The Growing Distance

The classroom felt no different from any other day—same dull hum of chatter, same rhythmic ticking of the clock, same flow of students going about their usual routines. And yet, to Rika, something was off.

She couldn’t quite place when it started, but Ren Takahashi had been acting differently.

It wasn’t that he had been particularly talkative before. No, if anything, their silent agreement to exist next to each other without unnecessary conversation had suited them both just fine. But lately, it felt as if he was going beyond that.

Avoiding her.

Not once in the past few days had he even accidentally glanced in her direction. When she moved, his eyes never wavered her way. It was as if she had suddenly become invisible to him.

And Rika wasn’t sure why it bothered her.

She didn’t want to acknowledge it. After all, wasn’t this what she preferred? No rumors, no unnecessary involvement, no risk to her reputation.

But it felt different now. It felt deliberate.

And that annoyed her.

*A Conversation Overheard*

The day passed as usual—at least for everyone else.

Rika, however, found herself unintentionally more aware of Ren than before.

That was how she noticed something even more unusual.

He was talking to someone.

It was during before class when the chatter was at its peak, students gathering in their usual groups, exchanging jokes. Rika was in her circle, as always, making casual conversation with her friends when her ears caught an unfamiliar voice nearby.

“Man, you always sit at your desk. I swear, you need to get some sunlight, Takahashi.”

Rika turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of the boy sitting beside Ren.

Daiki Hayashi.

He wasn’t one of the loud ones in class, but he was far more sociable than Ren. A friendly guy who was easy to talk to but never tried too hard to stand out.

Ren merely shrugged at his words. “I don’t mind.”

“You say that, but you’ve been looking out the window for five minutes. Just admit you’re thinking of escaping.”

A small smirk tugged at Ren’s lips before he replied. “Maybe.”

Daiki shook his head with a laugh. “Hopeless.”

Rika watched this exchange with something close to surprise.

Ren wasn’t emotionless. He wasn’t cold. He just… chose who he interacted with.

The realization lingered in her mind longer than she expected.

*A Change in Routine*

When the lunch bell rang, signaling the free period, Ren stood up.

That alone was unusual.

He never left the classroom during lunch. Not once.

But today, without a word, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the door.

And for some reason, that simple action felt like a statement.

Rika’s brows furrowed slightly.

It wasn’t her business. And yet, her mind kept circling back to the past few days—the way he had stopped looking at her, the way he had distanced himself even more after their last conversation.

Was it really about what she had said back then?

She told herself she didn’t care.

But as she saw his back disappear through the door, she found herself gripping her pen just a little tighter.

*A Silent Shift*

The days continued in the same pattern.

Ren kept his distance.

He spoke to Daiki occasionally, but otherwise, he seemed even more closed off than before.

Rika pretended not to notice.

But the feeling that something had changed lingered between them.

And whether she wanted to admit it or not…

She kind of hated it.

Then, one afternoon, just as the final bell rang, Rika stood up from her seat—only to stop when she saw Ren.

He was already at the door, bag in hand.

Nothing unusual.

Except this time, before stepping out, he turned back slightly—just enough for their eyes to meet.

It lasted no more than a second.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he walked away.

Rika stood frozen in place, gripping the edge of her desk.

That was the first time he had looked at her in days.

And for the first time… she wished he hadn’t looked away.