𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳

25

Rae was asleep, her door cracked open, soft light spilling into the hallway. Rica had turned in early after a long day. 

The world felt reduced to just you and Rin—bare feet on hardwood, the low hum of the fridge, the sound of him exhaling beside you on the couch like he'd been holding his breath all evening.

You could tell something was wrong.

"Hey," you said softly, turning toward him. "You've been quiet all night."

Rin didn't look at you right away. His forearms rested on his thighs, fingers loosely laced, shoulders tense like he was bracing for impact.

"I don't wanna do this wrong," he said finally.

Your chest tightened. "Do what?"

He swallowed, then lifted his head, eyes finding yours. "This. Us."

You waited. Let him take his time. You'd learned by now—Rin spoke best when he wasn't rushed.

"I know you're leaving," he continued. "I always knew. You never hid that from me." A small, almost humorless smile tugged at his mouth. "I just didn't think I'd... feel it this much."

You shifted closer, knees brushing.

"I'm not scared you'll forget me," he said quietly. "And I'm not worried about someone else. That's not it."

"Then what is it?" you asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Rin let out a slow breath. "I'm scared of missing you."

The words landed heavy between you.

"Of waking up and reaching for you and you not being there," he went on. "Of knowing your life is moving and I'm not in the room for it.

 I don't want to be the thing that makes you hesitate. I don't want to hold you back." His jaw tightened. "But I don't wanna pretend this doesn't matter either."

You reached for his hands, warm and steady despite the way he trembled just slightly under your touch.

"I'm not asking you to stay," he added quickly. "And I never will."

"I know," you said.

Silence stretched, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was full. Honest.

"I can't promise this will be easy," you said finally. "And I can't promise I won't miss you like hell. But I can promise I won't disappear. I'll choose you every day I can."