INICIAR SESIÓNThe final bell rang, signaling the end of classes.Lareina packed her things almost immediately. She had spent the entire afternoon looking forward to seeing Sean, imagining how she would casually invite him to walk home with her as they used to.She knew things had been different between them lately. Ever since Sean stopped courting her, he had given her more space. She understood his reasons, but understanding didn't make the distance hurt any less.She missed him.And today, she was determined to spend some time with her best friend, even if it was only for the walk home.With her bag over her shoulder, she headed toward Sean's classroom.When she arrived, several students were already leaving. She scanned the room until she spotted Johnny, one of Sean's classmates, packing his things near the back."Johnny!" she called, walking toward him. "Have you seen Sean?"Johnny looked up in surprise."Sean?""Yeah. I'm looking for him. Is he still here?"Johnny blinked at her before shaking
Sean quietly pushed Yvo’s bedroom door open.He was holding a glass bottle of water in one hand.“I brought this,” Sean said, placing it beside Yvo’s bed. “Keep it there in case you get thirsty during the night.”Yvo, who had been lying down with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.“You came back.”Sean frowned. “I forgot your water.”“You could've just left it downstairs.”“I could have.”“But you didn't.”Sean ignored him.“Sit up for a second.”Yvo raised an eyebrow. “Why?”“I want to check your temperature.”“I thought you said you weren't my nurse.”“I’m not.”“Then why are you acting like one?”“Because you're sick.”Yvo slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard.Sean pulled the digital thermometer from his pocket.Yvo looked at it, then at Sean.“You really came prepared.”“Just cooperate.”Sean moved closer and gently placed the thermometer under Yvo’s arm.“Hold it there.”Yvo glanced down at Sean’s hand.“You know,” he murmured, “you've been touching me a lot tonight.”S
Sean stepped out of the room.He pulled the door toward him and quietly closed it behind him.Click.The room fell silent.Yvo remained seated against the headboard.For several seconds, he simply stared at the closed door.Then he slowly leaned his head back.His headache was still there.A dull, persistent throb pulsed behind his eyes.His hand still tingled whenever he moved his fingers.And the heat beneath his skin hadn't disappeared.But despite all of it...Yvo found himself smiling."...He's hopeless."He let out a quiet breath through his nose.It was almost amusing.Sean had spent the entire evening insisting that he was only helping because Yvo was sick.He was only feeding him because Yvo couldn't hold a spoon.He was only staying nearby because Yvo had a fever.He was only worried because it was the responsible thing to do.Yvo knew that.At least, that was what Sean wanted him to believe.Yvo looked down at his hand and slowly flexed his fingers.The tingling remained.H
"...Seriously?"Sean stared at Yvo, his eyebrows drawing together as he slowly lowered the spoon.Yvo blinked innocently."What?""You're bringing Lareina into this?""I'm just making a statement."Sean clicked his tongue and looked away, clearly unimpressed."We only ended up as rivals because of her.""I know.""And now you're feeding me."Sean glanced at the spoon in his hand, then back at Yvo."So what? I'm just helping you because you're sick."Yvo's eyebrows lifted slightly.Sean continued before he could say anything."And I'm not your rival anymore."The amusement in Yvo's expression faded for a moment, replaced by mild surprise.Sean looked away, his voice becoming more matter-of-fact."I know I don't have a chance with Lareina anymore. I want to remain friends with her. You can continue courting her."He paused, then turned his eyes toward Yvo."But I swear, if you hurt her, I'll punch you hard."Yvo stared at him for a moment.Then the corner of his mouth lifted."There's a
Nearly thirty minutes later, Sean finally arrived home.He slipped off his shoes as he stepped inside."I'm home."His mother peeked out from the kitchen."Welcome back.""Sorry I'm late.""It's alright."She smiled before adding casually,"Oh, Yvo's waiting in your room."Sean paused."...When did he get here?""A little while ago.""He said the two of you already talked."Sean stared for a moment before letting out a quiet breath."...Of course he did."Without another word, he headed upstairs.He pushed open his bedroom door.Click.Yvo was sprawled comfortably across Sean's bed, one leg hanging over the edge, completely absorbed in a game on his phone.His fingers tapped the screen at an alarming speed.Sean folded his arms."...I thought your head injury was bothering you."Yvo didn't even look up."It was.""But you still have the energy to play games?""...It feels better now."Sean wasn't convinced."And why are you here?"His gaze swept across the room before settling back on
The dining room was modest.A square wooden table sat in the center, already filled with freshly prepared dishes.Levi placed the last bowl down before taking his seat."I hope you don't mind home-cooked food."Sean shook his head."Not at all.""I wasn't expecting a guest today, so everything's simple.""It already looks like more than enough.""I'm glad."Leo quietly took the remaining chair.For the first few minutes, the three of them simply ate.The silence wasn't awkward.Sean simply wasn't someone who talked much with people he had just met.Levi didn't seem bothered by it.Instead, he patiently waited until Sean had finished his first serving before speaking."My brother told me you're in Arts and Design."Sean nodded."Yeah.""You enjoy painting?""I do."Levi smiled."I've always admired people who can create something from nothing."Sean looked slightly embarrassed."I still have a lot to improve.""I suppose artists never stop saying that."Sean let out a small laugh."...







