The days at Mizuhara International Academy continued to blur together, each day carrying its own small moments of discovery. For Htet, the days were filled with routine: classes, interactions with friends, and quiet moments spent walking the school grounds. He had settled into his role as the helpful and reliable friend, a position he didn’t mind, but lately, something had felt different. The subtle changes in his own thoughts and feelings remained hard to pin down, like the last embers of a dying fire that refused to fully extinguish.
And then there was Leila.
---
Leila was trying to get used to the constant whirl of new emotions that were rapidly taking root in her heart. Each time she found herself near Htet, she could feel her pulse quicken in a way that she couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just his kindness that stirred her, it was the way he could make her feel seen without ever demanding attention. It was the quiet confidence in his every movement, the way he could laugh about things that others might find frustrating. Htet wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and that, more than anything, made him magnetic.
But despite the undeniable pull she felt toward him, Leila held back, pulling herself further into her shell. She would laugh at his jokes, nod along with his explanations, but every now and then, she would catch herself lingering just a moment too long when their eyes met.
---
One Wednesday afternoon, after a particularly challenging math class with Ms. Saito, the group gathered together as usual in their favorite spot by the courtyard. Htet, as always, sat at the center, talking animatedly about his experiences with the complicated equations they’d just learned. Hana and Liam were busy debating whether or not math actually had any “real-world applications,” while Elena simply listened, her thoughtful gaze flicking between everyone.
Htet (laughing): “I think the trick is learning how to break everything down into small pieces. It’s all about simplifying things.”
Liam (grinning): “Simplifying things? I just need a calculator to make it through, Htet.”
Hana (teasing): “That’s why you always struggle in class, Liam. You need to learn how to solve problems without relying on technology.”
Liam (mock-glaring): “Oh, sure. Like you’re any better at math, Hana.”
While the others were caught up in their usual banter, Leila found herself lost in thought, watching Htet with quiet admiration. It was moments like these, when he laughed, when he looked at her with that gentle, easy smile, that made her heart race. But she couldn’t let herself get too close. She knew it wasn’t right, not when she hadn’t even fully settled into her new life yet. It was better to focus on the friends she had, the journey ahead of her.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
But as they sat there, the warmth of the afternoon sun wrapping around them, Leila felt her heart tug once again toward Htet. He had always been kind to her, more patient than anyone she had met, and there was something about him that made her feel understood in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Leila (softly to herself): He’s just being kind. It’s nothing more than that.
She forced her attention back to the conversation around her, but her thoughts remained with him, tracing the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way his voice held that quiet assurance. She had no idea how long she sat in silence, but when she looked up, she found that everyone had already finished their lunch and was getting ready to head to their next class.
Htet (noticing her distant gaze): “Leila? You okay?”
Leila (blushing, quickly shaking her head): “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.”
Htet (nodding, unaware of her internal struggle): “Well, if you ever need help with anything, just ask, alright?”
Leila smiled softly, nodding in appreciation, though her heart gave a small twinge of disappointment. He was being kind, but he was also treating her like any other friend. Nothing more.
Leila (thinking): I need to stop this. It’s not fair to either of us.
---
The days grew shorter as the season changed from autumn to the chill of winter. The air grew crisp, and students bundled themselves up in scarves and coats as they navigated the campus. For Htet, winter brought with it a new rhythm. The conversations were still the same, the laughter still echoed across the courtyard, but his interactions with Leila felt slightly different now. There was a tension between them, something neither of them had dared acknowledge but both could feel.
One evening, as the group prepared to leave for the day, Htet caught a glimpse of Leila standing alone by the school’s gates. The soft winter light cast a glow on her, and for a brief moment, he hesitated. There was something about her demeanor that made him want to walk over and ask if she was okay.
But as always, he found himself unsure. Was he reading too much into their recent interactions? Was he overthinking things again?
Htet (thinking, his heart racing slightly): Am I starting to feel something? Or am I just imagining it?
As he walked toward her, he noticed that Leila seemed lost in thought, her gaze distant.
Htet (softly): “Leila?”
She snapped out of her reverie, startled, before her lips curled into a small smile.
Leila (with a faint blush): “Oh, Htet. I didn’t see you there.”
Htet (smiling warmly): “You alright? You’ve been a bit quiet lately.”
Leila (shrugging): “Just thinking, I guess.”
Htet (looking at her curiously): “About what?”
Leila hesitated, her heart thudding as she fought to keep her voice steady. There was no way she could tell him what was truly on her mind. Not yet, at least.
Leila (quickly, in an attempt to deflect): “Just... adjusting, I suppose. Everything is still new to me here.”
Htet (nodding in understanding): “I get that. But you’re doing great. I’m sure you’ll feel more at home in no time.”
Leila felt a sharp pang in her chest. His kindness was a balm to her heart, but it was also a reminder of how much she had begun to care about him. But she couldn’t let herself linger on it. Not now.
Leila (forcing a smile): “Thanks, Htet. You’ve really made everything easier.”
---
As they walked together back from school, the silence between them grew comfortable. Leila found herself walking slightly behind Htet, as though putting distance between them might ease the ache in her chest. She could hear the steady rhythm of his footsteps, the occasional murmur of a conversation from the others ahead, but all she could focus on was him.
The evening sky was growing darker, the stars beginning to twinkle faintly above.
Leila (thinking to herself): Maybe I’m better off keeping these feelings to myself. I don’t want to complicate things.
When they reached the road where they had to go separate ways, Htet turned to her with a smile, as always.
Htet (cheerfully): “I’ll see you tomorrow, Leila. Take care!”
Leila (softly, trying to hide the sadness in her voice): “Yeah, you too. See you.”
She watched as Htet disappeared into the crowd, her heart heavy but resolute.
Leila (thinking): Maybe it’s better this way. Maybe it’s time to let go of whatever this is.
But deep down, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
—(End of Chapter 9)---