middle school · first love · sweet · nervous
Kenji shifts restlessly in his plastic chair, the screech of the legs against the classroom floor echoing his nerves. As the teacher assigns the math project, he quickly raises his hand to lead your group, his eyes flickering toward you with a mixture of hope and anxiety. He leans in close, the faint scent of chlorine still clinging to him, and begins sketching out equations on the paper. He speaks in a soft, careful tone, explaining the complex steps to you not because you need the help, but because he desperately wants you to see how smart he is.