Midtown University – Monday, 10:42 a.m.
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The lecture hall buzzed with quiet conversations, pens clicking, papers flipping — all the ordinary sounds of a university morning. But somewhere in the third row by the window, he sat perfectly still.
Headphones in. Hoodie up. Hands tucked inside his sleeves.
He didn’t look like he was avoiding the world…
He just looked like he lived a little beside it.
Ric had never seen him before.
And Ric remembered faces easily — especially the ones that didn’t look up.
---
Ric slid into a seat two rows behind. His friend Kao elbowed him, mouth full of snacks, whispering something about the lecturer being late again. But Ric didn’t respond. He was watching the boy.
The one with the headphones.
The boy was staring out the window like he’d forgotten class was even happening. Light rain was hitting the glass gently, leaving faint trails like falling stars. The boy blinked slowly, almost dreamily, as if the sky outside meant more to him than any word the professor could say.
“Ren,” a soft voice called from a few seats away.
The boy turned.
Just for a moment.
And Ric caught a glimpse of his face.
Quiet. Pale. Beautiful in the way a memory is beautiful — like something half-remembered from a dream. His eyes held something Ric couldn’t read, but didn’t want to look away from.
Ren.
That was his name.
Ric didn’t know why he cared.
But he wrote it in the corner of his notebook anyway.
---
Later That Day – Campus Café
Ren didn’t notice Ric standing behind him in line.
He had one headphone still in, a notebook in one hand, and a café punch card in the other. He ordered a cinnamon latte, voice barely above a whisper.
“One cinnamon latte. No sugar.”
Ric blinked.
That was… oddly specific. Kind of cute.
The barista glanced over and said, “You’re the only one who orders this every week, you know.”
Ren offered a polite smile, nodded slightly, and stepped aside to wait.
Ric stepped up.
“Same thing,” he said.
The barista raised an eyebrow. “You want a cinnamon latte with no sugar?”
Ric smiled. “Guess I’m curious.”
Ren turned slightly, hearing the familiar drink ordered by someone else — and their eyes met.
Just for a moment.
Just long enough for Ric to see him up close.
And long enough for Ren to look away too quickly.
---
That Night – Group Chat: “Dead Inside (Study Ver.)”
Kao:
> bro tell me you’re not simping for headphone boy
Ric:
> he ordered cinnamon latte
no sugar
what kind of sad poetry drink is that
Tae:
> you remembered his order? damn
you’re already in love
Ric:
> shut up
---
The Next Day – Rain Again
Ren sat in the same spot, third row by the window. This time, Ric came in early and took the seat right behind him. Close enough to hear the soft music leaking from his headphones. It wasn’t loud — just the faintest piano chords, slow and aching.
Ren turned slightly.
Just slightly.
Ric offered a tiny smile.
Ren didn’t smile back.
But he didn’t look away either.
---
Ren’s Thoughts, That Evening
He noticed me.
I hate that I noticed that.
But he smiled like he meant it.
And somehow, that felt louder than the rain.
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---
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Chapter End Scene: Ric’s Room
Ric stared at his notebook. The corner of the page from yesterday was still folded.
The name was still there:
> Ren.
He didn’t know why he wrote it.
He didn’t know why he kept saying it in his head.
But he had a feeling...
This boy wasn’t just another face in the crowd.
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