Fingers Over Flower Petals

Ren Nakamura had never felt this kind of fear before.

It wasn't like fighting in the streets, throwing punches, or standing face-to-face with someone who wanted to hurt him.

This fear was quiet.

It sat in his chest, heavy and unbearable—because he couldn't fight this.

He couldn't stop it.

And that terrified him.

After School – Walking with Yuki

The streets were quiet, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

Ren walked beside Yuki, hands stuffed in his pockets, lost in thought.

She was talking about something—**probably some random story about her childhood or something she saw on TV—**but Ren wasn't listening.

He couldn't.

His mind kept circling back.

She's sick.She knew before we met.She didn't tell me because she thought I wouldn't care.

His jaw tightened.

"Ren?"

He snapped out of it. "What?"

Yuki tilted her head. "You weren't listening, were you?"

Ren sighed, rubbing his temple. "Tch. Not my fault you talk too much."

Yuki laughed, lightly bumping his shoulder. "It's totally your fault."

Ren glanced at her.

She was smiling.

Like nothing was wrong.

Like she hadn't told him something that had shattered his world.

His stomach twisted.

"...Why are you acting like this?" he muttered.

Yuki blinked. "Like what?"

"Like everything's fine," Ren said, stopping in his tracks.

Yuki stopped too.

The wind rustled through her long hair as she looked at him—calm, unreadable.

"...Because, Ren," she said softly. "I want it to be fine."

Ren clenched his fists. "That's not how life works, Hoshino."

Yuki smiled. "I know."

Then—**without warning—**she grabbed his wrist.

"Come on," she said, pulling him forward.

Ren frowned. "What are you—"

"Just follow me," she said, grinning. "No questions."

Ren sighed. This girl…

But he let her pull him along anyway.

Twenty Minutes Later – A Hidden Place

Ren was not expecting this.

They stood at the edge of an old park—abandoned, forgotten.

Vines had started to crawl over the rusted swing set. The paint on the slide was chipped and faded. But despite all that—

The flowers were still blooming.

Small clusters of wildflowers, growing through cracks in the pavement.

Yuki knelt down, running her fingers gently over the petals.

"...I used to come here a lot as a kid," she murmured. "Before they shut it down."

Ren watched her carefully.

"I thought it'd be gone by now," she continued. "But it's still here."

Her voice was light, but there was something underneath it—something almost wistful.

Ren exhaled slowly.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

Yuki glanced up at him, her brown eyes warm.

"...Because I want you to remember this place."

Ren frowned. "Why?"

She smiled softly.

"Because things don't always have to disappear, Ren."

Ren's breath caught.

For a second, he didn't know what to say.

Because she wasn't just talking about the park.

She was talking about herself.

Ren looked away.

"Tch. You say weird things, Hoshino."

Yuki giggled. "I know."

She stood up, brushing dirt off her skirt.

"Let's sit for a bit," she said, leading him toward an old bench.

Ren followed, dropping down beside her.

For a moment, they just sat there.

No words. Just the sound of the wind and the distant hum of the city.

Then—

"...You're scared," Yuki said quietly.

Ren stiffened.

His fingers curled against his jeans.

He didn't answer.

Because she was right.

She turned to look at him, a gentle smile on her lips.

"You don't have to be."

Ren scoffed, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.

"Don't tell me how to feel, Hoshino."

Yuki chuckled. "Alright. But still…"

She shifted slightly—resting her head against his shoulder.

Ren's whole body froze.

His mind blanked. What—?

Yuki closed her eyes, letting out a soft sigh.

"...Just for a little while, let's forget about everything, okay?"

Ren swallowed hard.

He wanted to argue.He wanted to say something sarcastic.He wanted to pretend like this wasn't affecting him.

But he couldn't.

Because the weight of her against him, the way she felt small, fragile, real—

It terrified him.

And yet—

Slowly, carefully—he let himself relax.

And for the first time in his life—

Ren Nakamura didn't run away.

That Night – Ren's Room

Ren lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Again.

But this time—he wasn't drowning in his thoughts.

Because every time he closed his eyes—he saw her.

Laughing. Smiling.Running her fingers over flower petals like they were something precious.Resting her head against his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Ren exhaled sharply, pressing his palms against his face.

"...This is bad."

Because he was falling.

And he didn't know if he'd ever be able to stop.