Taki thinks Jo has feelings for Harua—until a single smirk turns his entire world upside down.

*****

"Shut up"

"Make me"
*****

Taki wasn't jealous.

He just... noticed things.

Like how Jo always seemed weirdly calm around Harua. How he sometimes glanced in Harua's direction with this unreadable expression.

How, during practice, Jo would subtly check if Harua was keeping up—like he cared.

Taki didn't know why it bothered him.

It just did.

The Realization (and the Annoying, Unavoidable Feeling)

It started off as a tiny thought.

One that he shoved to the back of his mind because it was stupid.

Jo and Harua? That didn't even make sense.

But then, that tiny thought grew.

Because every time Jo glanced at Harua, every time he laughed at one of Harua's rare, dry jokes, every time he casually leaned into his space—

Taki felt it.

A dull, unfamiliar weight pressing against his chest.

At first, he thought it was just protectiveness.

Harua was his best friend. It made sense to be a little wary if someone was acting different around him, right?

But then came the annoyance.

Because Jo was supposed to be his problem.

His rival. His person to argue with. His annoying presence that followed him around just to tease him.

But lately...

Jo had been paying less attention to him.

And more to Harua.

And for some reason, that thought sucked.

Taki wasn't used to this—this weird, tight feeling in his chest.

He wasn't used to caring.

At least, not like this.

And he definitely, definitely wasn't used to feeling like he was on the outside looking in.

The Confrontation (aka Taki Loses His Mind)

"Taki, stop glaring at me," Jo muttered as they walked home.

Taki, who absolutely was glaring, huffed. "I'm not."

Jo raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Then why do you look like you want to fight me?"

Taki scoffed. "I wouldn't fight you."

Jo smirked. "Because you'd lose?"

Taki groaned. "Focus!"

Jo tilted his head. "On?"

Taki exhaled sharply. "You like Harua, don't you?"

Jo blinked.

Then blinked again.

Then—

He laughed.

Taki frowned. "Why are you laughing?!"

Jo ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "You're so stupid."

Taki scowled. "Excuse me?!"

Jo smirked. "It's not Harua, idiot."

Taki paused.

Processed.

...

Wait.

Wait.

Jo watched him carefully, amusement flickering in his eyes.

And suddenly, everything clicked.

The teasing. The glances. The way Jo always messed with him more than anyone else.

The way Jo never looked at Harua the same way he looked at—

Taki swallowed. "Oh."

Jo hummed. "Oh."

Taki's face heated.

Jo smirked. "Took you long enough."

And that's when Taki realized—

This whole time, he hadn't been worried about losing Harua.

He had been terrified of losing Jo.

Not just as a rival, not just as someone to bicker with—

But as someone who made him feel something.

Something he hadn't been ready to face.

Something that now sat heavy in his chest, impossible to ignore.

"...You're messing with me," Taki muttered, voice quieter than usual.

Jo's smirk softened.

"For once?" Jo said, tilting his head. "I'm not."

Taki's heart stumbled.

Because Jo was serious.

No teasing, no smug grin. Just a quiet confidence that made Taki feel completely unprepared.

Taki sighed, rubbing his face. "I hate you."

Jo nudged him. "No, you don't."

Taki peeked through his fingers. "Shut up."

Jo chuckled. "Make me."

Taki groaned dramatically.

This was a disaster.

A very confusing, very annoying disaster.

And the worst part?

He didn't actually mind it.

Final Score:Taki: Oblivious, emotionally wrecked, needs a nap.Jo: Knew all along, patient menace.Harua: Still unbothered, probably drinking tea.The Truth? Taki has no escape.

And Jo?

He was perfectly fine waiting for Taki to finally catch up.

This adds more emotional depth to Taki's realization while keeping the playful tension! Let me know if you want any tweaks! 😊✨