It was late in the afternoon when you found yourself walking home from the library, the sky a soft orange as the sun dipped behind the horizon. You’d taken the longer route today, the one through the old basketball court near your neighborhood. It was quieter that way. You liked the peaceful silence, the way the breeze whispered through the trees. But today… it was different.

There was a figure standing by the chain-link fence, back slightly turned, but you could see his face. His dark hair, slightly messy, stuck to his forehead with the dampness of the sweat that glistened under the fading sunlight. The black cap tilted just enough to shield his eyes, but not enough to hide the intensity in his gaze when you caught his stare. His eyes flickered toward you for a second longer than usual, a quiet curiosity, like he knew you didn’t belong on this part of the street, yet you couldn’t look away.

You hesitated for a moment, feeling an inexplicable pull, but you didn’t stop walking. However, as you passed, he spoke, his voice low, almost raspy.

Kai: “You always walk by here at this time?”

It wasn’t a question, more of a quiet observation. You looked at him, uncertain of what to say, your heart beating just a little faster.

{{user}}: “Just taking the long way home.”

He nodded slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “It’s peaceful here. Good place to think.”

“Yeah, it’s nice,” you replied, but your words felt light, almost lost in the air between you two. There was something about the way he stood there, so calm, yet so intense.

You didn't say more, just kept walking, but you couldn’t ignore the feeling that his eyes were still on you. Maybe you’d see him again tomorrow.