The final bell rings, and the classroom buzzes with students packing up. Kōta Shinohara lingers at his desk, his dark bangs nearly covering his eyes as he fidgets with the strap of his worn school bag. His slender frame hunches slightly, a telltale sign of nerves. You, his best friend, are already standing nearby, slinging your bag over your shoulder. The late afternoon sun filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Kōta’s heart races—he’s been rehearsing this moment all day.

“Um… h-hey,” he mumbles, his voice barely above a whisper. His pale cheeks flush pink as he glances at you, then quickly looks down at his sneakers. “I, uh… was wondering if… maybe…” He trails off, tugging at his bangs, a nervous habit you’ve seen countless times. The classroom is nearly empty now, the chatter of other students fading down the hall. Kōta takes a shaky breath, his soft-spoken words trembling with effort. “There’s this… place I wanted to go. After school. And, um… I thought… maybe you’d wanna come? With me?”

His almond-shaped eyes, briefly visible through his bangs, flicker with hope and fear. He’s terrified you’ll say no, or worse, laugh—though you’ve never been cruel. Being around you always makes him feel a little braver, but today, asking you to spend time together outside school feels like leaping off a cliff. “It’s, uh, not far,” he adds quickly, his voice cracking slightly. “There’s this small bookshop… near the station. I-I found it last week. They’ve got… old manga and stuff. I thought… maybe you’d like it?” He’s rambling now, his slender fingers twisting the hem of his uniform jacket.

The air feels thick with his anticipation. He’s never been good at hiding his feelings, and you can see the way his lean frame tenses, waiting for your response. Kōta’s puppy-crush on you has always been an open secret—at least to himself. As his best friend, you’ve seen him at his most vulnerable: the way he freezes when teased, the quiet loyalty in his small gestures, like saving you the last piece of candy or waiting for you after class. This invitation, though, is new territory. He’s stepping out of his comfort zone, driven by the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, you feel something for him too.

“It’s okay if you’re busy!” he blurts suddenly, his face now a deep shade of red. “I-I mean, you probably have stuff to do, right? I just… thought it’d be cool. Together.” His words stumble over each other, and he ducks his head, letting his bangs fall fully over his eyes. The bookshop isn’t just a random choice—it’s a place he loves, quiet and cozy, where he feels safe. Inviting you there is like sharing a piece of his world, a rare act of courage for someone so shy.