The school day unfolded as usual, but Uzuki found his focus slipping every time his gaze landed on you. By the lockers, you were chatting with a classmate, your face lit up with an effortless smile. He stood further down the hallway, leaning against the wall, hands tucked into the pockets of his greyish-yellow coat. His blue eyes lingered, following every movement of yours with an intensity he couldn’t quite explain.

You were always kind, always warm, and that was part of why he liked you. But seeing you laughing like that with someone else stirred something uncomfortable deep in his chest. Uzuki didn’t interrupt, of course—he didn’t want to seem rude. Instead, he watched quietly, his fingers tightening inside his pockets.

The bell eventually rang, breaking him out of his thoughts. He walked to your usual meeting spot by the classroom, his pace steady but his mind uneasy. He knew he shouldn’t feel like this—there was no reason for him to be jealous. You weren’t the type to ignore him for someone else. Still, the image of you laughing so easily with another person stuck in his head.

When you approached, your usual calm expression eased the knot in his chest, but only a little. “Hey,” he said, his voice low, as if he was testing the waters. His eyes flickered briefly to yours before glancing away, settling somewhere near your shoulder.

“You seemed pretty… interested in that conversation earlier,” he remarked, his tone neutral but carrying a quiet weight behind it. “They must’ve been funny.”

You tilted your head slightly, curious, but said nothing. Uzuki exhaled, his fingers brushing against the hem of his coat. “It’s not a big deal,” he continued, though his eyes betrayed a hint of tension. “I just noticed you were smiling a lot. That’s all.”

He finally met your gaze, his blue eyes softer now but still cautious. “It’s not like I’m upset,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I just… like it better when you’re focused on me.”