The Afternoon Light Filtered Softly Through The Curtains, Painting The Living Room In Faint Gold. Books, Notes, And Half-Opened Snack Packets Covered The Table — A Familiar Kind Of Chaos That Only Happened When The Four Of Them Tried To "Study" Together.
Kaito Sat Cross-Legged On The Floor, Scribbling Halfheartedly While Complaining About The Questions.
"This Math Section Is Designed To Destroy Me," He Groaned, Holding His Pencil Like It Was A Weapon.
Chika Looked Up From Her Notes, Unimpressed. "It's Designed To Test You, Not End You."
Ren Sat Across From Them, Quietly Writing. His Focus Drifted Between His Notes And The Steaming Cups Of Tea Miyu Had Set Down Moments Ago.
Miyu, Sitting Beside The Table, Flipped Through Her Textbook Calmly. "If You'd Actually Read The Formula Instead Of Complaining About It, You'd Be Done By Now."
Kaito Gasped Dramatically. "Miyu, Please, I'm Already In Pain."
Chika Rolled Her Eyes. "You'll Survive."
Their Small Banter Filled The Room, Warming It Against The Cold Air Outside.
Sometimes, Silence Fell — The Kind That Didn't Feel Awkward, Just Quiet. The Scratch Of Pencils, The Rustle Of Pages, The Sound Of Someone's Tea Being Stirred.
And In Those Silences, Ren Found Himself Glancing At Miyu.
The Way She Tilted Her Head Slightly When Thinking. The Way Her Hair Shifted Against Her Shoulder Each Time She Turned A Page.
Something About Her Calmness Pulled His Eyes — A Familiar Comfort He Could Never Quite Explain.
At One Point, She Looked Up And Met His Gaze.
Neither Said Anything — Just A Small, Almost Unnoticed Exchange — Before Both Looked Away.
Time Slipped Quietly, Like The Light Outside.
By The Time The Clock Ticked Past Five, Kaito Dropped His Pencil, Letting Out A Loud Groan. "I'm Done. My Brain's Leaking Out."
Chika Closed Her Notebook With A Soft Snap. "That's What Happens When You Don't Read Properly."
Kaito Pointed At Her. "And You're Too Perfect To Understand My Struggle."
Miyu Smiled, Small But Warm. "You Two Argue More Than You Study."
Kaito Shrugged, Standing. "At Least We Survive The Process."
Ren Gathered His Notes, Stretching His Shoulders. "Guess We're Done For Today."
Miyu Nodded, Standing Too. "Thanks For Coming. I Think We All Needed The Push."
"Push?" Chika Raised A Brow. "It Felt More Like A Beating."
Kaito Laughed. "Alright, I'll Walk Ren Back. You Two Clean Up The War Zone."
Chika Looked Up. "Sure, Go Ahead. I'll Help Miyu Pack The Books."
Ren Nodded, Slinging His Bag Over His Shoulder. "See You Tomorrow."
Miyu Smiled Gently. "See You."
The Door Closed Behind Them, And The Quiet That Followed Felt Heavier Somehow.
—
For A While, The Only Sound In The Room Was The Soft Clinking Of Cups As Miyu Gathered Them Onto A Tray.
Chika Sat Still, Watching Her. There Was Something Careful About The Way She Moved — Too Careful, Like She Was Trying To Keep Something From Cracking.
Finally, Chika Spoke. "You've Been Off Lately."
Miyu Paused. "Off?"
"You Know What I Mean," Chika Said Quietly. "You've Been Trying Too Hard To Act Normal."
Miyu Set The Cups Down Slowly. "I'm Fine."
Chika's Voice Softened. "You're Not."
The Words Hung Between Them, Quiet And Sharp.
Miyu Looked Away, Her Fingers Tightening Around The Edge Of The Tray.
"I Don't Know What You're Talking About."
Chika Shifted Closer. "You Like Him, Don't You?"
Miyu Froze.
Her Breath Caught, But She Still Tried To Laugh It Off. "That's Ridiculous."
"It's Not." Chika's Voice Was Calm, Not Accusing — Just Honest. "It's Obvious To Anyone Who Pays Attention. Even Kaito Noticed. So, Stop Lying."
The Silence That Followed Felt Heavy — Like The Room Itself Was Holding Its Breath.
Finally, Miyu Spoke, Her Voice Barely Above A Whisper. "...I Don't Know What To Do."
Chika Waited.
Miyu's Shoulders Trembled Slightly As She Sat Down Beside The Table Again. "Every Time I Think About It, I Feel Like I'm Losing Control. It's... Warm, But It Scares Me. I'm Afraid That If I Admit It... Everything Will Change."
Her Words Broke Somewhere Between Breath And Sound. "I Don't Want To Lose What We Have. I Don't Want Him To See Me Differently. And Yet, I Can't Stop Thinking About Him."
Her Hands Pressed Against Her Eyes As Her Voice Shook. "It's So Stupid, Isn't It? I'm Supposed To Be Focused. I'm Supposed To Be Calm. But I'm Not."
Chika Reached Out, Gently Placing A Hand On Her Shoulder. "It's Not Stupid. It's Human."
Miyu Shook Her Head Slowly, A Small, Broken Sound Escaping Her. "I Don't Even Know What To Call This Anymore. I Just Know That When He's Around, It Feels... Lighter."
Chika Didn't Say Anything More — Just Sat Beside Her In The Quiet.
Sometimes, That Was Enough.
—
Meanwhile, Outside, The Air Had Grown Colder.
Ren And Kaito Walked Side By Side, Their Steps Echoing Against The Empty Street.
For A While, Neither Spoke. The Wind Carried The Faint Sound Of Cars From The Distance, The World Moving Quietly Around Them.
Then Kaito Broke The Silence. "You Know," He Said Casually, "I've Been Meaning To Ask."
Ren Looked Over. "About What?"
"Miyu," Kaito Said Simply.
Ren's Steps Slowed. "What About Her?"
Kaito Shrugged, Stuffing His Hands In His Pockets. "You Don't Fool Anyone, You Know. You've Been Different Since The Trip. Just... Thought You'd Want To Talk About It."
Ren Looked Ahead Again, Eyes Fixed On The Pale Light Of The Streetlamps. "There's Nothing To Talk About."
"Right," Kaito Said Dryly. "And I'm A Straight-A Student."
Ren Let Out A Small, Tired Laugh. "It's Not That Simple."
"So Make It Simple," Kaito Said, Voice Softening. "You Like Her, Don't You?"
Ren Didn't Answer At First. The Cold Bit At His Hands, His Breath Visible In The Air.
Finally, He Spoke. "Maybe. But What Difference Does It Make?"
Kaito Looked At Him. "A Big One, I'd Say."
Ren's Gaze Dropped. "I'm Afraid, Kaito. I'm Afraid If I Say It Out Loud, It'll Just... Mess Everything Up. She's Working So Hard — Focused, Strong. I Don't Want To Be The Thing That Distracts Her."
Kaito's Expression Softened. "You're Not A Distraction, You Idiot."
Ren Smiled Weakly. "Maybe Not To You."
For A Moment, The Street Was Silent Except For The Faint Whistle Of The Wind.
Then Ren Added Quietly, "I Just Don't Want To Lose What's Already There. Maybe It's Better This Way."
Kaito Tilted His Head, A Slight Smile Forming — Not Mocking, Just Gentle. "You Always Overthink Things, Don't You?"
"Maybe," Ren Said, A Small, Sad Laugh Escaping. "But If My Feelings Ever Get In The Way Of Hers… I Don't Think I Could Forgive Myself."
The Two Walked On, The Sound Of Their Footsteps Filling The Gaps Between The Words That Refused To Be Said. The Road Turned Quiet Again, But It Was A Different Kind Of Quiet — One That Carried The Weight Of Understanding.
After A While, Kaito Spoke Again, His Voice More Steady. "You Know… She Probably Thinks The Same About You."
Ren Looked Up, Confused.
"That She's A Burden," Kaito Said Simply. "That Her Feelings Might Get In The Way. Maybe That's Why You Two Keep Looking Away From Each Other. Because You're Both Trying Too Hard Not To Hurt The Other One."
Ren's Steps Slowed. "Maybe."
Kaito Grinned Faintly. "Just Don't Think Too Much. You'll Miss What's Right In Front Of You."
Ren Didn't Answer, But His Eyes Softened Slightly. The Street Turned Narrow As They Reached The Crossroad Where They Usually Split Ways.
"See You Tomorrow," Kaito Said, Giving A Small Wave.
Ren Nodded. "Yeah."
And As Kaito Walked Off Into The Faint Glow Of Another Streetlight, Ren Stood There For A Moment Longer — Watching The Empty Path Ahead, Feeling That Familiar Tug Somewhere In His Chest.
It Wasn't Just The Exams That Waited Tomorrow.
It Was Everything They Hadn't Said Yet.
—
The Night Spread Quietly Across The Town.
Streetlights Flickered To Life One By One, Bathing The Empty Roads In Faint Gold. The Wind Outside Was Cold, Carrying That Subtle Hint Of Winter's Edge That Always Came Near The End Of A Long Day.
Ren Sat By His Desk, Elbows Resting Beside His Notes, Though The Words On The Page Had Long Lost Their Meaning. His Room Was Still — Just The Soft Hum Of A Distant Fan And The Occasional Bark Of A Dog Somewhere Down The Street.
He'd Walked Home With Kaito Earlier, Their Conversation Light But Somehow Heavy Beneath It.
The Conversation Had Ended There — But The Words Stayed.
Now, Back In His Room, Ren Looked Toward The Window Where The Curtains Shifted With Each Passing Breeze. His Thoughts Drifted To Miyu — The Way She Smiled When She Was Trying To Hide Her Tiredness, The Way Her Voice Softened When She Explained Something.
And Then The Way He Always Felt A Little More Awake Around Her.
He Leaned Back In His Chair, Letting Out A Long, Uncertain Breath.
He Liked Her — That Much He Could No Longer Pretend Not To Know.
But Somewhere Beneath That Truth Lurked The Fear He Couldn't Shake.
"What If I'm Just A Distraction To Her?" He Thought. "What If Being Close To Me Pulls Her Away From Everything She's Worked For?"
The Ceiling Above Seemed To Hum Back The Same Silence That Filled Him.
—
Across Town, Miyu Sat On The Edge Of Her Bed, Hair Loosened From Its Neat Ponytail, Her Textbooks Closed Beside Her. The Lamp Cast A Gentle Circle Of Light, Just Enough To Make The Room Feel Warm Again After The Cold Talk With Chika.
Her Eyes Still Stung From Earlier, But Her Breathing Had Steadied.
She Replayed Her Words In Her Head — The Ones She'd Finally Let Out After Holding Them In For So Long.
It Had Felt Like Breaking, Yet Somehow It Also Felt Like Healing.
She Pulled Her Knees Close, Resting Her Chin Gently On Them. "I Said Too Much," She Whispered, Though A Small, Bittersweet Smile Touched Her Lips After. "But Maybe… I Needed To."
For The First Time In Weeks, She Allowed Herself To Admit The Truth Out Loud — Even If No One Could Hear It.
"I Like Him."
The Words Were Barely A Whisper, But They Filled The Quiet.
Outside, The Wind Brushed Against Her Window Like A Gentle Knock, As If Carrying The Same Thoughts Across The Distance Between Them.
And Though Neither Spoke, Though Neither Knew, Both Sat There In Separate Rooms — Staring Out At The Same Night Sky — Thinking Of The Other.
— × —
To Be Continued....