Time moved forward, and they were no longer just children running around the village lanes.
Now they were students —
in different schools, with different worlds, but still each other's constant evening.
Every day after school, they met near the old banyan tree —
their little universe that never changed.
To Aiyumi, Ren was still her safe place.
To Ren, she was still his person.
Nothing romantic.
Nothing dramatic. Just… two kids who belonged near each other.
8th Grade — A New Feeling
That year, something new appeared in Aiyumi's heart.
A class topper boy from her school — silent, polite, and talented at sports — caught her attention.
It wasn't love. Just the small flutter of first crush — soft, unspoken, private.
She didn't tell anyone… except Ren.
That evening, she sat beside Ren on the river bridge, legs swinging nervously.
"Ren… I need to tell you something," she whispered, eyes on the water.
He glanced at her, curious.
"Hmm?"
She hesitated… then softly said,
"I… I think I like someone."
Ren didn't speak for a moment.
Just a small pause — barely a second —
but enough for her to feel it.
"From your school?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
"What's he like?"
She looked up, eyes sparkling a little.
"He's good in studies… kind…. and he smiles rarely — like you."
Ren's expression didn't change.
But something unfamiliar pinched inside his chest.
He didn't understand it, but for the first time, he didn't like the way her eyes lit up while talking about someone else.
Still, he replied calmly:
"If he hurts you… tell me."
Aiyumi laughed lightly.
"He won't. I told you — he's a good guy."
Ren didn't argue.
But deep inside, a voice he didn't recognize murmured:
"Why does it feel uncomfortable… seeing her smile for someone else?"
That day, for the first time ever,
They did not walk home side by side.
There was a half-step of distance — too small to notice, but big enough to mark the beginning of change.