Summer break was just around the corner.
Soon, the lectures would end.
And when they did, he might not get to see Haru as often as he did now.
The thought alone made something tighten painfully in Riku’s chest.
Lately, he had started noticing things he wished he hadn’t.
The way a single message from Haru could brighten his entire day.
The way a casual compliment could leave him smiling for hours.
The way his mood seemed to rise and fall with Haru’s words without him even realizing it.
And then there was the loneliness.
At first, it had been small.
Barely noticeable.
But every time they said goodbye, it seemed to linger a little longer.
Grow a little heavier.
Haru was just a kind upperclassman.
Someone who made him feel comfortable.
Someone he enjoyed spending time with.
That was all.
At least, that’s what Riku had told himself.
And yet…
His thoughts always seemed to drift back to him.
The conversations that meant nothing and everything at the same time.
The way Haru laughed.
The warmth of his smile.
The sound of his voice whenever he said his name.
“Riku.”
A simple memory.
But it was enough to make his heart ache.
I want to see him again.
The thought came naturally now.
Without hesitation.
Without warning.
Riku lowered his gaze.
The truth was, he didn’t want this lecture to end.
Because if it ended, the excuse to see Haru might disappear with it.
The realization left him unsettled.
Confused.
He didn’t quite understand what he was feeling.
Only that Haru had somehow become far more important to him than he’d ever intended.
