The classroom was buzzing as usual.

Students chatting. Bags rustling. A normal start.

Aki sat near the window, his eyes on his notebook but his mind somewhere else.

Yuki leaned over with a big smile.

“So?” he asked softly. “Did you decide?”

Aki nodded slowly.

“I went last night. I got the part-time job… at the music club.”

Yuki smiled even wider.

“That’s amazing! But you look tense.”

Aki gave a nervous laugh.

“I’ve never performed in public. I’m scared.”

Yuki placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“You won’t be alone. I’ll come with you. Don’t be nervous. You’re amazing, Aki.”

Aki looked at him with grateful eyes.

And just then—

Ren walked into the class.

He froze.

He saw Aki and Yuki talking again.

Yuki’s hand still on Aki’s shoulder.

Aki smiling.

Something burned in his chest.

---

As the teacher entered, everyone rushed to their seats.

Ren took a deep breath, clenched his fists slightly...

And walked straight to Yuki.

“Hey,” he said, voice trying to stay casual, “Can I exchange seats with you today? I... I just wanted to talk to Aki for a bit.”

Yuki blinked in surprise, then smiled. “Sure. No problem.”

He picked up his bag and moved.

Now, Ren sat beside Aki.

---

They didn’t talk for a moment.

Both stared at their books, heartbeats louder than the classroom noise.

Then finally, Ren whispered, “Hey.”

Aki glanced at him.

“Hey…”

Ren tried to sound light.

“So... you and that guy—Yuki. He seems... cool.”

“Yeah,” Aki said, voice gentle. “He’s an old friend. From childhood.”

Ren gave a small nod.

“Close friends?”

Aki looked at him, sensing something behind that question.

He didn’t answer directly. Just gave a soft smile.

“Yeah. But... we’re not the same anymore.”

Ren nodded again, hiding his relief.

They turned back to their books.

And suddenly, in the middle of flipping a page, Ren’s hand softly touched Aki’s.

Just by mistake.

Aki’s heart skipped a beat.

Ren pulled his hand away quickly.

“Oops. Sorry.”

Aki didn’t say anything.

But inside… his chest felt warm.

---

🍱 Lunch Break

Haru walked in, holding her lunch box and wearing her usual bright smile.

She walked straight toward Ren.

“Let’s eat together?”

But Ren didn’t look up.

Instead, he stood up — quietly — picked up his tray…

And walked straight to Aki’s table.

He sat beside him.

Aki looked surprised.

“Hey,” Ren said with a little smile, “Mind if I sit here?”

Aki blinked. “No... I mean, yes—no, I mean—it’s fine.”

Ren laughed softly.

They began eating in quiet.

And then, during a small laugh about something silly Ren said, his fingers brushed Aki’s again.

Aki looked down.

The touch was soft. Warm.

Again.

Not by accident?

Or maybe... it was.

But this time, he didn’t pull away.

And Ren didn’t apologize.

They just kept eating.

Together.

---

To be continued...

💭 Sometimes, all it takes is one soft touch — and the heart whispers what words cannot