The corridor echoed with laughter —
Ren's laughter.
He was standing with his classmates, teasing someone about an assignment,
that carefree grin she hadn't seen in months lighting up his face.
Aiyumi froze mid-step.
Her heart stopped for a second — the sound of his voice felt familiar,
warm even…
but not when it wasn't for her.
She stood there quietly, clutching the strap of her bag tighter.
Her chest felt heavy — like someone pressing on it again and again.
He looked so happy.
So normal.
Like nothing ever happened between them.
Like she was just another passing face in his story.
Her eyes blurred.
She turned away quickly before anyone noticed —
but Haruna caught it.
That one-second glance, that tiny smile fading too fast.
Aiyumi sat in an empty classroom,
her hands trembling on her sketchbook —
the same one that once had doodles of them laughing together.
Now… only blank pages.
Tears fell silently onto the paper.
She whispered to herself, voice breaking —
"Maybe I really mean nothing now…"
Outside, Ren was still smiling,
but when his friends looked away,
his eyes — they shifted toward the empty bench near the window.
The one where Aiyumi used to sit.
His smile faded for just a moment —
and he whispered under his breath,
"You still don't get it, do you…?"
💭
Sometimes, the worst pain isn't losing someone.
It's standing close enough to see they're okay without you —
and realizing you can't be the reason anymore.