The School Idol's Roommate

"Are you okay with my clothes?" Aki asked, taking in the sight of Liam in Aki's old highschool PE uniform, though it was a bit short for him. He looked awkward and cute.

Liam hummed a response as they laid down side by side on the floor. Liam in Aki's room, wearing his clothes. It was a sight Aki never thought he would see. Even if he had to strain his eyes a bit due to the darkness of the room, it was worth the effort. Oh, the small joys of life.

"Are you okay sleeping on the floor?" Aki asked.

"I am. 'You' should sleep in your bed."

Aki's bed was too small for the two of them that was why he decided to just sleep on the floor with Liam.

"Nah, it doesn't feel right that I'm more comfortable than the guest. Besides, this is how I imagined summer camps would be," Aki said, grinning.

"Imagined? You've never gone to one?" Liam turned his head to Aki's direction.

"No. Zy and I spent our summer loitering around the house. When we met Drew, we would hang out to their shop instead. I wasn't very active in school." Aki twisted his body until he was facing Liam. "How about you? Did you experience summer camp?"

Liam flashed Aki a smile. "When I was in middle school. Back then, the basketball club would go to a summer camp every year.

"You were in the basketball club? Until when? High school?"

The other guy pursed his lips, his eyes looking straight at the ceiling, using his arm as a pillow. "No. I changed to the art club."

Aki spluttered. "Art club?! That's… a big leap from a sports club."

"I started getting interested in painting. And-- and I got invited by someone."

Aki bit his lip, quietly deliberating if he should ask who was that person. He did not know if he would want to learn who invited Liam because his hunch told him he would not like the answer.

Liam continued, unaware of Aki's turmoil.

"My girlfriend back then invited me."

"...oh," Aki whispered. His voice seemed quieter even if they were already talking in soft murmurs. "What happened?"

Liam gave him a quick glance. "To the club? Or to us?" He asked to which Aki answered by raising one shoulder.

"Both?" Aki said.

"I enjoyed painting. I enjoyed it more because I was doing it with her. Remember the painting of a hill back in our apartment? That was my first painting with her and that was our favorite spot to paint."

Aki remembered that one clearly. It was one of his favorites, the one he wanted to see the most when they visit Liam's grandmother. But now, he thought he should change favorites.

"Then I joined a contest and used that one. I was so excited because that was the first non-sport competition I joined. And I won. Only third placer though."

"But?" Aki could have sworn he heard the unspoken 'but' in that statement.

"But she said that I wasn't good enough."

"That's not true!" Aki brought his hand to his mouth. Then with a softer voice, he repeated his words. He added in a hopeful tone, "Did you dump her because of that?"