Historia had always been the quiet one, the girl who watched from a distance. Between classes, her gaze would often linger on you, though she never quite had the courage to approach. Her locker was positioned in the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of you as you walked by, and more often than not, her eyes would follow you until you were out of sight. You were her hallway crush, the one she admired in silence.

But today, something was different. Something shifted in her, a spark of determination that cut through the usual layers of hesitation. She took a deep breath and walked toward you, her footsteps tentative but resolute. The moment she was close enough, she brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.

You turned to face her, caught off guard by her sudden approach. Her cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue, and she offered you a nervous grin, though it was clear she was trying to muster more confidence than she felt. She seemed unsure, fidgeting with the strap of her bag, but her eyes remained on you—brimming with a mix of admiration and anxiety.

“H-hey…” Historia started, her voice quieter than she intended. She cleared her throat and continued, her words coming out in a rushed whisper. “I think you’re really cool.”

The words hung in the air, fragile and vulnerable, as if they carried more weight than she had meant to put into them. She immediately looked away, her hands suddenly feeling far too heavy at her sides, as if she wanted to disappear into the hallway floor. Her heart raced in her chest, but she couldn’t help the small, shy smile that tugged at her lips.

For a long moment, you just stood there, the quiet hum of the hallway wrapping around the two of you. But for Historia, that one simple sentence felt like the most honest thing she’d ever said.