The next day, Aya couldn't shake the thoughts of Ren as she walked to school. The sketchbook he had lent her was tucked under her arm, and she found herself glancing at it during class, imagining the world of freedom he had offered her. The allure of his rebellious nature was drawing her in, but there was also the familiar pull of Hikaru's kindness and stability.
At lunch, Aya hesitated for a moment before heading to the rooftop. Part of her knew she should be cautious, but something inside her urged her to go. As she stepped onto the rooftop, she found Ren already there, leaning back against the railing, one leg propped up on the edge. His eyes lit up as he spotted her, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
"I knew you'd come back," he teased, his voice almost lazy.
Aya felt a flush of warmth rise to her cheeks. "I said I would."
Ren took a drag from his cigarette, his eyes never leaving her. "I like that you keep your word."
She took a deep breath, walking over to where he was standing. "You've got a lot of confidence, don't you?"
Ren raised an eyebrow, letting out a low laugh. "Confidence is all I've got," he said, tossing the cigarette away. "The rest? Doesn't really matter."
Aya pulled the sketchbook from her bag, hesitating for just a moment. "You said I should try expressing myself through art. I want to try… but I'm not sure I'm good enough."
Ren reached out, taking the sketchbook from her hands without a word. His fingers brushed against hers, and Aya felt a shiver run down her spine. He flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning her attempts at drawing.
"You're not bad," Ren said, his voice quiet but approving. "You just have to stop thinking so much. Art isn't about perfection. It's about feeling." He handed the sketchbook back to her, his gaze lingering on her face.
Aya nodded, taking the book from him. For a moment, their eyes met, and she felt a strange pull—something beyond the curiosity she had for him. It was something deeper, something almost dangerous.
"Don't think about the rules," Ren continued, stepping closer to her. "Just draw what you feel."
Aya swallowed, unsure of how to respond. Her heart was racing, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She wanted to tell him about Hikaru, about the safe and predictable life she had built with him. But Ren was different—he made her question everything she thought she knew about herself.
As she sketched, Ren stood beside her, watching her intently. His presence was overwhelming, but in a way that excited her, made her feel alive. She couldn't explain it, but every moment with him felt like a break from the monotony of her everyday life.
Before Aya knew it, the lunch bell rang. Ren pulled back, his hands in his pockets, eyes studying her.
"You'll get better at this," he said, his voice a bit softer. "But remember, it's not about getting it perfect. It's about feeling it."
Aya closed the sketchbook, feeling a mixture of emotions. She didn't know what to say. Part of her was terrified of what this was becoming—this strange pull toward Ren, this new side of herself she hadn't known existed. But another part of her couldn't deny it. She was drawn to him in a way that felt impossible to ignore.
As Aya turned to leave, she paused for a moment and glanced over her shoulder. Ren's eyes followed her, and he gave her a slow, knowing smile. "You'll be back tomorrow, won't you?" he asked, his voice smooth, almost like a challenge.
Aya hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. "I'll think about it," she said, her voice shaky but determined. She knew she was lying, but she didn't want to admit it just yet.
As she walked away, Aya couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement mixed with guilt. She had kept this secret from Hikaru, from everyone who trusted her. But Ren had opened up something in her that she couldn't ignore.
Her thoughts drifted to Hikaru, who had always been there for her. She couldn't help but wonder if he would understand if he knew about her growing feelings for Ren—or if he would even forgive her.
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