The next afternoon, Aiko sat in the quiet corner of the school library, her favorite book open but her mind elsewhere. Her hands nervously fiddled with the edge of her notebook.
She had something on her mind—a fear she usually kept to herself. The upcoming midterm test. She hated math, and despite Ren's help yesterday, she still worried she wouldn't do well.
Before she could spiral further, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Hey, mind if I sit here?"
Aiko looked up to see Ren, carrying a small stack of books. He had that calm, gentle smile that always made her chest flutter.
"Of course!" she replied, trying to sound casual.
Ren settled across from her and noticed her anxious expression. "You look… stressed."
Aiko bit her lip. Maybe I can tell him… "I… I'm worried about the midterm. Math especially. I don't want to fail…" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Ren leaned back slightly, thoughtful. "You'll do fine. I can help you study. Step by step, okay?"
She nodded, feeling a small sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks… it's nice having someone to study with. Someone I… trust."
Ren's eyes softened. "I'm glad. And… if it helps, I'm here whenever you need me."
They spent the next hour studying together, sitting side by side, whispering formulas and solving problems. Their shoulders occasionally brushed, and both pretended not to notice.
At one point, Aiko accidentally knocked her pencil off the desk. Ren bent down to pick it up, their hands brushing again. She felt a tiny spark run through her and quickly looked away, cheeks pink.
After finishing a practice problem set, Aiko leaned back, stretching. "I feel… better. Like I can actually do this now."
Ren smiled. "See? You're stronger than you think."
For a few quiet moments, they just sat there, comfortable in each other's presence. Aiko realized that these small, ordinary moments—studying, brushing hands, sharing worries—were slowly becoming the best parts of her day.
And for the first time, she noticed something more than friendship stirring in her chest.