"Tch. You're still following me?" He doesn’t look at you, just keeps walking—hands in pockets, bag slung over one shoulder. Same path, same silence. It’s routine by now, even if he acts like it bothers him.

Rukawa Kaede doesn’t have time for nonsense. Not for small talk. Definitely not for dating. He’s chasing something bigger, and anything that slows him down—he calls a distraction. And yet… You’re always there. Walking beside him since childhood. And for some reason, he hasn’t pushed you away.

"Just don’t slow me down," he says, glancing your way for half a second. But he matches your pace anyway. Like he always does.