'If I don't have a functioning doubles team by morning, you'll find yourself rolling tennis nets in the auxiliary gym for the rest of the year.' With that, Atobe leaves them in the student council office, a stack of filing on the table before them.
Gakuto hasn't looked at Yuushi once since his partner entered the room, ice pack pressed to the bridge of his nose. He runs his tongue over his lip, it stings, but it doesn't justify the sight of Yuushi's eye slowly darkening to a deep purple.
Yuushi grabs a stack of files from the table.
'No,' Gakuto whispers.
The other boy stops, but doesn't look towards him.
'You shouldn't,' he says to his partner. 'This is my fault.'
'We play doubles, Gakuto. We share our wins, our losses and also our detentions.' Yuushi's voice is softer than he deserves, but the pain is still there.
He nods, because words can't make it through the tightness in his throat. He's trying hard not to embarrass himself again, it burns his chest and stings his eyes.
He struggles to put the files away without Yuushi noticing. He can feel the taller boy studying his every move.
'Sit down, Gakuto.'
He does. He folds his arms over the surface of the table and hides his face in the comforting dark of his own arms. He never wants to lift his head again.
Yuushi is sitting on the other side of the table.
He dares to lift his head just enough to see over the barrier of his crossed arms. 'Does it hurt?' he asks.
Yuushi nods. 'Yes, but I'm not talking about the bruise. Why?'
'I'm sorry,' he murmurs desperately hiding his face again.
Yuushi leans forward and gently pulls at his arms until he gives in. Gakuto reluctantly takes his partner's hands. 'Why? I don't understand.'
He shakes his head not wanting to say, but he has to. 'Don't make jokes about me… about girls and sex. Not in front of them.' he says leaning his head on one extended arm.
Yuushi looks a little surprised, but nods. 'Is there a girl you like?'
Gakuto closes his eyes, because he doesn't want to see it happen. 'No. I don't think I like girls.'
'Then why… oh… you mean. Ah.' Yuushi is silent.
He tries to quiet the sound of his own breath, as if silence would allow him to hear what Yuushi was thinking. 'Yuushi?' he whispers. 'What are you thinking?'
'That I'm a bit slow,' he smiles. 'That you're my best friend.'
He laughs at Yuushi's self-effacement. 'I felt like everyone could tell.'
Yuushi nods. 'No one can tell. Gakuto?'
'Mm?'
'Nothing…'
'No. What?'
'Am I attractive?'
His face flushes, and he slaps Yuushi's hands away.
'I am. You think I'm sexy,' his partner grins.
'No I don't,' he protests.
Yuushi nods with a wide smile. 'You think I'm sexy.'