Chasing Our Lost Stars [Completed]

A Kiss In The Spotlight[Epilogue 5]

『1 year later』

It was a warm afternoon, and Vel stood outside the school gates, waiting for Krit to pick him up. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the pavement. As Vel adjusted his backpack, his gaze fell on two kids sitting on the bench nearby. They were around fifteen, maybe sixteen, both dressed in their school uniforms, and one was teasing the other with a wide grin.

"Come on, admit it!" the first kid said, playfully nudging his friend's shoulder. "You totally have a crush on them! You've been checking your phone every two minutes!"

The other boy, clearly embarrassed, blushed and tried to cover his face with his hands. "It's not like that!" he muttered, but his smile betrayed him. "I mean... okay, fine. But it's not a big deal. It's just... a boy. He sent me a message, and I don't even know what to say."

The teasing continued, but there was something in the shyer boy's voice-an uncertainty, a nervousness that Vel recognized all too well from his own younger days. Vel remembered what it was like to be confused and unsure about these things, especially when it came to relationships and figuring out feelings. He decided to step in.

"Hey," Vel called out as he approached them, a friendly smile on his face. "You two alright? Sounds like you're talking about something interesting."

The boys both looked up at Vel, startled by his presence, but they quickly relaxed when they saw his easygoing expression.

"Yeah... we were just messing around," the first boy said, a little sheepish. "He got a message from this guy, and now he's all flustered about it."

Vel smiled and took a seat on the bench next to them, his tone casual but warm. "Nothing wrong with that. Crushes can be confusing at first, especially when you're not sure what to do next. It can feel like everything's a big deal when you're still figuring it all out."

The shy boy glanced at Vel, his cheeks still red. "Yeah, it's just... I don't know what to say back. What if he thinks I'm weird or something?"

Vel leaned back slightly, thinking carefully before he responded. "Well, first of all, it's totally normal to feel nervous. Everyone gets that way when they're starting to talk to someone they like. But what's most important is to just be yourself. Don't worry about trying to impress him or say the 'right' thing. If he's interested in you, he'll appreciate you for who you are."

The boy's eyes widened a little, like the idea was new to him. "Really? You think so?"

Vel nodded. "Absolutely. It's better to be honest and true to yourself than to say something just because you think it's what the other person wants to hear. Besides, relationships-whether they're new or something that lasts-should always start with honesty."

The other boy, the one who had been teasing, leaned forward with interest now. "So, how do you know all this? You sound like you've been through this kind of stuff before."

Vel smiled a little wider, nodding. "Yeah, you could say that. I've learned a lot about relationships over the years, and I've been in one for a while now. And believe me, communication and being yourself are key. If you like someone, just show them that."

The two kids exchanged glances, clearly taking in Vel's advice. It was clear they were grateful for an older perspective, someone who wasn't just teasing them about it but actually guiding them through their confusion.

Just as they were talking, a familiar voice called out from behind. "Vel!"

Krit had arrived, walking up the school's pathway with his usual confident stride. He spotted Vel talking to the kids and smiled, curious about what was happening.