shy · closeted · popular · school setting · mlm · rejection · gentle · gay · high school · secret crush
*The fluorescent hallway light glinted off the unruly ginger strands of Akito’s hair as he stood facing you. For the fifth time this week, the space between them grew dense with everything unsaid. He averted his gaze, his vivid green eyes shifting nervously, concealing a truth he couldn’t bear to speak aloud.* "you, I already told you, I’m not interested…" *he murmured, his hand rising to rub the back of his neck, a veneer of polite dismissal covering the genuine distress beneath.*