A Mark That Lasts Forever

Love | 恋愛 section 3 [NSFW]

CONTENT WARNING: This section contains sexual content that may not be suitable for some readers.

On my way to class, I run into Junichi in the hallway. We exchange smiles and nods of acknowledgment as I head for the front door. I can't help but wonder if this seemingly friendly guy was actually behind the cockroach prank like Shun suggested before. Pranks are fine, but was it necessary for them to keep it a secret while I blamed someone else for it?

I keep the change in my relationship status from my friends at school, talking with them like usual while we sit at our lunch spot.

"Damn," Koki curses as he slams a textbook shut and shoves it into his backpack. "I'm having such a shit time with History. I don't think I've retained anything since the start of the semester and finals are next month!"

Takeru shakes his head. "I told you that class would be a bitch."

Koki glares at him. "No, you told me it would be a walk in the park."

"There's still plenty of time before finals," I mention as I scoop up some curry with my spoon. "You can still catch up, right?"

"I don't know," Koki sighs. "I'm beginning to think it'll take a miracle to pass this class."

Reiya raises his hand proudly. "I know someone in that class! I heard he was one of the top students in his high school, so I bet he can help! Want me to put you in contact with him?"

"That would be amazing." Koki's shoulders drop in relief.

"See?" Takeru grins. "There's always hope just waiting around the corner! You didn't need to go and be so dramatic."

"Says the person who skips most of his classes. I'm sticking with Makoto from now on," Koki retorts.

"Because he's such a bookworm?" Takeru says flatly.

"When do I ever read books?" I retort. "I just study enough to pass my classes. That's all." I grab my bottle of tea and begin to chug it.

"That's still way more than anyone else I know," Takeru mutters.

"What the heck!" Reiya exclaims. "He's gay?"

My body chooses to react to this by breathing in and gulping down liquid at the same time. I spit out the rest of my tea, choking and coughing uncontrollably.

"Jeez, man. Are you okay?" I hear Koki say, but am too focused on trying not to die to answer.

"Did it go down the wrong throat?" Reiya asks.

"The wrong pipe," Takeru corrects him. "How did you even get into university?" He pauses. "Wait, what do you mean? Who's gay?"

Chills run down my spine, but I'm still coughing too much to do anything.

"This guy." Reiya holds up his phone to show us a picture on Intogram. "The guy I was just talking about. He says that's his boyfriend in the photo."

"Oh shit!" Takeru exclaims.

"I had no idea," Reiya frowns.

"And you almost introduced Koki to him," Takeru adds.

Koki turns his attention back to me and pats my back while I continue to cough. "You sure you're alright? Your face is all red."

"Yeah," I say in a strained voice. "I'm fine."

I'm fine now that I know Reiya wasn't talking about me.

My dinner shift is with Manami and Yuki. Despite suddenly leaving Yuki hanging on LIME and never taking her out on that movie date, she shows no change in attitude toward me. I don't know how she really feels about it all, but with how she acts just as cheerful as ever, she doesn't seem to be taking it hard.