Ayumi_0569

Ren Nakamura prefers to keep his head down and his eyes closed, drifting through life without a care. But when a bright and unexpected presence enters his world, his once quiet days begin to stir with something new. As the seasons change, so does the boy who never wanted to wake up.

Where the Flowers Bloom

Ren Nakamura didn't believe in fate or coincidences.

But if he did, he'd say the universe had a personal grudge against him.

Because despite all his efforts to stay in the shadows, despite making it very clear that he didn't want to be involved with people—

Yuki Hoshino kept pulling him in.

He was letting her.

After School – The Library

"I don't know what I did in my past life to deserve this," Ren muttered, glaring at the stack of papers in front of him.

Yuki hummed, flipping through a textbook. "Well, considering you sleep through most of your classes, I'd say it's karma."

Ren sighed dramatically, slumping back in his chair. "Why do we even have to do this?"

"Because," Yuki said, not looking up, "our teacher said you need to submit at least one completed assignment this semester."

Ren scoffed. "I can survive without it."

Yuki finally looked at him, her brown eyes way too serious for his liking. "You do realize you're barely passing, right?"

Ren shrugged. "What's your point?"

She stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

"My point is... what do you even want to do with your life?"

Something in her tone, in the way she said it so casually yet so carefully, made his chest feel tight.

He clicked his tongue, looking away. "Tch. That's a dumb question."

"It's not dumb," she said softly. "You never think about the future?"

Yuki didn't say anything right away.

Ren glanced at her, expecting her usual teasing smile.

She just looked at him, her expression unreadable, like she was trying to figure him out.

For some reason, he felt restless.

Tch. What did she want from him? It wasn't like he had some grand purpose.

The only thing Ren had ever been good at was pushing people away.

And yet, Yuki was still here.

Later That Day – Walking Home

Somehow, Yuki ended up walking with him again.

Not that he was complaining—but he definitely wasn't okay with it either.

"You live this way too?" she asked, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets.

Ren scoffed. "No. I just walk this way for fun."

Yuki hummed. "Oh? So you admit you enjoy walking with me."

Yuki grinned. "That's what it sounded like."

Ren sighed. "You twist everything I say."

She nodded. "Of course. It's entertaining."

Ren narrowed his eyes. "I seriously don't get you."

She smiled up at him, and for some reason, the streetlights made her eyes brighter, warmer.

Ren quickly looked away.

Tch. What was that?

"By the way," Yuki said after a moment, "there's a festival this weekend."

"So," she said playfully, "you should go."

Yuki pouted. "You're such a killjoy."

Ren shrugged. "And yet, you keep talking to me."

"Because," she said easily, "you need someone like me in your life."

Ren rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?"

"Because, Ren," she said quietly, "when was the last time you laughed?"

Without waiting for a response, Yuki turned and waved. "See you tomorrow!"

That Night – Ren's Room

Ren stared at the ceiling, the room dark except for the faint glow of the streetlights outside his window.

When was the last time you laughed?

Tch. Dumb question.

But earlier, when he was with her—

Didn't he almost—?

Ren sighed, rolling onto his side.

And that was starting to become a problem.

When was the Last time you Laughed