After that day, Sofia didn't go back to the courtyard. Not immediately. Not like before. She told herself it was because she was busy. Assignments. Deadlines. Life.
But deep down… she knew. It was because of him. Because for the first time since they met— something between them felt… uncertain.
Kenzo had warned her. Don't get used to me. And somehow… that line stayed with her longer than anything else he had ever said.
Three days passed. No courtyard. No random encounters. No shared silence. Just distance.
Sofia sat in her room that night, her notebook open but untouched. The room was quiet. Too quiet. She stared at the blank page. Then sighed.
"Why does it feel like this?" she whispered.
Because something had changed. And not in a way she could ignore. Her phone lit up suddenly. A message notification.
Her heart skipped. Just a little. She reached for it quickly. But when she saw the name— her expression softened. Not disappointment. But something close. It was her friend. Sofia stared at the screen for a moment longer before putting the phone down.
Not him. She leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair.
"Why am I waiting?" she murmured.
Because she was. Even if she didn't want to admit it.
Meanwhile— Kenzo stood alone. In his room. He wasn't working. Wasn't reading. Wasn't doing anything productive. Just standing there. Thinking. About her. The way she looked at him. The way she spoke. The way she didn't pretend. The way she… stayed. His hand tightened slightly at his side.
"Idiot," he muttered under his breath. Because he had walked away. Again. Because that's what he did. He pushed people away before they could leave on their own. It was safer that way. Or at least… that's what he told himself.
The next day, they saw each other again. Not intentionally. In the hallway. It happened so naturally that neither of them had time to prepare.
Sofia was walking. Lost in thought.
Kenzo was coming from the opposite direction. Focused. Distracted.
Then— they stopped. Right in front of each other. The world didn't stop.
But for a second— it felt like it did. Sofia looked at him first. He looked the same. Quiet. Composed. But something was different. There was distance. Not physical. But emotional.
Sofia felt it immediately. "Hey," she said softly.
Kenzo nodded. "Hey." Short. Careful. Not like before. Not warm.
Sofia studied him. Waiting. Hoping. But he didn't say anything more.
And that silence— hurt more than words ever could.
"Are you busy?" she asked.
Kenzo hesitated. Just for a second. Then— "Yes."
Simple. Too simple.
Sofia nodded slowly. "I see."
Another pause. Neither of them moved. Neither of them spoke. But everything felt… different. He was right in front of her. And yet… he felt further away than ever.
"I'll see you around," Kenzo said. But it didn't sound like a promise. Just… an ending.
Sofia forced a small smile. "Yeah."
And just like that— they passed each other. Walking in opposite directions. Without looking back. But both of them— felt it. That quiet crack forming between them. Something was beginning to break.
And neither of them knew how to stop it.
✨ End of Chapter 7