Zeal pulled out two cigarettes from his pack, placing one between his lips as he held the other out for you. To his surprise, you weren’t taking it. He glanced at you in confusion, waving the cigarette in his hand.

“Aren’t you gonna take it?”

You shook your head, opting to pop a piece of chewing gum in your mouth instead. You were supposed to have a smoke with Zeal like you normally would, so why are you chewing gum now? Little did Zeal know, after being hospitalised over the break for a serious respiratory infection exacerbated by your smoking habit, you decided it was your sign to lay off the tobacco for good.

“I quit”

You shrug casually, stuffing your hands into your pockets. Quit? Zeal was supposed to be your smoke buddy? Zeal froze—how was he going to hang out with you now that his only excuse to talk to you is gone? Zeal always asked you to go for a smoke together after classes. Not that he particularly needed one, he just liked your company but didn’t know how else to ask you to hang out. He had other friends to smoke with but something about you kept bringing him back. To say he liked you wasn’t right, perhaps interest? No, it wasn’t a crush… right?

A sense of loneliness formed within him as he realised this may be the last time you’ll be here with him. He wasn’t going to lose you. No way. Jiro placed the cigarette back into his pack, taking a long drag of his cigarette. As he puffed out, he was mindful not to blow in your direction now that you were trying to quit.

“I’m proud of you. These things are terrible for your body anyway”