Old Habits, New Feelings.

Ren Nakamura had always known how to be alone.

It was easy.

Keep your distance. Don't care. Don't get attached.

But Yuki Hoshino had ruined that.

Because now—he didn't know how to go back.

Morning – The Classroom Shift

For the first time, Ren was the one waiting for Yuki.

She wasn't late. She wasn't skipping.

But the moment she stepped through the classroom door, his eyes found her immediately.

And he hated that.

Because before, he never noticed people.

Before, he never cared who walked in or out.

But now?

His whole day felt wrong until she was there.

Yuki caught his gaze and smiled. Like she knew.

Ren clicked his tongue and looked away, scowling.

Tch. Annoying.

After School – Unwanted Attention

Ren had always had a reputation.

People avoided him, whispered behind his back, feared him. He liked it that way.

But now, something was different.

Because Yuki had changed things.

She talked to him. Walked with him. Laughed with him.

And people noticed.

"Why is she always with Nakamura?""Is she stupid or something?""Maybe she feels sorry for him."

Ren gritted his teeth.

He had always ignored whispers before.

But not now.

Not when they were about her.

Not when someone muttered, just a little too loudly—

"She's probably just playing with him. No way a girl like her actually likes a guy like Nakamura."

Ren snapped.

The next second—his fist was in someone's collar.

The guy—some second-year he barely recognized—choked on his words.

"W-What the hell, Nakamura?!"

Ren's voice was low. Dangerous.

"Say that again."

The hallway went silent.

Eyes were on him.

But he didn't care.

His hands tightened in the guy's shirt.

"You talk about her like that again," Ren muttered, "and I swear—"

"Ren."

He stiffened.

Because her voice was the only thing that could stop him now.

Slowly, he turned.

Yuki stood there, her expression calm—but her eyes held something he couldn't read.

"Let go," she said softly.

Ren didn't move.

"Ren," she said again, stepping closer. "Please."

His fingers shook.

He didn't want to. The anger was still there, burning under his skin.

But—

Her hand touched his wrist.

And just like that—he let go.

The guy stumbled back, coughing, before running off without another word.

Ren exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.

Tch. Stupid.

But when he looked at Yuki—she wasn't smiling.

"Why?" she asked quietly.

Ren frowned. "What?"

"Why do you always do that?"

Ren scoffed. "Tch. Do what?"

Yuki sighed.

"Pick fights. Get angry for me."

Ren tensed.

"I'm not—"

"You are," she said, tilting her head. "You always have been."

Ren clenched his jaw.

"So what?" he muttered. "You want me to just let people talk about you like that?"

Yuki was quiet for a long moment.

Then—softly, almost too gently—

"You care about me, don't you?"

Ren's heart stopped.

His breath caught in his throat.

His pulse pounded in his ears.

Yuki was still looking at him, her expression unreadable. Waiting.

Ren's fists clenched.

"...That's a dumb question," he muttered, looking away.

Yuki laughed softly. "Is it?"

Ren refused to look at her.

Tch. Annoying. Too annoying.

He turned on his heel. "I'm going home."

"Wait!"

Before he could escape—she grabbed his sleeve.

Ren froze.

Slowly, he turned back.

Yuki was smiling. But it was small. Real.

"...I'm glad," she whispered.

Ren swallowed.

"...For what?"

Yuki tilted her head.

"For the fact that you care."

And then—before he could respond, before he could even process what that meant—

She stood on her toes.

And kissed him on the cheek.

Ren's entire body locked up.

His brain short-circuited.

His heart forgot how to function.

Yuki giggled, stepping back.

"See you tomorrow, Ren."

And then—she was gone.

Ren just stood there.

Frozen. Silent.

And for the first time in his life—

He had no idea what to do.

That Night – Ren's Room

Ren lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Again.

Only this time—his mind wouldn't shut up.

Yuki's voice.Her smile.Her lips brushing against his skin.

His cheek still burned.

Ren covered his face with his arm.

"Tch. What the hell is wrong with me?"

His chest felt tight.

His stomach felt weird.

His mind kept replaying it, over and over—

You care about me, don't you?

Ren squeezed his eyes shut.

Tch. Annoying. Too annoying.

But no matter how much he tried to ignore it—

He knew the truth now.

He didn't just care.

He was falling.

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