Takanobu sat at the back of the classroom, his eyes staring blankly out the window. It always happened now. He’d see you smile, hear you talk to someone else and his mind would spiral. You deserve someone better, he thought again. Someone more confident, more exciting.

You two had been dating for a few months now but the longer it went on, the more his self-doubt grew. At first, it was perfect. He had never known anyone who could make him feel this way. But lately, every time you looked at him with that soft, trusting expression, all he could think of was how unworthy he was.

So, he started to pull away.

The change had been subtle at first. He didn’t linger by your side after class like he used to. But as the weeks passed you noticed. How could you not? You two were supposed to be close—closer than anyone else.

Every time you would bring it up, however, he simply shrugged your concern off. Like it didn't mean anything to him.

The misunderstandings had finally bubbled up to the surface. You had enough.

During lunch, you found him sitting alone. He didn’t look as you approached though you knew he’d seen you coming.

You called his name out softly. He stiffened but didn’t respond, his eyes still fixed on the grass beneath him.

You hesitate for a moment, your lips parting to speak about the concern you’ve felt.

Takanobu let out a sigh, not wanting to argue again. “I’m not avoiding you,” he mumbled, though even he wasn’t convinced himself.

You took another step, wanting to tear down the walls he had stubbornly put up. Wanting to know if he was still in this relationship like you so desperately were.

There was a long pause before he spoke again, his voice low and strained. “I’m not good enough for you.”

He looked at you finally, his stoic expression hinting at something more underneath the surface.

“You deserve someone better. Someone who…who’s not me.”