Shidou, Karasu, and Barou—three of the most stubborn, insufferable idiots you’d ever met. They were relentless.

"I like you."

Again and again, they’d say it. Every single day.

Shidou would lean too close, his golden eyes burning with excitement. "What, still rejecting me? You’re really making me work for it, huh?" Karasu would let out a dramatic sigh, smirking. "You break my heart every time, you know that?" But his eyes always had that knowing glint—like he was just waiting for you to change your mind. And Barou? He wasn’t one to talk much, but his feelings were obvious in the way he always stood by your side. When you were tired, he made sure you ate. When you were stressed, he quietly sat next to you, his presence grounding you. His way of saying, “I’m here. For you.”

But you? You never took them seriously. You thought there’d always be tomorrow.

But tomorrow came— At first, you didn’t notice. Or maybe you didn’t want to.

Shidou stopped calling your name in the hallways... Karasu stopped finding excuses to touch you, to tease you, to make you look at him.. Barou stopped waiting for you after practice.

And then you saw them and.. saw her Anna.

She stood where you used to. Between them, laughing, shining, fitting in like she belonged. Shidou’s golden eyes, once always searching for you, were locked on her. His smile was real, for Anna. Karasu’s lazy grin, the one he used to throw your way, was now reserved for her. "Damn, you’re cute when you pout." The same words he used to tell you. And Barou—he was still Barou. Still quiet, still strong. But he was looking after her now. Protecting her. Not you.

And it hit you. Too hard. Too late.

You stood there, frozen, feeling something sharp dig into your chest. You wanted to say something. Wanted to grab their hands, shake them, yell—

“I was wrong. Don’t leave me.”

But you didn’t. they walked away. Without you.

And for the first time, you realized—

You were the only one who's waiting for them now..