PAIRED TOGETHER

The afternoon sunlight slanted through the classroom windows as the teacher shuffled a stack of papers. Students murmured among themselves, already dreading the group project assignment. Ren sat quietly at his desk, head lowered, fingers tracing the edge of his notebook. He tried not to look at the boy sitting just a few rows away—Haru—whose laugh always carried across the room like sunlight on water.

“Alright,” the teacher said, clearing her throat. “I’ve selected your partners for this project.”

The room fell into collective groans. Ren held his breath, staring at the wooden grain of his desk.

“Ren and Haru.”

His heart dropped to his stomach.

Before he could react, Haru twisted in his seat, his face lighting up like it always did. “Ren! Looks like we’re partners again,” he said, leaning forward with that bright grin that always knocked the air out of Ren’s lungs.

Ren managed a small nod. “Okay…”

The bell rang, and students rushed out. Ren packed his books slowly, hoping to slip away unnoticed, but Haru appeared beside him in a heartbeat.

“Ren! After school, let’s talk about what we’re doing for the project. Are you free?” Haru asked, eyes warm.

“…Yes,” Ren said softly.

“Perfect. I’ll wait for you at the gate.”

Ren’s steps felt light and heavy at the same time as he walked out of the room. Don’t read into it, he told himself. He’s just being friendly. He’s friendly with everyone.

After school, Haru was already waiting, bouncing slightly on his heels.

“Took you long enough,” he said with an exaggerated sigh. “Come on, let’s walk.”

They began down the road, the late afternoon breeze rustling the leaves overhead. At first, the silence felt awkward, but Haru soon broke it.

“You walk fast,” he complained lightly. “Slow down.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

Haru chuckled and adjusted his pace until their shoulders nearly brushed. “It’s nicer when we walk together, right?”

Ren felt his ears heat. “…You think so?”

“Yeah,” Haru said with a casual smile. “Feels comfortable.”

Ren quickly turned away, pretending to watch a passing car. His heartbeat felt too loud in his chest. Please… don’t say things like that. I’ll misunderstand.

They reached Ren’s house soon after, sitting side by side at his small desk. Haru dropped his bag onto the floor.

“Alright, genius,” Haru said. “Teach me. I’m hopeless at this stuff.”

Ren wrote a few notes in a calm voice. “You’re actually smart. You just lose focus.”

“It’s your fault,” Haru said suddenly.

Ren nearly dropped his pen. “M-my fault?”

Haru laughed. “Yeah. When you’re serious, I get distracted. It’s sort of intimidating.”

Ren blinked, relief and disappointment colliding in his chest. “Oh. That’s… all.”

Time passed quickly, and soon Haru stood to leave.

“Let’s meet again tomorrow, okay? After school.”

Ren hesitated. “…Why?”

Haru gave him that open, unguarded smile. “Because I want to. And we still have work to do.”

Ren opened his front door for him. “Alright.”