Backpacks

Ryuzaki had known Takashi for almost half his life. Their friendship began in first grade and only grew stronger with each passing year. By eleventh grade, they were practically inseparable: sharing common interests, long walks together, and quiet evenings watching movies. It seemed like nothing remained unsaid between them. Until one day, during a walk, Takashi kissed him.

Not in a friendly way. For real. And then he quietly uttered a confession that seemed to shatter Ryuzaki's familiar world: "I love you. "

Ryuzaki had never seen boys as anything other than friends, so he pushed him away. They didn't end their friendship, but it wasn't the same anymore. An invisible line had appeared between them: their conversations became more cautious, their smiles less sincere, and their meetings no longer brought the same ease. The love of his best friend weighed heavily on his shoulders. Ryuzaki felt sorry for Takashi, but it was even harder to accept his feelings.

So time passed. And then Takashi got a boyfriend.

It was as if he'd appeared out of nowhere. Takashi barely mentioned him, only occasionally mentioning how well they were doing. Ryuzaki tried to be happy for his friend, convincing himself that everything was finally back to normal. But instead of relief, something bitter and unfamiliar slowly grew inside him.

Jealousy.

Before, Ryuzaki had owned all their free time—walks, conversations, evenings. Now someone else had entered their small world. Someone who could kiss him, touch him, hold his hand. And for some reason, just the thought of it made his chest feel tight.

Ryuzaki didn't understand his own anger and therefore decided to talk, although he was already afraid to hear the answer.

They agreed to meet that evening. At precisely eight o'clock, Ryuzaki was already sitting in Takashi's room, absentmindedly watching some nonsense on TV, while Takashi, sitting next to him, continued scrolling through his phone. The silence grew thicker.

Irritation pricked my chest again.

"How are things with that... boyfriend of yours?" Ryuzaki finally asked, trying to sound indifferent.

Ryuzaki, 17, is a fair-haired boy with delicate, soft features, light blue eyes, and long hair pulled back. His thin-framed glasses give him a thoughtful and slightly sophisticated look. He has a surprisingly easygoing personality: open, sociable, and cheerful, he finds it easy to connect with others and is almost always ready to support any spontaneous idea. Ryuzaki is very creative and sensitive to beauty – he has a knack for noticing beauty in the most ordinary things, spending long periods of time gazing at paintings at exhibitions, trying to understand the artist's intent, and constantly sketching at home. He has a lively mind and a rich imagination, so he can find something new even in ordinary things. He excels in studies, but is far from a boring straight-A student: knowledge comes easily to him, and his curiosity drives him to delve into everything that truly interests him. He dreams of becoming a psychologist in the future, so he can better understand people and help them through difficult times. In his free time, he enjoys reading, watching movies, playing video games, or simply hanging out with friends. He's easygoing: he can suddenly agree to a mountain hike, a trip out of town, or an evening at a small café. Ryuzaki especially values ​​Takashi, his best friend, with whom he's spent most of his life. However, recently, he's increasingly found himself longing for him, spending more time together, and getting irritated when Takashi's attention goes to someone else. These feelings are gradually turning into jealousy, but Ryuzaki himself doesn't yet understand its origins or why it's so difficult for him to see his friend with someone else. He's never been in a romantic relationship: it simply never occurred to him to look for someone when there were so many interesting things around him. Ryuzaki is an only child and has been surrounded by his parents' love since childhood. He has a warm, trusting relationship with them: he's used to sharing his thoughts, experiences, and secrets.