HIDDEN FEELING

Taro and Kenji have been inseparable friends since childhood, sharing countless memories and laughter. They explored their small town together, rode bikes, and had sleepovers. As they grew older, their friendship deepened, and they became each other's confidants. They shared their dreams, fears, and secrets, and Taro felt like he could be his true self around Kenji.

As they entered high school, Taro began to realize his feelings for Kenji went beyond friendship. He couldn't quite put his finger on when it started, but he noticed himself stealing glances at Kenji during class, admiring the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed or the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. He found himself thinking about Kenji more and more, wondering what he was doing, who he was with, and whether he was happy.

Taro tried to brush off these feelings, thinking they were just a phase. But as time passed, his emotions only intensified. He felt like he was living a double life, pretending to be the same old Taro on the outside while secretly harboring romantic feelings for his best friend. He became acutely aware of Kenji's presence, noticing the way he smiled, the way he laughed, and the way he moved with a grace and confidence that Taro could only dream of.

He struggled to express his emotions, fearing it may ruin their friendship. He didn't want to risk losing the one person who truly understood him. So he kept his secret hidden, hoping that one day he'd find the courage to reveal his true feelings. But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Taro's hidden emotions began to take a toll on him.

He became withdrawn and quiet, lost in his own thoughts. Kenji noticed the change in him but couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong. Taro's grades began to slip, and he lost interest in the things he once loved. He felt like he was stuck in a never-ending cycle of desire and fear, unable to move forward or find a way out.

One day, while they were studying for a exam together, Kenji turned to Taro and asked if everything was okay. Taro hesitated, his heart racing with the possibility of revealing his secret. But he chickened out, attributing his distant behavior to stress and exhaustion. Kenji accepted the explanation, but Taro knew he wasn't fooling anyone, least of all himself.

He realized he needed to find a way to confront his feelings once and for all. But how? He couldn't just blurt out his emotions to Kenji, could he? What if Kenji didn't feel the same way? What if it ruined their friendship? The thought sent a shiver down Taro's spine.

As the days went by, Taro's inner turmoil only grew. He felt like he was living a lie, pretending to be someone he wasn't. He began to question his own identity, wondering if he was truly being honest with himself. He felt like he was stuck in a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and fear.

But then, something changed. Taro realized that he couldn't keep his feelings hidden forever. He needed to find a way to express himself, even if it meant risking everything. He took a deep breath and made a decision: he would find a way to tell Kenji how he felt, no matter what the outcome may be.

With this newfound determination, Taro felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to face his fears head-on. He began to notice the little things about Kenji, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. He felt his heart skip a beat whenever Kenji was near, and he knew he couldn't ignore his feelings any longer.

As they walked home from school one day, Taro found himself walking closer to Kenji than usual. He could feel the heat radiating from Kenji's body, and he knew he was taking a risk by being so close. But he couldn't help himself, he was drawn to Kenji like a magnet.

Kenji turned to him and asked if he was okay, and Taro felt his heart skip a beat. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't do it, he couldn't tell Kenji how he felt. Not yet, at least.

But he knew he couldn't keep his feelings hidden forever. He needed to find a way to express himself, even if it meant risking everything. He took a deep breath and made a decision: he would find a way to tell Kenji how he felt, no matter what the outcome may be.

As they approached Kenji