Chapter Text
The timer starts.
Yushi zooms through the first few questions with lightning speed. Accumulation functions, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, definite integrals -- easy. Nothing he hasn’t solved a hundred times before.
He’s been preparing for this AP Calculus exam for months. Late nights in the school library, drowning in textbooks and practice tests, running on Monster energy drinks and instant noodles. All of it leads to this moment. Failure isn’t an option. He will ace this test.
Some people call him a nerd, always placing first in competitions, outshining his classmates, winning over teachers without even trying. But to Yushi, he’s just a regular junior doing what school was made for: studying, learning, and getting ahead.
The only thing standing between him and perfection is the ticking clock.
A slight bead of sweat forms on his forehead, but he shakes it off. No distractions. Not today. His pencil moves faster, solving the integral in question before his mind even finishes processing it. It's all muscle memory at this point. The endless hours of practice have molded him into an unstoppable force.
The bell rings, a sharp, final note that cuts through the room. Yushi’s hand lingers over the paper, but there’s no need to check again. He’s done.
For a second, his mind races—did he get everything right? Was there a mistake he missed in his haste? But then, as the tension drains from his body, he leans back in his chair and exhales slowly. His shoulders, which had been stiff and tight the entire exam, finally relax.
He’s done. He made it.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. He feels it—satisfaction. A deep, quiet confidence that he gave it his all. The grind of the past few months, the endless studying, the relentless push to be perfect, it’s all paid off.
As Yushi steps out of the classroom, the door clicks shut behind him, sealing away the test and the stress that came with it. The hallway feels almost too quiet after the tension of the exam, but there's a weightlessness to the air now. He’s done. And now, for the first time in ages, he can let the world slow down.
He heads for the lockers, where Riku is already leaning against the wall, tapping away on his phone with that typical, easygoing grin on his face. As soon as he sees Yushi, Riku pushes off the wall, his smile widening.
“So, how'd it go? Did you make your brain explode from overthinking it?” Riku asks, his voice light but teasing.
Yushi lets out a deep breath, his lips curling into a satisfied, albeit tired, smile. “I think I made it through without any major brain explosions.”
Riku raises an eyebrow, giving him a once-over. “No existential crisis in the middle of a derivative? No breakdown over the chain rule? I’m impressed.”
Yushi laughs. Riku always had a way of cutting through the tension. "You’d be surprised. I actually think I nailed it."
“Yeah, well, if you somehow did make it through without crying over limits or contemplating the meaning of life, then you’re officially a robot.” Riku dramatically places a hand over his heart. “The least you could’ve done is pretend you were a little stressed. You know, for dramatic effect?”
Yushi lets out a soft laugh, feeling the last remnants of the exam pressure melt away. “Maybe I should’ve thrown in a little breakdown for the show. Could’ve earned me a few sympathy points.”
“Exactly! Now you’re thinking.” Riku grins. “Next time, I’ll teach you how to do it properly. You need to sob dramatically over some function and shout, ‘What is the derivative of my life?’ The whole class will be on their feet, ready to carry you off to the principal's office in sympathy.”
Yushi rolls his eyes, laughing at Riku’s antics. "I think I'll leave the dramatic performances to you, Riku."
“Oh, don’t worry. I’ll handle it. You focus on being the perfect student who solves integrals like a machine.”
Yushi chuckles again, shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.”
Riku gives a mock bow. “Thank you, thank you. It’s a gift.”
They stand there for a moment, just enjoying the break after the exam, Riku’s lightheartedness grounding Yushi in the moment. As the hallway fills with students packing up and heading for the next class, Yushi spots him.
Sion.
The school president. The “Golden Boy” of NeoTech High.
Yushi's gaze narrows instinctively as Sion walks through the hallway, surrounded by a small group of students who hang on to his every word. Perfectly groomed, effortlessly charming, and annoyingly handsome, Sion has always been a thorn in Yushi’s side. It’s not that he hates the guy—on paper, they’re almost mirror images of each other: top of their class, always at the top of every leaderboard, and somehow managing to maintain that polished, flawless image that everyone else fawns over.
But Yushi? He can’t stand the way Sion always seems to know exactly what to say. The way his charisma makes everyone around him smile, while Yushi’s quiet, no-nonsense demeanor sticks out like a sore thumb.
Sion’s too clever for his own good. It’s all in good fun, he says, but every time he opens his mouth, Yushi can’t shake the feeling that it’s just a little too perfect, a little too calculated.
Sure, Sion’s smart—annoyingly smart. In fact, the guy’s probably the only one who could match Yushi’s intellect without breaking a sweat. But Yushi doesn’t want to be matched by him. He just wants to be left alone.
And then there’s the constant banter. The harmless teasing, or at least that's how Sion always presents it. But to Yushi, it’s a never-ending loop of jabs, delivered with a half-smile that somehow makes it worse.
Yushi feels a slight tension in his chest as Sion locks eyes with him from across the hallway. There’s that smug, knowing grin spreading across his face, as if he’s already aware of exactly how this moment is going to play out. It’s like Sion thrives on getting under his skin.
“Ah, Yushi,” Sion calls out with that smooth, effortless voice, loud enough for a few students nearby to turn their heads. “Still going strong, I see. Didn’t even see you sweat during the exam. Makes me wonder if you even try anymore.”
Riku smirks, glancing between Yushi and Sion. “Oh, here we go…”
Yushi clenches his jaw, but he forces himself to smile, even if it feels more like a grimace. “I try, just like you try to be perfect every day. Must be exhausting, huh?”
Sion chuckles, that same easy, disarming laugh that always gets to Yushi. “Oh, come on. You know I don’t mind the pressure. Besides, someone’s got to keep up with the competition, right?” He winks, just a little too casually, as if the entire exchange is nothing more than light banter.
But to Yushi, it stings. It always does. Sion’s casual insults, framed as playful comments, are just thinly veiled jabs at his own insecurities. Every time Sion says something like that, it feels like he’s reminding Yushi that they’re always in competition—even if Yushi doesn’t want to be.
Yushi’s fist tightens around his pencil case, but before he can respond, Riku steps in, flashing a grin at Sion.
“Still trying to rattle him, huh, Sion?” Riku teases, stepping up to Yushi’s side with an exaggerated look of concern. “You know, you might want to dial it down. He’s one question away from making you really regret those comments.”
Sion grins, clearly amused. “Alright, alright, be at practice by 3. Coach said he needed a few guys to help him with the basketball equipment.” He says calmly before looking back at Yushi, his gaze narrowing slightly, a glimmer of challenge in his eyes. “I’ll take my leave before Yushi here does something drastic. Wouldn’t want him to get all too stressed out over our friendly competition.”
As Sion turns and walks away, Yushi can’t help but feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging between them. Even now, Sion still has that effect on him—just by being there, being effortlessly charming, and making Yushi feel like he’s always being measured against him.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Riku says softly, clapping Yushi on the back. “He’s just messing around.”
Yushi exhales sharply, forcing his shoulders to relax. "I know. It's just... he always has to make it personal. You’d think he’d get tired of it."
Riku grins, nudging him with his elbow. “Nah, he probably just likes seeing you squirm a little. It’s his ‘golden boy’ charm. But trust me, it doesn’t bother you nearly as much as you think. He’s just looking for a reaction.”
Yushi chuckles under his breath, shaking his head. "Yeah, well... it's kind of working."
Yushi slides his backpack over his shoulder, stepping out of the school building and into the warm afternoon air. The day’s stress seems to melt away as he walks down the sidewalk, earbuds in, the world around him bustling with the usual chatter of students heading home. He takes a deep breath, feeling a bit lighter now that the exam is behind him.
A smile tugs at his lips as he thinks of Riku and their little banter earlier. For once, everything feels easy, like the weight of the past few months is finally lifting. He’s almost at the bus stop when his phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, seeing a message from Sakuya.
Saku 🥐
- Ryo’s being super loud again. You’ll love it. He thinks he’s a pro at Uno.
Yushi chuckles, shaking his head. Of course, Ryo would get competitive over something as simple as Uno. He’s always been a bit too intense for board games, but it’s one of those things that’s never not amusing.
With his mood light, Yushi makes his way home, the noise of the city almost blending into the background as he thinks about how nice it’ll be to kick back and relax. When he gets through the door, he can already hear the familiar sounds of his brother and best friend arguing over cards, and it makes him grin.
He peeks around the corner of the hallway, where he spots Sakuya leaning over the table, fiercely competing with Ryo, who’s mid-laugh, his voice loud enough to rattle the windows.
“You’re gonna regret that draw four!” Sakuya yells, clearly pleased with himself.
“Oh yeah?” Ryo retorts, holding up a card with a grin that could rival a Cheshire cat’s. “I’ve got a wild card with your name on it!”
Yushi chuckles softly to himself, shaking his head. He slips past them quietly, heading up to his room. As he closes the door behind him, the noise below fades away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He sets his backpack down, tossing it on his desk with a sigh.
Sion.
Yushi leans back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. The image of Sion’s smug grin, his effortless charm, keeps playing on repeat in his mind. Yushi can’t help but replay their interaction earlier in the hallway. The teasing, the way Sion looked at him—like he was the only one in the room.
It’s just a game, Yushi tries to tell himself. He’s just playing around, that’s all.
But no matter how many times he tells himself that, there’s something about Sion that keeps nagging at him. Maybe it’s the way he’s so effortlessly perfect, with that sharp jawline and his flawless blonde hair that always seems to shine in the sunlight. Maybe it’s the confidence, the way Sion holds himself like he’s always in control, like he’s always the one calling the shots.
Yushi’s mind spirals a little. He’s not even sure what it is that draws him in. He’s seen Sion with all his fans, smiling and charming everyone, and yet it still makes him feel like he’s being pulled into his orbit. The guy’s got that weird charm, like he can get away with anything, and people still love him for it.
He groans and rubs his forehead, muttering to himself. “Why am I even thinking about this?” But there’s that smile again. That stupidly confident smile. The one that always messes with Yushi’s head. The one that makes his heart beat a little too fast for no reason.
“I seriously need to stop this,” Yushi mutters, sitting up straighter and shaking his head.
He glances at the pile of textbooks on his desk, hoping it’ll ground him. Calculus. Limits. functions. Something to focus on other than that guy. Sion is the last thing he should be thinking about right now.
Yushi pulls a notebook toward him, opening it to the first page. The neat rows of formulas and notes help clear his mind for a moment. The sound of Sakuya and Ryo laughing loudly downstairs still drifts up, but Yushi ignores it as best as he can, sinking into the rhythm of his studies.
Hours pass.
Eventually, the tension of the day, the unease of his spiraling thoughts, and the quiet buzz of exhaustion begin to weigh him down. Yushi stretches, his back stiff from sitting too long, and rubs his eyes.
It’s time to sleep.
He closes his books with a soft thud, stands, and flicks off the light. As he lies in bed, the cool sheets against his skin, his mind drifts again. Yushi lies there in the dark, his thoughts still tangled, but the pull of exhaustion is growing stronger. He shifts, trying to find a comfortable spot in the bed, but his mind keeps circling back to Sion—his smile, the way his voice carried through the hall earlier, that quiet confidence that always seemed to be directed straight at Yushi. But the longer he lies there, the heavier his eyelids grow, and the rhythmic sound of his own breathing begins to soothe him.
He takes a deep breath, sinking into the soft pillow, and for a brief moment, he allows himself to relax. The world outside his room quiets down—no more laughs from downstairs, no more buzzing thoughts. Just the slow, steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He closes his eyes, the darkness blanketing him like a familiar weight.
Finally, he drifts off to sleep, thoughts tangled, but for now, at least, peaceful.
The next morning, Yushi wakes up to the bright sunlight filtering through his curtains. He stretches, feeling the pleasant ache of a full night’s rest, and the first thing that hits him is the quiet sense of satisfaction.
He quickly gets dressed, grabbing a cookie from the kitchen on his way out the door. It’s nothing fancy, just something to fuel him before the day kicks into full gear, but he doesn’t care. Shoving the cookie in his mouth with one hand as he grabs his bag with the other, he heads out.
The morning air is crisp, a pleasant chill that makes him feel awake, alive. His steps are light as he makes his way to school, the buzzing energy of the day ahead already beginning to build. He doesn’t really have time to dwell on anything, but he feels pretty good. He’s confident.
Yushi steps into the school gates, and spots Riku by the entrance, leaning against a pillar, basketball in his hand. Yushi jogs up to him, giving him a quick nod.
“Yo, ready to see the results?” Riku asks, eyes twinkling with that usual mix of mischief and curiosity.
“Totally,” Yushi replies, smiling a little. “I’m pretty sure I nailed it. First place, easy.”
The two of them walk side by side toward the bulletin board, where a small crowd of students is already gathering. The anxiety in the air is palpable, but Yushi’s confident stride doesn’t falter. He’s got this. He knows it.
Riku pats him on the back. “You sure about that? You look pretty cocky, man.”
Yushi chuckles, shrugging. “I mean, what can I say? I’ve been preparing for months. Nothing’s gonna trip me up.”
But as they approach the bulletin board and the sea of faces start to settle around it, something in Yushi shifts. His smile falters, just for a split second. There’s a flutter in his stomach, an unease he can’t quite shake.
And then, his eyes land on the list. The familiar order of names, the bright red circle next to his own.
Yushi’s heart stops for a beat.
Second place.
His breath hitches in his throat as he scans the rest of the board, and his eyes land on the name above his. Sion.
Sion’s name is surrounded by a clean, perfect circle—100/100. Full marks. A perfect score. Not a single mistake. His score gleams at the top of the list, like it was always meant to be there, shining like a damn gold medal.
Yushi blinks. Once. Twice. He feels like the ground’s been ripped out from under him, and his chest tightens in a way that feels almost like a punch. No. No, this can’t be real.
One point.
One point.
It’s almost laughable how stupid it feels. One stupid mistake. He was so sure he had it. But here it is, in black and white: Sion, flawless as always, and Yushi, sitting there with one little blemish.
His heart races, and an angry, embarrassed flush creeps up his neck. His hands suddenly feel clammy, his throat tight. He doesn’t know whether he wants to scream or cry.
Riku leans over to look at the results, his expression softening when he sees the score. His gaze flicks to Yushi, and his usual teasing energy disappears, replaced with something quieter, more sympathetic.
“I mean, hey... second place is still really good, Yushi. You were so close.”
But Yushi doesn’t hear him. His vision goes fuzzy, focused only on that one point. He can hear the murmurs of other students around him, excited voices talking about their scores, but it all feels like a distant hum, like a separate world.
Yushi feels a knot of frustration tighten in his chest. Sion... that stupid, perfect golden boy. Always with his flawless hair, his polished smile, the way he always carries himself like he knows everything already. Like everything was already handed to him on a silver platter. One point. One point is all that separates them, but it feels like a whole damn world.
His hands curl into fists, his breath quickening. He can’t even bring himself to look at Riku. He just wants to get out of here, away from the stupid results, away from everyone looking at him like he’s almost good enough. The embarrassment burns in his stomach, raw and fierce.
He can’t. He can’t do this.
"Yeah, well, whatever," he says, his voice tight, even though he can barely choke out the words. "I don’t care. It’s just one point."
Riku’s gaze softens, like he understands what Yushi can’t bring himself to say. But Yushi’s already walking away, his steps quick and sharp, the anger building inside of him with every passing second.
One point.
Yushi grinds his teeth together, trying to suppress the storm rising in his chest. He can’t let this defeat him. He won’t.
But damn it, right now, it feels like everything’s falling apart.
As if the day couldn't get any worse, Yushi’s luck took a turn for the even worse. He was sitting in the cafeteria, trying to salvage what was left of his mood with a $3 carton of chocolate milk. He'd grabbed it on a whim this morning, wanting something sweet to drown out the bitter taste of second place, but now? It was just another reminder of how things had gone wrong.
He sat down at his usual spot, staring down at the carton, willing himself to at least enjoy the damn thing. He unscrewed the cap and took a swig. Just as he was about to settle in, feeling slightly better, the world decided it wasn’t done testing him yet.
He shifted in his seat, adjusting the milk carton, and in the process, his elbow hit the edge of the table. The carton wobbled dangerously for a second, and before he could catch it, the chocolate milk splashed over the top, spilling all over his brand-new white shirt. His jaw dropped.
“No. No way.” Yushi’s hands went up in frustration, trying to mop it up with napkins, but it was too late. The stain was there, bold and unforgiving.
His $3 chocolate milk had just become the least of his problems.
But as if that wasn’t bad enough, the universe decided to pile on more. He could hear whispers, and even the faint giggles of students from nearby tables, barely even trying to hide the conversation.
“Did you hear that Sion scored above Yushi?” one voice whispered. “It’s crazy, right? He got a full mark. I heard he’s the first person in years to do that.”
Yushi froze. His heart sank lower, deeper into the pit of his stomach.
Another voice, not even trying to be subtle. “I mean, yeah, we all kind of expected him to score higher. But Yushi? I thought he was supposed to be, like, the smart one.”
Yushi’s grip on the milk carton tightened until his knuckles turned white. He wanted to just leave. Right then and there. The humiliation felt like a wave crashing over him, and it wouldn’t stop. Every part of him was done.
It wasn’t enough that he’d placed second. It wasn’t enough that he’d made that stupid mistake. Now, even his chocolate milk and shirt were mocking him. And everyone—everyone—seemed to be talking about it. Gossip, whispers, giggles, it was all the same.
What was even worse was that Sion wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Usually, the guy strutted around like he owned the place, surrounded by his sophomore friend, Daeyoung, the music club coordinator with the oversized glasses. But today? There was no sign of him. No smug grin, no golden boy presence. It was like he was nowhere—and for a split second, Yushi found himself almost wishing he were here.
At least then, Yushi could hate him properly.
He glanced around the cafeteria, his eyes narrowing, but Sion was nowhere in sight. It was a strange emptiness that he couldn’t quite explain. Sure, he’d spent the whole day avoiding thoughts of him, trying to focus on anything but that damn smile, that perfect score, but now that he didn’t see him, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.
What would he do if he saw him?
Yushi’s jaw clenched, his chest tight. He couldn’t even decide how he’d feel. He’d want to blame Sion—maybe for being perfect, for never making a mistake. But deep down, he knew he couldn’t. He was the one who screwed up. It wasn’t Sion’s fault that he had gotten everything right. Yushi had only himself to blame.
He could still see the red circle around Sion’s name. 100/100. The gap between them might as well have been an ocean.
Yushi rubbed his eyes, trying to hold back the frustration threatening to spill out. It felt stupid, this rollercoaster of emotions. He’d been this close. He couldn’t get past that. Not just the mistake—though it stung—but the fact that he’d let himself get so caught up in it. He was supposed to be focused. But instead, he’d let something as petty as second place ruin his day.
He glanced back at the table where a few students were still whispering about the results, oblivious to how much it was eating him up inside.
Yushi shook his head, a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn’t think about it anymore. He needed to stop. Focus on his studies. Focus on anything else. But the more he tried to push it away, the more Sion seemed to linger in his thoughts like a shadow he couldn’t shake.
And when the bell rang for the next class, Yushi shoved the rest of his now-drenched chocolate milk into his bag, took a final look at the room, and walked out with his head down.
He didn’t need to see Sion. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
Yushi couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in such a terrible mood. Everything felt like a burden—his steps dragging through the halls, the air too heavy in his lungs, and his thoughts still tangled in that damn exam score. Even Riku’s usual antics couldn’t break through the dark cloud hanging over his head.
“Hey, c’mon, cheer up,” Riku had said that morning, cracking a joke about Yushi’s “dismal lack of a perfect score.” But all Yushi could manage was a tight smile, too tired to muster a real laugh. He’d waved off his friend’s attempts at cheerfulness, preferring to sit in his own thoughts. He was annoyed, embarrassed, and it seemed like nothing could shake it.
Now, after the bell rang signaling the end of the school day, Yushi was stuck with the least glamorous job of all: cleaning up the classroom. The bucket felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, and the mop was no better. He dragged his feet as he wiped down the desks, swept the floor, and dusted the bookshelves. It was mind-numbing, exhausting work, but it was just the kind of thing he could lose himself in. At least if his mind was occupied with cleaning, it wasn’t so focused on the pile of anger and frustration still gnawing at him.
By the time he finished mopping the floors, Yushi’s back was aching, and the scent of the cleaning solution had made his head feel like it was spinning. He just wanted to finish up, drop the mop, and go home to forget today ever happened. But as he squeezed out the last bit of water from the mop and made a move toward the bucket, he heard footsteps.
They stopped.
Yushi froze, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. He turned, wiping the sweat from his brow, and his heart stopped. Leaning against the doorframe, looking like he just stepped out of a damn magazine cover, was Sion.
Perfect, effortless Sion. His blonde hair was slightly tousled in that way that made it look like he hadn’t even tried, and his eyes—those piercing, mischievous eyes—were already on Yushi, glinting with amusement.
For a moment, all Yushi could do was stare. Of course, it had to be him. Of course, he had to walk in at this exact moment, when Yushi was at his lowest. Sion’s presence had this uncanny ability to make everything around him feel like it was falling apart—like he was the storm, and Yushi was the one stuck in the middle of it.
“Didn’t expect to find you here, Yushi,” Sion’s voice rang out, smooth and easy, like he hadn’t just completely shattered Yushi’s entire sense of worth that morning. “Mopping up the mess after all the excitement, huh?”
Yushi swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to keep his cool. He took a deep breath, looking away for a second. “It’s part of the job,” he muttered, wiping the mop against the floor.
Sion pushed off the doorframe and strolled in, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his uniform, his gaze never leaving Yushi. “You know, I’d almost say you look like you’re having a bad day. But then again, I’d be wrong. You’re always so perfect, right?”
Yushi clenched his jaw, but he didn’t respond right away. He focused on the mop, forcing himself not to snap. Don’t fall for it. Don’t let him get under your skin.
But Sion wasn’t done. His voice was light, teasing, like he was savoring the moment. “Second place. Again. Really thought you were going to take the crown this time. How’d that one point feel, huh? Must’ve been a nice wake-up call. One little mistake. Imagine.”
The taunting tone, the look in his eyes—it was almost too much. Yushi could feel the anger bubbling up again, that familiar heat spreading across his chest. He gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the mop handle.
“Yeah, yeah, real cute, Sion,” Yushi bit back, his voice hard and full of edge. “You gonna keep making jokes or do you actually have something interesting to say?”
Sion’s grin only grew. “Oh, I’ve got plenty to say. I mean, it’s just hilarious how someone as perfect as you couldn’t even keep it together for one test. One mistake. And now look at you.”
Yushi snapped. His patience was gone. “You know, it’s not like I didn’t try,” he shot back, stepping closer, the mop forgotten in his hand. “I just don’t make mistakes on purpose like you do—showing up late, strolling in all smug.”
Sion raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the change in Yushi’s tone. He took a step closer, that signature cocky confidence radiating off him. “Late? Smug? I’m just showing you how it’s done. Maybe if you didn’t put so much energy into being frustrated all the time, you’d actually score better.”
Yushi felt his pulse quicken, but he refused to back down. “Oh please. You’re not better than me, Sion. You just have everyone fooled into thinking you are. But guess what? I’m not interested in playing your games.”
Sion took another step forward, and for a moment, the space between them felt suffocating. The room seemed to get smaller, the air thicker, like everything around them was charged with some kind of tension that neither of them could escape.
The two of them were now mere inches apart, close enough for Yushi to feel the heat from Sion’s body, close enough for him to see the way Sion’s lips curled up in that infuriatingly smug smile.
“You’re really angry, huh?” Sion mused, eyes glinting with something almost dangerous. “Is it because I’m better than you at everything? Or is it just because you can’t stand the fact that I’m always right?”
Yushi’s breath hitched, his pulse quickening, but he refused to back down. “It’s not because of you. It’s because I hate feeling like I’m losing to someone who thinks they have all the answers.”
Sion smiled, clearly enjoying the tension. He tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping just a little lower, more teasing. “You know, you’re not so bad when you stop being so serious all the time.”
Yushi’s chest tightened again, his breath coming quicker. But this time, it wasn’t just anger that fueled him. It was something deeper. Something he didn’t want to acknowledge.
They were standing so close now, Yushi could feel the heat radiating from Sion’s body. His heart raced, a rapid drumbeat that matched the pounding in his ears.
And that was when Yushi realized it.
It wasn’t just frustration. It wasn’t just competition. It was something else. Something he couldn’t ignore anymore.
But he didn’t step away. Neither of them did. The space between them seemed to collapse into nothing.
Sion stood there for a moment longer, his eyes locking with Yushi’s, that same irritating glint of amusement dancing in his gaze. But then, with a soft chuckle, he straightened up, pulling back ever so slightly.
“Alright, alright,” Sion said, voice light but still laced with that confident, teasing tone. “I was just having a little fun. No need to get so worked up, Yushi. It’s just a game after all, right?”
He took a step back, and Yushi felt his breath catch in his throat, the air finally feeling like it could circulate again. Sion gave a little shrug, that annoying, infuriating smirk never leaving his face as he turned to leave.
“Don’t work yourself too hard,” Sion added over his shoulder, his voice carrying that all-too-familiar arrogance. “I’ll see you around, second place.”
Yushi just stood there, staring at the door where Sion had exited, trying to make sense of the last few moments. The anger, the tension—his pulse was still racing, but the atmosphere around him was slowly returning to something a little more grounded. The heat of the confrontation slowly faded, but the rush of adrenaline hadn’t quite left.
Yushi let out a breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding. His body sagged with the release, his shoulders slumping in relief. God, that was too close.
He dropped the mop with a clatter, suddenly feeling completely drained. His hands were still trembling a little as he wiped his forehead, trying to shake off the remnants of the intensity that had just consumed him.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t believe how quickly his emotions had gotten the better of him. It wasn’t supposed to feel like that. It wasn’t supposed to be this hard to ignore Sion and all his ridiculous taunts.
Yushi shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Focus. Get it together. You’re fine.
He glanced at the mop, half-heartedly thinking about finishing the cleaning. But it didn’t matter anymore. The day had already gone sideways, and the last thing Yushi wanted to do now was pretend he wasn’t still caught up in that moment, the feeling of being face to face with Sion, the whole world narrowing down to nothing but them.
He walked over to the door and locked it, taking a seat at one of the desks, trying to calm his breathing. The silence of the room felt almost too loud after the tension that had been there just moments ago. Sion was gone now, but the frustration and... something else... still hung in the air.
Yushi let out another deep breath, slowly standing up to finish the last of his cleaning. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving him with an empty, tired feeling.
But even as he finished up, wiping the last spot off the desk and stacking the chairs, he couldn’t shake the thought that kept creeping back into his mind: What was that?
He didn’t know the answer, and frankly, he didn’t want to think about it right now. All he knew was that Sion had gotten under his skin once again, just like always.
As Yushi finished up and grabbed his bag, he couldn’t help but feel one thing was certain—he was never going to let Sion get the last word again. Not if he could help it.
But for now, he just needed to get out of that classroom.