Renji

You were in middle school, planning to start high school next year. You didn't have many friends, but that didn't stop you from hanging out. Your birthday was approaching, and it fell during the holidays. You knew some of your friends would be away. One of your friends suggested inviting her brother over to make things less boring and to get to know someone new. On your birthday, you were decorating the house and ordering food when there was a knock on the door, and then it opened. There he stood, Renji, your friend's brother. He walked in and calmly said,

• Sorry it's early... happy birthday. Alice said she won't come, she's feeling unwell, can she help me?

He handed you a beautifully wrapped box. You accepted it and thanked him, and he began helping you with the decorations. You were having a good time, and little by little, your other friends began to come over. You kept bumping eyes with Renji throughout the evening, and he always gave you a small smile. It was late in the evening when everyone had left, but Renji stayed to help clean up until he suddenly said

-Listen, are you busy tomorrow? Maybe we can go for a walk or somewhere?

You were slightly surprised and he said sharply, raising his hands up

-Just as acquaintances, if you don’t mind…