Sunday morning dawned slowly. The blackout had lasted all night, forcing the three of you to fall asleep in the dim glow of candles, nestled close under a single blanket on the couch.
You'd woken up first, your head resting on your quiet friend's shoulder while your best friend's arm was draped over your waist like it belonged there.
It would've been a perfect moment — if it weren't so complicated.
You slipped away silently and made tea, standing in the kitchen trying to untangle the knot in your chest. They both loved you. You loved them too — but in different, complicated, beautiful ways.
By the time they woke up, the candles were melted down, and sunlight filtered softly through the windows.
No one spoke of last night's confessions.
Not directly.
Your best friend gave you a lazy smile over breakfast. "You kicked me in your sleep. I might need therapy."
Your quiet friend merely handed you your tea, fingers brushing yours.
The silence said more than words.
But Monday arrived too quickly, and with it, the familiar chaos of school. As you stepped onto campus, your best friend jogged to your side, slinging an arm around your shoulder with a cheerful grin that didn't quite reach their eyes.
"Guess what?"
You raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"There's a transfer student in our class. She's already got people buzzing."
Indeed, by the time you entered the classroom, a crowd had gathered around the front desk. A girl stood there, effortlessly poised. Long black hair, sharp eyes, and a smirk that screamed confidence.
Your quiet friend leaned toward you, voice barely above a whisper. "That's her. Her name's Asuka."
She turned, almost as if sensing your attention, and locked eyes with you.
Her gaze lingered.
Then she smiled.
You blinked. "Why is she looking at me like that?"
"Because you're popular," your best friend replied, trying to sound casual. "Everybody likes you."
"No," the quiet friend murmured. "It's different."
Asuka was assigned the seat directly behind you — and before the day was done, she had already asked you to join her for lunch.
"She's not shy, huh?" your best friend muttered as the three of you stood outside during break.
You hesitated. "I didn't say yes."
"Maybe you should," said your quiet friend, surprising you.
You turned. "What?"
"If you're unsure about us... maybe some space would help," they said, trying to sound neutral. "See how you feel when someone else gets close."
Your best friend stiffened. "That's not fair."
"Neither is waiting forever," they said softly.
You stared between them, that ache returning to your chest.
Before you could answer, Asuka approached, a confident sway in her step.
"Hi," she said brightly. "So… is this your fan club or something?"
You nearly choked on air.
Your best friend laughed sharply. "Something like that."
Asuka tilted her head, eyeing them both. "Interesting. Well, if they're done guarding you like royal knights, I was wondering if we could have lunch?"
You hesitated. You didn't want to hurt anyone. But maybe… just maybe, your quiet friend was right. Maybe a little distance would help you understand your own heart.
"Sure," you said softly. "Lunch sounds nice."
The shift in the air was immediate.
Your best friend's smile faded just a little.
Your quiet friend looked away.
Asuka, though, beamed. "Great. I'll wait by the rooftop."
She left with a wave, and the silence between you and your two closest people stretched like thin glass.
"I didn't mean anything bad," you said quietly.
"We know," your best friend replied. "We just... didn't expect you to say yes."
You nodded, feeling like something precious had cracked.
But you went anyway.
The rooftop was quiet, with a breeze that tugged at your hair. Asuka sat cross-legged near the railing, her lunch already open.
"You're more interesting than I thought," she said, not looking at you. "They both love you. And you're... stuck."
You sat slowly. "That's blunt."
"I don't do subtle."
You raised a brow. "And you're not shy about inserting yourself into things either."
She looked at you then, eyes sharp. "I'm not here to play rival games. I'm here because I'm curious."
"About?"
"You." She leaned in slightly. "You've got this softness to you, but you're stronger than they think. You're not just being indecisive — you're scared to hurt the one who loses."
You swallowed. "Because I care about both."
Asuka's gaze softened — not with pity, but with a quiet respect.
"Well," she said, sitting back, "maybe you need to ask yourself which one sees the real you... and which one sees the version they want."
The words stuck with you long after lunch ended.
That night, you sat at your desk, the weight of emotions pressing heavy on your chest. Your phone buzzed.
Best Friend:You looked cute today. Even when you were talking to that Asuka girl.
Quiet Friend:I left your favorite juice in your locker. Figured you'd forget lunch.
They both still cared.
They both were still waiting.
And somewhere, deep in your heart, you were beginning to realize — someone would get hurt.
And it might hurt you more than them.