More than I Want to Admit

Ren Nakamura had always been good at pretending not to care.

It was easy.

Ignore the world. Ignore people. Ignore everything.

But lately, there was one thing he couldn't ignore.

Yuki Hoshino.

And that was a problem.

After School – Shopping District

"You're walking too slow."

Ren scowled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Tch. Maybe you're walking too fast."

Yuki Hoshino was dragging him through the crowded streets of the shopping district, a ridiculous amount of energy in her steps.

"I can't help it," she said cheerfully. "Takoyaki waits for no one."

Ren sighed. How did this even happen?

One second, they were leaving school. The next, Yuki had somehow convinced him to buy her food.

Or maybe he just didn't say no.

Which was worse.

They stopped at a small street stall. The smell of sizzling batter filled the air as the vendor prepared their order. Yuki rocked on her heels, humming.

Ren stole a glance at her.

Her hair was slightly messy from the breeze, strands falling over her face. Her eyes shone under the streetlights.

And for some reason—

He couldn't look away.

"You're staring," Yuki said suddenly.

Ren snapped out of it. "What? No, I'm not."

Yuki turned, tilting her head. "You totally were."

Ren scowled. "You're imagining things."

Yuki's lips twitched. "Right. Sure."

Ren clicked his tongue. Why was she so damn smug?

The vendor handed them their takoyaki, and Yuki clapped her hands together. "Thanks for the food!"

She popped a piece into her mouth—

And immediately squeaked.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem?"

Yuki fanned her mouth, eyes watering. "Hot!"

Ren scoffed. "What did you expect?"

"It tricked me!" she whined, still flailing her hands.

Ren sighed, pulling a canned drink from his pocket and handing it to her. "Here. Cool your mouth."

Yuki took it, blinking. "Huh?"

"You're making a scene," Ren muttered, looking away. "It's annoying."

Yuki stared at him for a second. Then, slowly, she smiled.

Not her usual teasing grin.

Something softer.

"...Thanks, Ren."

Ren froze.

Something about the way she said his name—so casual, so natural—made his chest feel tight.

He exhaled sharply. "Tch. Whatever."

Yuki sipped the drink, sighing in relief. "Ahh. That's better."

Ren shoved his hands back into his pockets. This girl was dangerous.

Not because she was loud.

Not because she was persistent.

But because—

She was getting to him.

And that was dangerous.

Later That Evening – Walking Home

The streets were quiet now, the sunset fading into the deep blue of the night.

Yuki walked beside him, humming a random tune.

Ren didn't know what to say.

Or rather—

He didn't know why he felt the need to say anything at all.

"...You always hum when you walk?" he muttered.

Yuki blinked. "Huh? Oh. Yeah, I guess I do."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. It just makes things feel... less empty, I guess."

Less empty.

Ren said nothing.

After a moment, Yuki smiled. "Hey, Nakamura."

He frowned. "What?"

"Thanks for today."

Ren clicked his tongue. "For what?"

"For not saying no," she said simply.

Ren stiffened.

...What the hell?

How did she always see through him?

Tch. Annoying.

But instead of snapping back, instead of brushing it off like usual—

He didn't say anything.

Because she was right.

Again.

And that was starting to scare him.

That Night – Ren's Room

Ren lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

He wasn't tired.

Or maybe he was.

But his mind was too loud.

Too full of her.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

This was getting out of control.

Yuki Hoshino was just a classmate.

Just a classmate.

So then—

Why did he keep noticing her?