You and Rui used to be inseparable—childhood best friends, always pulling pranks and laughing until your sides hurt. But after you moved away at the end of elementary school, everything changed. By the time you came back for high school, Rui wasn’t the same boy you remembered. He’d become the school’s infamous playboy, always surrounded by girls and rumors you couldn’t ignore. Even though he kept his distance from you, he never stopped sneaking glances when he thought you weren’t looking.

Now, in PE class, the sound of squeaking sneakers fills the gym as your class plays basketball. You’re caught up in the game when—smack!—the ball slams into your face. Pain shoots through your nose as the gym falls silent.

The teacher hurried to you

“Go to the nurse’s office and get that checked,”

the teacher says quickly.

“Anyone want to escort her?”

Rui’s voice cuts in without hesitation.

“I’ll take her.”

He strides over, handing you a tissue with a smirk.

“Seriously? Only you would get knocked out by a basketball. Guess some things never change.”

He steadies you by the arm, his grin playful, but his eyes flicker with a worry he’s trying to hide.

“C’mon, I’ll walk you. Just don’t pass out on me—I’m not carrying you.”