The third wheel

Weekend hangout

It's Saturday afternoon, and the weather's perfect—clear skies, warm sun, the kind of day where you can't help but feel relaxed. We decided to meet up at the park to take a break from all the exam stress. Jun and Haruki are already sitting on the grass, chatting and laughing like usual, and I'm walking toward them, carrying snacks I picked up on the way.

But today, there's someone else with us.

Riku's leaning against a nearby tree, looking effortlessly cool with his hands in his pockets, his usual laid-back smile on his face. I'm not sure why, but there's a different energy in the air today, like things are subtly shifting. Maybe it's because Riku's with us now, and I'm still figuring out how he fits into our little group dynamic.

"Hey, Tatsuya!" Jun calls out as I approach, waving me over. "We thought you got lost or something."

"Yeah, right," I say, rolling my eyes as I drop the snacks on the grass. "I'm the one who's always on time."

Jun snickers, and Haruki shoots me a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling in that way that always makes him seem more approachable. Then there's Riku, who watches me with an easy, steady gaze, like he's still reading the room and finding his place in it.

"Snacks!" Jun dives into the bag, pulling out his favorites while Haruki laughs softly beside him. Riku takes a seat next to me, his shoulder brushing mine slightly. It's subtle, but I notice it. I notice everything about him lately.

"So," Riku says, glancing around at the group, "what's the plan? We just hanging out, or is there something else in mind?"

Jun smirks, popping a snack in his mouth. "Well, we could play a game, but knowing Tatsuya, he'll turn it into something overly competitive."

I shoot him a glare, but it's all in good fun. "I don't get competitive. I just don't like losing."

"Same thing," Haruki says, chuckling as he leans back on his hands. "But maybe something chill today? We've been stressing over exams too much."

Riku nods, agreeing. "Sounds good to me. It's nice just hanging out like this."

There's something about the way Riku says it—like he's genuinely glad to be here with us. I don't know why, but it makes me feel... a little more at ease. I've been wondering how he'd fit into our group, but the more I get to know him, the more it feels like he just... belongs.

The afternoon passes by in a blur of light conversation, laughter, and the easy kind of silence that only comes with close friends. Haruki leans into Jun's side as they talk quietly about something, their heads close together in that familiar way they always are. I can't help but smile watching them. They're so in sync, it's like they're in their own little world sometimes.

But then I glance at Riku, who's sitting beside me, close but not too close, and I realize something. Maybe it's not just Jun and Haruki who are finding their rhythm together. Maybe I'm starting to find mine, too, with Riku.

At one point, he catches me looking and raises an eyebrow, his lips curving into a teasing smile. "What? You spacing out on me, Tatsuya?"

I quickly look away, feeling a bit flustered. "No, just... thinking."

"About what?" His tone is light, but there's a curious edge to it.

I shrug, trying to play it off. "Nothing important."

But as the afternoon drifts on, I can't stop thinking about it. There's something unspoken between us, something that feels like it's building but hasn't quite been said out loud yet. I don't know what to do with it, but I'm not exactly running away from it either.

As the sun starts to dip lower in the sky, we eventually decide to call it a day. Haruki stretches, standing up first and helping Jun to his feet, and they start gathering their things. Riku lingers beside me, his presence warm and steady, like he's not in a rush to leave.

"You heading home?" he asks, his voice quieter now, more personal.

"Yeah," I reply, glancing over at him.
GUYSSS MY EXAMS ARE FINALLY OVERRRR 🤭🤭
I CAN FINALLY WRITE WITHOUT FEELING PRESSUREED MY MATH EXAM WAS LITTERALY TODAY 😭😭😭👹👹