chasing the Cat (M X M)

Chapter 13: Off Balance

Akira stormed out of the crowded gymnasium, his heart hammering against his ribcage. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, gripping tightly to hide the trembling in his fingers. Damn that Hiroshi. What kind of person just... just touches someone's head like that? Like it's nothing?

His skin still tingled where Hiroshi's hand had been, and no matter how many times he ran his own hand through his hair, the phantom sensation wouldn't go away. It was driving him crazy.

He stomped down the empty hallway, trying to shake off the lingering warmth, muttering under his breath. "Annoying. Annoying. Annoying."

But the worst part was how much it wasn't annoying. How much he secretly liked it. And that made him feel like an idiot.

"Who even does that? Calling someone cute. What the hell..." Akira kicked the wall in frustration, instantly regretting it when his toe throbbed in protest. "Stupid... Why do you even care, huh?" he whispered to himself.

He reached the door leading out to the school's courtyard, hoping the cool night air would calm the storm inside him. He stepped outside, took a deep breath, and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes. But Hiroshi's voice echoed in his mind—"You're cute when you're flustered."

Akira groaned, burying his burning face into his hands. "This is the worst..."

"Talking to yourself now?"

Akira nearly jumped out of his skin. His head snapped up to find Hiroshi standing a few feet away, hands tucked casually in his coat pockets, wearing that infuriatingly soft smile.

"Gah—! What are you doing here?!" Akira sputtered, trying to steady his voice. "Aren't you supposed to be giving some speech or whatever?"

Hiroshi shrugged, stepping closer. "I snuck away. I wanted to check on you."

"I-I don't need you to check on me!" Akira stammered, taking a step back and bumping awkwardly against the wall.

Hiroshi just kept smiling. "You sure? You seem kind of... rattled."

"I'm fine!" Akira snapped, crossing his arms over his chest defensively. But the flush on his cheeks betrayed him, and he knew it.

"You say that, but your ears are bright red," Hiroshi said, leaning in slightly, his voice low and teasing.

Akira clamped his hands over his ears in a panic, as if that would somehow hide his embarrassment. "Shut up! You're imagining things!"

Hiroshi laughed softly, and the sound sent another shiver down Akira's spine. "You're adorable when you get like this."

Akira glared at him, but it was half-hearted at best. "Stop saying stuff like that! It's weird!"

"Is it?" Hiroshi took another step forward, close enough now that Akira could feel the heat radiating from him. "Or are you just not used to hearing it?"

Akira's heart felt like it was about to explode. He pressed himself further against the wall, as if it could swallow him whole and save him from the unbearable proximity. "Y-You're such a pain..."

Hiroshi tilted his head, still smiling. "And yet, you're not telling me to leave."

Akira's breath caught in his throat. He should tell Hiroshi to go. He should shove him away and storm off, say something sarcastic or biting to defuse the moment like he always did. But the words refused to come.

Instead, all he could manage was a feeble, "I-I don't care what you do."

Hiroshi chuckled, and the warmth in his gaze softened into something almost tender. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from Akira's forehead with a light, deliberate touch.