When the lecture ended, students began filing out of the classroom one after another.
Riku was packing his notebook into his bag when—
“Riku.”
Hearing his name, he looked up.
Haru was standing beside him, wearing the same gentle smile Riku had already grown fond of.
“Do you have time after this?”
“Oh… yeah, I do.”
Haru’s smile widened slightly.
“Want to hang out for a bit?”
At those words, something inside Riku lifted.
Of course he wasn’t going to say no.
Together, they left the lecture hall and headed toward a bench in the courtyard.
For a while, they simply enjoyed the warm afternoon air.
Then Haru spoke first.
“So, do you commute from home?”
“Yeah. It takes about an hour.”
“I see.”
Haru nodded.
“How are you handling the morning rush?”
Riku let out a small laugh.
“Honestly? Not very well. The crowds are kind of overwhelming.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
Haru chuckled softly.
“I commuted during my first year too. I remember how exhausting it was.”
As Riku watched him smile, warmth spread quietly through his chest.
There was something comforting about being understood so easily.
Little by little, the conversation drifted to more personal topics.
Riku talked about his hometown and his family.
Haru spoke about his plans after graduation and the struggles he’d faced during university.
The more they talked, the easier it became.
As if they had known each other much longer than a few weeks.
Then, unexpectedly, Haru looked at him and said,
“You know, you’re a really good listener.”
Riku blinked.
“Huh?”
Haru smiled.
“You actually pay attention when people talk.”
His gaze softened.
“It’s easy talking to you.”
For a moment, Riku’s heart stumbled.
The simple compliment hit him harder than it should have.
Before he could think of a response, Haru stood up from the bench.
“Guess I should get going.”
“…Yeah.”
Riku rose to his feet as well.
They started walking side by side toward the station.
The evening sun stretched their shadows across the pavement.
As he walked beside Haru, Riku found himself thinking—
I want to keep talking to him.
Just a little longer.
Just a little more.
