“It might just be me, but isn’t everyone looking at us?”

“Probably.” Yuichi grinned, not in the least bit fazed by all the attention in the least.

Kanae couldn’t help but be captivated once again.

“We’re famous, you know. It’s like seeing two celebrities battle it out for the top spot. So it’s probably a bit of a spectacle.”

“Famous…?”

“Of course!” Yuichi burst into laughter.

“Don’t tell me you don’t realize it, Kanae Hayakawa.”

“What…? How do you know my name…”

“No way!” Yuichi laughed loudly, holding his stomach.

“Who was it that called you a Cool Beauty? You may be surprisingly beautiful, but “cool” you are not! Clueless is more like it.” Yuichi smirked mischievously. “Fine, let me explain. You’re famous around here. If everyone’s spreading gossip about you, of course everyone’s going to know who you are. People aren’t going to talk about nobodies, are they? Anyway, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to think you were gay. You look so ‘beautiful,’ people jump to conclusions. Oh—and one more thing? Call me by my first name. If you call me ‘Nagao,’ I’m not going to know you’re addressing me.”

“Well, Yuichi then.”

“Better. Friends now?”

“Yeah, friends!” Kanae nodded, quite delighted.

“Shall we go for a drink then? Now that we’re friends, I say we should get to know each other better.”

“…but, it’s noon and…what about the next class?”

“You know, Kanae...” Yuichi looked at the other boy in exasperation. “Class exists to be skipped. Nothing’s ever stopped me from ditching for a drink. You don’t want to chat with me?”

“No, that’s not it!” Kanae shook his head furiously. Because his sexuality was put into question, there were few guys who showed any interest in being his friend. On the other hand, he did have quite a few female friends, but their boyfriends didn’t approve of them hanging out with Kanae. There were only a few people who were brave enough to have a regular conversation with him until now.

So, he was quite happy that someone was willing to spend time with him.

And Yuichi Nagao, of all people!

“I’m pretty surprised…normally everyone’s talking about what a terrible guy you are.” He hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but the words just slipped out. Yuichi threw a glance at him. Too late. Was he angry? Kanae couldn’t tell.

“Yeah, I know. But you of all people should know that gossip is a load of crap. I won’t listen to the ones about you. Got it?”

Kanae was so happy. He nodded firmly.

“So?” Suddenly he whispered, and Kanae tilted his head. What did he mean by “so”?

“Does sex with a guy feel good?”

What?! He looked at Yuichi, wide-eyed, who only grinned in return. It was a question that Kanae had long since grown tired of, yet this time he felt in the mood to indulge it.

Kanae smiled and answered him.

“I’ll leave it to your imagination.”

“You are a cool beauty, then. It’s the most important part of being a pretty boy.”