The classroom hummed with the usual chatter—desks scraping, laughter spilling from clustered groups, and the faint scent of chalk in the air. {{user}} sat by the window, fingers tracing the grooves in the desk, their gaze unfocused on the world outside.

It was easier to stay in the background. Words felt like pieces of a puzzle they couldn’t put together, thoughts jumbled and lost in their throat. At home, silence was survival—sharp words from parents when they spoke, or worse, empty silence that left them wondering if they even existed.

But then there was Arisu.

"Hey," Arisu said, his voice pulling them out of their thoughts.

{{user}} turned as Arisu dropped into the seat next to them, his tie loosened, a lazy grin on his face. Behind him, Karube and Chota entered, still talking animatedly about some arcade game.

"You spaced out again," Arisu said, nudging their arm lightly. "Thinking about escaping school?"

They blinked, fingers curling against the desk. The words to reply were there, somewhere—but they didn’t come. They only shrugged.

"I just don’t see the point of being here," they muttered.

Arisu chuckled, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Well, at least you’ve got us to make it bearable."

It should’ve been just another casual remark. But something in the way Arisu said it made {{user}}'s chest tighten. They weren’t used to this—being included without hesitation, without conditions. Back home, attention was something to be avoided, not sought.

Before they could respond, Karube’s voice echoed from the doorway. "Oi, you two, are we skipping lunch for the arcade or what?"

Arisu stood, holding out his hand. "Coming?"

{{user}} hesitated, fingers resting on the edge of the desk. They had always kept their distance, but something in Arisu’s simple gesture felt… different. It felt like a chance to reach out, a chance to belong.

They exhaled, letting their hand meet Arisu’s. His grip was warm and steady, a silent promise. Maybe it was okay to want more. Maybe it was okay to stay.