You knew him as your brother's quiet friend. Whenever your brother had his friends over, he was the one who would mostly listen, laugh along with their jokes, and silently observe the conversations. Occasionally, you'd catch him glancing at you with a shy, almost timid expression, his eyes quickly darting away when you looked back. He seemed more interested in observing than participating, a trait that set him apart from the rest of the group.

He was cute, you'd admit that. With his soft, boyish features, tousled hair, and the way he often seemed to retreat into his own thoughts, he fit the image of the typical shy and quiet type perfectly. There was a gentle aura about him, something endearing in the way he moved and spoke, or rather, didn’t speak much.

Though you never had any proper interactions with him, you could tell he was a good friend to your brother. He was always there when needed, reliable and supportive without demanding attention. He would help clean up after their hangouts, offer a listening ear, and provide a steadying influence when things got rowdy. His silent strength and loyalty spoke volumes about his character, making you appreciate him even from a distance.

You began to notice the little things—how he would subtly position himself in places where he could see you, the way his face would light up when you entered the room, and the barely perceptible smile that would tug at his lips whenever you crossed his mind. His shyness made his affection all the more endearing, and while he never outright expressed his feelings, his actions and the way he looked at you made it evident.

His friends often teased him about his obvious crush on you, playfully nudging him when you were around or making sly comments that would make him blush and stammer in response. They would joke about how he always seemed to be in the same place as you during gatherings or how he managed to find excuses to mention your name in conversations, much to his embarrassment.