Bright light. Buzzing tables. Students everywhere.
At their usual corner table, Hideya, Arnav, Kavya, and Ava sit in wait — visibly unwell from the suspense of last night's "Where the hell are BinAya?" cliffhanger.
"They're not even online. Should I send a chai emoji as bait?" Kavya said checking her phone for the 50th time
"They're either dead, engaged, or writing a fanfic about each other at this point." Ava deadpanned
"IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP IN 10 SECONDS I'M EMAILING THE DEAN." Arnav said drama
"You don't even email your professors, Arnav." Hideya told
"Because I have trauma. This is different."
And then—
THE DOORS OPEN.
Cue soft cinematic background music.
Inaya and Rabin walk in together.
Not hurried. Not secretive.
Hand in hand.
Rabin's in a hoodie two sizes too big.
Inaya's wearing a scrunchie that definitely belonged to Kavya.
And they're glowing. Like, "just emotionally unpacked seven months of yearning and healed some childhood wounds" kind of glowing.
The table freezes.
Like a bunch of squirrels watching traffic.
"HOLD. UP. ARE THEY—" Kavya whisper-screamed
"—HOLDING. FREAKING. HANDS." Arnav completed
"Oh my GOD it's canon. It's real." Ava nearly drops her coffee
"About damn time." Hideya grins
BinAya approach the table like they didn't just cause a cosmic shift in the romantic atmosphere of NYU.
"Morning," Inaya said causally
"Hey." Rabin said sounding as cool as ever
"Hey?? HEY? No. You do NOT get to 'hey' us right now."
"I've been emotionally invested in this slow-burn for WEEKS." Arnav said sounding offended
"We've suffered more than the audience of a K-drama finale." Ava said dramatically
"Did you at least tell her about the emergency origami panic folding?" Hideya smirked
"You said that was off the record!" Rabin said sounding depressed
"Oh, I know. He confessed with his whole soul and then tried to fold it into a crane." Inaya smirked
"My girl is in LOVE." Kavya mock-cried
"Y'all make me wanna believe in slow-burn romance and therapy. Wait—who had 'BinAya Canon' betting pool?" Arnav said
"Me. Pay up." Ava raised hand
They all burst out laughing.
Rabin squeezes Inaya's hand under the table. She leans into him just a little.
No grand declarations.
No need.
Just this table of found family weirdos, witnessing a moment they all kind of knew was coming — but never stopped rooting for.
"Rest in peace, Rabin Takahashi. You were a brooding recluse once. Now you're a simp." Hideya said with fake solemnity
"Happily." Rabin grinned
"And he's mine." Inaya said kissing his cheek quickly
Cue everyone losing it.
The group has left the cafeteria.
Collective vibe?
Unhinged. Loud. Beautifully unserious.
Rabin and Inaya are still hand-in-hand, trying to walk like normal people, but their friends?
Absolutely not letting it go.
"BREAKING: Campus couple BinAya goes official, holding hands and hearts since 8:32 a.m." Arnav said in a fake reporter voice
"Okay but tell me this doesn't look like a paparazzi shot—look at Rabin! He's smiling with teeth. I thought he lost those in childhood." Kavya said shoving her phone in Ava's face
"He has dimples?! That's illegal! Where's the petition?" Ava gasped
"I'm silence incarnate. I don't feel things. Feelings are overrated." Hideya mocked Rabin's voice
"One (1) forehead touch later — 'Her hands are tiny.'" Arnav jumped in
"They are. Want me to demonstrate?" Rabin completely deadpanned
"You're not helping your case, loverboy." Inaya grinned
"We're gonna need a new group chat name.
Suggestions: BinAya Nation, Team Forehead Touch, The Origami Simp Club." Ava said
"'Paper Cranes & Feelings.' Final answer." Hideya nodded
They reach the front steps of the university building.
Just when things seem to settle—
BOOM.
A voice calls out:
"Wait… are you guys the couple from that NYU rooftop poetry reading?" A student passing by asked in awe
The group goes still.
"…We've been spotted." Rabin chuckled
"If any of you breathe a word of this to the lit club—" Inaya said to the group
"Too late. I may have… posted a cryptic haiku." Kavya grinned
"'Hearts speak on rooftops.
One blink, and love becomes loud.
Simpboy said hello.'" Arnav read off his phone
"DELETE IT." Rabin groaned
"No. She captured the moment." Inaya smirked
"Bro you're in a relationship with a poet. Privacy is over. You live in metaphors now." Hideya said
"Wait wait wait—someone already made a BinAya edit. It's got that 'Dil Diyan Gallan' track under it. We're DOOMED." Hideya said checking her phone
"This is why I didn't want feelings." Rabin gasped dramatically
"And yet you folded." Inaya grinned
"YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T BRING UP THE CRANE—" Rabin sulked
"BINAYA IS CANON. I REPEAT: BINAYA. IS. CANON." Kavya screaed
They all erupt into chaos.
Laughter. Teasing. Shoving. Zero chill.
And as they walk into class — still bickering, still beaming —
they don't know it yet…
…but life's about to throw more complications their way.
For now?
Let them laugh.
Let them love.
Let them live in the softness they fought so hard to build.
A soft golden glow filters through the tall glass windows.
It's quiet. The kind of quiet where even pages turn politely.
Inaya sits cross-legged on the floor between two shelves.
Laptop open. Books everywhere. Chai in one hand, pen in the other.
She's working on her psych minor project with—
Paxon Sen.
Tall. Sharp. Messy bun still in place.
Reading glasses. Black sweat shirt sleeves rolled up.
Looks like he belongs on a Vogue America editorial and a TEDx panel.
He glances up from his notes.
"You're distracted." Paxon asserted
"I am not." Inaya said not even looking up
"You spelled dopamine as dope-mine. Twice." Paxon laughed
"Maybe I'm just being metaphorical." Inaya said sipping her tea
He watches her for a moment.
"You're different."
"Good different?"
"Yeah. You're... lighter. Like whatever weight you were carrying decided to take a vacation."
She smiles.
"Maybe it did."
A moment.
Then—
Rabin enters.
Hands in pockets, hoodie sleeves bunched around his wrists.
He walks over, slow and casual, eyes scanning the aisle.
"Thought I'd come pick you up. Didn't want to risk you rewriting the entire DSM-5 while I waited." Rabin said looking at Inaya
Inaya lights up.
"You found me."
"You're not that hard to find. You always leave a trail of highlighters and existential quotes." Rabin teased
He leans down and kisses the top of her head.
Just like that.
"Well well. Looks like the boyfriend reveal is official." Paxon smirked
"You must be Paxon." Rabin said turning to him
"And you must be the tragic turtleneck enthusiast she writes poems about." Paxon answered offering a hand.
They shake hands. Firm. But not tense.
"Guilty."
"She has a type. Emotionally complex with a soft interior and a well-hidden simp streak." Paxon grinned
"I'm glad you noticed." Rabin deadpanned
"Oh my god can you both stop?" Inaya groaned
"Relax, Mehta. I like him. He's oddly poetic in real life." Rabin laughed
"She likes to pretend she's not."
"She fails miserably."
They share a chuckle. And in that moment—
there's no jealousy.
Just... mutual understanding.
"You found your person, huh?" Paxon said to Inaya
"Yeah. He's more than I thought I deserved." Inaya smiled
"You deserve the universe." Rabin said softly
"Damn. Should've used that line back when she hated Freud with me." Paxon said sounding mock offended
"You still pronounce it Frood."
"She tells that to everyone." Rabin grinned
They all laugh.
Rabin wraps an arm around her shoulder.
"Alright lovebirds, I'm gonna go cry into a research paper. Mehta, send me the notes?" Paxon said standing up to leave
"On it."
Paxon walks away, leaving them there.
Side by side.
No drama. No tension. Just warmth.
"He's cool."
"He's the kind of friend who never needed to ask to be trusted. Just always was."
"I get that."
Pause.
"You can still be close to people who aren't me. I'm not afraid of losing you anymore."
She stops.
Turns to him.
"You were never losing me. You just had to stop running from the idea that I could stay." Inaya said her voice reassuring
And he smiles.
Because he finally believes her.
The golden hour is in full swing.
Rabin and Inaya are sitting side by side, Inaya's head resting on his shoulder.
They're quiet. Comfortable. Breathing in sync.
Inaya breaks the silence with the smug tone of someone about to start a bit.
"So. Now that we've survived academic death, emotional warfare, and surprise Paxon commentary..." Inaya said mock serious
"...What are you leading into?" Rabin said looking at her suspiciously
"I just think it's time we revisited my Girlfriend Benefits clause." Inaya grinned
"No. Not this again." Rabin groaned his head falling back
"Yes. This again."
She sits up straighter, facing him with that "cross-examination in court" energy.
"Updated demands include—
Forehead kisses on demand.
Chai delivered to my door when I'm sad, stressed, or PMS-ing."
"Okay. That's fair." Rabin said already nodding
"3. You need to take selfies with me even if you think you're bad at them."
"Debatable, but okay."
"4. You will NEVER mock the number of tabs on my Chrome."
"You had 97 open. It made my screen cry."
"Those were important!!"
"Fine. I'll say nothing… unless it hits 100."
She narrows her eyes, but she's trying not to smile.
"5. You will tell me I'm pretty. Even when I look like a human stress ball."
"You always look pretty."
"Ugh. That was smooth. Stop it."
"Can't help it. Girlfriend perks, remember?"
She pauses.
Then smirks.
"Damn. You're good."
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, slowly.
"You haven't even heard my updated boyfriend perks list yet."
"You made one?!"
"Maybe. But I'm only revealing one today."
"Hit me."
"I get to love you out loud now."
She stops breathing.
Smiles so soft it could rewrite gravity.
"Okay, I'll allow it."
It's quiet.
He's curled up on his bed, typing on his phone.
Soft lo-fi music in the background. Hideya's passed out on the other bed.
Text Notification.
From: chai_in_panic 🫖✨
"I can't sleep. Too many thoughts. Too much you."
He smiles. Types back.
"Tell me two lines."
From: chai_in_panic 🫖✨
"Two lines?"
Rabin:
"Every night. Just two. Could be love, chaos, or trauma. Doesn't matter. But only two."
From: chai_in_panic 🫖✨
"I like that I can hear your laugh in my head now.
I hope I never forget the sound."
Rabin exhales sharply, a hand in his hair.
He types back—
"The world still feels loud. But your voice always cuts through.
Like you were built to find me."
From: chai_in_panic 🫖✨
"You're cheating. That's four."
Rabin:
"No. That's love. It breaks the rules."
It's chilly. The sun's out, but the wind is petty.
Rabin is walking beside Inaya, casually holding her hand.
She's wearing his black hoodie.
Like it's nothing. Like it's hers. Like she hasn't stolen every ounce of his sanity.
Rabin notices it. Again. For the fifth time.
And he's malfunctioning in complete silence.
Until—
"IS THAT RABIN'S HOODIE?" Kavya screeched
"No. It's my hoodie. He just happened to own it first." Inaya deadpanned
"She's committed. She said 'property of me now.'" Ava said clapping happily
"You okay there, loverboy? Breathing's looking optional." Hideya smirked
"He hasn't recovered from the forehead touch. And now this." Arnav said flashing pity
"She looks better in it than I ever did. I'm suing." Rabin deadpanned
They laugh. She hides a soft blush in the hoodie's collar.
God, she's a walking poem and Rabin? He's a pile of feelings.
Ding! A collective phone notification hits.
"'Official Midterm Exam Schedule – Available Now.'" Inaya read out loud
And just like that…
All hell breaks loose.
Books fly. Notes scatter. Chai spills. Ava clutches her pearls.
"WHY ARE THERE FOUR PAPERS BACK-TO-BACK?" Arnav screamed into his notes
"I'm making a color-coded revision timetable. You'll all thank me later." Kavya said already Googling brain-boosting superfoods
"I've already accepted failure. This is just about how poetic I can make it." Inaya mumbled into her palms
"What's the academic term for death by overcommitment?" Hideya said staring blankly at his planner
"Welcome to your villain origin stories." Rabin said calmly
"We need to be efficient. United. Synchronized like a K-pop group." Kavya layed down on the floor dramatically
"Let me move in with you two." Ava suddenly sat up
"What?" Inaya blinked
"I mean it! Group study, coordinated snack runs, dramatic breakdowns—we'll be unstoppable."
"WE CAN BE THE TRIO. Like Charlie's Angels but academically doomed!" Kavya gasped
"Operation Hot Mess Express: Activated." Inaya said mock saluting
"New semester, new roomie, new mental breakdowns!" Arnav dragged in his luggage
"WE'RE FINALLY ROOMIES, YOU GLORIFIED HIMBO!" Hideya screamed from across the room
"Reminder: I sleep early. My side stays clean. And I don't like loud noises." Rabin said adjusting his table like a virgo
"Cool cool. Anyway, I brought my Bluetooth speaker, a popcorn machine, and like seven emotional problems."
"You chose this life." Hideya said to Rabin
"I regret it already."
The table's full.
Kavya's stabbing her salad like it insulted her eyeliner.
Arnav's halfway through a chocolate croissant.
Ava's got her laptop open on Pinterest (for "exam motivation aesthetics," obviously).
Hideya's sipping an iced matcha like a calm menace.
Rabin looks up from his sketchpad. Frowns.
"Where's Inaya?"
"Being dragged through academic hell." Kavya said not looking up
"I thought that was here." Rabin blinked
"Get this—she's in a lecture." Arnav said his mouth full of chips
"I'm sorry—she's what?" Rabin freezes
"It's true. Unicorns are real. Inaya voluntarily entered a lecture hall. We are in a simulation." Ava nodded
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?"Rabin said half-joking, half-concerned
"Oh no no. This wasn't her idea. She was kidnapped." Kavya deadpanned
"By who? A cult?" Hideya asked
"Worse. Paxon Sen." Arnav said sipping his coffee
"Paxon—what now?" Rabin sits up like he's been personally betrayed
"He spotted her here like a hawk and dragged her into a psych minor lecture before she could even fake a cough." Ava said dramatically
"She messaged in the group chat two minutes ago."
Kavya opens her phone, reads out loud from Inaya's text.
"GUYS. RAREST SHIT ALERT. I'M IN A LECTURE. Paxon SPOTTED ME AND DRAGGED ME IN LIKE SOME ACADEMIC BODYGUARD. IT'S A PSYCH MINOR CLASS. SEND HELP. IDK WHAT VERSION OF ME IS COMING OUT AFTER THIS. HOPING I'LL STILL BE SANE. IF NOT, THIS IS MY FINAL GOODBYE."
"I swear if she starts analyzing my attachment style I'm blaming him." Rabin groaned
"She's gonna walk out with a new personality and a DSM-V diagnosis for all of us." Arnav grinned
"What if she becomes…responsible?" Hideya mocked horror
"What if she starts doing her readings?" Ava whispered
Everyone gasps.
"She was chaotic perfection. Paxon better not mess with my mess." Rabin said head in hands
"Relax, Takahashi. You fell for the hurricane. No one can lecture her out of that." Kavya grinned
"I just want to be there when she walks out. Imagine the chaos."
The squad is camped outside the building like they're waiting for a celeb sighting.
Ava has popcorn. Arnav's sitting criss-cross on the pavement. Rabin is literally pacing.
Hideya's got his phone out like he's ready to film a "Before and After" TikTok.
"It's been forty-five minutes. That's forty more than her average attention span." Kavya said checking her watch
"If she's not out in two, I'm filing a missing person's report." Arnav said
"She better come out as Inaya Mehta and not… Inaya Freud." Rabin started at the door
The door creaks open.
Everyone stands.
Inaya? She walks out in slow motion.
Not sprinting. Not chaotically running for freedom.
No.
She's walking calmly. Hair in a low bun.
Her notebook tucked neatly under her arm.
Glasses she definitely did not bring this morning now perched on her nose.
"She tied her hair." Kavya gasped
"She's holding actual notes???" Arnav half yelled
"Those glasses weren't there this morning. Are they Paxon-issued?!" Hideya questioned
"She's… organized." Rabin let a terrified whisper
"Well. That was… fascinating." Inaya said calmly
The group just stares.
"Did you know that avoidance behavior is a subconscious defense mechanism rooted in early childhood experiences?" Inaya said with a serene smile
"She's been activated." Ava said dropping the popcorns
"Aya, are you okay?" Rabin asked nervously
"I'm better than okay, RT. I've been enlightened. I've learned that you, dear Rabin, exhibit symptoms of textbook emotional repression. And I? I apparently use sarcasm to mask unresolved fear of abandonment."
"...Paxon must be stopped." Rabin blinked in terror
"IS THIS YOUR VILLAIN ARC?!" Kavya screamed
"Okay no I'm done—SCREW Paxon SEN I AM NEVER ATTENDING A 90-MINUTE LECTURE AGAIN." Inaya cracked
She yanks the bun loose. Tosses the glasses in her bag. Flops into Ava's arms.
"I thought my soul left my body. I was one ego death away from becoming a spreadsheet." Inaya muffled
"There, there. You're safe now." Ava said soothingly
"Damn. You had us scared for a sec." Hideya said
"Except for the part where Paxon told me I'm a 'walking defense mechanism in cute earrings.' Which, rude but fair." Inaya peaked out
"Glad you're back. We were one cardigan away from losing you to academia." Arnav grinned
"Don't ever do that to me again." Rabin said finally breathing again
"Aw, did you miss your mess?" Inaya smirked
She loops her arm through his.
"Don't worry. I'm still emotionally unstable and fueled by caffeine. We're good." Inaya said teasingly
"Thank God." Rabin grinned
The gang is slowly recovering from Inaya's temporary psych-possession.
Everyone's chatting, sipping boba, talking trash about exams—
When suddenly…
Footsteps. Calm. Rhythmic. Too calm.
Enter: Paxon SEN.
Wearing his usual cardigan-over-button-up combo, glasses tucked halfway down his nose, holding a psych textbook and sipping black coffee like it's holy water.
"You fled before I could assign you optional reading."
"OH MY GOD—"
"Oh no." Rabin said instantly alert
"Code Academic Daddy just entered the field." Kavya whispered
"Hi. I'm Paxon. Psych minor, certified emotional chaos detector." Paxon said to everyone
"I love that title. I want that on a t-shirt." Arnav grinned
"She was an excellent participant today. Showed impressive recall. Her sarcasm is a deeply rooted defense mechanism, by the way." Paxon gesturing Inaya
"Stop giving my trauma a syllabus!" Inaya groaned
"He's not wrong though." Inaya said sounding amused
"Anyway, just wanted to drop off your notebook." Paxon said as chill as ever
He hands it to Inaya. Their fingers brush.
Rabin sees it. Does not react. But internally?
The origami heart he folded three episodes ago just crumbled.
"I'm around if anyone needs help decoding their subconscious defense mechanisms.
Or if you just need caffeine. I make a mean espresso." Paxon said to the group
He nods once, turns, and walks away.
"What the hell was that." Kavya slowly clapped
"That was… Paxon." Inaya
"Fun guy." Rabin said with a tight smile
"Fun guy like mushroom or fun guy like trouble?" Arnav questioned
"Both. Definitely both."
Long tables. Dim lighting.
Piles of open textbooks, highlighted PDFs, coffee cups everywhere.
"Why does psychology hate me personally?" Arnav whinned
"Because you keep trying to reason with it like it's math. It's feelings, babe. Welcome to the abyss." Ava asked
"You highlighted half the page. That defeats the purpose of highlighting." Kavya said to Hideya
"I highlight with vibes. Not logic." Hideya said sounding as zen as ever
"If I fail, I'm becoming a chaiwali." Inaya muttered as she flipped pages
"I'd visit your stall daily. Just to hear your angry sales pitch." Rabin snickering beside her
"'One cutting chai, one existential rant, coming right up.'" Inaya grinned
They all laugh. For once, everything feels light.
Until—
Rabin's phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
He frowns. Hesitates. Answers. Puts it on speaker.
Rabin: "Hello?"
Voice (too chipper, too familiar): "Rabin? Oh my god—it's Akari!"
The group goes still. Inaya freezes mid-scribble.
Akari (continuing, like she's entitled to his time): "I just saw your post on Instagram and I had to call. I didn't know you were in New York now! I'm in such a mess right now—everything's gone to hell and I thought of you instantly."
Rabin (already regretting everything): "Oh. Uh—hi. It's been… a while."
Akari: "Yeah, but I knew you'd pick up. You always did. Remember back then, when you'd just shut down and I was the only one who could talk you out of it? Those were insane times, huh?"
Inaya's pencil stops moving. Her smile? Gone.
Akari (with a laugh): "I mean, I was basically your emotional emergency contact, right?
God, you were so fragile back then. You probably still are."
Rabin (tense):"Akari, now's not really—"
Akari (cutting in, still joking): "Anyway, I thought maybe we could talk? You always said I made you feel safe. I need that Rabin back. You wouldn't abandon me now, right?"
Beat.
Everyone's staring at the phone like it just committed war crimes.
And then—
Inaya (dangerously calm): "Hi, Akari."
Akari (confused): "Uh… who's this?"
Inaya (ice cold): "I'm the girl who doesn't vanish when Rabin needs someone. I'm the one who sat with him during panic attacks. The one who reads him in two lines a night, and folds his silence like origami until it doesn't hurt."
Akari: "Wow. Okay, chill. I didn't mean anything—"
Inaya (still calm, voice like fire): "You don't get to pop up out of nowhere and claim him like a lost toy. He's not your comfort blanket anymore. And you? You're not the one he writes letters to at 3 a.m. anymore."
Rabin (finally, gently): "Akari… I think we've both moved on."
Akari (after a beat): "…Right. Okay. Wow. Good to know."
Click.
The line goes dead.
Silence. Heavy.
Then—
"Did I just witness a verbal beheading?" Ava asked her eys wide
"That was sexy, not gonna lie." Hideya said sipping tea
"She turned that girl into emotional dust." Arnav gasped
"My best friend just assassinated an ex-situationship without breaking a sweat." Kavya said proudly
Rabin turns to Inaya. She's still fuming quietly, arms crossed.
"...I didn't know she still had my number. I didn't even—" Rabin tried explaining
"I know. Just… You don't owe people your healing just because they showed up when you were broken." Inaya said cutting him off
Rabin stares at her. A long pause.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me when you say stuff like that?" Rabin said quietly
"Yeah. That's why I say it." Inaya grinned
The group is gathered around, books and notes scattered, but the real focus is Rabin.
He's nervously sipping his iced coffee, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He knows it's coming. The emotional aftermath of his Akari call is about to hit.
"So… we heard your ex just made a grand entrance on your phone. And by 'ex,' I mean the ghost of bad decisions past." Kavya grinned like a cat that ate the canary
"Please. Don't start." Rabin groaned
"Ex? Really, Rabin? Do I need to schedule a therapy session for you two?" Inaya squinted
"Bro, you literally spent how many years crying into origami because of that girl?
You're gonna tell me she's still calling the shots?" Arnav smirked, throwing a paper ball at Rabin's head
"I just love how she called you fragile and then expected you to come running like some emotional superhero. Did she forget who she was talking to?" Hideya mock whispered
"I wasn't fragile. I was… misunderstood." Rabin exasperated
"You? Misunderstood? Dude, you've been fragile since the day you met us. The guy who refused to cry in front of anyone—then you go get emotionally attacked by your ex, and now look at you.
Exposed." Ava laughed loudly
"I mean, really. Are we still on this Akari situation? Didn't you get the memo? You're dating a certified firecracker now, my dude." Kavya mocked throwing her hands up
"Can we not make this into a thing? It was just a call. A random moment." Rabin said defensively
"A random moment, Rabin? Let's just go over the highlights: She pops up out of nowhere, claims emotional ownership, and you let her sit there while I'm dying on the other side of the phone. All while I'm trying to figure out what kind of hell I just walked into." Inaya leaned in her voice fake and sweet.
"Sounds like you were too busy analyzing her behavior to realize who you actually wanted in your life, huh?" Arnav snickered
"Bro, you had an emotional ghost haunting you and you didn't even know it." Hideya laughed
"I can't believe this. You let the emotional vampire come back from the dead just to give you advice on how to live your life. How dare you break the sacred BinAya bond like that?" Kavya said over dramatically
"I didn't let her. She called me. And I was being polite—" Rabin groaned
"Rabin, babe, you're basically a love-sick golden retriever and that girl's got your leash wrapped around her neck. You weren't polite. You were tame." Inaya interrupted smiling sweetly
"Plot twist: Rabin's secret superpower is emotional dependency. He just hasn't realized yet that he's been using Akari's trauma* to define his worth." Ava leaned back
"I'm not dependent." Rabin mumbled
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Takahashi. If you weren't emotionally codependent, would you have gotten so defensive just now?" Kavya grinned louder
"Don't worry, buddy. Akari's not your problem anymore. But maybe now we can start working on your emotional availability? I'm gonna need you to be a little less chaotic when you're dating someone." Hideya said patting Rabin's back
"Thanks, man." Rabin mumbled
"Alright, alright, I'm done roasting. I just needed to make sure we're all clear here, though:
You're mine now. Akari who?" Inaya laughed now, but with a hint of sincerity
"I'm yours, Inaya. Not hers. You really gonna put up with me?" Rabin said finally looking up, giving a tiny smile
"Forever, baby. But only if you stop calling your ex. I'll be your emotional support now. No more free therapy sessions for Akari." Inaya teased
"Rabin, you've officially been grounded by Inaya." Arnav snickered
Coffee cups multiply like rabbits.
Sticky notes cover walls like wallpaper.
The gang's in full-blown academic survival mode.
Inaya and Rabin, side by side at the study table.
She's highlighting notes. He's sketching architectural plans with furrowed brows.
Their hands brush every now and then — not intentional at first.
But later?
"Want a break?"
"Only if you make it worth it." Inaya answered
Then wraps his arms around her. They stay like that for exactly seven minutes.
"BINAYA. SEPARATE. THIS IS NOT CHAI AND NETFLIX HOURS." Kavya yelled from across the room
Inaya's curled up with psych books, Rabin with blueprints. Peace.
Until—cue the devil in Doc Martens.
"Let's unpack Freud's unresolved guilt theory. Anyone got tea?" Paxon dropped into the seat across them
"You mean besides you showing up uninvited again?" Rabin asked without looking up
"Aw, you're so possessive. It's cute." Paxon grinned
"Paxon. Focus. Or leave." Inaya said sounding tired
"I bring chaotic academic energy. You're welcome."
Post-study, Rabin and Inaya curled together on the dorm couch.
"I wish exams didn't exist." Rabin groaned
"If they didn't, you'd still find something to panic about."
"True. You. You're my panic now."
"Shut up and sleep." Inaya laughed
The results are out.
People gather around. Nervous energy. Whispered prayers.
Inaya, chewing her lip, clutching Rabin's hand.
"AYA. LOOK." Kavya screamed
She runs to the board.
TOPPER: INAYA MEHTA.
"Of course she did." Rabin said proudly
"She could be in a coma and still academically destroy us all." Ava laughed
"My bestie's carrying all our collective GPAs." Arnav fake cried
"Girlfriend perks, huh? Dating the class topper?" Hideya teased
"She topped my heart first." Rabin smiled softly
"Ew. Nerd." Inaya rolled eyes dramatically
"You forgot the asterisk. 'Emotionally unstable, academically invincible.'" Paxon said popping in from behind like a damn ghost
"Says the man who failed Foundations of Attachment Theory for calling his professor emotionally repressed," Inaya said not missing a beat
"It was a valid observation." Paxon said dramatically
The crowd's buzzing, necks craned, fingers pointing. The big, blocky names of top performers are printed and taped to the announcement board.
Rabin and Hideya walk up together.
Rabin's pretending to be chill. Hideya's chewing gum like he's not lowkey vibrating with anticipation.
"Wanna hold hands or are we pretending not to care again?" Hideya deadpanned
"Shut up, Hideya."
They spot the list. Rabin's name. Top of the list.
RANK 1: RABIN TAKAHASHI
RANK 2: HIDEYA YOSHIDA
"…I topped?" Rabin started blankly
"Yeah, yeah. You win. Again. Surprise, surprise." Hideya grinned
"You did the design critique better than me. And you absolutely smoked the materials analysis paper. How—?" Rabin squinted
"Oh yeah. I left like... three answers blank." Hideya shrugged casually
"You WHAT?" Rabin snapped his head
"Bro. You needed a win. After all that drama? The rooftop crying? Akari's ghost call?
You earned this moment. Let me play second fiddle for once." Hideya stretched
"Hideya. That's literally academic sabotage." Rabin said
"Eh. I call it bestie tax." Hideya shrugged
"You're insufferable." Rabin laughed
"And yet, here I am. Second place, emotionally stable, beautiful, and supporting my dramatic main character of a roommate. You're welcome."
Just then, Arnav and the rest come barreling in — obviously sent by Inaya, who's still surrounded by Literature nerds screaming over her topping the class.
"OKAY OKAY OKAY DID HE DO IT?!" Ava asked out of breath
"OHHHHH SNAP. He topped!" Arnav said checking the board
"Ugh. Another overachieving couple." Kavya pouted
"I told you he would." Inaya said from behind
Rabin turns. Inaya's there, hair tied up, wearing his hoodie, and grinning like he built the Empire State Building with his bare hands.
"First in class, first in my life. Look at my overachieving emo architect." Inaya said proudly
"I wasn't even trying." Rabin said blushing
"He's lying. He redesigned three entire projects last week out of anxiety." Hideya mock whispered
"I just wanna say… as the dumbest friend in this circle, I'm proud of all you nerds." Arnav said
"Speak for yourself. I did great in Business Ethics." Ava rolled eyes
"Let's form a club. The 'We Didn't Top But Still Hot' Society." Arnav said to Hideya
"As long as we get jackets." Hideya smirked
Group cheers. Clapping. Hugs.
Inaya reaches for Rabin's hand, interlacing their fingers.
"You really are the best." Inaya said gently
"Only because I've got the best beside me."