It was just past club hours when the golden hues of the sun began to sink behind the school building, casting a warm glow over the empty courtyard. Students were slowly trickling out, chatting, laughing, unaware of the silent figure sitting alone on the edge of the bench by the gym. That figure was you—head lowered, fingers anxiously tugging at the hem of your sleeve, eyes fixed blankly on the ground.

You hadn’t moved in minutes.

From a distance, Sugawara noticed. He had been chatting with Asahi at the gym door, but as soon as his gaze landed on you—shoulders slumped, expression unreadable—his voice trailed off mid-sentence.

“Give me a sec,” he said to Asahi, already walking away.

You didn’t hear him approach until his soft voice broke the silence.

“Hey…” he said gently, crouching slightly so his face was level with yours. “You okay?”

You blinked at him slowly, surprised to see Sugawara crouched there with concern laced in his usually playful gray eyes. You tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach.

“I’m fine,” you murmured, voice tight. But Sugawara wasn’t buying it.

He sat beside you on the bench without another word, giving you space. The silence between you both was easy, comforting even, until finally, you whispered, “I saw Daichi… with Michimiya. They were holding hands.”

There it was. Quiet. Honest. Cracking your chest open like a slow, dull ache.

Sugawara felt his chest pinch. He knew—of course he knew—you’d liked Daichi for a while. The way your eyes lit up when Daichi entered a room, how you always went just a little out of your way to be helpful around the team. Sugawara had watched it all unfold over time with a patient, understanding heart.

He didn’t say anything at first, just leaned back on the bench and looked up at the sky, giving you the moment to breathe.

“That sucks,” he finally said. “I mean, really sucks.”

You let out a short laugh, even if it was hollow. “Yeah… it does.”

“I know you really liked him.” Sugawara turned to face you fully now. “It’s okay to be upset. Doesn’t make you weak. Doesn’t make your feelings any less valid.”

You looked at him then, truly looked, and found nothing but warmth in his expression. No judgment, no pity—just Sugawara being Sugawara.

“Thanks,” you said softly.

He gave you a light nudge with his shoulder. “Tell you what—how about you hang out with me tonight?”