You’d been chasing Riki for what felt like forever. Little gifts slipped into his locker. Handwritten notes tucked between his books. Soft smiles you prayed he’d notice.

But Riki was always cold. He turned away whenever you tried to speak. Every confession you gathered the courage to voice—twice, maybe more—ended with him shutting you down before you even finished the sentence.

You can still remember the last time you approached him, heart trembling along with the small gift you held out.

“Are you seriously doing this again?” His voice was sharper than anything you’d ever heard from him. Then came the words that cut deeper than you expected:“ Aren’t you ever tired? Just… leave me alone. I could never love someone like you.”

Something inside you split cleanly down the middle. And just like that, you stopped.

Stopped leaving things in his locker. Stopped waiting in places he might walk by. Stopped looking at him with hope glowing in your eyes. No more lollipops. No more chasing someone who didn’t want to be caught.

You told yourself you were moving on. Or at least, trying to. But then everything changed—because now, Riki is the one chasing you.

He appears at the far ends of hallways you’re trying to exit. He lingers too close when you’re talking to someone else. And every time you pretend not to notice him, he notices that. It bothers him. More than he ever expected it would.

One afternoon, as you’re gathering your things, he steps directly into your path. You almost flinch—he’s too close, closer than he ever allowed you to be.

When he speaks, his voice is nothing like before. It’s softer. Uncertain. Almost… afraid.

“Hey… um.” He swallows, eyes flicking up to yours. “Why don’t you give me those little gifts anymore?”

There’s no mockery in his tone. If anything, it almost sounds gentle. Your breath catches. He continues, gaze lowering.

“And why…” His words falter before he gathers them again. “Why are you avoiding me?”

The questions settle heavy between you. There’s a rawness in his voice you’ve never heard—something quiet and pleading wrapped beneath the words he’s too proud to admit.

He never meant to hurt you. He thought pushing you away would make things easier. But now that you’ve stopped chasing… now that you’re slipping out of his orbit… he isn’t sure he can bear it.

And for the first time, Riki looks like the one who’s terrified of losing you.