That morning, something felt different 🌥️.

Ren walked into class 🏫, yawning 😴, brushing a hand through his hair 💆‍♂️. He looked at the seat near the window — Aki’s seat 🪟.
Empty.

For a moment, he paused ⏸️. His eyes stayed there longer than needed 👀. Then he took his own seat 🎒.

The teacher entered soon after 👩‍🏫.

“Class, we have a new transfer student joining us today.”

A tall boy walked in 🚶‍♂️. His smile was soft 😊, his hair neat 💇‍♂️, and his eyes bright with confidence ✨.

“Hello, I’m Haru Saito. Nice to meet you all.” 🙋‍♂️

Girls whispered again 💬👧👧. Another handsome boy 🌟. A few boys smiled too 😏.

“You can sit... there,” the teacher said, pointing to Aki’s desk ☝️.

Ren’s eyes widened slightly 😳.
Aki’s seat…?

Haru walked over and sat beside Ren 🪑, giving him a friendly smile 😊.

“Hey, looks like we’re seatmates.” 😄

Ren gave a polite nod 🤐, but his chest felt strange 😕.
He stared forward, his jaw tight 😬.
Why does it feel wrong? ❓💭

Later that day, Ren sat on the rooftop alone during lunch 🏙️🥤.
He’d brought two orange juice boxes — out of habit 🧃🧃.
He looked at the extra one 🧃.
Then he smiled to himself, a little sadly 😔.

“He didn’t even say he wouldn’t come,” he whispered 💭.

Next day.
Aki returned 🔙.

Ren saw him the moment he stepped into the room 🚪👀.
Aki looked tired 😞. Pale 🧊.

Their eyes met across the classroom — just for a moment 👁️👁️.
Ren didn’t smile.
Aki didn’t look away either.

Just a quiet stare 🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️.
Just a small nod 🤏.

But in that second, a lot was said 🫂.

Haru waved at Ren 👋.

“Hey, your friend is back. Should I move?”

Ren shook his head 🙅‍♂️.

“No need. He’ll sit somewhere else today.”

Aki quietly found a new seat in the back 🎒🔙.
He didn’t say anything 🤐.

But when Ren stood up to get chalk for the teacher ✏️ and passed Aki’s desk,
he left something small there — a folded tissue packet and a wrapped candy 🧻🍬.

Aki looked down at it, surprised 😯.
He didn’t smile 🙂.
But he didn’t throw it away either 🫳❌.

That day, when class ended 📚, they passed each other in the hallway 🏫.

Their hands didn’t touch 👐.
Their voices didn’t rise 🤫.

Just a quiet glance 👁️‍🗨️…
And something slow growing in their chests that neither could name 💓🌱.

✨💖 Thanks for reading! 🧚‍♀️🙏

— Suman ✍️🖋️

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