The Kiss I Never Should Have Asked For - Chapter 26 – Between Trust and Doubt

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttBuMWJRmh

After asking Narin about Rin...

I decided not to bring the subject up again.

Relationships couldn't survive without trust.

And I wanted to trust him.

More than anything.

The next few days passed quietly.

Narin was kinder than usual.

He waited for me after class.

We ate lunch together.

He even walked me home.

For a while...

I felt relieved.

Maybe I really had been overthinking everything.

Maybe there was no problem at all.

Friday afternoon arrived.

The weather was unusually cool.

Dark clouds covered the sky, but it didn't rain.

Our last class ended early.

As I packed my bag, Narin walked over to my desk.

"I have to leave early today."

"Again?"

He looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry."

"I promised someone I'd help."

I forced a smile.

"Your mysterious friend?"

He laughed awkwardly.

"Something like that."

"When will I meet him?"

"One day."

His answer sounded lighthearted.

But for some reason...

It didn't make me feel any better.

After Narin left, I walked toward the junior building.

Korn was already waiting.

He looked at me for a moment before asking,

"P'Narin left again?"

I nodded.

"How did you know?"

"I saw him leaving the school gate."

We began walking toward our usual tree.

For a while...

Neither of us spoke.

Once we sat down, Korn took out our notebooks.

"You made a mistake here."

He pointed to one of my math problems.

"Oh..."

"I didn't even notice."

"You've been distracted lately."

"I guess I have."

Korn looked at me carefully.

"You don't have to pretend you're okay around me."

I smiled weakly.

"I know."

"And thank you."

They studied together until the sun began to set.

When everything was finished, Phawin closed his notebook with a long sigh.

"I think my brain has stopped working."

Korn laughed.

"Mine too."

They both stood up.

As they walked toward the school gate, Korn suddenly stopped.

"P'Phawin..."

"Hm?"

"I bought something."

He reached into his bag and pulled out two small ice creams.

"I thought..."

"...you might like one."

Phawin blinked in surprise.

"You remembered my favorite flavor?"

"You told me once."

"I remembered."

Phawin accepted it with a smile.

"Thank you."

They sat on a nearby bench, eating quietly.

The evening breeze was cool.

The school grounds were almost empty.

It was peaceful.

"I wish days like this lasted longer."

Phawin said without thinking.

Korn looked at him.

"They can."

"As long as you're smiling."

Phawin turned to look at Korn.

There was something sincere in his eyes.

No expectations.

No pressure.

Just quiet concern.

For the first time...

Phawin noticed how close they were sitting.

Close enough that their shoulders almost touched.

Neither of them moved away.

Neither of them said anything.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It felt...

Comfortable.

Safe.

Without realizing it...

Phawin had begun looking forward to moments like these.

And somewhere deep inside...

A small part of his heart was beginning to change.

He just hadn't admitted it yet.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYD1BUorWE

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