The morning sun spilled through the classroom windows, casting a golden glow over the desks and scattered papers. Luna sat quietly at her desk, fidgeting with her pen as her thoughts wandered. She had a feeling something unusual was about to happen today — the tension in the air was thick, like static before a storm.
Across the aisle, Akio kept stealing glances at her. He looked nervous, his fingers drumming lightly against his notebook, jaw tight. Luna's heart skipped a beat. She had noticed his little crush before, but today… there was something different.
"Luna…" Akio's voice cracked slightly, quiet but carrying enough weight to pull her attention.
She turned to him cautiously. "Yeah?"
He swallowed hard and glanced around as if the walls themselves might be listening. "I… I like you," he admitted, words spilling out like a confession he'd been holding back for weeks.
Luna blinked. Her mind scrambled. Akio had always been kind and thoughtful, someone she trusted and laughed with. But liking him… that was unexpected.
"I… uh…" she stammered, searching for the right words.
Peryn, leaning against the back of his chair like he hadn't been paying attention, suddenly spoke in his usual calm, teasing tone. "It's your life, Luna," he said softly, tilting his head. "Don't say yes just because of pressure. Follow what your heart tells you."
Luna froze. She hadn't even realized Peryn was watching, but there he was, eyes clear, attentive, offering advice without being overbearing. His words felt like a shield, letting her breathe and think.
Akio's expression fell slightly. "I… I just thought you should know," he murmured, voice soft.
"I… thank you, Akio," Luna said finally, finding her voice. She took a deep breath. "But… I can't. I'm sorry. I just… I'm not ready. I need to figure out my feelings first."
Peryn's smirk returned, subtle but approving. "Good choice," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Luna to hear. She caught the warmth in his gaze — not teasing this time, but quietly supportive.
Akio nodded, trying to hide his disappointment, and returned to his desk. Luna felt a pang of guilt, but Peryn's presence beside her made it easier to steady her racing thoughts.
Later, during lunch, Hina whispered conspiratorially from across the table. "You handled that well. But you're totally hiding something, Luna. Everyone can see it."
Luna rolled her eyes but smiled. "Not everything needs to be obvious, Hina."
Peryn, sitting across from her, caught her eye and tilted his head slightly, his signature smirk teasing her silently. He had noticed everything, as always — her fleeting glances at Akio, her hesitation, her relief after turning him down. He didn't judge; he just watched, quietly protective and subtly amused.
Sharing snacks, Peryn took slightly more than his share again, grinning as Luna tried to protest. "Sharing is overrated," he said, glancing at her with a mischievous sparkle. Luna laughed, feeling the tension of the morning fade slightly.
Akio, sitting a little farther away, couldn't hide the tiny flare of jealousy, but he kept his composure. Luna noticed but chose to ignore it. Peryn's attention made her heart beat faster than any confession ever could.
By the end of the day, Luna realized that feelings were complicated — Akio's crush was genuine and sweet, but Peryn's presence carried something different, something that made her feel noticed, understood, and… excited.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was only the beginning of a story full of whispered confessions, subtle teasing, and messy, thrilling teenage hearts.