(Ren's POV)
I brought the umbrella to school.
I told myself it was only to return it.
Just that.
Still, my fingers stayed wrapped around the handle as I walked through the hallway, my heartbeat slightly off rhythm. Morning noise passed around me, but I felt separate from it—like I was walking inside my own thoughts.
I found Yuto near the lockers.
He noticed me before I spoke.
"Ren."
Just my name. Soft. Familiar.
I held the umbrella out. "This is yours."
He took it slowly, careful not to touch my hand.
"I was kind of hoping you'd bring it back," he said.
"I was going to," I replied too quickly.
"I know."
I hesitated. "…And thank you. For yesterday."
"For the rain?" he asked gently.
I shook my head. "For staying."
His smile softened—not wide, not playful. Something quiet, just for me.
"I didn't mind," he said.
That answer stayed with me longer than it should have.
—
At lunch, I sat at my usual table by the window.
The cafeteria was loud—trays clattering, voices overlapping—but I focused on my food, counting bites like I always did.
A shadow fell across the table.
"Ren."
I looked up.
Yuto stood there, tray in hand.
"Can I sit here?"
My instinct was to refuse.
Instead, I nodded.
He sat across from me, not beside me. That small distance felt intentional—and somehow comforting.
We ate quietly. No pressure. No awkward silence.
Then he spoke again.
"…Do you use social media?"
The question caught me off guard.
"…Yeah," I said after a moment. "Just one."
"Can I add you?" he asked, tone casual, like it wasn't a big deal.
It felt like one.
I unlocked my phone and slid it across the table.
He typed carefully, brows slightly furrowed in concentration.
"Ren Mori," he read softly. "Found you."
I nodded and took my phone back.
A new notification appeared almost instantly.
Yuto Kori followed you.
My chest tightened.
I followed back before I could think too much about it.
He noticed.
His smile was small, but real.
Then footsteps interrupted us.
"Yuto?"
His friends stopped beside the table.
"You've been sitting with him a lot lately," one of them said, glancing between us.
Another laughed. "Yeah. What's up with that?"
I stared down at my tray.
"…Wait," one of them added, lowering his voice slightly, "don't tell me you like him."
The world slowed.
I felt my heartbeat once.
Twice.
"I do."
Yuto didn't hesitate.
My fingers froze around my fork.
The cafeteria noise seemed to fade.
"So what?" he continued calmly.
Not defensive.
Not embarrassed.
Like it was obvious.
His friends stared at him.
Then one of them scoffed. "Whatever. See you at practice later."
They walked away.
Just like that.
I couldn't breathe.
Yuto turned to me. "I didn't mean to say that in front of you."
I stood up so fast my chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"I have PE," I said, even though lunch wasn't over.
He didn't stop me.
And somehow, that hurt more than if he had.
—
The gym was overwhelming.
Basketball.
Of course.
The smell of sweat and polished floors filled the air. Shoes squeaked sharply as the game started.
I tried to focus.
I couldn't.
I do.
The ball flew toward me suddenly. I caught it—but my foot slipped.
For a split second, I was falling.
Then—
An arm wrapped around my waist.
Firm. Steady.
I gasped softly as my body was pulled back against someone else's chest.
Yuto.
His hand stayed at my side a second too long.
I felt his breath near my ear.
"Ren—"
His voice cracked.
He pulled away immediately, stepping back like he'd crossed a line.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "I—are you okay?"
His eyes searched my face, worried. Careful.
"…Yeah," I whispered.
But my legs felt weak.
And my waist still felt warm.
—
After class, I sat on the bench tying my shoes slowly, trying to steady my breathing.
Yuto approached—but stopped a step away.
"I didn't mean to—" he started, then paused. "I should've asked."
"You didn't do anything wrong," I said quietly.
He studied my face like he was memorizing it.
"…Okay," he said. "Just tell me if I ever do."
I nodded.
We walked out of the gym together.
Not touching.
Not talking.
But my phone buzzed in my pocket.
A message notification.
From Yuto.
And suddenly—
I wasn't sure where my boundaries were anymore.
To Be Continued