Afterwards, they walked through the school hall with no particular aim. Classes had ended for the day and there wasn't anyone in sight besides the two of them. They talked for a bit about themselves. Most of it was Shuri asking Hana questions. When Hana tried asking in kind, Shuri often just redirected him. He was clearly a little evasive- wary, even- but was so polite and good-natured that one couldn't hold it against him. 

"So, you felt it as well, right?" Shuri said. "The two of us..."

"You're an alpha, right?" Hana asked.

"Mm. And you're my omega."

Hana flushed. "Y-your...!"

"There's no need to mince words, right? After all, you want to be with me too?"

Of course, Hana thought. The attraction was so strong it was almost suffocating.

"You can be more honest with me from now on. Let's do our best."

Hana nodded. They reached the end of the corridor when both of them suddenly stopped. The exact same thing was on both of their minds. After a minute, Shuri took hold of Hana's chin and leaned down.

Hana shut his eyes. Only, nothing happened.

When he opened them again, Shuri was smiling and shaking his head. "Maybe not."

"Wait, why not?"

"You looked like you were in pain. I'm not an animal, Hana. I'd rather you not make a face like that when we share such an intimate moment."

God. Hana had been wanting to feel those lips of his the moment he saw them. But he was too prideful to ask for it, and now the chance was gone.

"You're pouting," Shuri remarked.

"I'm not. And I wasn't in pain or whatever, I was just nervous. I wanted it too..."

"No, I think it's better like this. Let's get to know each other first, alright?"

He grumbled. "You're kind of annoying..."

"Truly?"

"Well..."

They both laughed. 

Their houses were nearby but in completely opposite directions. They stood at the school entrance, lingering by each other's side. Hana had a feeling Shuri was thinking of walking him home. But it was their first encounter, and Shuri hesitated to seem overbearing. Not that Hana would have minded.

"I'll...see you tomorrow, then?" Hana ventured.

"I'll wait for you there," Shuri said. He was looking at one of the older cherry blossom trees just beyond the school gate. It was so aged that the bark was greying and the leaves had a bit of a pallor to them. Still, in the spring, it bloomed just as beautifully as its peers, if not more than.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll wait for you there, and if you come by a bit early we can talk a little before class starts. Every day..."

"Like recess before class?"

"Sounds strange when you put it that way, but yeah," Shuri laughed. 

Hana couldn't the sound of it out of his head. Even when he got home and was soaked in his tub, the sound and scent of Shuri overwhelmed him. He entered Nagahara High not thinking of anything besides getting good grades and perhaps making some new friends, but now, there was something much bigger to consider.