His hands filled with books and pamphlets for the theater club, Mizuki walked down the school’s hallway with a distant yet frustrated look. He was rather annoyed that he had to carry everything from the library to the theater club room by himself after his VP, Iwamoto, disappeared after lunch.

"I wish that Iwamoto would just do her job as Theater VP and leave these where I told her to in the first place. Then I wouldn’t be stuck doing it," he thought irritably.

Up ahead, a small group of basketball players came his way, laughing and talking loudly. Mizuki looked up and was immediately flustered by the sight of the basketball captain, Nakano. His hands suddenly felt heavier with the books and pamphlets.

“Great! This is what I wanted to avoid,” Mizuki whispered to himself. “I just need to pass them without these falling, and I’ll be fine. You got this, Mizuki. Just don’t look in his direction.”

Nakano Haruki is the captain of the JS High School basketball team. Surprisingly, he was at the top of his class and one of the hottest guys in school. And me, Mizuki Kimiko, President of the Theatre Club, one of the biggest nerds at JS High School, and gay. And I’ve seriously got it bad for Nakano. Whom I’ve never spoken to…ever…

Lost in his thoughts, Mizuki kept his head down as the basketball group passed. He didn’t want to make eye contact with them, especially not Nakano. As they passed, he caught a whiff of Nakano’s scent, a mix of fresh sweat and something subtly sweet. How could he pick Nakano’s smell out of the group of basketball players? He didn’t even know himself.

CRASH!!

Mizuki opened his eyes to find himself on the floor with the pamphlets and books scattered around him. He rubbed his head and started to gather everything. Some meters away, Nakano turned around and spotted Mizuki on the floor. The guys around him mumbled while Nakano stood there, staring at Mizuki. 

Nakano seemed bothered by what he was seeing. “I’ll meet you guys on the court,” he said.

The group continued to mumble about the clumsy guy on the floor and walked away. Nakano slowly approached Mizuki and stood there, puzzled and intrigued by the pamphlets Mizuki was gathering. He tilted his head to the side and muttered something softly. Mizuki immediately looked up, his face suddenly flushed.

Nakano bent down and helped Mizuki gather the pamphlets and books. “The Princess and The Frog? I love that movie.”

Mizuki remained silent, attempting to grab the pamphlets from Nakano. He was embarrassed and couldn't bring himself to look up at Nakano's beautiful face. The fact that Nakano was actually in front of him... noticing him, was too much to process.

Nakano held the few pamphlets in his hands as both he and Mizuki slowly got up together. “Where were you headed? To the theater room?”

Mizuki focused on fixing the booklets in his hand, his head hanging low, hiding behind his bangs. “Um...”

Nakano kept a steady eye on Mizuki’s hair and smiled a little, amused by Mizuki's reluctance to lift his head. “I’ll help you with these.”

Mizuki began to walk, keeping a distance from Nakano. He couldn’t look at that beautiful specimen trailing behind him.

"KILL ME NOW!! His aura is so calming, but his presence is so intimidating! Why did he, of all people, have to stop and help me? Iwamoto, when I see you, I’m going to kill youuuuuuuuu!!!" Mizuki thought, feeling a mix of anxiety and irritation.

They walked in silence. Mizuki let out a huge sigh when they finally reached the theater club room. Nakano focused on Mizuki’s side profile as they both set the books on the table. Mizuki bowed and thanked Nakano for helping him. He turned his back to Nakano, pretending to organize the books and pamphlets, hoping Nakano would leave and make this moment less awkward. Nakano, completely clueless, took his time to look around the theater club room. He walked over to a picture of the theater club group taken in their first year.

“Mizuki, right? Class 2-C? Theatre Club Prez? Hmm... This is my first time in the theater club room. It’s pretty cool,” Nakano said, examining the room.

Mizuki was startled when he heard his name. His face flushed a little as he pretended to organize the pamphlets, his back still turned. “R-r-right. I’m M-M-Mizuki.”

Nakano suddenly turned around, surprised that Mizuki finally spoke after their silent walk to the room. He felt this was the best time to introduce himself, as they had been in the same grade for the past three years. “Naka-”

“Nakano H-Haruki... Class 2-D... Basketball Captain,” Mizuki blurted out, then covered his mouth in disbelief. *Did I say that?! Where do I go off acting like-*

Nakano chuckled softly. “Yeah, you're right...Well, see you around, Prez.”

Nakano waved and walked out the door. Mizuki listened to Nakano’s footsteps fade away, then ran to the door and closed it. He slowly slid down the door, his hand covering his mouth, his heart pounding. He sat there for a minute, trying to catch his breath.

*He just... we just... spoke. Could he hear my heart pounding? It felt like my heart was about to burst through my chest. I can’t believe it. Nakano Haruki knew who I was. He... he even called me Prez. Did that happen?* Mizuki thought, sitting with his head bowed down between his legs.

Still in disbelief, Mizuki heard footsteps coming towards the door. He jumped up, worried it was Nakano again.

“Mizuuuuuuuuuuukiiiiii!” a scream came from the other side of the door. “Are you in there?”

Mizuki instantly recognized the voice and felt annoyed. It was Iwamoto, the person who should have carried the pamphlets and books to the theater club room. He slid the door open and gave her a cranky look.

“Nice of you to finally show up,” he said, walking over to the table where the pamphlets were. Still shaken, he covered his face, feeling as though he was still flustered.

“Did I see the captain of the basketball team leave the room? What was he doing here?” Iwamoto asked, curious.

“Your job. Also, if you keep this up, Iwamoto, I may have to release you from being VP,” Mizuki said, slightly annoyed.

“Someone’s grumpy today,” Iwamoto chuckled without care. She paused, then asked, “By the way, are you okay? Why are you trembling?”

Mizuki looked down at his hands and noticed they were trembling. His heart was still beating fast. *What was this feeling?*

"Did he see me trembling? Did he see me blushing?! God, that was embarrassing!" Mizuki thought, his face still flushed from the encounter.

**Later that same day - Theatre Club Meeting**

Mizuki and Iwamoto began their club meeting with all the other members seated around them. Everyone grabbed the pamphlets in front of them and started reviewing them. 

Iwamoto addressed the group with an announcement:

“Thank you all for coming in today! As you know, it’s almost time for our School Festival Play! We can review all the details if you could open the pamphlets before you. We only have two months to pull this off!”

Mizuki, seated beside Iwamoto, chimed in. “And as you all should know, Masaharu and the others helped raise funds last month for props, costumes, and other things we might need. Thanks to their bake sale, we have more wiggle room for our budget this time.”

“We’re also pleased to announce that the chosen play for this upcoming festival will be The Princess and the Frog, to tie in with the royal theme for the school’s festival,” Iwamoto added enthusiastically.

The students cheered happily and started muttering amongst themselves. Mizuki had a strange flashback to his exchange with Nakano. He felt a little flushed and began to space out.

**Flashback:**

*Nakano: “The Princess and The Frog, I love that movie.”*

Iwamoto’s voice brought him back to the present. “Auditions officially start tomorrow. So hopefully we get a good turnout. Also, Nakajima will be our director for this play, as our wonderful Prez Mizuki has decided to take part in this festival’s play!”

*More like threatened by Iwamoto to be in the play,* Mizuki thought, sighing inwardly.

“We’ve already started posting flyers in the hallways, so let’s see what happens tomorrow!” Iwamoto said.

Nakajima piped up, “Mizuki-san should play the Princess! His skin is so beautiful and soft. Imagine him with a long wig!”

Mizuki quickly interjected, “Alright, the meeting adjourned!” He hoped to stop the conversation before it got more embarrassing.

Iwamoto blushed and giggled. “Could you imagine our beautiful, flawless Prez as the princess?”

“Absolutely, NOT!” Mizuki replied firmly.

Iwamoto, daydreaming, said, “Think about it. All the girls from our grade would sign up, but no one would be as beautiful as our Mizuki in a dress.”

Mizuki began gathering his belongings. “I thank you for saying I am attractive in your way. But I don’t love my feminine features as much as you all do. I’d rather the whole school not think of me as such.”

“Come on, Mizuki-san! Audition for the part!” Nakajima urged.

Mizuki walked towards the door with his bag and books. “Why couldn’t I audition for the frog that turns into the prince?”

Nakajima laughed, “Simple, you would upstage the princess, whoever she is.”

The group laughed as they gathered their belongings and headed out the door together.

“You realize I would have to kiss a boy, right?” Mizuki questioned, feeling his cheeks heat up.

Iwamoto replied calmly, “Yeah, so what? That part won’t take long, and who cares if two guys are kissing on stage? We’ll just let them know in advance that they’ll be kissing a boy if you get the part.”

*In fact, many people would mind two guys kissing on stage. Let alone a nerd like me. That would be my... first kiss...* Mizuki thought, feeling excitement and dread.

As Mizuki was walking out of the school, he stopped at the entrance to change his shoes. He bent down to swap his indoor shoes for outdoor ones, lost in thought. Just then, he noticed Nakano passing by with his group of friends. Mizuki quickly hung his face down and fiddled with his bag, hoping to let them walk by without seeing him.

He was about to sigh in relief when he suddenly heard Nakano's voice. "Later, Prez."

Mizuki looked up in shock, his heart skipping a beat. Nakano was smiling warmly at him and waving goodbye. Mizuki's face turned a deep shade of red as he hurriedly covered his mouth with his hand, flustered and giddy.

*He called me Prez...* Mizuki thought, his heart racing. *And he smiled at me...*

He stood there for a moment, watching Nakano walk away, his mind spinning with a mix of emotions.