The next morning, Noelle spotted Ren leaning casually against the railing outside their building, his bag slung over one shoulder. He straightened immediately when he saw her, that familiar easy grin spreading across his face.
"You survived the stands," he teased, falling into step beside her. "How was it? Too noisy? Too chaotic?"
Noelle laughed lightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It was loud, yes. And chaotic. But I… actually had fun. Even though I didn't understand half of what was happening."
"Half?" he echoed, pretending to be offended. "That's generous. You admitted yesterday you don't even know what offside is."
She wrinkled her nose, playfully defensive. "I don't! But I clapped when everyone else clapped, so it worked out."
Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, I could give you a crash course. But only if you're ready for more sports talk. My afternoons are pretty much filled with badminton drills, table tennis matches, and sometimes basketball practice."
Her eyes widened a little. "Wait, all of that after class?"
He shrugged easily. "It keeps me moving, I guess. Better than sitting still."
Ren tilted his head, studying her curiously as they walked. "What about you? You always disappear so quickly after class. Do you have some secret club you're hiding from me?" His lips curved into a teasing grin. "Art? Music? Or maybe you're secretly an athlete too and just haven't admitted it yet."
Caught off guard, Noelle laughed, shaking her head. "Hardly. I'm not exactly… sports material."
He raised a brow, feigning disbelief. "Everyone's got something. Come on, what do you do after class?"
Noelle hesitated, her fingers brushing at the strap of her bag. "Mostly… reading. Drawing, sometimes. I like quiet things but I do play netball from time to time."
Ren smiled at that, something softer flickering in his eyes. "That suits you," he said, his voice low, almost thoughtful.
Noelle opened her mouth to reply but her memory flickered back to something she overheard the day before in the stands. A group of girls sitting a few rows behind her had spent half the match sighing over Ren, how they wished he'd take off his shirt after the game.
The memory made her cheeks warm. She bit her lip, deciding against repeating any of that out loud. Instead, she settled on, "I heard you're pretty good at… everything, actually."
Ren raised a brow, clearly amused. "Oh? And where did you hear that?"
Her gaze flickered away, her voice softer. "Just… around."
Ren tilted his head, studying her closely as they walked. "Hey… what's with that face? You went all quiet on me. Did I say something?"
Noelle blinked quickly, her pulse stumbling. "N-no, it's nothing."
His grin turned sly. "Nothing, huh? You're blushing. That's not 'nothing.'" He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "What were you thinking about?"
She shook her head too quickly, clutching her bag strap. "Seriously, it's nothing."
Ren laughed softly, the sound low and teasing. "You know you're a terrible liar, right?" He straightened, slipping his hands into his pockets, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Was it about me?"
Her cheeks burned hotter. Words tumbled out before she could stop them. "The girls… in the stands yesterday. They were giving these… really graphic descriptions. About you. Especially about your abs." She stammered, her voice nearly breaking.
Ren's grin spread, sharp and amused. "Graphic, huh?" His gaze lingered on her flustered expression, clearly enjoying every second.
Before Noelle could backtrack, he reached for her hand. She gasped as his much larger hand enveloped hers and, without hesitation, he placed it flat against his stomach. The solid warmth beneath his shirt made her breath hitch.
Her eyes widened in amazement, her lips parting in shock as he slowly guided her hand across the defined ridges of his abs. Ren chuckled softly, watching her astonishment with open delight.
"See?" he murmured, his voice low, playful but edged with something deeper. "They weren't exaggerating."
Noelle tried to snatch her hand back but he held it just long enough to feel her tremble before finally letting her go. The grin he wore was pure satisfaction, as though her reaction was exactly what he wanted.
As Ren walked her to the bus stop, he observed. "You're awfully quiet," Ren teased lightly, his voice low and smooth. "Counting how many abs I have again? Just to be clear, there are eight. Don't cheat."
Noelle's cheeks flamed bright red. "I—I wasn't counting!" she stammered, fumbling for words.
Ren grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. "Uh-huh," he said, his tone teasing but warm. "Sure you weren't. I guess I'll just have to keep giving you… opportunities to check for yourself."
Noelle's breath hitched slightly and she looked away, suddenly noticing the way his shadow stretched across the pavement. The warmth of his presence, the playful glint in his eyes, made her pulse quicken. She had never felt this drawn to someone, not in a way that was equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Ren, meanwhile, was quietly savouring the scene. Every blush, every hesitant glance, every small gesture he could read like an open book. He could tease her endlessly, and she would never fail to give him a reaction, soft and genuine, entirely her own.
Ren chuckled softly, shaking his head at her flustered expression. "Alright, that's enough teasing for one day," he said, his grin lingering just long enough to make her pulse flutter.
Noelle tried to act composed, but her mind kept replaying the subtle brush of his hand and the teasing glint in his eyes. As the bus pulled up, Ren leaned slightly closer, voice low and casual. "Text me when you get home?"
Noelle nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I will."
Noelle walked the short distance home, her bag bouncing lightly against her side but her mind was elsewhere. Every detail of the afternoon replayed itself in vivid colour including the earlier week's outing. The warmth of Ren's jacket in the rain, the teasing tilt of his smile, and what just happened, the way he had guided her hand on his abs, playful yet confident.
She felt a flutter in her chest she hadn't anticipated. Ren wasn't loud or overbearing like the other guys she'd met. He had an exuberant energy, easy and magnetic, that seemed to fill a space without demanding it. And yet, when he was serious, when the teasing faded even for a moment, he exuded a presence that made her feel both seen and slightly vulnerable.
He is also equally comfortable being along with her and also with her friends in large groups.
Noelle shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside as she stepped inside her apartment. She set her bag down and leaned against the counter, replaying his expressions, the effortless confidence in his stance. And she had to admit to herself that she was checking him out after the girls exclamation. She couldn't take her eyes or mind off his abs. His strong legs and his veiny arms. The arms that covered her from the rain, and the hands that held hers when they crossed the road.
For the first time in a long while, her thoughts weren't consumed by memories of someone from the past. They were caught up entirely in him: Ren, with his easy charm and that commanding edge she found herself inexplicably drawn to.
Noelle settled onto the sofa, phone in hand, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She told herself she was being casual, practical even. After all, she just needed to know his schedule.
Hey, she typed, when's your badminton practice tomorrow? I was thinking… maybe we could grab lunch after?
She hit send before she could overthink it, immediately pressing the phone to her chest as if her heartbeat might send a reply faster.
Within minutes, her phone buzzed.
Lunch sounds perfect. Practice should be finished by 1pm. You can pop by the courts earlier to watch me play too!
Noelle's lips curved into a small, involuntary smile. She hadn't expected him to sound so genuinely excited. A warmth spread through her chest, a mix of nerves and anticipation.
The next morning, she found herself at the sports hall a little early, just to watch him practice. Ren moved with a fluid athleticism, every stroke of the racket, every quick step across the court a reminder of just how capable he was. When he spotted her waiting, his face lit up with a grin that made her stomach flutter.
After practice, Ren pulled her aside. "Ready for lunch?" he asked, draping his towel over his shoulder. His voice was low, easy but the sparkle in his eyes betrayed his excitement.
Noelle followed Ren to the cafeteria, her heart still doing small flips with every step beside him. The chatter of students and clatter of trays filled the air, but with Ren walking next to her, the noise seemed to fade into the background.
"What do you feel like eating?" he asked casually, draping his towel over the back of a chair as they settled in. His tone was light, but his presence filled the space in a way that made her chest tighten with an unfamiliar warmth.
"I… I don't know," Noelle admitted, scanning the menu. "Something simple, I guess."
Ren grinned. "Simple works. I'll grab us some sandwiches and drinks. Don't worry, I'll get something you like."
As he stood, Noelle watched him move with that same fluid athleticism she'd admired on the court. There was something commanding about the way he carried himself, strong and confident but without ever seeming intimidating. He returned moments later with their food, his smile easy, the kind that made her chest flutter without her having to try.
Ren walked beside Noelle, carrying their drinks, feeling an unusual calm settle over him. She was so easy to talk to. Conversations with her flowed naturally, with laughter at the right moments and questions that showed she actually cared. Even the pauses between words felt comfortable. It made him realise just how much he enjoyed her company.
His gaze drifted for a second and he caught the way she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, the soft curve of her cheek catching the light as she smiled at him. Today, he noticed something new: delicate earrings that shimmered whenever she moved. The sight mesmerised him and he had to clear his throat to focus on walking beside her.
"You've got a killer aim in badminton," Noelle said casually, breaking the moment and Ren grinned.
"Thanks, though I'll admit I'm not much for basketball," he replied easily. "I go to practice but mostly just to keep up appearances."
Noelle laughed softly and the sound made him smile inwardly. She didn't make him feel like he had to be perfect, didn't put him on a pedestal. Instead, her ease invited him to be himself and he liked it more than he cared to admit.