Ken was going through the textbook in front of him when he sensed someone approaching. Thinking it was Alex, he looked up.
It was Noel.
Noel smiled at him.
"Can I?" Noel asked, looking at the empty seat.
Ken nodded in response.
"Ken, I want to ask you something," Noel said softly.
Ken looked at him, his expression unreadable.
"Are you really avoiding me, or am I just overthinking it?" Noel asked.
Ken didn't respond.
Noel looked at him hopefully.
"You must be mad at me," he added.
"I'm not."
The words came out of Ken's mouth almost immediately.
"Finally, you spoke to me."
Ken sighed.
"You were right. I was avoiding you. Even though you never said yes or no..." Ken paused. "I know it sounds silly, but it was the hardest time of my life."
"I'm sorry..."
"You don't have to be."
Ken cut him off.
"You were right from your perspective. There wasn't anything wrong with what you did."
Noel stayed silent.
"There were times I hoped we'd meet again, at least like this, but it never happened. You're not a bad person."
Ken looked down at the table.
"Only now do I understand what your words meant. My feelings for you aren't the same anymore. They haven't faded completely, but they're not as strong as before."
Ken smiled bitterly.
"But I'm also confused."
"Ken... I'm not here to make things harder for you," Noel replied.
"I've thought a lot about what I said back then. Before this, I completely avoided you. I know that wasn't mature. It doesn't mean I'm mature now, either."
Noel took a deep breath.
"I was worried about my future. You were always that wholesome student who excelled at everything—even sports. I wasn't the same. I knew I couldn't handle all of that."
He laughed awkwardly.
"That's why I said what I said. But I still feel guilty for ghosting you like that."
Noel looked at him seriously.
"I don't know what our future looks like. But there was a time when we had fun together as friends."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I enjoyed those moments."
He hesitated.
"I don't want to confuse you, but... at least we can be friends, right?"
"Hmm."
Ken nodded.
Suddenly Noel looked around.
"Where's Alex?"
"He was..."
Ken looked toward the section where Alex had been searching for books.
But he wasn't there.
Noel noticed.
"I was thinking of practicing in the evening. If you're free, can both of you come?"
Ken nodded again.
With that, Noel left.
At the same time, Alex was staring at an open book without reading a single word.
Why did he come to Ken?
They must be talking.
What are they talking about?
Does Noel have feelings for Ken right now?
If he does, he'll make a move.
Thank God he didn't.
Wait...
What if he's trying right now?
Alex immediately snapped out of his thoughts.
He grabbed his books and hurried back.
When he reached Ken's table, Ken was sitting alone.
Ken noticed him.
"Where were you?" Ken asked.
"The librarian had to get this book from the back shelves. I went with him."
"Then sit."
Ken pulled out a chair for him.
Alex sat down.
How am I supposed to ask if Noel was here?
Wait.
Why do I even care?
"Alex."
"Hmm?"
Ken looked at him.
"Noel came by while you were gone."
"Oh really?"
Alex forced himself to stay calm.
"Did you talk to him?"
"Hmm. We talked."
Ken noticed Alex staring at him intensely.
"He said he wants to be friends with me. He admitted..."
Ken suddenly stopped.
The word admitted almost made Alex lose his composure.
"Admitted what?"
Alex leaned toward him.
A little too quickly.
Ken broke eye contact and looked away.
"He admitted that he was wrong for ghosting me after my confession."
"Oh..."
Alex let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Okay."
"That's it?" Alex asked curiously.
"He also wants us to join him at the court this evening."
Ken was still looking in another direction.
"What?!"
Alex almost shouted.
Several students looked over.
"Sorry."
He lowered his voice immediately.
Then he turned back to Ken.
"So what did you tell him?"
"I didn't say yes."
Alex sighed in relief.
"Or no."
The relief disappeared instantly.
Alex stared at him.
He wasn't sure why he felt this way.
But one thing was becoming obvious.
Noel's presence wasn't helping him at all.
"Okay... let's do it."
Alex picked up his pen.
"He wants to be friends."
Then he lowered his head and pretended to continue studying.
Ken wasn't sure what had just happened either.
To Be Continued...