[ Rain's POV ]
Three months had slipped through my fingers. University life was a whirlwind of lectures and pressure, yet a strange, cold routine had settled over our apartment.
Fran still ignored me, and I still hadn't found the courage to tell our parents I wanted to move out. How could I explain it to them when I couldn't even explain it to myself?
Despite the suffocating silence at home, I was actually happy at school. Sean had become a constant. I still cooked lunch for him, but now he provided the ingredients. Sometimes, we went grocery shopping together—a simple domestic task that felt more comfortable with a stranger than it did with my own childhood friend.
We had just returned from the market to restock the fridge. It was usually empty anyway, since Fran never ate at home anymore.
"Exams are coming up," Sean said, leaning against the counter as I began to unpack.
"Should we study together later, Rain?"
"Eh? Don't you have soccer practice?"
"Oh. I just remembered." He pouted slightly. "Why don't you come and watch us play?"
"Nah. You know I'm not the athletic type. Why do you even keep inviting me?"
"Hahaha! Just for fun," he chirped, his eyes sparkling. "And so I can spend more time with you."
"There you go again with the lines," I teased, turning to the sink. "Don't do that with other people, Sean. You'll end up breaking too many hearts."
"What about you?" he whispered, suddenly stepping close. I felt his breath near my ear as I washed the vegetables. "Isn't it working on you?"
I didn't miss a beat. I lightly nudged his stomach with my elbow. "Ow! That actually hurt!" He let out a fake sob, leaning his forehead against my back and acting like a sulky puppy.
I couldn't help but smile. I turned around and patted his messy hair. "There, there. Is our puppy feeling grumpy?"
"Tsk. You really do treat me like a dog," he muttered, though he didn't move away.
"Because you act like one! Now, go. If you're late for practice, the coach will make you run extra laps again."
"Aye, aye, Master," he grinned, finally heading for the door. "I'll send you the study PDFs later. Bye, Rain!"
He left, taking his bright energy with him. The apartment felt instantly heavier.
Suddenly, a loud thud came from the bedroom, followed by the sharp creak of the door. I jumped, clutching my chest. Fran stepped out, his expression dark.
"Oh! You're here?" I gasped. "I thought you went out. The door was locked."
He didn't answer. He just looked at me with those icy, unreadable eyes. "My friends are hanging out here later," he said coldly. "Stay somewhere else for a while."
My heart sank. "But... the sun is already going down, Fran."
"And? You have plenty of new friends now. Go stay with one of them."
He didn't give me a choice. Before I could argue, I found myself walking toward the nearby 7-Eleven. I sat in a corner booth, nursing a drink and scrolling through my phone. Time moved like sludge.
By 10:00 PM, I hadn't heard from him. I walked back to the gate, hoping they were done, but the sound of loud laughter and music drifted from our windows. They were still there. I trudged back to the convenience store, put on my headset, and eventually, the exhaustion of the day won. I fell asleep against the cold table.
I woke up to a dead phone and a stiff neck. I glanced at the store clock.
3:00 AM.
Panic flared in my chest. I had to get home. But as I stood up, I saw a figure through the glass door. Fran was outside, doubled over and catching his breath as if he'd been running. I ran out to meet him.
"Fran? Are you guys done now?"
The moment he saw me, he lunged forward, gripping my shoulders. "What the hell, Rain! Why didn't you answer your damn phone?" He looked terrified and furious all at once.
"My phone... it died," I stammered, startled by his touch. "Were you... looking for me?"
For a second, his grip tightened. Then, his face went completely blank. He let go of my shoulders and straightened his shirt, his breathing slowly returning to normal.
"I'm buying milk," he said flatly, pushing past me into the store.
I waited for him outside, confused. When he came out, we walked back to the apartment in total silence. He walked a few paces behind me, and every time I glanced back, he was staring at the ground.
Buying milk at 3:00 in the morning? He was acting weird. And for the first time in months, this is the longest conversation we had.