The sound of sneakers scuffing against the gym floor echoed as the basketball team wrapped up another grueling practice. Sweat dripped down Nakano's face as he tossed a towel over his shoulder, heading towards the locker room with the rest of the team. 

Nakano’s closest friends, Matsuda and Yoshinaga, were already at their lockers, laughing about something when Nakano joined them. As he approached, Matsuda leaned against his locker with a mischievous grin.

“Hey, Nakano!” Matsuda called out, his voice carrying an edge of curiosity. “I heard a funny rumor about the play you’re in.”

Nakano paused, his hands fumbling with the combination lock. “Yeah? What rumor?”

Matsuda chuckled as he slipped off his jersey. “Word is, the play’s getting a bit of a twist. A Boys Love twist.”

Nishikawa, always the instigator, smirked. “So, how does it feel knowing you’re gonna have to kiss a guy in front of everyone?” 

The room went silent for a moment, the other guys in the locker room turning their heads to see Nakano’s reaction. Nakano forced a laugh, trying to play it cool. “It’s just a play, no big deal.”

But Nishikawa wasn’t done. He walked over to Nakano, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You say that now, but I bet it’ll be a different story when you’re actually up there. I mean, what’s everyone gonna think when they see you locking lips with Mizuki?”

Matsuda joined in, laughing. “You should back out, man. Or better yet, go through with it, but make it a real show. Push him down when he goes in for the kiss—really embarrass him. That’ll be a laugh.”

The others in the locker room erupted in laughter, the idea of turning the play into a joke apparently appealing to them. But as they continued to laugh and joke at Mizuki's expense, Nakano felt a knot forming in his stomach. He tried to laugh along, but something didn’t sit right with him. The more they talked about Mizuki, the more uncomfortable he became.

Nakano stayed silent, staring down at his locker, thoughts swirling in his mind. Why did the idea of humiliating Mizuki bother him so much? He didn’t have an answer, but the unease was undeniable.

RIIIIIIING!

As the final bell of the day rang, students flooded out of the school building, eager to begin their evening. Nakano walked alongside his friend Yoshinaga, the two of them chatting idly about the day’s events. But Nakano’s mind wasn’t entirely in the conversation. As they approached the school gates, he spotted Mizuki across the courtyard, laughing with a group of friends. 

Nakano slowed his pace, his gaze locking onto Mizuki. His heart thudded in his chest, an unfamiliar sensation tightening around it. The sound of Mizuki’s laughter, light and carefree, tugged at something deep within him. He could feel the warmth of it spreading, but it left him confused and uneasy.

Yoshinaga, noticing Nakano’s sudden silence, followed his gaze. He saw Mizuki too and then turned back to Nakano, raising an eyebrow. “You know,” Yoshinaga started, his tone more serious now, “you don’t have to do the play if you don’t want to. I mean, if it’s too weird or whatever…”

Nakano didn’t respond immediately, his eyes still fixed on Mizuki, who was now playfully nudging one of his friends. Nakano’s heart felt heavy, yet strangely light at the same time, a conflicting mix of emotions he couldn’t quite place. Why did he feel this way just watching Mizuki from afar?

Yoshinaga observed Nakano’s expression, the way his eyes softened as he watched Mizuki. “Or,” Yoshinaga added quietly, “you could do the play if you actually like Mizuki.”

Nakano’s head snapped towards Yoshinaga, his face a mix of surprise and something else—something he wasn’t ready to acknowledge. His heart skipped a beat at the implication of Yoshinaga's words, and a faint blush crept up his neck. He quickly shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. “Of course, I like him… as a person, I mean.”

Yoshinaga held Nakano’s gaze for a moment longer, his eyes searching Nakano’s face as if trying to read the truth behind his words. The knowing look Yoshinaga gave him made Nakano’s heart race even more. It was as if Yoshinaga could see something in Nakano that he himself wasn’t ready to admit. But Yoshinaga just nodded slowly, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Okay,” he said, his voice laced with a subtle hint of understanding.

Nakano quickly looked away, his mind swirling with confusion.

Later that night

Nakano lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, mindlessly tossing a basketball up in the air. His thoughts swirled around the events of the day—his friends' teasing, Yoshinaga's knowing look, and most of all, the way his heart seemed to tighten whenever he thought about Mizuki. The dull thud of the ball hitting his palm was the only sound in his room, grounding him in the present as his thoughts drifted.

He was so lost in thought that he barely registered the sound of his phone buzzing on his desk. With a start, Nakano caught the ball and sat up, reaching for his phone. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Mizuki’s name on the screen, a text message waiting for him.

“Have you made a decision yet?” the message read.

Nakano’s breath caught in his throat as he recalled everything his friends had said earlier—their laughter, the teasing, and the subtle nudges towards his feelings for Mizuki. His mind raced with a thousand different thoughts, but in that moment, none of them seemed to make sense. Without thinking, Nakano’s fingers moved on their own, and before he knew it, he was dialing Mizuki’s number.

The phone rang once, twice, and then Mizuki’s soft voice filled the silence. “Hello?” Mizuki hesitated, his voice a little shaky, as if he wasn’t sure what to say.

Nakano felt his heart leap at the sound of Mizuki’s voice, and without thinking, he blurted out, “I haven’t heard your voice all day… it’s nice.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and Nakano felt his cheeks flush, suddenly embarrassed by how impulsive he had been. He heard Mizuki inhale softly, clearly caught off guard by Nakano’s words.

As the silence stretched on, Nakano hurried to fill it. “About the play—”

Mizuki quickly interrupted, his words rushing out as if he’d been holding them back. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Iwamoto said they had someone else audition for the Prince just in case. They’re fine with it being a BL, so there’s no pressure.”

Nakano’s heart clenched at Mizuki’s words. It felt like Mizuki was giving him an out, a chance to back away if he was uncomfortable. But the thought of Mizuki standing on that stage, looking for his Prince and not finding him, made something twist painfully in Nakano’s chest. He didn’t want anyone else to play that role. He didn’t want anyone else to be Mizuki’s Prince.

Before he could stop himself, Nakano asked softly, “Do you want me to be your Prince?”

There was a pause on the other end, the question hanging in the air like a delicate thread. Mizuki’s voice came out in a stuttered whisper, “W-What did you say?”

Nakano swallowed, his pulse quickening. “I mean, do you want me to be the Prince?” he asked again, trying to keep his tone light, though his heart was racing.

Mizuki’s response was barely above a mumble, “Only if you want to… I mean, if you’re okay with it.”

Nakano’s lips curled into a small smile, his voice softening. “Truth is...I… I’ve never kissed anyone before, and I think I’m nervous about that.” The confession slipped out before he could stop it, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

The other end of the line went quiet, and for a moment, Nakano feared he had said too much. But then Mizuki’s voice, gentle and comforting, broke the silence. “I… I haven’t either,” he admitted shyly. “But, it’s just acting...right? "

Nakano felt a warmth spread through his chest at Mizuki’s words. It wasn’t just the play—it was the idea of sharing something so intimate with Mizuki, even if it was just acting. “I’ll do it,” Nakano said suddenly, his voice firm but tender. “I’ll do the play.”

Mizuki was silent, clearly shocked by Nakano’s sudden decision. “You will?” Mizuki asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Nakano nodded, even though Mizuki couldn’t see him. “Yeah… I’ll be your Prince.” His voice softened as he added, “If you’ll have me.”

Mizuki’s breath hitched on the other end of the line, and Nakano could almost imagine the blush creeping up Mizuki’s cheeks.