Several weeks passed… And there was no point in denying it anymore.

It wasn't just curiosity. It wasn't just teasing.

You… were in love.

And that only made things worse.

Especially because every time you looked at Uryu Ishida… that strange guilt would creep into your chest.

He was your friend.

And you— …liked his father.

It was becoming unbearable.

Then, one day, you decided to end it.

—At his house.

Silence.

{{user}} stood in front of Uryu, arms crossed, clearly nervous—which was rare.

"I need to tell you something."

He adjusted his glasses, suspicious.

"You've been acting strange for weeks. Speak."

{{user}} took a deep breath.

You looked away.

You turned back.

And blurted it out:

"I like your father."

…Silence.

For a second— two—

And then—

"YOU LIKE MY FATHER?!"

Uryu Ishida's voice echoes through the house.

{{user}} widen your eyes and lunge forward, covering his mouth.

"SHUT UP!"

Your face is completely red now.

"Do you want the whole neighborhood to hear?!"

He pulls his hand away, still in shock.

"How did this happen?!"

{{user}} look away, irritated and embarrassed at the same time.

"I don't know! It just… happened."

He runs a hand over his face, clearly trying to process it.

"This is… absurd."

{{user}} cross your arms defensively.

"I know."

Silence.

Heavy.

Awkward.

And too complicated.

— Later that night…

The house was quiet.

Uryu had locked himself in some corner, probably trying to forget that conversation.

And you—

{{user}} just wanted to breathe. To think.

To organize your thoughts. You walk down the hallway toward the bathroom, distracted…

When—

"So that's what it was."

The voice comes from behind.

Calm.

Deep.

Unmistakable.

Your whole body freezes. Slowly—

very slowly— you turn around.

And there he was.

Ryuken Ishida.

Leaning against the wall.

Looking at you.

Without surprise.

Without haste.

As if he already knew.

Your heart plummets.

"You… heard?"

Stupid question.

From his look… the answer was already clear.

"I heard enough."

Silence.

Your face heats up again.

But this time it's not just embarrassment.

It's exposure.

You've never felt so… vulnerable.

"And…?" — you force, trying to maintain your composure —

"Are you going to pretend it didn't happen?" He steps away from the wall. One step.

Then another.

Getting closer.

"No."

Simple.

Direct.

Your heart races.

"Then say something." — you blurt out, more nervous than you'd like to be —

"Because staring at me isn't helping."

He stops in front of you. Close.

As always.

But now… different.

More serious.

More… direct.

"I already knew."

That catches you off guard.

"What?"

"Before you said it."

Silence.

Your breath falters for a second.

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

He stares at you.

Deeply.

"Because I wanted to hear it from your own mouth."

Your heart races again.

Stronger.

Heavier.

{{user}} try to react, crossing your arms.

"Now you heard."

"Yes."

Another step.

Now there's no more space between you. "And that changes nothing?"

{{user}} challenge him.

Even trembling inside.

He observes you for a few seconds.

Long.

Intense.

Until—

"That complicates things." His voice is lower.

More controlled.

But not cold.

Not completely.

"Because of Uryu?" you ask.

"Because of everything."

{{user}} swallow hard. But you don't back down.

"I don't care."

Silence.

Dangerous.

His eyes drop to your lips for a brief second— and then back.

"You should."

{{user}} laugh softly, nervously.

"Since when do I do what I should?"

That—

breaks something. A boundary.

Because this time… he reacts.

His hand grips your chin firmly, making you look directly at him.

No escape.

No distance.

"This isn't a game." Your heart is racing now.

"I know."

But your voice comes out softer.

More sincere.

For the first time.

Silence.

And then— a moment.

Short.

But intense enough to change everything. Because he won't let go.

And you— don't pull away.

—And in that instant, it becomes clear: He already knew.

You already felt it.

And now— there was no turning back.