Chaotic Harmony

"Hello, class. I'm your new Physical Education teacher," he announced. "Since you're now teenagers, boys and girls will do different activities. Please form two lines, from shortest to tallest."

PE, seriously? Aw man...

As soon as they stood up, Yuri smiled at Mao, who turned around, visibly distressed. Hm? What's wrong? Now that I see him, he's my height... I hope I can get my growth spurt soon.

Two lines formed, except for Mao, who stopped in the middle of the classroom, visibly reluctant. "You," said the teacher, pointing at him. "What's wrong? Get in the girls' line."

The girls' line? Does the teacher really think Mao is a girl?

Mao stepped forward, stopping at the end of the line since he was taller than the girls. "Hey, Mao, what are you doing? Stand behind me."

Mao looked at the ground, embarassed. Yuri's smile turned into a confused expression. What? Is the list wrong? 

Someone placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder. "What are you doing?" asked Hideaki, also confused. "The teacher said girls and boys can't go together now."

"But Mao is a boy..."

"Now, class, shall we go to the gym?" said the teacher, leading the lines. They started walking. Yuri was still staring at Mao, so Hideaki pushed him lightly, forcing him to walk.

"A boy?" he murmured sarcastically. "You seemed a little strange at first, but I didn't know you were more delusional than me."

"What are you talking about? I'm always right."

"That's what an evil mastermind would say. And that would mean you're my enemy." He patted Yuri on the shoulder with a snarky smile. "Come on, just accept the facts."

"The facts...? But the facts are..."

They went to the gym. "Now, boys, you can start warming up," the teacher suggested. "I'll start with the girls and then give you an activity."

Yuri's body involuntarily followed his line, his hand reaching for Mao. Hideaki pushed him again. "Look ahead, Yuri."

The other boys started exercising in the same spot, while Yuri still stared at his friend, confused. Hideaki was also warming up. "I'm a hero, so I need to get stronger," he said. "And you, what are you?"

Yuri didn't answer. He seemed to be feeling down. Hideaki nudged him. "Come on, look at the bright side: you have a girl friend! That's already infinitely more than me."

"Girl friend...? But that can't be..."

"How long are you going to deny the facts? I'm new here, and at first glance, I knew she was a girl. You're just being delusional."

The teacher arrived. "Well, let's start running laps."

Yuri stood up slowly, his body heavy. "What's the point, right...?" He cleared his mind and followed the other boys, running as steadily as he could, since he and Mao had been training for years. Whenever he glanced at Mao, she looked away, embarassed.

After class ended, they returned to the classroom. Yuri waited for Mao, but she didn't appear. He looked for her, but she seemed to be avoiding him. After classes finished, he sat at a desk in an empty room. He watched the students leave, lost in thought. He watched the students outside leaving, his mind occupied. Then, the door opened. He turned quickly, expecting to find Mao.

"Hey," said Hideaki, waving his hand. Yuri looked disappointed. "What are you doing here?"

"Hideaki... What are you doing here?"

"I asked that first!"

"Nothing in particular..."

"Then why are you so sad after finding out your best friend was a girl all along?"

"I'm not sad..."

"Lighten up, my brother! We can't defeat any villains in this state! Join me on this mission."

"I don't wanna..."

"Then what do you want to do?"

"I want to... I don't know either..."

"What are you thinking about? Be honest."

"Mao."

"Yeah, but what about her?"

Yuri hesitated for a few seconds, reluctant. "Do you think she hates me?"

"Hate you? For what? You did nothing wrong."

"Maybe she didn't want me to find out..."

"It wasn't your fault at all. And if she's your friend, try talking to her. I'm sure she doesn't hate you."

"But she's been avoiding me..."

"Then send her a message! Just don't let her slip away."

"What if she doesn't want to be bothered?"

"Ask her. If you keep trying to guess what she's thinking, you'll never know the truth."

Yuri looked at the ground, lost in thought. After a few seconds, he gave his new friend a slight smile. "Thank you, Nemu. When I first saw you, I thought we'd be enemies."

"It's better to have a loyal enemy than a treacherous friend." Hideaki returned the smile.

Yuri returned home feeling a little better. He went straight to his room, opened the door, and was confronted with a horrifying scene: his twin sister obsessed with comic books. "Oh, Yuri!" she exclaimed, excitedly wiggling her legs. Quickly, she sat up in bed, greeting him with a smile. She wore the same round, opaque glasses as his brother. Her hair was short and pink, with green tips.

"Y-Yaoi... are you doing that again?"

"What? Reading peak fiction? Yes, I am!"

"Why don't you try being more normal...? I think that's why you don't have many friends..."

"Speaking from experience? Don't worry, bro, I'm just being myself."

"But people look at you wherever you go... Not just your hair, but your attitude also attracts a lot of attention."

"And? Doesn't that sound awesome? I prefer to be remembered than forgotten!" She quickly stood up, doing jumping jacks.

"No wonder why you got banned from by my school..."

"Hey! I prefer to live my way, no matter how much everyone is bothered by my presence!"

"I wish I could do that..."

Yaoi grabbed Yuri's cheeks, overpowering him despite being shorter. He stared at her, their glasses almost touching. "You can! You just need to live for yourself, bro!"

"E-Easier said than done!"

"You're too kind, Yuri. You have to step over everyone to get out of the shadows, because everything revolves around us."

"That's simply wrong..."

"Well, this is my attempt to convince you to think of yourself first and then others." She put her arm around his shoulder, smiling. "If you don't do that, you'll only hurt yourself."

"Sounds better than hurting others..."

"You don't need to follow my steps, bro! But you should never stop being yourself."

"I am being myself..."

"No, you're not!" She spun around, pausing to strike a pose. "You are who people think you are! You're forcing yourself to be good! Just be yourself, naturally!"

"I don't think I can do that..."

"Then do it little by little! Just don't let people change you!"

"You say that if you had been like this from the beginning..."

"But I have!"

"No, you were much more normal back then..."

"That's in the past! Now I've decided who I want to be!"

"Who you want to be...?"

"Yes!"

"A weirdo?"

"Yes! Wait, no! An independent girl who thinks for herself and doesn't let others change her mind!"

"That sounds like a narcissist..."

"So be it!"

Yuri started to laugh genuinely. "Sis, you're really strange."

"Life is too short to be generic and forgettable!"

Yuri was now lying in his bed, in the same room as his sister. He texted Mao: "Are you okay?"

"Me?" she replied instantly. "Yeah, why?"

"I just wanted to say that I still consider you as my best friend. Nothing has changed for me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And nothing can change that."

"Are you really sure? Are you sure you won't hate me for anything?"

"100% certain. We'll be friends forever, whether you like it or not."

"..."

Did I go too far? I shouldn't be so honest...

"Thank you," she replied. Yuri smiled even wider, feeling relieved. His sister looked at him with a knowing smile. "Are you talking to your girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend? An evil genius doesn't need something as petty as that!"

"Then let's conquer the world together, brother!"

The next day, he arrived early at the classroom, waiting for Mao. As soon as she entered, he smiled at her. She looked away, embarrassed, but didn't move. She stood there, as if waiting for something. "Hi, Mao!" He waved at her.

She nodded back, smiling nervously. "Hi, Yuri!" Her voice was now softer, less manly. She's been forcing her voice this whole time?!

They walked towards each other, one step at a time. Both nervous, they couldn't get very close, although they were very happy to see each other. Someone approached Yuri from behind and pushed him. It was Hideaki, with a wide grin. Since Yuri was pushed forward, Mao had no choice but to hug him.

Their hearts pounded, their faces flushed intensely. Could this be why I've been feeling something for her?