Translations:

Maayo Ko: I'm good/fine

November 23

The school day started, the bell ringing throughout the school. Akira was sitting at his table, his head laid on his arms on the desk, and his eyes focused on the teacher up front. The seats next to him were empty, Hyori and Shiro nowhere to be seen. Shiro had informed him of their date last night and how well it went. He assumed that’s the reason why they weren’t there. 

A few minutes later, the two walked into class, hand in hand. Akira frowned at the sight, turning away from them. His ears listened to the sounds of them sitting down and whispering sweet things to each other. He heard a quiet kiss and his head yanked to them. Shiro was placing a small peck on Hyori’s cheek, her face was bright red, and her hand was over her mouth as she giggled. Akira sighed, then looked back up front, trying to distract himself. He regretted his choices so much, but he was also relieved.

If he had told Shiro how he felt, then maybe they could’ve been together. But at the same time, what if he rejected him? What if Shiro thought he was weird for liking him, and didn’t want to be friends anymore? However, there was one thing he never understood for all the years they knew each other. Why was Shiro so affectionate with him if he didn’t have feelings? The hugs, the gifts, the affection, was it all just to lead him on? Or did Shiro just feel the need to do so, knowing how Akira grew up.      

He groaned, covering his head with his arms. So many unanswered questions. This was too much for him to think about at the moment. He may not know why their friendship was like this, but he knows that he has to accept that Shiro loves Hyori, and he can’t do anything about it. It was too late to let his feelings out now.

Akira sat there quietly, still eavesdropping on their conversations. 

Hyori giggled sweetly, her hand tightly holding Shiro’s, “What about the park? We can have a picnic.”

Shiro hummed, “I like that. When?”

“Maybe today?”

Shiro chuckled in response, “Today? We just had our first date last night!

“Well that doesn’t mean our second one can't be today!”

The two laughed happily. Shiro embraced her tightly and she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Alright then. I’ll pick you up. Maybe at 5?”

Hyori closed her eyes and smiled, “Sounds good.”

She opened her eyes, noticing the lonely Akira in front of her. She reached her hand over, gently tapping the boy’s back. He sat up, turning towards her with tired eyes.

“Oh I’m sorry, were you sleeping?’

Akira shook his head, rubbing his eyes, “No, I’m just adjusting to the light.”

Hyori smiled, “Alright then. How was your morning? Did you sleep well?”

Akira smiled back, “It was fine. How was your guy’s date?”

“It was great! I’m sure Shiro already told you most of the details, but we had dinner at La Vie Parisienne, it’s such a lovely restaurant.”

“Yes it is, Shiro took me there just last week for our friendaversary.” 

Hyori slightly raised an eyebrow at this, “Just the two of you?”

Akira nodded, but his smile slowly faded. To him, it sounded like he was trying to make her jealous. He immediately sat up straight, “I’m so sorry, I’m not trying to compare or anything! It just reminded me that-”

Hyori laughed, her hand on his shoulder, “It’s fine, it’s fine, calm down! I know you two are close friends, I think it’s nice that you two do stuff for your friendaversary.”

Shiro’s head turned towards the two. “Wait, are you guys talking about me?”

Akira playfully scrunched his face at the boy, flicking his head jokingly, “Not everything’s about you Ro. We were just talking about your date.”

Shiro made a face too, flicking his head back, “Whatever Ra.” He said with a smirk before he turned his head back, laying it on Hyori’s.

Lunch

Akira placed his lunch tray on the table. The thud echoed quietly. He sat down and placed his hands in his lap, swinging his legs back and forth patiently. His eyes wandered around the lunchroom, everyone was sitting with their groups ,but him. He sighed and placed his chin on his hands. The food started to get cold as he waited. Imani was absent, so he was just waiting for Shiro and Hyori.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the both of them walk in. He sat up straight, waving his hand high up in the air to get their attention. They both waved back at him, but then they turned. They turned away from their table. Away from Akira. The two of them sat down at an empty table together, and not with Akira. His face dropped, and his hand slowly made its way back down. Why were they not sitting with him? What was going on?

Akira’s eyes wandered back to his food and he clasped his hands tightly together. He stood up, grabbing his tray and belongings, then tossing his food in the trash. His hand pushed the door open aggressively as he tried to leave, but he bumped into someone. He brought his head up, making eye contact with the person he ran into. 

It was Leon.

Akira’s eyes widened as an angry expression made its way onto Leon’s face. He stuttered out his words, terrified, “I-I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

Leon interrupted him, “Watch where you’re going, dumbass.” he opened his mouth to say something else, but immediately closed it when he noticed Shiro staring at them with a worried face. Instead of lashing out, Leon just made eye contact with Akira one last time, nudging him harshly as he passed by. 

Akira stood there shocked, he expected Leon to do something other than call him out. He breathed in shakily, then pushed the door open again, hastily leaving the cafeteria. The weather matched his mood, as it started to rain softly while he sped through the hallway. His legs moved quickly to the second floor, his footsteps matching the patering of the rain. He made his way into the classroom of his next period, opening the door, then standing at the entrance. His teacher, Mr. Castillo, looked up at him with a worried face. 

“Akira, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you at lunch?”

Akira didn’t answer his question, “Can I stay here please?”

Mr. Castillo placed his lunch down, “Of course you can..”

Akira made his way to the front row, and sat down, bringing his knees to his chest.

“Are you okay? You haven’t stayed in here for lunch since ninth grade.”

Akira’s eyes looked up at his teacher, “Maayo ko…my friends just aren’t here today.” (I’m fine…)

Mr. Castillo tilted his head in confusion, “But I just saw Shiro in the hallways this morning?’’

Akira turned his head away, keeping his mouth shut. His teacher sighed and stood up from his chair. 

The sound of something being placed on the table could be heard. Akira turned his head back, half of a sandwich sat on the desk in front of him. 

“At least eat something.”

“I already ate..”

“Akira don’t lie to me, you always threw your lunch away before coming here.”

Akira sighed, his lie didn’t work. Like always. Mr. Castillo never believed his lies, but this is why he was Akira’s favorite teacher. He was always able to open up to him because he constantly understood him and what he was going through.

But this time, he wouldn’t understand. Mr. Castillo is aromantic. He has never had a crush, nor has he dated anybody. And Akira’s situation was all about that.

He took the sandwich in hand, taking a small bite. Mr. Castillo bent down to Akira’s eye level, staring at him with worried eyes.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

Akira placed the sandwich down, rubbing his arm with his hand.

“Shiro got a girlfriend..and he left me alone during lunch so the two of them can sit by themselves..”

Mr. Castillo sighed, “I’m so sorry Akira. I wish I could help you with this but..”

“I know Mr. C, don’t worry.”

Mr Castillo stood, “If you have anything else you want to talk about, just tell me, okay?” Akira nodded, then Mr. Castillo made his way back to his desk to continue grading papers.

Akira bit into the sandwich once again, quietly waiting for class to start. The two of them sat silently, but it was a comfortable silence, one that calmed his nerves quickly. His eyes slowly closed as he chewed and his body relaxed, no longer tense from the previous situation.

A little while later, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students filled up the hallways, quickly making their way to their next classes. Mr. Castillo’s class became flooded with students too, the sound of chattering, chairs moving, and shoes stomping on the ground, getting rid of the silence in the room. 

Akira’s eyes opened to the noise, he had fallen asleep the whole lunch, but he felt well rested. He sat up in his seat, rubbing his eyes softly. 

Once his vision adjusted to the bright lights of the classroom, he spotted Shiro entering the class. The two made eye contact and Akira waved at him. Shiro just smiled, greeting him with a downward nod, then made his way to a seat in the back. Akira watched as his friend walked away. Away from him, again. His expression went flat once more. It hadn’t even been a full day since Shiro’s date with Hyori, yet he was already acting differently.

Mr. Castillo stood, placing a hand on Akira’s desk. He looked up at his teacher with a slight frown.

“I see what you mean. I’ll give you an extension on today’s assignment, just rest, okay?”

Akira nodded, smiling at him. He rested his head down on the desk for a second time, keeping his eyes open, but clearing his mind. The noises around him faded out, and instead, he listened to the sounds outside. The birds chirping, the drizzling rain softly hitting the roof, and the busy streets of the city.

Time went by quickly, and before he knew it, he was packing up to head to his next class. He wanted to try and talk to Shiro beforehand, so he hastily put his belongings in his bags. Once he turned around though, Shiro was already in the hallway, walking Hyori to her next class. Akira sulked, dragging himself out of the classroom. It felt like he was losing his best friend.

Little did he know, this was just the start.