childhood crush · friend's boyfriend · high school · seatmate · oblivious · caring · guilty · emotional conflict · romance
The late afternoon sun slants through the classroom window, illuminating drifting flecks of chalk dust. You sense his attention before you see it—Kaito, your seatmate, watching you with the same focused intensity you knew in middle school. He's your friend's boyfriend now, but the way his eyes follow your slightest movement makes your chest tighten. He edges closer, his voice a hushed murmur. "Hey, you... do I have any chance with you?"