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Unfortunately, PK Academy was deciding to hold a marathon for the second years students. It was one of the coldest days of the years yet, but the teachers didn't reschedule. They really love their students.

'Why? Why me..?'

If you were to look, however, 2-1's class president was still ecited for the run. His body was producing a warmth that brought a pleasant feeling to everyone around him.

'I can't ever see myself getting close with him,' Asher looked to the exuberated male in, almost, discomfort. 'Way too excited for me.'

'I would say the same, but unfortunately, I've already been claimed as a friend.'

"Woo! Lets go, guys! We got this!!" Hairo cheered to his class, most of them only paying attention to the heat he radiated.

'Oh.. oh, man,' Asher's face melted into bliss, 'he's so warm. Maybe I could get used to him.'

'That was a quick switch up.'

Mr. Matsuzaki explained the layout of their route and how far they would be running. He said there would be teachers at each checkpoint with water to make sure no students were cheating. After the in-depth explanation, he counted them down and allowed the boys to start running. Asher had started off pretty well. He didn't feel like pushing himself to the max, seeing that as long as he finished he would get full marks. So, he lagged behind a few boys.

"I thought there'd be more people in front of me," Asher looked around. That was when he noticed the small dog slowly falling behind within the crowd. When he took a closer look, he realized it wasn't a puppy, but Kaidou.

'Wow, he is very physically incapable,' the brunette realized. 'I can't just watch. I feel bad.' He began to slow his pace until he was beside Kaidou.

"Kaidou, you can't stop yet. Don't be a fuckin' loser and push!"

"I.. I can't do it..!" He cried, panting heavily as he slowed even more.

"For fuck's sake," the stronger male rolled his eyes, grabbing Kaidou and carrying him like a bride before continuing at his original pace.

'W- what!? What is this!? Why is he holding me like some fragile princess!?'

'Well, you are somewhat fragile.'

Saiki couldn't help but glance to the two as they caught up to him. He swiftly looked away when Asher had looked in his direction.

'Saiki's more athletic than I thought. Would've assumed he would be in the back with Kaidou.'

'I could kill you with the snap of my fingers.'

"Oh ho ho, Saiki! You're doing better than expected."

The pinkette nodded his head, making Asher huff. That was not the response he wanted. He was clearly trying to make conversation. How rude.

"Well then," Asher awkwardly started, "maybe we'll talk later." He jogged away, leaving the awkward atmosphere.

'Hopefully not.'

The marathon was very long and tedious, especially since he had an extra weight in his arms. Luckily, it ended pretty soon, the less Asher thought about it. He placed Kaidou onto his feet.

'16th place? Not too shabby.'

"Asher-kun! Thanks for helping me! I didn't think you'd be so nice and do that– I mean, not like that. You just don't seem like you'd do that..."

The taller of the two deadpanned at the senseless rambling. "Shut up."

"Okay..!"

"I only did it because I felt bad. Looked like a dying pup out there," he sighed, ruffling his own hair. "See 'ya."

'A puppy!? What's that supposed to mean..?' He watched him walk away in embarrassment.

• ——— •

Saiki had decided to leave his house on the weekend. Sometimes there were good reasons to leave to comfort of your sheets when you didn't have to. Like coffee jelly, for example. A small restaurant nearby had been serving jellied coffee, and the pinkette had to indulge himself in one on his free time.

'Mmm, coffee jelly...' he moaned, finishing the last bite of his paradise. 'Sadly, my sweet paradise has come to an end... And I forgot my wallet at home.'

He sat in his booth wondering what to do. 'I could wash dishes as payment, but would they allow me? And most of my ideas consist of something illegal...'

Since Saiki had been lost in his mind, deliberating what he wanted to do about his wallet situation, he hadn't noticed a familiar brutnette walking into the same restaurant as him.

'Is that Saiki? Why's he wearing that funky coat..?'

Asher decided to cautiously approach his classmate. Saiki almost flinched when he saw the male slide into the seat in front of him. Instead, he had a small glare resting in his eyes.

"What're you doing here?"

"Is it illegal for me to eat out?" he laughed.

"I meant at my table."

Asher rested back, "I was hoping to talk with you. Might as well now that we're both here."

"I was getting ready to leave," Saiki refuted briskly. "But I don't have my wallet..."

"Then how about I pay? I, in fact, do have my wallet. Wanna get something else while you're at it?"

"Coffee jelly for me."

'I can't help but be shameless. My ecstasy is on the line.'

"Sweet, I was gonna get that too," he hummed, waving down a waitress so he could give their orders.

'What's the gain in wasting money on someone you hardly know?'

'I really like his hair...'

'... Whatever. It's not my problem.'

"Is that what you were eating before?" Asher turned his attention to Saiki as he was done giving their order. "I saw you through the window; it looked like you were enjoying yourself."

"Of course. Nobody wouldn't enjoy such a delicacy."

"To the point where you're making erotic faces, though..?"

"Huh? I was not."

Asher snorted. "Whatever you say..."

'How irritating.'

They both thanked their waitress that came back with their orders, putting a cup of jelly in front of each of them before going on her way. They had taken a bite out of their treats silently.

"So," Asher started.

'Great.'

"Pink hair, huh?"

"Are you stupid?" the words slipped through Saiki barrier so that Asher could hear.

"Me? Stupid? Never."

'Huh. Surprised I didn't get angry at him. Japan must be fixing my temper.'

'I'm surprised, too. Can't have you go breaking my face before I finish my jelly.'

Asher took another bite out of the jelly, giving a small hum of satisfaction. "Damn. This isn't too fuckin' bad.."

"Must you use such vulgar words?"

"Must thy speak as ifeth thee is in the 18th century?" he 'mocked' Saiki.

"At least I don't speak like.. that."

"Like what, huh?"

"Like I'm uneducated."

They both went silent. Asher's eyebrows had rose in a surprised matter, fidgeting with the spoon in between his fingers. Saiki stared at him for a second before looking to his cup.

'Maybe that was too harsh.'

A burst of laughter was heard from Asher, Saiki looking up to watch him lie his forehead onto the cool table. He could see his ears turn red from all the chuckles he was releasing. "H- holy fuck..!"

'Huh?'

When his moment of giggles calmed, he was finally able to speak. He sat up once more, wiping the tears from his face. "Who else knew you had a little spunk? It's a bit..."

"What?"

"... Nothing. I meant you seem like... somewhat like Kaidou, I guess. Just a bit smarter, y'know? No offense to him."

"Never compare me to him again."

Asher threw his hands up in defense, "No need for the attitude, man. If anything, it's a compliment. He may be a bit nerdy, but it's charming. For him, at least."

"So do you find me charming?"

"Is that what you want to hear?"

"Hell no."

He snickered, placing his elbows on the table. "Too late. I like someone who isn't afraid to take a bite." He leaned his head onto his hands, leaning forward so he was closer to the boy in front of him.

'Too close..' Saiki leaned back in his seat, somewhat uncomfortable with their proximity.

Asher soon sat back, laughing at Saiki's behavior. The pinkette glared at the weird classmate that sat with him. Why was he so unlucky? They finished their snacks, Asher finishing rather quickly since it was such a small portion.

"Wow~!" he sighed, sliding down in his seat. "That was the shit."

"Don't refer to coffee jelly as 'shit' ever again."

"You know I didn't mean it like that."

'Of course I know,' he gave a small eyeroll.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Saiki resulted in searching through Asher's mind, bringing up a thought that had been buried in his mind since he stepped into the restaurant.

The brunette took a moment to think. "Hmm... oh, shit! I forgot, I came out for groceries. Damn, I gotta go." He pulled out his wallet, pulling out some bills and slapping it onto the table. "See you at school, Saiki! Addio!"

'Italian, too? What a character...'

• ——— •

Later, after a few passing days, the students of class 2-1 had decide to go out for a karaoke party. Asher hadn't been a big fan of singing, but he was definitely a party guy. And he wouldn't have to pay! It's a win-win, in his opinion. No way would be miss out.

'I guess he'll be going there, too. Fantastic...'

It was late afternoon when they all arrived to their destination. It was rather small for their entire class, with hardly enough space for anyone to stand in the room. It was as if they were a pack of sardines within their small karaoke room.

'Simply follow plan gelatin: get in, get the jelly, and get out.'

The brunette plopped himself on the couch beside Saiki, resting his arms on the back of it. "Hey there, lolipop."

"Is that the best you can do?"

"What!? Your hair is pink, and the hairpin things you wear in your hair look like lolies. Oh, on that note, you look like a robot wanna-be nerd with that get up."

'Sometimes murder is okay to consider.'

"Besides that, I signed us up for a duet."

"Why would you do that..!?"

"Calm down, tiger," he chuckled in amusement. "I wanted to get that cute reaction out of ya'. You can be so fun to tease."

'I should've done better to keep my distance.'

"Oh, is that the phone? Hold on, gonna call in for the coffee jelly special, looks good. Want one?"

'Nevermind, I think I'm in love.'

"Sure."

He nodded, standing and walking from the couch so he could place their order. That's when a small fiasco began between them and their classmates. They would call for their order, something would get mixed up, then it would disappear. It would be okay if it was once or twice, but it was going on the third time..!

"Holy shit, I will commit manslaughter if these bitches take my order one more goddamned time." His fists were balled and crossed over his chest, his foot impatiently tapping the ground.

"Calm down, tiger—

"Shut the fuck up."

"Someone's a bit moody. We can always get it another time."

'Was that an invitation for a date?' Asher peered at the pinkette, his cheeks feeling slightly warm. 'Saiki, you sly dog...'

'I didn't mean it like that. At all.'

"I'm going to the bathroom," he sighed and left Asher, basically, alone on the couch.

Not even 10 minutes later had he walked back in to complete disaster. When he had left, everyone was talking amongst themselves and singing to the songs they chose. Now, every looked dead! Aside from Nendo, who had just finished up his song.

'Did his voice really kill the entire class?'

He went over to Asher, seeing his mouth slightly agape with a stupefied look. If Saiki couldn't hear, and see, the beating of their hearts, he would've really thought they were all dead.

"What happened?"

"Huh..? I'm not deaf yet..?"

'Well, it is possible. But I can't say that, can I?'

"No. Where's our stuff?"

"Gah.. I think the guy might've ran away while he could. I'm not sure. My memory's a bit hazy."

'Of course. Just my luck.'

The class recovered, and immediately decided to cut their session off there. They all needed time for their ears to rest after the trauma they were put through. The sun had gone down, so it was probably most of their bedtimes.

"Saiki!"

'I just want to go home.'

"Saiki," Asher stopped in front of the boy, holding out a small bag to him. "I know you weren't able to get that jell, and I know how much you like since you were drooling over it the other day. So, I went to the front desk and asked for one since ours were taken."

'Is he being nice? What's the point?'

'Glad I went back and scared those fuckers. Learn to do your job well, stupid shits.'

'Good grief.'

"Thanks," he took the bag.

The latter nodded, turning his back to Saiki while walking away. "Mhm. Get home safe, fiore di ciliegio."

'Cherry blossom..? He could do better.'

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