The next day felt colder 🥶, even though the sun was out ☀️.

Aki walked into class 🏫, quiet as always 🤐. He didn’t look at anyone 👁️‍🗨️.
But he could feel it—Ren was already there 🔊. Talking, laughing… shining 🌟.

Ren glanced at Aki when he entered, just for a second 👀.
Aki saw it 👓.
But he looked away 🫣.

During class 📝, the teacher called Aki to the board 🧑‍🏫.
He stood there, nervous 😰. His hands were cold 🧊.

Some boys at the back whispered and giggled 🤭.
Aki’s heart sank 💔. They’re laughing at me...

He made a small mistake in the math problem ➗.

“It’s okay,” the teacher said. “Try again.”

From the corner of his eye 👁️, he saw Ren looking at him 👓.
But he couldn’t read Ren’s face 😶. Not mocking, not smiling. Just watching 👤.

Later, during break 🕒, Aki sat behind the library building 📚, alone again 😶‍🌫️.
He was eating a sandwich quietly 🥪 when someone appeared—

It was Ren 🚶‍♂️.

“You like quiet places, don’t you?” Ren said, standing with hands in his pockets 🧥.

Aki paused ⏸️, then nodded slowly 🙆‍♂️.

“It’s peaceful here.” 🌿

Ren sat on the edge of the bench 🪑 but didn’t sit too close ↔️.

“I wasn’t trying to pressure you yesterday,” Ren said after a moment ⌛.
“I just thought you might want to try something new.” 🌱

Aki didn’t reply 🤐.
The silence stretched 🫧. It wasn’t warm like last time 🔁.
It was… unsure ⚖️.

“I’m not like you,” Aki finally said 💬.
“I don’t fit in with people like you.”

Ren tilted his head 🤔.

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

Aki looked at him—really looked at him 👁️‍🗨️.
His messy hair 💇‍♂️, his school jacket half zipped 🧥, the band-aid on his finger 🩹.

“Someone who shines too much,” Aki whispered 🌟.
“Someone who belongs everywhere. I’m not like that.”

Ren smiled a little 😊.

“Then maybe I’m just trying to see what’s outside the spotlight.” 🌙

Aki blinked 👀. What does that mean…?

But before he could ask, Ren stood up 🧍‍♂️.

“See you around, quiet boy.” 🧣

And just like that, he was gone 🍂.

Aki sat there, holding the last bite of his sandwich 🥪.
His chest felt… strange 💓.
Not warm ☁️.
Not cold ❄️.
Just full 🌫️.

✨💖 Thanks for reading! 🧚‍♀️🙏

— Suman ✍️🖋️

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