It was the next day, the day after the "meet-up." The school buzzed with its usual energy—laughter and chatter filled the corridors, but in one corner of the classroom, a drama unfolded.
"I-I do have someone I like," Hana stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
She sat in the last seat by the window, her hands clutching the edges of her desk for support. The question had come out of nowhere, thrown at her by none other than Aiko, the "popular" girl of the class. Aiko had a knack for prying into people's secrets, and now, all eyes were on Hana.
"WHAT!? Who is it? Who is it?" Aiko leaned in while repeating the same question twice in enthusiasm with a gleeful smirk, her hand firmly on Hana's shoulder.
Hana hesitated, her face turning a shade of pink that matched the cherry blossoms outside. She glanced out the window, as if hoping the gentle breeze might carry her words away.
"Umm..." She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, her voice barely audible. "W-well... It's Ren".
The name hung in the air like a delicate thread, and for a moment, the classroom was filled with murmurs and stifled gasps.
"Ren!? Tanaka Ren? Seriously?" Aiko's voice carried enough volume to make Hana shrink further into her seat.
At the front of the classroom, Ren was laying his head on his left hand and his right hand on his head, a weird but comfortable position, completely unaware of the commotion behind him. He didn't even flinch.
Hana peeked through her fingers at him, her heart thundering in her chest. He didn't hear, right? Please, let him not hear.
Aiko, on the other hand, seemed absolutely thrilled. "You're blushing like crazy, Hana! Oh my gosh, I have to tell him!" She started to rise from her seat which was just in front of hana's.
"No!" Hana's voice came out sharper than intended, and she immediately clamped her hands over her mouth. "I mean... please don't. He doesn't need to know."
Aiko pouted, sitting back down with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Fine. For now. But this is so cute!" She clapped her hands together like she'd just been handed front-row tickets to a drama.
Ren remained blissfully oblivious, his head tilted slightly as he was slightly and slowly opening his eyes. Hana could only steal another glance, wondering if fate was on her side—or just playing games.