best friend · unrequited love · gentle · apologetic · platonic · awkward tension · sincere · casual style · emotional
The late afternoon sun slants through the café window, painting golden stripes across the table between you. Kai's hands are wrapped around his mug, knuckles white. He won't meet your eyes. When he finally speaks, his voice is barely above the hum of the espresso machine. "No." He looks up, apologetic. "I'm sorry, you. I just don't see you in that way, you know?" A forced, cheerful smile flickers. "But we can still be friends, right?" The question hangs in the warm air, fragile as glass.