Julian and Scarlet began spending more time together outside of school as the days passed. They visited art galleries, explored the town's quaint streets, and discovered hidden coffee shops. Each outing brought them closer, deepening their bond.
Julian found himself inspired by Scarlet's passion for art. She saw beauty in the simplest things—a raindrop on a leaf, the way light filtered through the trees—and it made him look at the world differently. Scarlet, in turn, was drawn to Julian's quiet intensity. He did not speak much, but when he did, his words carried weight.
However, their growing closeness did not go unnoticed. Miyu Tanaka, Scarlet's childhood friend, watched from the sidelines with a mix of happiness and concern. She was glad Scarlet had found someone who understood her, but she could not help feeling left out. Miyu had always been shy and introverted, and Scarlet had been her anchor for as long as she could remember.
One afternoon, Miyu and Scarlet sat together in the tea shop that Scarlet's family-owned. "You seem close with Julian," Miyu remarked, trying to keep her tone light.
Scarlet smiled, a little blush coloring her cheeks. "Yeah, he is…different. He gets me in a way most people do not."
Miyu nodded, hiding her own insecurities. She knew that Scarlet deserved happiness, but part of her worried about how their friendship might change.
Meanwhile, Julian was pouring his newfound inspiration into his writing. His journal was filling up with notes, character sketches, and story ideas. Every time he wrote, he found himself thinking of Scarlet—her vibrant energy, her laugh, the way she saw the world. It scared him how much he cared, but it also excited him.
As their friendship deepened, so did the tension between them. They both started to realize that their feelings might be more than just friendly, but neither wanted to risk what they had by admitting it aloud.