The classroom clock ticked louder than usual.
Every second that passed made Aoi's heartbeat echo harder in her chest.
Outside the window, the late afternoon sun painted the sky gold. It was one of those warm spring days where everything looked soft — except her nerves.
Everyone else was chatting, laughing, rushing out the door, but Aoi stayed in her seat, pretending to fix the same zipper on her bag for the tenth time.
Her eyes drifted to him — Ren Takase.
He was standing by the window, talking with two of his friends about some game. His laugh was casual, his gestures easy. That was just how Ren was. Calm, kind, a little clumsy — but always making everyone around him feel comfortable.
And for as long as Aoi could remember, that's what she loved about him.
They'd grown up together — next-door neighbors, classmates, and partners in every silly childhood adventure. There was a time when she couldn't imagine a day without seeing him.
But lately… seeing him had started to hurt.
Her fingers curled around the strap of her bag.
(I'm really doing this…)
She'd promised herself she would. No more waiting, no more hiding. Even if he said no, she needed him to know.
Ren turned to grab his bag, and their eyes met for half a second.
She froze.
He smiled. "Hey, still here? You're usually gone by now."
Aoi swallowed, forcing a smile. "I—yeah. I was just… thinking about something."
"Oh?" He slung his bag over his shoulder. "You look serious. What's up?"
Her heart skipped. "Um… can we talk? Alone? Maybe on the rooftop?"
Ren blinked. "The rooftop?" Then he grinned playfully. "Wow, that sounds serious. You're not gonna scold me for forgetting your birthday or something, are you?"
She laughed nervously. "No, it's not that…"
"All right, let's go then."
---
The rooftop was almost empty, as usual. The spring wind was gentle, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms. From up there, the world below looked peaceful — students walking home, birds perched on the power lines, the sun slowly dipping toward the horizon.
Ren walked ahead and leaned on the fence. "So, what did you wanna talk about?"
Aoi stopped a few steps behind him. Her hands were trembling. She clasped them together to hide it.
Her voice barely came out. "Ren…"
He turned, and that simple act made her heart squeeze tighter.
"I… I've liked you for a long time."
There. It was out.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Ren's expression froze, eyes widening slightly.
She looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "I know it's sudden, but… I didn't want to keep pretending we were just friends. I like you. I've liked you since middle school."
Ren said nothing for a long moment. The wind brushed past them, carrying away the sound of her heartbeat.
Finally, he sighed. "…Aoi."
She looked up.
He smiled — that same gentle smile that always made her feel safe. But this time, it hurt.
"You're really important to me. You always have been. But…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I don't think I feel that way about you. You're like… family, you know? Someone I want to protect, not—"
"Don't say it," she whispered.
Ren stopped.
Her voice cracked. "Please… don't say it like that. It'll make it sound like I never had a chance."
Ren looked away, guilt written all over his face. "I'm sorry, Aoi. I don't want to hurt you. You're one of the most precious people in my life. But I can't lie."
She nodded weakly, blinking back tears. "No… it's okay. I understand."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Only the wind moved between them.
Aoi forced herself to smile. "At least… I finally said it."
Ren's expression softened. "Yeah. You were really brave."
She let out a shaky laugh. "Brave or stupid, I can't tell."
"Definitely brave," he said quietly.
The bell rang in the distance — signaling club activities. Ren adjusted his bag. "Let's go? I'll walk you home."
She shook her head. "It's fine. I want to stay a bit."
Ren hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. But text me when you get home, all right?"
When he left, the door closed softly behind him, leaving Aoi alone with the sound of her breaking heart.
---
That night, her room felt too quiet.
Her phone lit up with a message from Ren.
> Ren: "Sorry if I made things awkward today. You're still my best friend, right?"
Aoi stared at the screen for a long time.
Then she typed back:
> Aoi: "Of course. Always."
Her thumb hovered over the send button for a few seconds before she pressed it.
And just like that, they went back to being "friends."
But lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, she felt the ache settle deeper inside. Every memory of him — every laugh, every little moment — replayed like a cruel movie she couldn't turn off.
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
She turned to her side and whispered into the darkness:
> "I still love you, Ren."
---
The next morning, she put on her uniform, tied her hair neatly, and practiced her smile in the mirror.
She told herself she'd move on.
That she'd learn to see him as just a friend again.
But deep down, she already knew the truth —
no matter how hard she tried, part of her heart would always be his.