Chapter 6 – The Unexpected Softness
885 Words
Ellise’s POV
The problem with someone replying after ignoring you for almost a week is… you start to expect it again.
Like clockwork, I kept checking my phone every ten minutes. At breakfast. On the jeepney. Even during philosophy class when the professor droned on about Aristotle.
But my inbox stayed empty.
By lunchtime, Amara Zoey had had enough.
“Ellise Blair, if you check your phone one more time while I’m talking, I’m staging an intervention,” she said, dramatically stabbing her fork into her salad.
I tore my eyes from the screen, flushing. “Sorry. I’m just—”
“Obsessed,” she interrupted.
“Curious,” I corrected.
“Delusional,” she said with a smug smile.
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I hate you.”
“No, you love me. And you love him,” she teased, leaning across the table. “Come on, admit it. You’ve got a crush.”
“I do not,” I shot back too quickly. My voice cracked on the “not.”
Amara’s grin widened. “That’s a yes in girl-language.”
I tossed a napkin at her. She ducked, cackling.
But later, as I sat in the café with my iced mocha, staring at the blank chat screen, I couldn’t deny it.
Maybe I did have a crush. A stupid, hopeless crush on someone who didn’t even know me.
Still, I typed.
> Good morning, Ice Prince. Did you dream of sloths last night?
Send.
My heart leapt the second it delivered. Then it plummeted. Why sloths again? I needed new material.
“Brilliant,” Amara said, leaning over to peek. “Truly Shakespearean.”
“Shut up,” I muttered, hugging my drink like it could shield me.
---
Renji’s POV – hours later
Schedules were stacked like bricks on my back.
Radio interview. Dance rehearsal. Recording session. Another dance rehearsal. And later—a late-night magazine shoot.
Manager’s voice never stopped. “Renji, straighten your posture. Renji, smile more. Renji, don’t forget you’re representing the group.”
I nodded, swallowed, obeyed.
But inside, I was unraveling.
During the van ride to the next schedule, I finally exhaled, leaning back in the seat. Kai had his earbuds in, Leo was half-asleep, and the others scrolled on their phones.
I pulled mine out.
And there it was.
Good morning, Ice Prince. Did you dream of sloths last night?
A laugh burst out before I could stop it.
Kai looked over. “What’s funny?”
“Nothing,” I muttered, turning to the window.
But the smile lingered.
I typed.
Renji Sage: No. I don’t dream of sloths.
Seconds later, the reply buzzed.
Ellise Blair: Lame. You should try it sometime. Very peaceful, I hear.
Another buzz.
Ellise Blair: I bet even Ice Princes need naps.
I shook my head, fighting the curve of my lips. She was absurd. Persistent. And yet… refreshing.
Renji Sage: You’re ridiculous.
Ellise Blair: Thank you. It’s my best quality.
And for the first time today, the weight felt lighter.
---
Ellise’s POV – later at campus café
When I showed Amara the texts, she nearly dropped her latte. “HE ACTUALLY REPLIED?!”
I grinned. “Three times.”
She grabbed my phone, scrolling with wide eyes. “Wait—hold up. He’s bantering with you. Do you know what this means?”
“That he doesn’t totally hate me?”
“That he’s cracking,” she whispered dramatically, eyes glittering.
“Cracking?”
“The Ice Prince façade,” she said, leaning in like we were in a spy movie. “And you, my dear, are the hammer.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide the grin spreading on my face.
Maybe she was right.
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Renji’s POV – late that night
The dorm was finally quiet.
The others had collapsed into bed after the shoot, but I couldn’t sleep. My body was exhausted, but my mind wouldn’t shut up.
So, I sat by the window, hoodie pulled over my head, city lights glowing below.
And, of course, I opened our chat.
For a while, I just stared. Then my fingers moved.
Renji Sage: Do you always talk this much?
The reply came instantly.
Ellise Blair: Yes. Get used to it. :)
I smirked.
Renji Sage: Annoying.
Ellise Blair: Admit it. You’d miss me if I stopped.
I froze. My chest tightened.
Would I?
The thought unsettled me. But instead of ignoring it, I typed slowly.
Renji Sage: …Maybe.
Her reply exploded across the screen in emojis and exclamation marks.
Ellise Blair: DID THE ICE PRINCE JUST SAY MAYBE?! Quick, someone record this historic moment!
I chuckled quietly, shaking my head.
Renji Sage: Go to sleep.
Ellise Blair: Only if you promise you’ll dream of sloths.
I sighed, a laugh slipping past my lips.
This girl… she was trouble.
But for the first time in months, I didn’t mind the trouble.
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Ellise’s POV – in bed
The glow of my phone lit up the dark.
He said “maybe.”
Renji Sage, untouchable idol, man of one-word answers, had maybe admitted he’d miss me.
I hugged my pillow, squealing into it so Amara wouldn’t hear.
For once, I didn’t feel like shouting into the void anymore.
And I fell asleep smiling.
- Writer
