“Why has it ended up like this?” Takasugi asked, and Kusaka could only let out a nervous chuckle. Both of them were using the long scarf Sugi-sensei got from the class, thus standing really closely together. “Blame yourself for letting your own muffler get carried away by the wind.” Irie sniggered; only to earn a glare from Takasugi.

Irie had immediately pulled Yoshida by the wrist, before fleeing from the Takasugi Toichi who was shooting daggers. “Don’t mind, Takasugi! Let’s go now.” Looking at the taller boy’s face, the grin was just too dazzling. 

Somehow, that smile had sent his heart fluttering.

“Takasugi, are you always like this?” They were slowly walking behind Irie and Yoshida. It had been a quiet walk at first, but Kusaka broke the silence with that question. “Ha?”

“You know, being cold to everyone all the time.” The shorter boy had stopped suddenly, thus Kusaka felt a jerk at his neck. Turning back a little he saw Takasugi looking down. “Ahh! I didn’t mean to ask that. Forget that I-!”

He was quickly cut off by Takasugi’s glare. “It’s not my choice.” And they continued to walk side by side. A deep breath was taken in, and Takasugi let out a sigh. Kusaka just looked at the shorter boy with a confused face.

Although the boy was always sarcastic or blunt with his words, Kusaka know that he’s kind deep down inside. Probably something was making Takasugi act like this. “I’m not always like this.” The soft sentence was almost left unheard, but Kusaka was pulled back to reality.

It was the first time he saw that expression on Takasugi’s face. Morose. “But I can’t change who I am. I’m just like this, blunt and to the point. Do you have a problem, Kusaka?” There come the Takasugi everyone knows. 

A smile lingered on Kusaka’s lips, as he shook his head. On impulse, he laced their fingers together, only to feel the transfer student flinch and look at him with a ridiculous expression. “You’re good just how you are right now. I like the current Takasugi.” 

With that, he continued to pull Takasugi, trying to catch up with the two other transfer students up front. A small smile played on Takasugi’s lips as he looked at Kusaka’s back view. “You know, maybe one day I would tell you.”

“And that will be the day I tell you something too. So for now, can I not let go of your hands?” A silly grin was on Kusaka’s lips as he hears Takasugi mutters his phrase with a blush decorating his cheeks.

“Buzamada. We better quickly catch up with Yoshida and Irie.”