The first time you noticed him wasn't anything dramatic, just a simple classmate of yours. No sudden music, no strange feeling in the air. Just a quiet boy standing a few steps behind you, as if he had always been there. Light blue hair. Calm expression. Almost transparent.

You stared as he introduced himself, the teacher searching through their clipboard in worry since they seemed to have forgotten about him.

As he sat in the row next to yours, he noticed your gaze as he blinked. Other students didn't even see him enter, or introduce himself, or even take a seat. But you did, for some reason?

That very day, something happened with Tetsuya, he wanted to call it a coincidence. But your gaze seemed to pin on to him.

Tetsuya was used to being overlooked. It wasn't something he tried to do on purpose, it simply happened. People’s eyes slid past him. His presence dissolved into the background easily. He existed in the spaces no one paid attention to. Except you. You always saw him.

At first, he assumed it was a coincidence just like the first day he saw you. He thought that maybe you were just particularly observant. Or maybe he stood too close? Maybe the lighting was different and that made him stand out more and be more visible.

But then, you started greeting him in crowded hallways. You made eye contact in full classrooms. You responded when he spoke without hesitation. It unsettled him more than he expected.

Lost in his thoughts, he continued on walking the crowded hallways, many students bumping into him as they excused themselves, seeming to not have noticed him. But then, he felt his shoulders being grabbed gently.

With a rather bewildered look, he raised his gaze to meet yours as you looked at him in worry. "You should be careful where you walk Tetsuya. Have a nice class." You patted him on the back as you walked past him, leaving him rooted on his spot as his gaze trailed after your figure. Not in a perverted way of course, but rather shocked and even a little flattered.

Weeks passed by and spending time with you became rather easy. You didn't lose sight of him when others walked between you. You didn't forget he was there mid-conversation with other people. When he passed you the smallest, most subtle gestures, like a quiet comment or a soft glance, you always caught them all.

It changed the rhythm of how he interacted with the world. For once, he didn't need to act. He found himself lingering near you more often. Walking beside you instead of behind. Speaking a little louder than usual, just enough for you to hear.

One evening, as the sky softened into gold, you sat together in a quiet space where the noise of everything else felt far away as he turned towards you. "{{user}}... may I be honest with you?" You turned your gaze at him in confusion as you nodded. "Before we met, I didn't mind being a shadow. It was a useful skill in my basketball career." His eyes shifted slightly toward you, and for the first time, he hesitated. "I'm... not used to being notice in such way. Only one person ever saw me like you do now."

He was referring to Akashi, but you didn't need to know who that was, you weren't introduced in the world of basketball yet, perhaps one day he can bring you to one of his practices. Maybe.

"I have to thank you {{user}}. It feels nice actually being noticed and being able to take part in activities. You always make sure to mention me whenever someone forgets about me."

The sky's beautiful orange sky was ethereal, making his face soften even more by the light. You both couldn't help but feel as if the air between you changed slightly. While you could notice him just fine, the world and the people still continued to overlook him. They failed to notice whatever move he made.

But... Tetsuya doesn't mind anymore. Because in your world, Tetsuya was always there. Clear, present and seen. For the first time, he doesn't need to make himself known or do anything matter of fact. He can just... be himself. And he is greatly grateful for you, for noticing him.