Jiroh sat on a bench outside the school building. He was very close to dozing off when a boy came strolling down the hallway. Jiroh recognized him immediately. Atobe Keigo, the most popular boy in school. Affluent, smart, and athletic. He was Hyoutei's shining star for the glory it so craved.

"Hey, Akutagawa-kun right?"

"Yes," Jiroh said, his back straightening and feeling much more awake in the presence of such a beautiful boy.

"What are you doing here?"

"I just got out of detention and was about to go home. But then I saw the bench and I felt the need to sit down."

Atobe looked mildly alarmed. "Are you okay?" He offered Jiroh his water bottle. Jiroh drank from it greedily, delighting in the indirect kiss.

"So, what did you do?" Atobe asked and to Jiroh's amazement, he took a seat next to him.

Fidgeting, Jiroh confessed, "I feel asleep in class again."

"Oh, did you have a hard time falling asleep last night?"

"No, it's just I'm never really awake." Jiroh could hardly believe that the Atobe Keigo was actually interested in what he had to say.

Atobe frowned for a moment and Jiroh worried, thinking he'd maybe said something wrong. Because of course Atobe could care less. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He was an idiot to expect more, but Jiroh couldn't help it. Whenever he looked at Atobe, there was something so compelling that Jiroh felt the need to say something, to hold his attention for fear he might leave.

Then Atobe smiled and Jiroh could almost hear birds chirping.

"I know what you need." Atobe leaned forward ever so slightly and Jiroh could smell the sweet sweat coming off him. Could see a bead of sweat slide down the opening of Atobe's jersey.

Jiroh fought to keep the smile in place but his throat caught. Was Atobe going to suggest medication?

"Come to tennis practice with me. I was just taking a break; some of the upperclassmen aren't too thrilled at the fact that I'm vice-captain." Atobe chuckled, smiling as though at some private joke.

Jiroh stared in complete admiration. "The elections were today? Really, Sakaki-sensei chose you? That's- wow, congratulations!"

"You're the first one I've met who seems happy. Everyone seems to resent me." Atobe looked down at his tennis shoes. "Hey, Jiroh-kun-can I call you that?" Jiroh nodded enthusiastically. "Want to walk me back to practice? You could watch, then decide if you want to play."

"Okay," Jiroh agreed, because when Atobe Keigo smiles at you, you're totally and completely captivated.