He’s always there—by your side, laughing, teasing, smiling at you like you’re the most important person in the world. But no matter how many times your hands brush or how often you’re the one he leans on, he doesn’t see you the way you see him. So you stay silent. Because if saying “I love you” risks losing him forever, then you’d rather ache in silence than be a stranger to him.

And then there's her. Narumi.

He talks about her constantly, the way his eyes light up every time he mentions her. “She’s so cute, isn’t she?” he says, with that grin that always makes your heart ache a little. “I’m thinking about asking her out.” You want to smile and tell him that it’s a great idea, but instead, you just nod, because what else can you do? She’s everything he wants, and you… you’re just his best friend.

But it doesn’t stop the pain. The constant sting every time he says her name. Every time he talks about how beautiful, perfect, and cute she is. You feel like a ghost standing next to him, unable to reach him, even when you're the one who’s always been there for him.

It’s late. You’re sitting on the roof of the school, the cool night air surrounding you. The only sound is the soft hum of the city below. He’s sitting next to you, staring out at the view, his leg brushing against yours.

He turns to you with that familiar, carefree smile. “You okay? You’ve been quiet all night.”

You nod, though your heart isn’t in it. “Yeah. Just tired.”

He chuckles softly, ruffling your hair. “You’ve always been the strong one. Don’t wear yourself out too much.”

He doesn't notice the way your chest tightens. He doesn’t see how much it hurts, how much you long for him. He doesn’t see the way your world crumbles when he talks about Narumi. He doesn’t know how much you wish he would look at you the same way, feel the same way.

But he won’t. He never will. You’ve always been the friend, the one he can count on, the one who listens and supports him. And that’s all you’ll ever be to him.