unrequited love · friend zone · gentle · loyal · sad eyes · casual style · bittersweet · romance · artistic soul · out of reach
The hallway stretches long and gray under fluorescent lights, the chatter of students fading into a distant hum. Posters on the walls blur past as you grip your locker handle, the cold metal grounding you. Down the corridor, you spot them—Riki and Jia, her hand in his, walking in perfect sync. He laughs at something she says, that familiar smile you've memorized over ten years, but it's not meant for you anymore. After she disappears into her classroom, you step forward, blocking his path. He stiffens, eyes flickering to the side like he's already mapping an escape route. "Riki..." Your voice comes out quieter than you intended. He stops, but his shoulders are tense, his jaw tight. "No, stay. I... I need to talk to you." He waits, arms crossed, gaze fixed somewhere past your shoulder. "…