Junpei ☁︎

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You spent most of your days sitting in the back corner of the library, curled up with a book and relishing the quiet solitude. It was your refuge—a safe space away from the bustling halls and constant chatter. But today, the silence wasn't yours alone. Across the table sat Junpei Yoshino, his eyes cast down as he read a manga, his headphones on, completely absorbed in his own world.

You'd noticed Junpei before, of course. His presence was a comforting constant, one of the few people who seemed to appreciate the quiet as much as you did. You'd always found him intriguing—his calm demeanor, the way he seemed to shrink from the world yet somehow drew you in. There was a gentle energy about him that made you feel safe.

One day, while you were flipping through your book, you felt a gentle tap on your shoulder. Startled, you looked up to see Junpei standing there, slightly nervous, his headphones around his neck.

"Um... I just... noticed you were reading the same book last week," he stammered. "Are you re-reading it?"

You smiled, surprised that he had noticed. "Oh, no... I just didn't get to finish it. It's been a busy week."

"Oh," he said, his expression softening. "I get that." He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you... mind if I join you?"

You nodded, a little too quickly, and motioned to the seat beside you. He slid into the chair, his presence warm and close. The two of you fell into an easy rhythm, both reading in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging quiet remarks about what you were reading. Every so often, you'd catch him sneaking a glance your way, and each time he'd blush and turn back to his book with a shy smile.

The next time you met in the library, he brought two cups of tea, one for each of you. You accepted it with a grin, your fingers brushing his as you took the cup.

"Thank you, Junpei. You didn't have to do that," you murmured, the warmth of his gesture spreading through you.

"It's nothing... I just thought you might like it." He smiled shyly, his cheeks dusted with pink.

Over the next few weeks, these quiet library sessions became something you both looked forward to. He'd save a seat for you, his manga stacked neatly in front of him, and you'd always bring an extra snack, just in case he was hungry. Sometimes, you'd share music, each taking one earbud as you listened to his favorite songs.

One afternoon, as you were listening to a particularly soothing track, Junpei turned to you, his gaze soft and vulnerable.

"Hey... um... I'm really glad we started hanging out," he whispered. "I don't... I don't really have many friends, you know? But... it feels nice, being here with you."

You felt your heart skip a beat at his words, the tenderness in his eyes making your breath catch. "Me too, Junpei. I'm really glad."

The two of you sat in silence, the unspoken feelings lingering in the air between you. And in that quiet moment, with nothing but the sound of shared music and the gentle rustle of pages, you knew that you'd found something truly special—something that neither of you had expected but would cherish for a long time to come.

As time passed, your library meetups with Junpei became more than a routine; they became the highlight of your days. You noticed little things about him—the way he'd chew on his lower lip when he was deep in thought, or the soft, contented sigh he'd let out after finishing a good chapter. And every time you caught him looking at you, your heart did a little flip.

One rainy evening, you both found yourselves caught in a downpour outside the school. You'd been in the library as usual, but you hadn't expected the weather to turn so quickly. Junpei glanced at the heavy rain, then turned to you with a sheepish smile.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a bit," he said, pulling his hood up and shrugging. "I don't mind, though. I don't have anywhere else I need to be."

"Same here," you replied, pulling your own jacket a little tighter. "I kind of like the rain... as long as I'm not standing in it," you laughed.

Junpei grinned and tilted his head, looking at you thoughtfully. "Do you... want to take a walk in it? Just for a little while?"

The suggestion caught you off guard, but something about the idea of walking through the rain with Junpei felt strangely appealing. You nodded, and the two of you stepped out into the cool drizzle, hands tucked into your pockets as you strolled side by side.

The rain was gentle, misting around you like a soft veil. You could feel Junpei's presence close to you, his steps matching yours, his quiet laughter mixing with the sound of raindrops. You didn't need words—just the sound of the rain and the warm silence between you was enough.

As you reached the edge of the school grounds, Junpei suddenly stopped. He looked at you, his face slightly flushed, his hair damp and falling over his eyes. Without a word, he reached up, brushing a wet strand of hair away from your face, his fingers lingering just a little too long.

"Hey..." he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain. "I... there's something I've been wanting to tell you."

Your heart raced as you looked up at him, eyes wide and waiting. You didn't dare breathe, afraid you might miss a single word.

"I know we've only known each other a short while," he began, his gaze steady but his voice soft, "but... you make me feel like it's okay to be myself. Like I'm not so alone." He let out a small, nervous laugh, and his cheeks turned pink. "I... I think I like you. More than... more than just a friend."

The words hung in the air, a gentle confession wrapped in the softness of the rain. You felt warmth bloom in your chest, a smile spreading across your face as you reached out, gently taking his hand in yours.

"I feel the same way, Junpei," you whispered, squeezing his hand. "I like you, too. A lot."

His eyes lit up, and for a moment, he looked as if he couldn't believe his luck. The two of you stood there, hand in hand, sharing a smile that held a thousand unsaid words. And as the rain continued to fall, washing away everything else, it left only the two of you, standing together in a quiet, perfect moment you knew you'd both treasure forever.

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