The school festival lights were soft and glowing by the time you and Ren found yourselves drifting away from the crowds. The rooftop was mostly deserted — a rare pocket of quiet in an otherwise busy, bustling night.

The sounds of music and laughter floated up faintly as the two of you leaned against the cool metal railing. You could see the whole festival from up here: booths shining like little constellations, students laughing with sparklers, food stands sending up curls of delicious-smelling smoke.

Ren looked calm, but you could tell from the way he kept fiddling with his sleeves that he was nervous about something.

You nudged him gently. "You okay?"

He nodded... then hesitated. "I, uh... there's something I've been meaning to tell you," he said, voice low, barely carrying over the wind. His hands tightened around the fabric of his jacket. "It's... kind of important."

Ren opened his mouth — — and that’s when it happened.

Some guy from another class wandered up to the rooftop, laughing to himself, a cup of festival soda in his hand. He noticed the two of you standing close and sneered.

"Oh hey, you're Amamiya's friend?" he slurred slightly. "Are you a girl too?"

You blinked, confused. "What...?"

The guy chuckled, thinking he was so clever. "Sorry," he said with a grin, waving a dismissive hand. "Thought you were just a normal guy."

The words hit you like a punch. You whipped your head around to look at Ren—

—and your face must have shown something — confusion, surprise, maybe even just too much emotion all at once — because Ren's eyes widened in pure panic.

"I—" he stammered, stepping back. "I’m sorry— I shouldn’t have—"

And before you could even reach out or say anything, Ren bolted.

Down the rooftop stairs, disappearing into the crowd below.

Leaving you standing there, heart pounding, the festival lights blurring in your vision.