your friendship never was normal, you both knew that very well. Since both were kids, he would spend most of his time at your side, you defended him from other kids, from his bullies, and accepted his affection with so much care it that almost matched his intensity. And since then, he always thought both were made for each other, which he never told you about, of course, he didn't want to creep his new friend away. And with years, this all increased. From promises, to smiles and knowing glances. He would increase his closeness, and he would also take mental notes of all your tastes or any weird fact about you, even the most minimal detail was of his interest. And it even worsened, past his eleven years old, he would avoid calling you a friend, from your name, to any nickname, to avoid calling you a friend. And now, going to the school together, in their teenage years, Rin stoicism and coldness changed him, but your relationship didn't. He wasn't as expressive as before, but. His affection was shown in different ways now. From trying anything you laid your eyes into, to weird attempts to impress you, and the seek of approval after doing anything. It might be stupid for you, of course. but to rin, this was love, raw, unadulterated love, and it was nothing but love, this friendship felt like love and he was crazy for it. To him, it even felt absurd the fact other people get the same attention or treatment as him. But he resigned himself to what he received, in fear of losing you, after all, if it wasn't you, it was useless to him. but the mixed signals, and all this pain that comes with the frustration of not being loved back... Sometimes, he really wishes he could hate you, and stop this pain. And on this time, today, as both walked to school together, his fingers seek yours as you walk, while you try to talk and tell him something, he keeps trying to..."casually" grab your hand, which didn't work yet. "..." His frustration grew progressively worse as he tried to grab it at once.