The rain that had begun at sundown yesterday and continued through this morning's sunrise had stopped. The city now basked in a soft, dream-like state. The weather was a contrast of chilly wind and the warmth of the newly risen sun. People, children, and pets bustled through the spring streets, soon to welcome summer.

As was his habit, Toyoma wandered, enjoying the long walk and the fresh air. He had thrown on a simple jacket over a grey sweatshirt and faded black bottoms. Maybe he'd stop by Youhei's place on the way back.

It was when he was thinking of getting something for Youhei that a flash of purple caught his eye.

"Hey, Kyou," he called out from across the road to the very familiar girl.

She didn't respond.

He wasn't sure if she hadn't heard him or she was just lost in her thoughts. It didnt help that her hair looked dull, her posture slumped, and her face was darkened by an unknown shadow. The usual Kyou he was familiar with wasn't there.

Concern swept over him. Knitting his brows, he jogged over.

"Kyou!"

She flinched, turning around to meet his concerned, yet playful eyes, her heart skipping a beat.

"Toyoma?!"

"Good day, Kyou," he said with a small smile.

He offered to buy her taiyaki and asked if she was feeling okay, but she refused and brushed off his concern. Their usual banter resumed, though something unsettling pooled in his gut for the first time. Eventually, they found themselves on a bench in a park, surrounded by vivid green grass, blooming flowers, swaying trees, and a gentle breeze.

"What are you doing on a Sunday? You should be with Ryou," she said, chastising him in her usual way.

Toyoma leaned back, one arm stretched across the bench, feeling at ease. "Baka, mind your own business," he teased lightly.

She looked down. "I guess you're right... sorry."

Her uncharacteristic lack of a sharp retort jarred him. He expected her usual snarky comments.

"!?— don't be."

Kyou rested her hands in her lap, eyes distant and wistful. If Toyoma noticed, he didn't know what to make of it.

"You know."

"Mhm?"

"She's liked you since she was a junior."

"Really?"

"So?" She clapped her hands softly, her voice hopeful. "You think you'll get along?"

"I think so," he replied, smiling slightly, trying to ease her worries. His gaze wandered skyward.

"She's diligent and kind but blushes easily, so I have to take it easy with her," Toyoma said, honest and thoughtful.

"Yeah, exactly!" Kyou giggled.

Her laugh was rare, like the touch of flower petals to his ears. From someone as assertive and outspoken as her, it was unexpected. People often said she had a masculine side, but now he saw more of her softer, distinctly Kyou-like side.

"But that's what makes her cute~."

Is she swooning?

He let out a quiet laugh.

"What?"

"No, I was just thinking how much you look out for your younger sister."

Toyoma's tone must have softened because Kyou's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes dropping.

"Not really..." she murmured, turning her head away.

Toyoma made a questioning sound, but Kyou only looked at the drifting clouds. "Forget it," she said softly.

Silence fell between them. In the distance, children played tag, an elderly woman petted a cat, parents pushed a stroller, and a couple shared a kiss on the grass.

"Hey."

"Hm?"

Kyou glanced at him, her voice soft but teasing. "Have you kissed Ryou?"

Toyoma blinked. Twice.

"Huh?!" he blurted, recoiling in shock. "O-of course I haven't!" he stammered, flustered.

She giggled again, much to Toyoma's growing embarrassment. "Oh, come on! You need to lead her more."

His cheeks burned. Bashfully, he avoided her gaze. "It's my first time dating a girl," he mumbled.

"Hm-hm~ Look, you're blushing," she teased.

He grunted. "What are you? Enjoying my embarrassment?"

She hummed playfully, neither confirming nor denying.

He shot her a mock incredulous look.

"Do you want to practice?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her eyes holding a mix of mischief and something deeper—something he couldn't quite name.

"Practice... kissing?" Her voice trembled, though subtly.

Toyoma felt like he'd stumbled into a dream. This was the kind of thing he would never have imagined possible.

It took him a moment to process her words.

"H-Huh?!"

A dark cloud drifted over them, blotting out the sunlight and casting a shadow over the pair.

"Think of me as Ryou," she said matter-of-factly. "We're twins, after all. We look alike, right?"

No, that wasn't the issue. The problem was that his body, his subconscious, seemed to crave it.

And that scared him.

Both their eyes were hidden beneath their bangs, shadows swallowing the light from their gaze.

"Yeah?"

The way her body bobbed subtly, the way her amethyst orbs unassumingly met his, as if ready for rejection, the roundness in the corners of her eyes…

It crushed him.

Before he could fully register his thoughts, they were already leaning in. He could feel her warmth, an aura of solace radiating from her. His heart raced, yet at the same time, he felt oddly calm.

He didn't know what Kyou was thinking, but his own thoughts were muddled. And what would Ryou think if she knew? The idea caused his heart to tighten painfully.

Kyou shared his hidden conflict, emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Their foreheads almost touched, breaths mingling, leaving ghostly warmth on each other's skin.

Kyou's heart fluttered, a sweet ache forming in her chest—something she knew she could never let go of.

Then, her hands cupped his cheeks, gently holding him. Her eyes opened in shock, guilt flashing across them.

"That's enough," she said, her voice trembling. She didn't meet his gaze, but her hands lingered, betraying her hesitation.

"It's just practice. We can't actually do it," she muttered, withdrawing her hands awkwardly. Kyou looked shaken, her movements and voice trembling.

The clouds drifted away, letting sunlight flood the scene once more, too bright, too real.

Toyoma was left with a confused expression. "R-Right," he muttered, though his emotions were a tangled mess.

"Were you taking it seriously?" she asked, laughing weakly.

"Of course not, you baka," he replied, though he wasn't sure if he meant it.

His thoughts were a blur.

Amidst the awkward rollbacks and attempts at hiding the exchange, they found themselves exchanging goodbyes for the day.

"I'd give that a six out of ten."

"Yeah, yeah," he answered, pretending not to care.

"See ya," she waved cheerfully.

"Bye," he responded, his usual demeanour slipping away.

As she disappeared from view, the unsettling feeling in his gut bloomed into something heavier.

Why was this so different from his time with Ryou? And why had he longed for it to happen?

Kyou...her actions today had shattered her usual façade. His thoughts spiralled, emotions swirling like particles at the edge of an event horizon.

But instead of confronting her, he turned and walked away.

And Kyou's expression, framed by inner torment, would remain unknown to Toyoma.

・゚ :・゚༺༻・゚༺ ・゚༻ :・゚༺*゚:・゚

The sky today was uncharacteristically broody again today, bleeding the city's hues into desaturated colours. A surprising contrast to yesterday's weather.

As he walks through the school gates, Tomoya wonders wearily of the clouds as looming premonition.

Yesterday's encounter with Kyou had still left him with unresolved feelings and questions; all of it feeding the restlessness in him.

"In that park?", he hears a girl question.

"-As in that delinquent?"

Toyomos eyes twitched in surprise and impending trouble as if it were breathing down his neck.

Already feeling exhaustion deep in his bones, even though the day hadn't even started, he made his way to the class. It felt like he was walking in a feet-deep snow.

"Ah, those two" "They used to be in the same class." "And they still look pretty close"

Toyomo cautiously stepped inside the class, the rumours following him like a bad omen.

"Wow, he's hear!" "Keep it down, idiot!"

He plopped heavily, helplessly down on his chair.

So the rumours were related to him...? What are they talking about?

"Why do it at a place like that?", a girl whispered to her friend. "Isn't he embarrassed?"

He turns to the window and closes his eyes. Only to be interrupted by the blond head friend.

"Oye, 'morning Okazaki!"

He had that damned mischievous look on his face.

"What, even you?"

・゚ :・゚༺༻・゚༺ ・゚༻ :・゚༺*゚:・

"What?! Me and Kyou?"

Tomoya leaned against the railing of an open window. It was reckless; a push or a fumble could send him tumbling to his death.

Youhei looked too happy to be calmed. He munched on his lemon bread and said, "Everyone at school knows about it. That you were kissing Kyou yesterday."

Toyoma exhaled tiredly, eyes drifting shut. "How do I even start explaining..." He bowed his head. "It's not what everyone thinks."

In truth, he didn't know what had happened. Kyou had offered to practice kissing him out of the blue, looking so fragile—like a special crystal snowflake caught in the air. A wrong move would have shattered her. Yet he craved it, and they almost kissed, then Kyou relented, and the conflicting feelings—ugh!

He clenched his fist around the cold railing.

"I knew something was going on. You looked like you were having fun."

"I'm saying nothing happened," he protested, lifting his head. "Besides, I'm dating her younger sister."

Youhei's eyes widened. "You and Fujibayashi Ryou?"

They stared at each other, dumbfounded.

"Seriously?"

"Is it that big of a surprise?"

"Well, you guys are complete opposites." Nah, when did you get so perceptive?

Toyoma turned away, watching the students walk and chat. A chilly breeze sent a shiver down his spine, though it wasn't uncomfortable.

Youhei continued, "On the other hand, I can imagine you dating Kyou."

For some reason, that made Toyoma feel even more wistful. "Don't come up with things on your own," he said, glaring at him. To Youhei, it felt like a half-hearted attempt to dismiss the idea.

Toyoma's shoulders slumped. "Hey, does Fujibayashi know about this?"

"I bet she'll hear it when she comes to school, whether she likes it or not."

Feeling cornered, Toyoma clicked his tongue.

"Ah, there you are," Kyou called in an upbeat tone, though her smile felt too light as she jogged toward them.

Toyoma stood up in surprise. "Hey—," but his words trailed off as she grabbed Youhei's collar in one swift motion, her grip firm and sudden.

"Come with me for a sec," she said casually—too casually for the tension in her jaw.

"Wait—I haven't done anything!" sputtered Youhei, bewildered as Kyou dragged him away.

Toyoma jumped in surprise, watching the scene unfold in speechless confusion.

"Hey, Kyou! You—"

But she ignored him—completely ignored him—and continued to drag Youhei away, her eyes hidden by her hair.

They soon disappeared from Toyoma's sight, leaving him deserted in the grey corridor. The weight of their conversation hung like the heavy sky outside. For a moment, he stood there, exhaling and pinching the bridge of his nose. Unsure of what to do, he reached for the lemon bread Youhei had dropped and stared at it.

The absurdity almost made him laugh.

Instead, he placed it on the window rail where he had been leaning, hoping the birds would make better use of it than they did, hoping to find comfort in the gesture.

He turned away despondently, hands in his pockets. Head slumped and chest heavy, he came face to face with Ryou. She looked at him with an innocent smile, a delicate blush decorating her cheeks.

Remorse, seething and burning, gnawed at his heart, puncturing it—shredding it.

She smiled up at him, eyes bright and innocent, blissfully unaware of the storm swirling inside him. "So, how was your weekend?" Her voice was light and carefree.

Too naive.

The guilt was ugly and angry; her words barely registered, falling dull and hollow on his ears. Guilt flared, not just for what had happened, but for the lie he felt trapped in, growing more suffocating with every second.

A monster roared inside him, furious at his cowardice, yet he walked away, feeling bleak and crushed by overwhelming emotions.

Toyoma wandered off to the corridor lining the courtyard—his pitiful escape—when familiar voices pricked his ears. He hid behind a pillar.

"You know, I seriously can't believe it."

"Why not? Is what I'm saying that strange?" Kyou's voice felt shallow.

"More like, I never sensed anything between us," Youhei reasoned.

In his pockets, Toyoma clenched his hands.

"Is it one of those things you don't notice because you were too close?" Youhei continued.

It was a rare sight to see the blond-haired guy be so grounded and perceptive; he usually jumped at the chance to date a girl.

"Yeah, maybe it's something like that." The sentence hung weakly in the air. "H-hey, do you want me to show you a simple proof?"

Kyou stumbled over her words, and the way her voice quivered didn't escape Toyoma's notice.

In front of him, on the glass door leading to the side entrance, he saw a blurred figure lean in toward the other.

He gasped as his heart constricted painfully, as if bound by a cold chain—suffocating yet refusing to die, even the sick and tragic relief eluding him.

"Wait a minute!"–Youhei...?!

Then he heard sounds—the sound of struggle and protests—before the exchange took place.

He felt too relieved.

"We can't," Youhei declared. In the reflection, it looks like Kyou hugging herself.

"This is strange. Are you sure you like me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry if I'm wrong, but you like Okazaki, don't you?"

Kyou gasped, her face flushing the deepest shade of red, her eyes betraying gutting tragedy.

He stepped away from the pillar, revealing himself, but his gaze was locked on the floor.

"W-what are you saying!?"

"Wha—," but he was staring ahead, Youhei's expression of surprise left stuck in his throat.

Hearing Kyou's shocked gasp confirmed for Toyoma that they had seen him.

・゚ :・゚༺༻・゚༺ ・゚༻ :・゚༺*゚:・

"She tried to go out with me to dispel the rumour about you and her."

They sat on a deserted stairwell leading to the rooftop. The first class had already started, but they couldn't be bothered.

"Why care about the rumours?" Toyoma asked, already knowing the answer.

"If it were just an ordinary rumour, I don't think she would go that far," Youhei replied, his tone suggesting, 'You're not that stupid; you know the reason too.'

Toyoma stared blankly ahead. He understood Kyou's intentions—it was for the best for him and Ryou—but she was hurting herself in the process, which pained him.

Youhei gave his friend a knowing, concerned look.

Tomoya's silence ended the conversation.

・゚ :・゚༺༻・゚༺ ・゚༻ :・゚༺*゚:・

Toyoma pushed his locker shut, resisting the urge to lean his head against it. He felt as though he had aged a decade in the past seven hours; now he just wanted to get lost in a dark forest—alone.

"You're late."

Now he leaned heavily against the pillar—the same one that had hidden him in the morning. The angle cast his body in shadow.

Kyou stood to his right, gazing at the garden beyond. Sunlight filtered through, illuminating her face.

"Hey, don't take what Youhei said seriously," she said, breaking the silence.

She pauses for a moment, her eyes following the clouds.

"Seeing you and Ryou so close made me want a boyfriend too... So I thought I'd pick Youhei."

How can she—You wouldn't, would you, Kyou? You're not yourself—what are you doing?—Toyoma, for a reason or other, failed to form a coherent thought.

"Then—!"

"Stop it," he roared, his voice heavy with restraint.

She stopped abruptly, surprise flashing across her face. Her body flinches delicately.

Toyoma was typically unreactive.

"Do you fish for guys on a whim?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

His words struck a nerve; her eyebrows dropped, and her smile faded into a flat line. "Mind your own business," she replied slowly, devoid of emotion.

Her lack of fire only frustrated him more, making him feel helpless and agitated.

He clenched his teeth, breath hitching.

Toyoma genuinely cared about Kyou, but her behaviour painfully triggered him. She was so hurting herself; it was torturous.

Kyou bowed her head, and a heavy silence fell between them. The singing of birds and the flutter of wings were drowned out by the slow ticking of his clock.

"You should only think about Ryou," she said, her upbeat tone sounding forced. "Okay?" she questioned, a smile plastered on her face.

Her fragile voice made his fists clench.

He kept staring ahead.

She didn't wait for his response, or perhaps she couldn't. As she walked away, she waved lightly and said, "You can't make your girlfriend worry about you. See ya."

As she faded into the darkening corridor, Tomoya caught a glimpse of Ryou looking at him from the corner of his eye.