If This Concern Is Only an Echo Born of Loneliness

We used to share the same subway ride after school and sit at neighboring desks in class. That was the extent of my connection with Feng Jiyue.

In everyone's eyes, she was always calm and composed, a model student without a single flaw.

Then one Friday, when we stayed late to work on the class bulletin board, jokes, tentative probing, and an awkward invitation on the subway quietly began to peel away her facade.

I watched her let down her guard. She could sleep in, blush to the tips of her ears, and, just once in a while, steal a little time from her endless memorization.

I got into the habit of teasing her with my smart mouth, spent ages agonizing over what to wear, and kept blurting out the oddest anime references.

With every casual stroll and chat, the distance between us slowly closed, and my heart kept getting carried away.

I just don't know if this growing affection of ours will ever reach an ending with an answer.