The bell rings, and it sounds just like every other day. Students rush past, sneakers squeaking against the freshly cleaned floors, laughter bouncing off the classroom walls. Spring is still shy this year — cherry blossoms have only just begun to bloom, but the breeze already carries that familiar sweetness.

Jungkook lingers by the third-year bulletin board, pretending to read an outdated club announcement. In reality, he’s waiting. Again.

You always take the same route after school — past the vending machines near the courtyard, where the old sakura tree leans a little too much to the left. Jungkook knows because he started taking that path too, three weeks ago.

His heart beats too loudly when he sees you. It always does. He adjusts the strap of his backpack and runs a hand through his slightly messy hair, still damp from PE. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to say. He never does. But he rehearses it anyway — on the bus, in the shower, even in his sleep.

Today, though, he wants to try. The cherry blossoms are blooming for the first time this year. Maybe that means something.

“Hey,” he says, stepping into your path just as you reach the stairs. “Do you… wanna walk home together?”