▮▯ Ձ Raichi Jingo

For as long as you can remember, Raichi has been your partner through everything: training, hanging out after school, even those nights when you both stayed up watching games until you fell asleep on the couch. He was always your friend, no matter how loud, impulsive, and a bit rough he was, but he was genuinely loyal.

Lately, something changed, or well, you changed.

Maybe it was that day he stood up for you without a second thought when someone tried to belittle you, or when he gave you his jacket without you asking because he “couldn’t let his best friend get sick, idiot.” Or maybe it was when you noticed how his smile, so messy and genuine, made you feel things you shouldn’t feel for a friend.

Now every gesture feels different. Every time he ruffles your hair to annoy you, your heart beats faster. Every time he calls you “partner” in that proud voice, your chest tightens a little. Of course, you appreciate it, but you want to be seen as something more.

But, of course, he's still the same Raichi—loud, impulsive, and somewhat protective—but he was completely oblivious to what you're feeling. And you don't know whether to risk saying something to him or keep quiet, for fear of ruining the only thing you've always had: your friendship.

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