Before You Loved Me - Chapter 5: Keeping It a Secret

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The trip ended, but Kavin didn't return the same person.

He had left as a classmate.

He came back carrying a secret.

A secret he wasn't ready to tell anyone.

Monday morning.

Kavin arrived at school earlier than usual.

As he walked into the classroom, he saw Khem sitting by the window, reading quietly.

The sunlight fell across his face.

Without realizing it, Kavin smiled.

"Good morning, Khem."

Khem looked up from his book.

"Morning."

"You came early."

"I always do."

Kavin laughed.

"I guess I never noticed."

"You were usually talking to everyone else."

That single sentence made Kavin pause.

He realized Khem had noticed him too.

Maybe not the way Kavin wanted...

But enough to remember his habits.

At lunch, Than and Rin sat across from Kavin.

Than frowned.

"You're acting weird."

"Weird?"

"You've been smiling at your phone all day."

"I have?"

Rin looked at him calmly.

"You also keep looking toward Khem."

Kavin almost choked on his drink.

"I do not."

Than folded his arms.

"You've looked over there at least ten times."

"I was just..."

"Just what?"

"...Checking the time."

Than looked at the clock hanging on the cafeteria wall.

"The clock is behind you."

Rin burst into laughter.

Even Kavin laughed at his own terrible excuse.

After school, Than and Rin walked with Kavin toward the basketball court.

Than suddenly stopped.

"Kavin."

"Hm?"

"Do you like someone?"

Silence.

Kavin stared at the ground.

He had planned to keep it hidden for as long as possible.

But these were his closest friends.

He trusted them.

"...Yeah."

Than's eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

Rin smiled softly.

"I thought so."

Than leaned closer.

"Who is it?"

Kavin stayed silent for a long moment.

Then he quietly answered.

"...Khem."

Than blinked.

"Khem?"

"Our Khem?"

Kavin nodded.

"I don't know when it happened."

"I just..."

He smiled helplessly.

"...can't stop thinking about him."

Than was unusually quiet.

Finally, he placed a hand on Kavin's shoulder.

"Then don't rush."

"What do you mean?"

"If you really like him..."

"Be his friend first."

"Learn what makes him smile."

"Be someone he can trust."

Rin nodded in agreement.

"And don't expect anything in return."

"Love shouldn't become pressure."

Kavin listened carefully.

Their advice stayed with him.

That evening, Kavin was practicing basketball alone.

The court lights had already turned on.

He shot the ball again and again, but his thoughts weren't on the game.

They were on Khem.

"Should I tell him someday?"

"Would he be uncomfortable?"

"Would he stop talking to me?"

He caught the rebound and sighed.

"No..."

"It's too early."

"I'll keep this to myself."

He looked up at the evening sky.

"For now..."

"I just want to stay by his side."

For the first time, Kavin understood that loving someone didn't mean they had to love you back.

Sometimes...

It simply meant wishing for their happiness, even if your feelings remained a secret.5Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyAw0XjjrN

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