Time moved forward like it always did.
No matter what happened at night.
No matter what bruises bloomed under sleeves or behind smiles.
Morning still came.
And so did school.
Ita walked beside Kiel like usual, their steps almost in sync as they headed through the school gates. Students gathered in groups, laughing, complaining about homework, talking about weekend plans.
To everyone else, it looked normal.
Two boys walking together.
Talking.
Existing.
Kiel glanced at Ita mid-sentence and suddenly stopped walking.
"Wait." he said, squinting slightly. "What happened to your face?"
Ita blinked.
His fingers instinctively brushed his cheek.
He had tried to ignore it that morning —,the faint swelling, the mark couldn't completely hide.
"Nothing" Ita said automatically. "I just bumped into something."
Kiel raised an eyebrow.
"You 'bumped into something' ' that punches back?"
Ita didn't respond.
He looked away instead.
Kiel studied him for a few seconds.
And then,
He didn't push.
He just sighed softly and reached into his bag.
"Hold still" Kiel muttered.
Ita frowned slightly but didn't move. Kiel stepped closer and carefully placed a small bandage over the faint cut near Ita's cheekbone.
His touch was light.
Careful.
Not grabbing.
Not forcing.
Just… gentle.
"There " Kiel said, leaning back to examine his work. "Now you look less like you lost a street fight."
Ita huffed quietly.
"I didn't."
"Sure."
They started walking again.
After a few seconds, Kiel spoke again, but his tone had shifted. It wasn't joking now.
"If you ever feel like running away " he said casually, eyes forward, "just tell me."
Ita glanced at him.
"I'm serious" Kiel added. "If you need somewhere to go. If you need to not be somewhere. I'm with you."
The words were simple.
But they landed heavily.
Ita's chest tightened slightly.
He forced a small scoff. "Why would I run away?"
Kiel shrugged. "People run for lots of reasons."
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
Ita didn't answer.
But inside,
Something warmed.
He didn't know how to explain it.
The way Kiel didn't demand answers.
Didn't pry.
Didn't look at him with pity.
He just… stayed.
And somehow, that felt bigger than anything.
Classes passed slowly.
Ita pretended to be fine like he always did. He answered questions when called on. He wrote notes neatly. He kept his head down when necessary.
But every now and then, he caught Kiel glancing at him.
Not suspicious.
Just checking.
Like he was making sure Ita was still there.
And for once,
Ita didn't feel embarrassed.
He didn't feel like he had to hide everything.
Not completely.
After school, instead of heading straight home, they wandered to the back of the school grounds.
There was a large tree there old and wide, its branches stretching out like protective arms. Not many students went there anymore.
It was quiet.
They sat side by side, backs resting against the trunk. The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting shifting shadows over them.
Kiel lay back dramatically, hands behind his head.
"You know " he said lazily, "if you keep saving me in math, I might fall in love."
Ita rolled his eyes immediately.
"Stop it."
"I'm serious," Kiel continued, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. "Your brain is very attractive."
"Shut up."
Kiel turned his head slightly, grinning. "What? I'm just appreciating you."
Ita snorted softly.
"Stop it. I'm not gay."
Kiel's grin didn't fade.
He shrugged lightly. "It's you, not me."
Ita stared at him for a second.
Then his face twisted into mock disgust.
"That's disgusting," he muttered and lightly smacked Kiel's face with his palm.
Kiel yelped dramatically. "Violence! I confess my feelings and this is what I get?"
Ita couldn't stop it.
He laughed.
Not quiet this time.
Not forced.
Real.
Kiel clutched his cheek like he'd been mortally wounded. "Wow. I treat you nicely, bandage your face, offer you a safe haven, and you abuse me."
"You deserve it," Ita replied, still smiling.
They fell into comfortable silence after that.
The wind rustled the leaves above them.
Somewhere in the distance, students were still talking.
But here,
It felt separate.
Safe.
Ita leaned his head back against the tree and closed his eyes for a moment.
He didn't feel judged.
Didn't feel watched.
Didn't feel small.
For once—
He felt normal.
And maybe that was why he felt so comfortable right now.
Because with Kiel,
He didn't have to show the worst parts of himself.
He didn't have to explain the bruises.
He didn't have to cry.
He could just sit there.
Laugh.
Breathe.
Exist.
And for now,
That was enough.