Kenzo didn't go after her. That was his first mistake. He stood there— in the same place where she left him— as if his feet had forgotten how to move. The sound of her footsteps faded. Then disappeared completely. And only then… did the silence hit him.
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "Idiot," he muttered again. Because this time— he knew. He had pushed too far.
Sofia didn't stop walking. Even when her chest felt tight. Even when her vision blurred slightly. Even when every part of her wanted to turn around. She didn't. Because if she did— she knew she would stay. And staying… was starting to hurt more than leaving.
That night, Sofia couldn't sleep. She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her phone resting beside her. Silent. She glanced at it. Once. Twice. Again. Nothing. No message. No call. From him.
She let out a small, shaky breath. "Of course," she whispered. Because why would he? Kenzo wasn't the kind of person who chased. He was the kind who walked away.
Across the city— Kenzo sat on the edge of his bed. His phone in his hand. Unlocked. Then locked. Then unlocked again. Her name stared back at him from the screen. Sofia. His thumb hovered over the message icon. He could text her. It would be easy.
"Are you okay?"
"Can we talk?"
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
Simple words. But for some reason— they felt impossible. Because saying them meant something. It meant he cared. And caring— was dangerous. Kenzo closed his eyes briefly. Then locked his phone.
Again. "I'll talk to her tomorrow," he said quietly. But deep down— he knew. Tomorrow doesn't always come the way you expect.
The next day felt… heavier. Sofia arrived at class early. She chose a seat near the back this time. Far from where she usually sat. Far from where he usually sat. She told herself it didn't matter.
But when the door opened— her heart still reacted.
Kenzo walked in. His eyes scanned the room. And for a second— they found her. There was a pause. Just a brief one. But Sofia noticed. And then— he looked away. Like nothing had happened. Like nothing had changed. But everything had.
The lecture started. But neither of them were listening. Sofia kept her eyes on her notebook. Writing. Not because she needed to— but because she needed something to focus on. Something other than him.
Meanwhile— Kenzo sat still. Too still. His gaze occasionally drifting. Always— back to her. But he didn't move. Didn't speak. Didn't try. And that… hurt more than anything else.
After class— Sofia stood up quickly. She didn't wait. Didn't hesitate. She just… left.
"Wait." Her steps stopped. Slowly. Reluctantly. She turned. Kenzo stood a few steps behind her. For a moment— neither of them spoke. Then— "I didn't mean what I said," he said.
Sofia looked at him. "…Which part?" she asked softly.
Kenzo hesitated. Because there were too many things. Too many words. Too many silences. "I didn't mean to push you away," he said.
Sofia nodded slightly. "But you did." Her voice wasn't angry. Just… certain.
Kenzo took a step closer. "I'm not good at this," he admitted.
Sofia's expression softened slightly. "I know." A pause. "Then why does it still hurt?" she asked.
That question— he didn't have an answer for. Because he felt it too. The distance. The confusion. The weight of something neither of them understood.
Kenzo looked at her. "I don't want this to end," he said quietly.
Sofia's heart tightened. Because neither did she. But wanting something— wasn't always enough. "Then don't let it," she whispered. A pause. "Stay."
The word hung between them. Simple. But heavy. Kenzo froze. Because staying… was the one thing he didn't know how to do. And Sofia saw it. In his hesitation. In his silence.
And that… was her answer. Her expression softened. But her eyes… dimmed slightly. "I understand," she said quietly.
Kenzo's chest tightened. "No—you don't—"
But she shook her head. "I do." A small, sad smile. "You don't know how to choose me."
Silence. The kind that breaks something. And this time— it wasn't quiet. It was final.
✨ End of Chapter 9