Rukia Delim leaned against the window, watching the cherry blossoms stir in the morning wind.
Her fingers hovered near her chest, where her heartbeat thudded louder than usual.
So this is what it feels like…
She smiled to herself—quiet, glowing, breathlessly flustered.
"I'm in love with him," she whispered. "With Kaiser."
The words tasted sweet.
But the warmth didn't last long.
Reality crept in like fog.
Kaiser had turned down everyone—even Shinoa.
What are the odds he'd ever look at me that way?
Her smile faltered. Doubt curled in her stomach like smoke.
Then, a thought surfaced—irrational, selfless, maybe even stupid:
What if… I bring him and Shinoa back together?
Maybe then Kaiser would find what he needed.
Maybe losing to someone strong—someone like her—would hurt less.
She clenched her fists, jaw tightening.
"I'll bring them back together," she murmured. "And we'll see where I stand.
At the same time…
Kaiser Klein lay on his back, staring at the cracked ceiling of his room.
The guilt clung to him like dust—quiet, persistent.
He had pushed Shinoa away. Thought it was the right thing.
No strings. No distractions. No mess.
But now everything felt… off.
He didn't see her that way. He'd been honest.
And still—he missed her. The noise she brought into his silence.
The way she looked at him like he was human.
He sat up, pressing his fists into the mattress.
"Maybe I was wrong," he whispered.
"I should talk to her. Set things right."
The next day…
Kaiser scanned the campus until he saw her.
Shinoa stood near the sports complex, chatting casually with another student.
Raju Desai—football captain, top-tier athlete, and one of the few who openly challenged Kaiser's presence.
He laughed, flicking his hair back as Shinoa smiled politely.
They looked… familiar.
Too familiar.
Kaiser stopped mid-step.
His chest tightened. His pulse hitched.
Did I wait too long?
He almost turned away.
But something tugged at him—deeper than jealousy, stronger than pride.
Not again.
He walked forward.
"Shinoa," he said, voice even.
She turned, surprised. Raju raised a smug eyebrow.
Kaiser kept his eyes on her. "Can we talk? Alone."
Shinoa blinked, uncertain, then nodded.
"Sure."
Raju gave a smirk. "Don't keep her too long, Kaiser."
Kaiser said nothing. He led her through the corridor, away from the noise, until they stood in the quiet stretch near the old lockers.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Shinoa broke the silence, trying to wear her usual smirk.
"What's this? Did you miss me or something?"
Kaiser didn't flinch.
"Yeah," he said softly. "I did."
Shinoa froze.
The words hit harder than she expected.
She looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat. "You're late."
He stepped closer. Carefully. Gently.
"I meant what I said," he murmured. "I don't see you… romantically."
She nodded, bracing for the familiar ache.
"But that doesn't mean I don't care," he added. "I admire you. I trust you. And I don't want to lose you."
His fingers brushed her cheek—barely a touch.
"I just… don't know how to be anything other than this."
Shinoa looked at him for a long moment.
Her eyes didn't tear up—but they shimmered.
Not with heartbreak.
With something quieter.
Acceptance. Strength. Maybe even hope.
"Alright, Kaiser," she said.
"Let's be friends."
She smiled.
He smiled back—just barely.
And for now…
That was enough.
But neither of them knew for how long.