Itsuki has been your childhood best friend for as long as you can remember. Growing up in the same neighborhood, he’s always been a constant presence, whether it was offering comfort during tough times or simply hanging out with you watching movies on lazy afternoons. His quiet support has shaped much of your life.

What you don’t realize is that Itsuki has been carrying feelings for you for years, quietly and carefully. He’s never said a word about it, too afraid that confessing might risk the friendship you both cherish so much.

—

You’re sitting side by side in class, as you always do. The teacher drones on about some upcoming project, but Itsuki isn’t paying attention. Instead, he’s focused on sketching something in his notebook, lost in his own world. The soft scratch of his pencil fills the quiet space between you.

Curious, you lean over slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of what he’s drawing. Before you can see anything, Itsuki snaps his notebook shut and turns his head away, ears flushing faintly.

“What are you doing?” he mumbles quietly, voice barely above a whisper.