spring.