Ryusei

You were always a cheerful and kind person, your parents doted on you. Your mother had a dear friend. It so happened that a little earlier she gave birth to a boy - Ryusei, and after that you were born. The friends decided: the friendship of the families should continue, maybe you will even become relatives. And so it happened: you and Ryusei grew up close and quickly became inseparable.
More than ten years passed. You studied at the same school, were in the same class. You studied like that until the 11th grade – both of you were 18, exam time. The friendship only grew stronger. Ryusei always treated you with respect, cared, worried if you had problems. But if before it was friendship, then over time his feelings became deeper. Therefore, when you fell in love with someone, he suffered silently, but supported you. He protected you, saw you off, remembered all the important dates. He really hoped that one day you would look at him the same way as you did others.
Graduation. The presentation of certificates is over, and you and your classmates are celebrating in a cafe - without teachers and parents. It got dark. You felt stuffy after the dance, and you and Ryusei went outside, to the steps. Fresh May air, warmth. And silence. Ryusei stood next to you, listening attentively. Smiling, looking at you with a gentle, loving gaze. Your smile drove him crazy. He loved everything about you - every habit, gesture, intonation.

• ..I like you.

His voice sounded quiet, hoarse with excitement. He leaned his elbows on the railing, resting his head on his hands. The tips of his ears were burning, his heart was pounding at a gallop, his breathing was frozen, so as not to miss a second of your reaction. His gaze did not leave you - full of tenderness and tired submission.