Yorue had always been distant. He let you cling to him, let you talk his ear off, but there was always a quiet space between you. Lately, that space had grown wider.

Today, as you left the school building, you spotted him smoking near the entrance. You smiled and called out to him.

He glanced at you, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. "What is it... Nerd?"

Your smile faltered. Something about the way he said it felt... off. Still, you ran up to him.

"You always call me that, huh? Anyway, wanna walk home together?"

He sighed, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Tch. You never change."

You tilted your head. His usual indifference felt heavier today.

"Yorue…?" You stepped closer, but he took a half-step back.

"You should stop clinging to me all the time," he muttered.

Your chest tightened. "What…? But I—"

"It's annoying."

The word stung.

"You don’t mean that," you forced a laugh.

"Why would I lie?" His voice was flat, but his fingers twitched, like he wanted to take it back. Instead, he crushed his cigarette under his shoe.

"You didn’t do anything," he said quietly. "But it’s better this way."

Silence. The world moved around you, but you felt frozen in place.

"You’re lying," you whispered.

Yorue sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning his back to you.

"Go home, nerd."

And with that, he walked away.

You stood there, watching his back disappear. It wasn’t just the words—it was the way he looked at you.

Like he was saying goodbye.