The atmosphere in Uryu Ishida's house changed.

Not in an obvious way.

Not with shouting.

But with small details.

Longer gazes.

Heavier silences.

And a tension that never completely went away. Uryu kept his word. He respected it.

But that didn't mean it was easy.

—You noticed it first in the small things.

Like when you laughed at something and he just… observed.

Or when you got too close to Ryuken Ishida without realizing it— and his gaze became more serious.

More attentive.

More… closed off.

—Until one night— it finally exploded.

—The three of you were in the living room.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Just an ordinary moment.

{{user}} were sitting on the sofa, scrolling on your phone, while Ryuken read some papers.

Uryu was on the other side. Silent.

Observing.

And then— almost without thinking— you lean over and pick something up from the table… lightly brushing against Ryūken's arm.

A small touch.

But natural.

Too intimate.

—Uryu's gaze changes.

Instantly.

He looks away.

But it's too late.

{{user}] realize. Ryuken too.

Silence.

Heavy.

Until—

"Is this necessary?"

Uryu Ishida's voice cuts through the room.

Low.

Controlled.

But loaded.

{{user}} frown.

"What are you talking about?"

He looks up.

Directly.

"You two."

Silence.

{{user}} cross your arms, already irritated.

"We didn't do anything."

"There's no need to," he replies.

"It's already strange enough."

That hits you.

"You said you were going to respect it."

"I said I wasn't going to interfere." — he corrects —

"Not that I was going to like it."

The air grows heavy.

Ryuken slowly closes the papers.

But he still doesn't speak.

He observes.

Always like this.

— You get up from the sofa.

"Then just say what's bothering you."

Silence.

Uryu takes a deep breath.

As if he'd been holding this in for too long.

"You."

That gets to you.

"What?"

"You act like it's normal." — he continues —

"As if this isn't… complicated."

His expression hardens.

"Because for me it is."

Silence.

"I like him." — you say, firmly.

Without hesitation.

Without running away.

Uryu's gaze wavers for a second.

But he maintains it.

"I know."

"Then what's the problem?"

Silence. And then—

"I don't like to see it."

Direct.

Honest.

Heavy.

It breaks something in the mood.

{{user}} don't respond right away.

Because this time— it's not anger. It's… feeling.

Confused.

Difficult.

— Ryuken finally speaks.

"Uryu."

The voice calm.

But firm.

"Enough."

But he doesn't back down.

"No. That's not enough."

He stands up.

Now facing his father.

"You knew it would be like this."

Silence.

"I knew… and yet you continued."

Ryuken holds the gaze.

"Yes."

No excuses.

No backing down.

— You take a step forward.

"Hey."

They both look at you.

{{user}} take a deep breath.

Trying to calm down.

"I don't want to fight with you." His voice softens.

"But I'm not going to pretend this doesn't exist either."

Silence.

Uryu looks away.

He runs a hand over his face.

Clearly frustrated.

"I just…"

He stops.

Breathes.

And tries again.

"I just need time."

That changes everything.

{{user}} relax a little.

"Then say it."

He lets out a weak laugh.

"You don't make it easy."

{{user}} give a slight smile.

"Neither do you."

— The atmosphere cools down.

It doesn't disappear.

But… it gets better.

A little.

— Later…

you're in the hallway, going to your room, when you feel a hand gently tug at your arm.

{{user}} turn around.

Ryuken Ishida.

"You handled it well," he says.

{{user}} sigh.

"I'm trying not to make it worse."

He observes you for a second.

"And even then it gets worse."

{{user}} chuckle softly.

"It's my talent."

Silence.

But now… lighter.

He moves a little closer.

Not too close.

Just enough.

"He'll accept."

{{user}} raise an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

"No."

{{user}} laugh.

"Great support."

But then— he lightly rests his forehead against yours.

A small gesture.

Rare.

"But he won't lose you."

Your heart warms.

And this time— you believe.