I am Suzuki-kun!

I'm not used to how deserted the school looks in the early morning. Usually, I'm one of the final students running through the gates, barely making it on time.

Today is different. No adrenaline pumping through me as I slide between the closing gates, no side-eyes given by prefects from the disciplinary team, no secret anticipation for being able to see Mura-san the moment I walk into the classroom.

My heart, however, races faster than it does in any one of those mornings.

I push open the glass doors of the school building, columns upon columns of shoe cupboards before me. I waste no time, making my way directly to Mura-san's cupboard and pulling it open.

Creeeaaaak. The cupboard door swings open, revealing a pair of indoor shoes. I breathe a sigh of relief - she's not at school yet, as I predicted. I pull the memo out of my pocket and am about to slip it in, when...

"Kira-san?"

My breath hitches at her familiar voice. Slowly, I turn around, memo still in hand.

Ah, Mura-san's ribbon is as neatly done as always.

"Kira-san. My eyes are up here."

I flinch at her words, my hands getting sweatier by the minute. I'm unable to meet her eyes - instead, I look away from her completely.

You could run away, A voice in the back of my mind reminds me. Just hand her the note and go!

"Like hell I will!" I snap, standing up straight to look directly at Mura-san to practice proper conversational etiquette. She blinks and tilts her head, her dark eyes glistening with confusion.

"U-uhm, sorry..." I mumble, "I didn't mean to say that out loud." I hand her the note and wipe my palms on my skirt.

She chuckles softly as she reaches for the sheet of paper and reads it. In a couple seconds, she puts the note in her own pocket, places her hands on my shoulders, and turns me around 180 degrees.

"Let's go, Suzuki-kun!"

⋆⛧*┈┈┈┈﹤୨♡୧﹥ ┈┈┈┈*⛧⋆

As we reach the rooftop, Mura-san turns around and closes the door behind her. The seconds pass like hours, and my heart feelings like it's about to tear out of my chest.

As she finishes up, she walks towards me, crossing her arms. "Well?"

"D-do you remember our conversation, Mura-san? Back when I was, um, in the locker..."

"I remember every word," she says, her voice hardening with each word.

"Well, um, it's just as I said," I pace my breathing, locking eyes with her. "I'm not who everyone else thinks I am."

Mura-san nods. "Yes, I remember you've said that."

"Have you..." I pause and look away to brace myself for what I'm about to say.

"Have you heard of the term 'transgender'?"

Mura-san shakes her head no. The curious glint in her eyes return. Seriously, why are you so damn cute?

"It means someone who doesn't identify with their gender assigned at birth," I explain, trying to keep my voice firm. "And that's what I am."

I watch and Mura-san tilts her head again, nodding slowly. She looks to the side as if pondering something. It feels like forever before she turns back to me.

Her lips curve into a smile. "That explains a lot," she says, her smile turning into a grin.

"R-really?" I study her expression, trying to discern what kind of reaction my words had triggered in her. She doesn't seem to think of what I said as a joke - rather, her smile looks genuine, almost glad. As if I've explained the cause behind a problem that she's been struggling to solve.

"You know, ever since 'Suzuki-kun' confessed to me, I started wondering whether I've gone crazy," she says, taking a step closer to me. "I keep thinking about him. There was just something I found so familiar about him, but I just couldn't place a finger on it. Now I know what it is." Her eyes dart away for a moment but the smile remains on her face.

"So...does that mean you believe me?" I ask in disbelief.

Mura-san nods again. "It's the only explanation that makes sense."

"I-uhm. Well. Hi." I try to form something coherent from the jumbled up mess of words in my brain. I stand up straight, hoping that I look sincere. "Nice to meet you...again. Mura-san."

"Right back at you, Suzuki-kun." She rolls her eyes a bit, but plays along, taking my hand and shaking it. I swallow as the contact sends a jolt of electricity down my arm. No, not now, Suzuki Kira. Focus.

"You know, Suzuki-kun. Now that I think about it, you owe me something," Mura-san's voice brings me back to earth. "Something you promised me last week."

Here it is. The moment I've been practicing so many times last night.

"Mura-san." I take a step back and look her in the eyes.

"Yes?" Her sweet smile makes the dazzling sunlight pale in comparison.

"I love you."

As I barely pronounce the last syllable, I let out a shaking sigh, and my knees buckle. I fall forward, the world spinning as I prepare to hit the ground...

"Oof. There we go." Mura-san catches me with ease. She doesn't let me go - instead, she wraps her arms around me and holds me tightly.

"Good job," she whispers into my ear, and my world comes back to life.

"Thanks..." I mumble shyly, burying my face into her shoulder. Not a great day to be a transgender guy when your crush hugs you for the first time, and the one thing you notice is how she's at least five centimeters taller than you. Not a great day.

"I'll be honest," she continues, oblivious to my rampant thoughts, "I'm new to this...transgender stuff. So, I don't think my conscious gave me the chance to fall for you as 'Kira-san'. But...I have developed at interest in 'Suzuki-kun', so I'm a struggling a bit with my feelings."

We break out of the hug and she squeezes my shoulders tightly, meeting my eyes. "But I've thought about it over the weekend, and I want to give it a try. So, um...will you go out with me?"

I open my mouth, but my jaw freezes in place. Say something, idiot!

"...ah."

"Suzuki-kun!" Mura-san shakes my shoulders slightly, her voice a mix between concern and playfulness. "Answer me properly. Is that a yes or a no?"

"Um, I think so."

...what the f*ck.

Mura-san stares at me quizzically, but the gleam in her eyes reveals that she's gotten use to my 'selective speech impediment'.

"Ah. I mean, yes. Yes I will."

"Yay!!" Mura-san takes my hands and jumps up and down, up and down, her cheers taking over the cloudless sky.

The corners of her eyes crinkle as she shouts, a pink shade crossing over her dimples. I squeeze her hands tightly and match her grin myself.

Well, at least I didn't mess up 'I love you'.

~ The End ~