when I loved you quietly

The hallway buzzes with after-lunch chatter, lockers slamming and footsteps echoing. Ren walks quietly, hugging his notebook close, trying to melt into the background like always. His eyes flick up for just a second—Haru is surrounded by friends again, laughing, glowing. Ren turns away quickly before his chest can tighten.

He steps around the corner, planning to head to class early, but someone calls gently, “Um… Ren?”

Ren stops, confused. A girl from his class stands there, nervously fidgeting with her hair. Ren blinks. People rarely approach him, especially not like this.

“Yes?” he asks softly.

“I…” She glances down, cheeks pink. “I just… wanted to tell you that I think you’re… cute.”

Ren freezes. His heart jumps—out of shock, not excitement. His mind spins. Cute? Me? He feels his ears heat up. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He doesn’t know what to say.

Before he can respond, footsteps echo behind them. Haru stops in the middle of the hallway, eyes narrowed. Ren startles.

Haru’s friends keep walking, but Haru stays, watching the scene with an expression Ren has never seen on him—something sharp, unreadable.

“Oh! Haru!” the girl says, bowing awkwardly before scurrying away.

Silence hangs heavy.

Ren clears his throat. “Um. I should go—”

“What was that?” Haru cuts in.

Ren blinks. “What?”

“You and her.” Haru steps closer, his tone oddly tight. “What was that about?”

Ren shifts uncomfortably. Haru has never spoken to him like this before—never with this strange edge. “She just… asked me something.”

“You were smiling,” Haru says quietly.

Ren frowns. “I smile sometimes.”

“Not at me.”

The words hit Ren like a slap. He stares, stunned. Haru realizes what he said, looks away, embarrassed.

“That’s not what I meant,” Haru mutters. “I just—It was weird. You two looked… close.”

“Close?” Ren almost laughs. “Haru, she literally talked to me for the first time today.”

Haru doesn’t reply. He just watches Ren too carefully, like he's trying to solve a puzzle that suddenly matters too much.

Ren sighs. “Why do you care anyway?”

“I…” Haru opens his mouth, then shuts it. His brows knit together, frustration building. “I don’t know.”

Ren swallows hard. Not knowing is scarier than any answer Haru could give.

Haru steps even closer. Ren can feel the warmth radiate off him.

“Ren,” Haru says, softer now, “I just… didn’t like it.”

Ren’s breath catches. “Didn’t like… what?”

“Her looking at you like that.”

Ren’s heart stops.

Haru looks away again, rubbing the back of his neck. “I said it’s weird, alright? I’m not used to you… smiling at someone else.”

Ren’s throat tightens painfully. “You’re being strange.”

“Yeah,” Haru whispers. “I know.”

Their eyes meet. Haru’s expression is confused, conflicted… but yearning. Something warmer than friendship flickers, then disappears as he steps back.

“Come on,” Haru says quietly. “We’ll be late.”

Ren follows in silence, pulse racing.

For the first time, his one-sided love… doesn’t feel so one-sided.

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