Chapter 1: The Awkward Gaze

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the classroom floor. Hiroki was meticulously packing his worn-out copy of The Great Gatsby when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned to see Ryo, his childhood friend and perpetually energetic classmate, staring at him with a grin that was somehow both conspiratorial and deeply searching.

"You're the last one again, Hiroki," Ryo teased, leaning against the desk. "Trying to absorb the knowledge directly from the air, or just admiring the chalkboard?"

Hiroki sighed, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I was just checking my notes, Ryo. I have a History quiz tomorrow."

Ryo’s grin didn't falter. "Right, history. So, tell me, what year did you start staring at Takae?"

The question hit Hiroki like a textbook dropped from the ceiling, but his reaction was complicated. His cheeks immediately flushed a deep crimson, not because of Takae, but because Ryo was looking at him with such intense scrutiny.

"W-what are you talking about, Ryo?" Hiroki stammered, his voice cracking. He tried to slam his bag shut, but fumbled the zipper. He's watching me too closely. He can't find out who I really look at.

Ryo chuckled, a deep, knowing sound. "Oh, come on, don't pretend. Every time Takae-chan laughs at one of Mr. Tanaka’s terrible jokes, you look up. You always seem to 'check your notes' whenever she's near."

Ryo leaned in closer, his proximity making the air feel electric for Hiroki. "Do you like Takae?"

The silence that followed was thick, heavy, and extremely awkward. Hiroki knew he had to confirm Ryo’s assumption—it was the safest lie. Takae, the beautiful and effortlessly kind girl, was the perfect cover.

"She... she's nice," Hiroki mumbled, forcing himself to look away. "Yeah, I guess... a little."

Ryo straightened up slowly, his smile fading slightly, replaced by a subtle tension in his eyes. "Just 'a little'? That’s not like you, Hiroki. When you like something, you usually obsess over it—like your vintage fountain pens, or that Roman history text."

"It's different!" Hiroki insisted, perhaps too loudly. "She's just a classmate. It's a normal crush." He grabbed his bag, desperate to end the interrogation.

"Look, she's walking past the door right now," Ryo said, his voice flat.

Hiroki glanced up, seeing Takae passing by, chatting happily with her friends. He managed a quick, fleeting look before snapping his eyes down. Safe. Look at Takae.

Ryo burst out laughing, but it sounded strained this time. "Smooth, Hiroki. Real smooth. You can't even look her in the eye." He slapped Hiroki on the back, but the contact lingered for a beat too long.

"I need to go," Hiroki muttered, walking quickly towards the door.

Ryo called out, "Fine! But if you like her, you have to talk to her! I’ll help you!"

Hiroki didn't turn back, but the original question echoed in his mind, sharp and insistent: Do you like Takae?

No. The truth was, every time Ryo looked away, Hiroki's eyes had been on Ryo himself, documenting every movement, every expression, every fleeting smile. That was the obsession Ryo should be worried about.

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