Renga Oneshots

hanahaki

!!!!!TW!!!!!! : mention of blood and throwing up. (angst ahead beware)

Langa and Reki stood outside the school, waiting for 5 PM to roll around so they could meet up with Miya, Joe, and Cherry. The silence between them stretched on until Reki suddenly blurted out, "Oh hey, have you seen the amount of love notes I've been getting lately?"

Langa tilted his head slightly to glance at Reki. "Oh really? You haven't mentioned that before. You'll have to show me if you have any on you."

"Here, let me get one." Reki swung his bag in front of him, rummaging through it before pulling out a cute, decorated envelope sealed with a red heart sticker.

"To Reki," it read on the front. He handed it to Langa, who carefully peeled off the sticker and unfolded the note inside.

Reki, I know this is the fourth letter, and you must be wondering who I am. I think you're so handsome and dreamy. Except... you always hang out with the foreign kid. I'll send you two more letters over the next few days. On the 6th, I'll ask you to meet me on the rooftop for your answer and a reveal.
—Love, your admirer <3

Langa stared at the letter, feeling a mix of emotions. He wasn't the only one who liked Reki—but the part that stung was how easily the girl dismissed him. "Wow, pretty lucky. Look at you, getting all the girls," he joked, handing the letter back.

"It's crazy! I didn't think anyone liked me like that."

Langa's heart ached. She was right—Reki was handsome and amazing. But... would Reki ever like him that way? His thoughts swirled endlessly, weighing down on him.

"Langa? Are you okay? You're pale—well, more than usual—and you're spacing out a lot... Maybe we should cancel—"

"No, I'm fine. Let's start heading there; it's already 4:45." Langa cut him off, grabbing his board.

Reki stared at him blankly for a moment before following along.

"My, my, Langa, you seem flushed. Did something happen between you and Reki?" Miya teased, poking at Langa.

"It's nothing. Langa just took a good fall before getting here," Reki interjected.

"Oh? Are you alright?" Joe asked, scanning Langa for any signs of injury.

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking, though, Joe." He smiled and waved it off.

"Alright, well, let's get going. Langa, try not to fall again."

Langa let out a nervous chuckle and nodded.

As they skated, Langa found himself distracted, watching Reki move with ease. Wow, you're so beautiful, Reki, he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for the redhead to hear.

"Oh—I, uh—thank you," Reki said, flashing his usual bright smile.

Langa quickly covered up his slip. "Of course!"

They trailed behind the others, arriving at the skatepark they had planned to visit while S was closed.

"Wow, this place is bigger than I thought it would be," Miya said in amazement.

"Alright, run along, kids. Don't get hurt—I'm legally in charge of you right now, and I don't need this on my record," Cherry called, shooing them away so he could have some 'alone time' with Joe.

Reki and Langa exchanged glances before heading off to skate together. After thirty minutes, they took a break, sitting down to catch their breath. Langa hesitated, then reached out and gently pushed some of Reki's hair behind his ear.