Is it love?

Chapter 1

I'm Kenji, ever since i was a child, nobody really notices me but I'm not really upset since i like to be alone.

But one day my life became radiant with hope, as if the sun had finally broken through the perpetual clouds that had shrouded my world. Because someone changed my life.

*starts*

"KENJI!!! DINNER IS READY!!!" My mom screamed that almost made my eardrums burst. "Alright, alright, you don't have to scream at me" I respond.

As i was walking downstairs, i saw a boy that looks like my age sitting in the table while eating and looking oddly attractive but i scoffed at it and looked at my mom and lean over to her as i whispered.

"Mom, who's that boy?"
"He's Caspian, he's my bestfriends son and he'll be living here at the moment since he's mother is out of town for now. And he's also studying at your school so be kind to him." mom replied with a little smile in her face. I was shocked cause there will be another person living under this roof.

A few minutes later as we were walking to school, Caspian started a conversation so that it wouldn't be awkward while walking. "Just to let you know that it wasn't my choice to stay here and also, please don't disturb me while I'm studying." He said with a serious face. I nodded with a surprise look.

We then arrived to school and a lot of people was staring at us or was only staring at kenji.
As i looked at him, he was unbothered like he was used to it. Caspian then saw me looking at him so he said "Let's go to the room, quickly."
He grabbed my hand and started running and we eventually got tired and now we're in the restroom.

As i was resting, he then said "Where is our classroom? we're going to be late and i don't like being late." "Oh sorry, sorry, let's go there now." We then got inside the room and sat at my usual sit and Caspian sitting by my side. But it was really uncomfortable because a lot of people was staring at us and the girls glared at me like i did something wrong.

"WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PRINCE?" The girls glaring at me with jealousy. "Huh? you mean Caspian?" I replied with a confused look. "Even his name sounds so dreamy" the girls said folding.

I then noticed Caspian walkings towards as with he's expression looking so icy, his eyes fixed on the teacher. "There's no relationship. We're just...cohabitants."

The girls looked relieved, but I felt a strange pang in my chest. Why did his blunt response sting?

Throughout the day, Caspian maintained his aloof demeanor. I tried to engage him in conversations, but his responses were brief and curt.

At lunch, I attempted to break the silence. "So, Caspian, what do you like to do?"

He shrugged, eyes fixed on his book. "Study. Read. Nothing else."

I felt a surge of frustration. Why was he so distant?

As we walked home, the silence between us grew thicker. I quickened my pace, trying to escape the awkwardness.

Caspian matched my stride, his expression unchanging.

Suddenly, he spoke, "Kenji?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't think you can change me. I'm not here to make friends."

His words stung, but I hid my hurt behind a mask of indifference. "I wasn't trying to."

We walked the rest of the way in silence.

At that moment, i didn't have any clue why my heart is always racing whenever Caspian was near. It was unsettling, like a constant, quiet storm building inside of me, and I didn't understand why. I told myself it was just the irritation of having to share my space with someone so...unfeeling. But deep down, I wasn’t sure if that was the truth.

Days turned into weeks, and I found myself catching glimpses of him when he wasn't looking. I noticed things about him—small things, like how his cold demeanor would soften ever so slightly when he was lost in a book, or the way he would furrow his brow when he was deep in thought.

One evening, we were both up late studying in the living room. Caspian looked tired, and without thinking, I offered him a cup of tea. He looked at me with surprise, as if he couldn't believe I was being considerate.

"Thanks," he muttered, barely audible.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just thought you looked like you needed it."

He took a sip, and for a split second, I thought I saw the faintest hint of a smile. That moment stirred something in me—a mix of warmth and confusion that left me feeling strangely vulnerable. I tried to shake it off, but the feeling lingered.

From then on, I started noticing the ways Caspian's presence affected me. I would stay up later just to study alongside him, even if we barely spoke. I found myself listening for his footsteps in the hallway, hoping he’d walk by my door, just so I’d know he was there.

I didn't want to admit it, but my chest felt tighter every time he looked at me with those cold, indifferent eyes. And the idea of him leaving someday, returning to wherever he came from—it made me feel…lonely.

One rainy afternoon, Caspian and I were caught in a sudden downpour on our way back from school. We huddled together under the tiny umbrella I brought, both soaked and shivering.

He looked over at me, his face unreadable. "You could’ve just gone ahead without me. I wouldn’t have cared."

I laughed awkwardly, hoping he wouldn't notice how red my cheeks were. "Yeah, well... maybe I would've cared."

For a brief moment, his icy expression softened, and his eyes held mine with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. Then he looked away, his face unreadable once again. But in that fleeting moment, I saw something in him that made my heart race faster than ever.

And as we walked in silence under that small umbrella, I wondered if maybe—just maybe—there was more to Caspian than he wanted the world to see. And maybe, against my own wishes, I was starting to fall for him.