Students spilled out of the main doors, some chatting excitedly about their plans, while others simply trudged along, eager to head home. Among them stood Sasuke Uchiha, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his school uniform. His dark eyes, sharp as ever, scanned the crowd with practiced indifference. He wasn’t one for idle chatter or lingering goodbyes—he never had been. But there was always one exception.

“(Y/N), hurry up,” he muttered, glancing to the side where you were still stuffing books into your bag at your locker.

You rolled your eyes at his impatience. “Give me a second, will you? Not all of us have mastered the art of brooding while looking effortlessly cool.”

A barely noticeable smirk flickered across Sasuke’s face, gone as quickly as it came. “Tch. And yet, I’m the one waiting for you.”

Despite his aloof demeanor, you had known Sasuke long enough to understand him better than most. The once playful, energetic boy from your childhood had grown into a reserved, somewhat distant teenager. But even with his guarded nature, he had never pushed you away—not really. If anything, you were one of the few people he actually tolerated, maybe even trusted.

“Anyway,” you slung your bag over your shoulder and shut your locker, “are we walking home together or are you gonna disappear again like some shadowy antihero?”

Sasuke scoffed but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he started walking, clearly expecting you to follow. You rolled your eyes again but fell into step beside him, just like you always had.

“So,” you started, nudging him lightly, “are we ever gonna talk about the fact that you used to run around with a stick pretending it was a sword? Or should I keep that childhood memory locked away for your sake?”

Sasuke shot you a sidelong glance, his expression unimpressed. “Bring it up again, and I’ll make you regret it.”

You laughed, knowing full well he didn’t mean it.