Backpacks

Ryuzaki had known Takashi for nearly half of his life. Their friendship began back in first grade and grew stronger with every passing year. By eleventh grade, they were practically inseparable: shared hobbies, long walks together, and quiet evenings spent watching movies. It seemed as though there was nothing left unsaid between them. Until one day, during a walk, Takashi kissed him.

Not as a friend. For real. And then he softly whispered a confession that made Ryuzaki's familiar world seem to crack: "I love you."

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

Time passed. And then Takashi got a boyfriend.

He seemed to appear out of nowhere. Takashi hardly said anything about him, only occasionally mentioning in passing how well things were going. Ryuzaki tried to be happy for his friend, convincing himself that everything had finally fallen into place. But instead of relief, something bitter and unfamiliar slowly grew inside him.

Jealousy.

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

Ryuzaki didn't understand his own anger, so he decided to talk, though he was already afraid of the answer.

They agreed to meet in the evening. At exactly eight, Ryuzaki was already sitting in Takashi's room, distractedly watching some nonsense on TV, while Takashi, settled beside him, continued scrolling through his phone. The silence grew thicker.

Irritation pricked his chest again.

"How are things going with that... boyfriend of yours?" Ryuzaki finally asked, trying to make his voice 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.