Things Left Unsaid
868 Words
CHAPTER 9
The festival was slowly ending.
Lanterns still glowed around the academy gardens, but the crowds had started thinning out little by little. Music echoed softly in the distance while students returned to their dorms laughing tiredly.
Meanwhile—
Leanne and Chris were still sitting on the garden bench together.
Neither of them seemed in a hurry to leave.
Chris stretched his arms dramatically.
“My legs are dead.”
“You’ve been sitting for twenty minutes.”
“Exactly. Tragic.”
Leanne snorted softly.
Chris looked personally offended.
“You’re mocking my suffering.”
“You’re too dramatic to suffer properly.”
“That’s incredibly disrespectful.”
Leanne laughed again.
Honestly?
Being alone with Chris felt easy.
Too easy.
And maybe that was dangerous.
Because every time he smiled at her—
Every time he looked at her like she mattered—
Leanne’s chest started feeling warmer and warmer.
Chris suddenly leaned closer slightly.
“You know…”
Leanne blinked.
“…What?”
“You laugh differently now.”
“…What does that even mean?”
Chris rested his chin against his hand while staring at her thoughtfully.
“When we were kids, your laugh sounded smaller.”
Leanne froze slightly.
“You remember that?”
“Of course I do.”
His answer came too quickly.
Too naturally.
Like remembering her was obvious.
Chris smiled softly.
“You used to hide behind me all the time too.”
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
“You cried after losing rock-paper-scissors once.”
“That was emotional betrayal.”
Leanne burst into laughter again.
Chris immediately pointed at her triumphantly.
“See? That laugh.”
Leanne shook her head while smiling helplessly.
Why does he remember so many small things about me?
Then suddenly—
A cool breeze passed through the gardens.
Leanne shivered slightly.
Chris noticed instantly.
Without even thinking—
He removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders carefully.
Leanne blinked in surprise.
“…Chris.”
“You’re cold.”
“What about you?”
“I’m naturally powerful.”
“You’re literally shivering.”
“I’m shivering heroically.”
Leanne laughed quietly before pulling the jacket closer around herself.
It smelled like vanilla again.
And somehow—
That made her heartbeat worse.
Why does everything about him affect me now?
Chris leaned back against the bench again while looking up at the night sky quietly.
For once—
He wasn’t talking.
Wasn’t teasing.
Wasn’t being dramatic.
Just… quiet.
Leanne glanced at him carefully.
And suddenly another thought appeared.
He looks lonely sometimes.
The thought caught her off guard.
Because Chris always smiled.
Always laughed.
Always acted clingy and playful.
But every now and then—
There were moments where his expression looked strangely empty for just a second before disappearing again.
Like now.
“Chris?”
He blinked before looking toward her again immediately.
The soft smile returned instantly.
“Hm?”
There it is again.
That mask-like smile.
Leanne frowned slightly.
“What were you thinking about?”
Chris stared at her quietly for a second.
Then smiled casually.
“Nothing important.”
Lie.
For some reason—
Leanne could tell he was lying.
But before she could ask more—
Chris suddenly stood up dramatically.
“I want ice cream.”
Leanne blinked.
“…At night?”
“Yes.”
“That’s unhealthy.”
“That sounds like a future me problem.”
Before she could answer—
Chris grabbed her wrist again.
Leanne nearly laughed.
“You seriously drag people everywhere.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
“That’s kidnapping.”
Chris gasped dramatically.
“Wow. After I kindly offer you ice cream too?”
“…You’re buying?”
“Obviously.”
“…Lead the way.”
Chris grinned brightly before pulling her through the nearly empty festival pathways.
And honestly?
Leanne didn’t pull away.
---
A few minutes later, they sat near a quiet fountain with cups of ice cream in their hands.
Chris happily ate his strawberry flavor while looking completely at peace.
Leanne watched him quietly.
Why does he look happiest during small moments like this?
Not during attention.
Not during crowds.
Just…
Simple moments.
Then Chris suddenly noticed her staring again.
“You keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Looking at me like I’m suspicious.”
“You are suspicious.”
“That hurts my feelings.”
“You’ll survive.”
Chris laughed softly before taking another bite of ice cream.
Then suddenly—
“…Lea?”
“Hm?”
“I missed you.”
Leanne froze completely.
Chris said it so casually.
So honestly.
Like it was the simplest thing in the world.
“I really did,” he admitted quietly while staring down at his ice cream cup. “Things got boring without you around.”
Something inside Leanne’s chest tightened painfully.
Because somehow—
She believed him completely.
Then Chris smiled again before nudging her shoulder lightly.
“So don’t disappear again, okay?”
Leanne looked at him quietly beneath the glowing festival lights.
And for the first time—
She realized something terrifying.
She was already starting to fall for him.
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