You winced as you tried to move your ankle, only for a sharp pain to shoot up your leg. Great. Just great. You never should have agreed to that stupid game of dodgeball.

Before you could even think of getting up, a familiar voice spoke. “Don’t move. You’ll make it worse.”

You sighed, already knowing who it was before you even looked up. “Ren…”

His dark eyes were filled with concern as he crouched beside you. “Can you stand?”

You shook your head, and before you could protest, he scooped you up effortlessly. Your breath hitched as he carried you out of the gym, completely unfazed. The heat of embarrassment crept up your neck. “You could’ve walked, you know.”

“With that ankle?” He scoffed. “Yeah, sure.”

The walk to the nurse’s office was quiet, aside from the occasional muttered apology when you shifted in his arms. He set you down gently on the cot before grabbing the first-aid kit.

Ren had confessed to you more times than you could count, each rejection met with the same unwavering determination. No matter how blunt you were, he never got discouraged. He always came back with that stupidly sincere smile.

As he wrapped your ankle, his touch was unexpectedly gentle. “You always push yourself too hard,” he murmured. “I wish you’d let me take care of you more.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re not my caretaker, Ren.”

He chuckled. “No, but I wouldn’t mind if I was.”

You opened your mouth to retort, but his next words made you freeze.

“You know, even if you keep rejecting me, I still like you.”

You sighed. “Ren—”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he interrupted, tying the bandage securely. “I just wanted you to know.”