Entering her home, Aumi carried with her a heavy sense of sadness, unable to shake off the guilt that weighed on her heart after watching Kyle drive away.
Despite her sincere explanation, she understood that Kyle's disappointment was inevitable. Alone in her room, she found herself replaying their conversation over and over, wondering if there was a gentler way to handle the situation.
While part of her wished for a different outcome, she recognized that honesty, however painful, was the only way forward.
With a deep sigh, she made a silent vow to give Kyle the time and space he needed to come to terms with his emotions.
Sighing, Aumi lay back on her bed, reaching for her phone to distract herself with social media for a while.
As Aumi scrolled through her social media feed, she received a notification message. Curious, she tapped on it to see what it was about. It was a message from an unknown person.
The message read, "Hey there! I stumbled upon your profile and thought I'd say hi. How's your day going?"
Aumi hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to respond to a message from someone she didn't know. But something about the message seemed friendly, so she decided to reply.
"Hi! My day's been alright, just a bit eventful. How about you?" she typed out, sending the message before she could second-guess herself.
As Aumi sent her reply, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of chatting with someone new. She waited anxiously for a response, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious sender.
After a few moments, a reply popped up on her screen. "Glad to hear your day's been alright! Mine's been pretty good, thanks for asking. So, what made your day eventful?"
Aumi smiled at the friendly response and began typing out her reply, eager to continue the conversation and momentarily forget about the earlier encounter with Kyle.
"I'm glad, you've messaged me because I wanted to get my mind off things" She respond.
"Hey, I'm glad I could help take your mind off things," the unknown person replied. "So, what's been on your mind lately?"
Aumi hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to share with someone she didn't know. But she felt a sense of comfort in the anonymity of the conversation.
"Just some personal stuff," she replied vaguely. "How about you? What do you like to do for fun?"
The unknown person's response came quickly. "I enjoy reading, listening to music, and exploring new places. What about you?"
Aumi smiled at the response, finding common ground in their interests. "I love reading too! Music is great for relaxing, and exploring new places sounds like fun, although I haven't done much of that lately."
The conversation flowed easily between them, and Aumi found herself enjoying the distraction from her thoughts. As they continued to chat, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected connection.
"So, what decided you to message me?" She asked responding back.
"I stumbled upon your profile and something about it caught my attention," the unknown person replied. "You seem interesting, so I thought I'd reach out and say hi."
Aumi smiled at the response, feeling a sense of warmth from the genuine compliment. "Well, I'm glad you did! It's nice to chat with someone new."
As their conversation continued, Aumi found herself opening up more, sharing snippets of her life and interests with the unknown person. Despite the initial uncertainty, she felt a growing sense of comfort and ease in their conversation.
The unknown person's reply made Aumi smile. "That's really sweet of you to say. I'm glad you found me interesting enough to message," she typed back, feeling a sense of appreciation for the connection they were building.
As they continued chatting, Aumi found herself enjoying the conversation more and more. It felt refreshing to talk to someone new and share bits of her life with them. Despite the ups and downs of the day, chatting with this unknown person brought a sense of joy and excitement to Aumi's evening.
"Mind if i ask whom im talking with, so that we could know each other more?" She asked.
"Actually, you might know me," he responded.
Aumi's curiosity piqued at his response. "Really? Do we know each other from somewhere?" she asked, her mind racing to recall any familiar faces.
Ren chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you don't recognize me from my profile picture," he admitted. "It's Ren, your classmates."
Aumi's eyes widened in surprise as she realized who she was chatting with. "Ren? Oh wow, I had no idea it was you!" she exclaimed, feeling a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Small world, huh?"
Ren nodded, a grin evident in his voice. "Definitely! It's funny how we can be classmates and not even realize it online," he remarked. "But I'm glad we crossed paths. It's nice to chat with you outside of school."
Aumi smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Ren. "Yeah, it's nice to chat with you too, Ren. Who would've thought we'd end up having a conversation like this?"
Ren chuckled softly, his voice warm and reassuring. "I know, right? It's funny how things work out sometimes," he replied, his tone filled with genuine amusement. "But I'm glad we did. It's been refreshing to chat with you outside of the usual school setting."
Aumi smiled in agreement, appreciating the lightness in Ren's words. "Definitely," she replied.
As their conversation continued, Aumi found herself slowly easing into a more comfortable rhythm with Ren, grateful for the distraction from the events of the day.
"But, why did you message me like you didnt know me?" She asked while chuckling.
Ren chuckled in response to Aumi's question. "Well, I figured it might be fun to approach things differently, you know? Plus, I wanted to see if I could spark up a conversation without relying on our usual class dynamic," he explained.
Aumi nodded in understanding, a smile playing on her lips. "I see, mixing things up a bit. I like that," she replied. "It definitely caught me off guard, but in a good way."
Ren grinned. "Glad to hear that! So, what do you say we keep this conversation going? Who knows, we might discover something new about each other," he suggested.
Aumi nodded eagerly, enjoying the lighthearted banter. "I'm all for it, Ren. Let's see where this conversation takes us," she said with a hint of excitement in her voice.
"By the way, just wanted to ask any chance you have a boyfriend?" Ren asked, that made Aumi too stunned to speak.
Aumi's initial excitement dimmed slightly at Ren's question, caught off guard by its suddenness. She paused for a moment, processing his inquiry before responding.
"I... um, no, I don't have a boyfriend," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "Why do you ask?"
Ren hesitated, realizing he might have overstepped. "Oh, sorry if that was too forward," he apologized quickly. "I was just curious, that's all."
Aumi nodded. "It's okay, Ren" she said gently. "But yeah, I'm currently single."
Ren nodded in response, feeling a bit embarrassed by his question. "Got it, thanks for answering," he said, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory.
As they continued chatting, Aumi couldn't help but wonder about Ren's sudden interest in her relationship status, but she brushed it off, choosing to focus on the pleasant conversation they were having. Despite being single, Aumi couldn't shake off the pang of discomfort.
Talking to Ren brought back painful memories of her recent encounter with Kyle, making her feel like someone had stabbed her in the back with a sharp knife. These lingering feelings made their conversation feel heavy and dark, overshadowing their interaction.
As they continued chatting, Aumi felt a sense of camaraderie and warmth in her interaction with Ren, grateful for the unexpected connection they shared beyond the confines of their classroom.
"What about you? Do you have a girlfriend?" Aumi inquired.
Ren chuckled softly in response. "No, I'm single," he answered with a hint of amusement. "Just focusing on school and hanging out with friends for now."
Aumi felt a wave of relief hearing Ren's reply. "That sounds nice, just enjoying life as it comes," she remarked, steering the conversation away from her own relationship status.
"Yeah, exactly," Ren agreed. "So, what do you like to do for fun outside of school?" he asked, shifting the focus to lighter topics.
"I usually spend time in the broadcast room and read books," Aumi added.
"Sounds like a peaceful way to pass the time," Ren remarked, genuinely interested. "What kind of books do you enjoy reading?"
Aumi smiled, grateful for the opportunity to share her interests. "I like a variety of genres, but I'm particularly fond of mystery and romance novels," she explained. "There's something captivating about getting lost in a good book, don't you think?"
Ren nodded in agreement. "Definitely! I enjoy reading too, although I tend to lean more towards fantasy and science fiction," he admitted. "But I can appreciate a well-written mystery or romance novel."
As they continued chatting, Aumi found solace in sharing her hobbies with Ren. Despite the earlier turmoil, their conversation provided a welcome distraction and a sense of connection that she deeply appreciated.
"I know, we've recently just meet and talked but can I pick you up tomorrow at your place so that we can go to school together?" He asked.
Aumi considered Ren's invitation, feeling a mix of hesitation and intrigue. "That sounds nice, Ren," she replied with a smile. "I'd like that. What time should I expect you?"
Ren grinned, pleased with her acceptance. "Great! How about I pick you up early in the morning? We can grab some breakfast together on the way to school," he suggested.
Aumi agreed, feeling a flutter of excitement. "Sounds like a plan. I'll be ready," she confirmed.
As they conversed, they discussed their plans for the day, shared interests, and exchanged lighthearted jokes. Despite the initial awkwardness, Aumi found herself enjoying Ren's company more with each passing moment.
The next day, Aumi woke up with a sense of anticipation, looking forward to going to school together. She got ready, making sure to dress comfortably yet stylishly, and waited eagerly for Ren to arrive.
When Ren pulled up outside her house, Aumi greeted him with a smile, excited for the day ahead. During the car ride to school, Aumi and Ren shared a moment of laughter, reflecting on their unexpected situation.
As Ren drove towards school, Aumi glanced out of the window, taking in the familiar sights of their neighborhood. She turned to Ren with a smile. "Thanks for picking me up. It's nice to have some company on the way to school."
Ren returned her smile. "Of course! I'm glad we could ride together. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is," Aumi agreed, feeling a sense of contentment settle over her. "So, any plans for after school today?"
Ren shrugged casually. "Not really. Probably just hanging out with Hana and Mei. What about you?"
Aumi thought for a moment. "I might spend some time in the broadcast room, catching up on some reading. It's always nice to have some quiet time after classes."
Ren nodded in understanding. "That sounds relaxing. Well, maybe I'll see you around later."
As they approached the school gates, Aumi felt a pang of reluctance. Despite the pleasant conversation, she wished their time together could last a bit longer.
"Thanks again for the ride," she said to Ren as they parked. "I'll see you later?"
"Definitely," Ren replied with a grin. "Have a great day, Aumi."
With a smile, Aumi stepped out of the car and headed towards the school building, feeling grateful for the unexpected friendship she had found with Ren.
"Silly me, were classmates" Ren said as they both laughed while heading towards their classroom.
Aumi chuckled, enjoying the lighthearted moment with Ren. "Yeah, silly indeed. Who would've thought we'd end up carpooling together?"
As they made their way towards their classroom, Aumi couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers from their classmates. She exchanged a knowing look with Ren, both of them aware of the gossip swirling around them.
Despite the curious looks from their classmates, they remained focused on their conversation. As they entered the classroom, Aumi hoped their newfound friendship would withstand any gossip.
With a smile, she looked forward to more moments like these with Ren. As Aumi and Ren approached the school building, they were met with questioning looks from Eun and Sei.
"What's going on here?" Eun asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"Yeah, what's the deal?" Sei added, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You two arriving together... Are you guys, like, a thing now?"
Aumi exchanged a nervous glance with Ren, feeling a hint of discomfort at the sudden scrutiny. "Oh, no, nothing like that," she replied quickly, trying to downplay the situation. "Ren was just being kind enough to give me a ride today."
Sei raised an eyebrow skeptically. "But what about Kyle? Shouldn't he be the one picking you up, not Ren?" she questioned, her gaze flickering between Aumi and Ren.
Aumi hesitated, unsure how much to disclose about her situation with Kyle. "Um, well, Kyle and I... things are a bit complicated," she admitted reluctantly, feeling a pang of guilt at the mention of Kyle's name.
Ren stepped in, offering a reassuring smile. "Yeah, like Aumi said, things are a bit complicated right now," he confirmed, trying to diffuse the tension. "But don't worry, we're just friends."
Aumi's heart skipped a beat as Kyle's sudden appearance caught her off guard. She felt a knot forming in her stomach as he leaned against the doorway, his smirk sending a shiver down her spine.
"It's not complicated, we're just letting each other cool off," Kyle declared confidently, his gaze fixed on Aumi. "And besides, I've been courting her for four years. It's not like she's going to waste our four years together for nothing, right Aumi?"
Aumi's mind raced, unsure of how to respond to Kyle's bold assertion. She felt a mixture of frustration and discomfort at his presumptuous attitude, knowing that their relationship was far more complicated than he was making it out to be.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Ren stepped in, his presence a welcome relief amidst the tension. "Hey, Kyle, why don't we give Aumi some space?" Ren suggested calmly, stepping forward to stand beside Aumi. "I'm sure she'll appreciate it."
Kyle's smirk faltered slightly as he glanced at Ren, his demeanor shifting from confident to defensive. "And who are you to tell me what to do?" he retorted, his tone tinged with hostility.
Ren remained unfazed, his expression composed as he addressed Kyle. "I'm just looking out for Aumi's well-being," he replied evenly. "I think it's best if we let her handle this situation on her own terms."
"I don't know who you are but you don't have the right to but in our conversation, your nothing to her your basically her rebound after me" Kyle said as he scoffed.
Ren raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Kyle, whether you think I have the right to intervene or not, I care about her. And if she's moved on, that's her choice, not yours to judge." Ren sighed, trying to keep his cool. "Look, Kyle, this doesn't have to escalate. We can talk this out like adults."
But Kyle wasn't having it. He shoved Ren, his anger boiling over. "Stay out of it, Ren. This is between me and her!"
Ren stumbled back, his own frustration mounting. "You need to back off, Kyle. She deserves better than this!"
Before they knew it, fists were flying, each landing blows fueled by hurt pride and unresolved emotions.
The altercation continued until they were both bruised and panting, the anger subsiding into exhaustion and regret.
Sitting amidst the aftermath, they finally exchanged tired glances, the realization sinking in that their fight had solved nothing.
Aumi's voice cut through the tension, her frustration palpable. "That's enough! I can't see both of you getting hurt because of me."
Ren and Kyle glanced at each other, their anger momentarily overshadowed by concern for Aumi.
Ren stepped forward, his tone softer. "Aumi, we're sorry. We didn't mean for things to escalate like this."
Kyle nodded in agreement, his earlier hostility dissipating. "Yeah, Aumi, we got carried away. We just... care about you."
Aumi sighed, her eyes tired but filled with a mix of gratitude and exasperation. "I appreciate that, but you both need to understand that I can handle my own relationship. Especially, you Kyle. You've gone too far, I thought you were better than this but were not cooling off and things are complicated enough between you and me" Aumi added as she dragged Ren out of there and left Kyle.
"Ren, I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of that. Kyle's behavior has been getting out of hand lately, and I couldn't stand by and watch it escalate any further." Aumi said as she apologized.
"Yeah, it's been tough dealing with all of this drama. I appreciate you looking out for me, Aumi." Ren said.
"Of course, Ren. You're my friend, and I care about you. Let's focus on enjoying the rest of the evening and putting all this negativity behind us. How about we go grab some coffee and unwind?" She then asked.
"We still have a class, Aumi. How about after class sounds good?" Ren asked.
"Oh, right! Totally slipped my mind. After class sounds perfect. Sorry about that, Ren." Aumi said
"No worries, Aumi. We all have those moments. But hey, at least we have something to look forward to after class, right?" Ren smiled while asking.
"Definitely! And hey, thanks for being understanding. You're a good friend, Ren." Aumi said as she sounded excited.
"Anytime, Aumi. Let's get through this class and then treat ourselves to something nice." Ren added.
As Ren and Aumi enjoyed their time outside the classroom, they laughed over ice cream, their conversation veering away from the tensions of earlier, completely unaware of the unfolding events, the mysterious figure slipped away with Aumi's letter clutched in their hand.
♡~♡ 07 coming soon ♡~♡