Confession

September evening study sessions always carry a drowsy, dull air. The cicadas outside the window chirped sparsely, like the last echoes of late summer. Chen Yu bent his head over a complex physics problem, his pen scribbling dense formulas on the scratch paper, his mind a bit distracted.

Jiang Yizhou didn't come to class today.

The seat at the back table remained empty all day, and the faint smell of tobacco and sunshine disappeared. The only smell left in the air was the smell of chalk dust and paper, which made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

When the school bell rang, Chen Yu packed his bag much more slowly. As the classroom gradually emptied, he shuffled over to Jiang Yizhou's seat, hesitating whether to help him pick up the physics test paper that had fallen on his desk.

Just then, there were two gentle knocks on the back door of the classroom.

Chen Yu turned around and saw Jiang Yizhou standing at the door, carrying his schoolbag, his school uniform jacket zipped up neatly, his hair neater than usual, but with a subtle nervousness in his eyes.

"You're here." Chen Yu's heartbeat inexplicably quickened, and he subconsciously stood up straight.

Jiang Yizhou nodded, walked in, and closed the door behind him. Suddenly, they were the only two people left in the classroom. "I've been waiting for you for a long time." His voice was a little low, not as casual as usual.

"Why didn't you come to class today?" Shen Yu asked, his eyes falling on him with a bit of unconcealable worry.

"Something." Jiang Yizhou responded vaguely without elaborating. He just walked up to him and looked at him intently.

Shen Yu felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by him. He lowered his head and his fingers unconsciously picked at the strap of his schoolbag: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Yizhou took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision. He took a small step forward, closing the distance between them. Chen Yu could even smell the familiar, clean soapberry scent on him.

"Chen Yu," Jiang Yizhou said, his voice was very soft but very clear, "I have something to tell you."

Shen Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up to meet his eyes. Jiang Yizhou's eyes were serious, devoid of his usual playfulness and arrogance, filled with a deep, unnerving emotion.

"I..." Jiang Yizhou paused, his Adam's apple rolling, "I think I like you."

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.

Chen Yu stared at him blankly, his mind was blank, and the only sound in his ears was his own violent heartbeat, beating "dong dong" and making his eardrums hurt.

He'd wondered many times if Jiang Yizhou's kindness to him was merely a momentary sympathy, like the wind, fleeting as it came. He'd even secretly practiced how to return to his old life if this kindness disappeared one day.

But he never thought that Jiang Yizhou would say this to him.

"It's not the kind of love you feel as a friend," Jiang Yizhou added, looking at his stunned expression. His tone was a little anxious and a little clumsily serious. "It's the kind of love I feel, wanting to be with you every day, wanting to see you smile, wanting to... always be with you."

His voice was a little tense, and his fingertips were slightly curled up, and he was obviously nervous.

Chen Yu opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His eyes suddenly felt hot. The emotions he had hidden deep in his heart, the joy he had suppressed due to his low self-esteem, were suddenly revealed at this moment, making his heart feel blocked.

It turns out that it is not a one-man show.

It turns out that the tree that sprouted and bloomed because of the other person was also carefully cared for by the other person.

"I know..." Jiang Yizhou saw that he had been silent, his eyes darkened, and there was a hint of uncertainty in his tone, "I know I may not be your type. I have poor grades and I am always causing trouble..."

"No." Chen Yu finally found his voice, choking slightly, "I didn't..."

He raised his head, looked into Jiang Yizhou's eyes, and said seriously, "I like you, too."

Jiang Yizhou froze, seemingly unable to react. His eyes gradually widened, a light of surprise gradually ignited in them, like a ignited spark. "What did you say?"

"I said, I like you too." Chen Yu's voice was not loud, but very firm. After saying this, his cheeks instantly burned, and he lowered his head in a hurry, but was grabbed by Jiang Yizhou's wrist.

The other person's palm was very hot and slightly sweaty, but the strength was very gentle, as if he was afraid of hurting him.

"Chen Yu," Jiang Yizhou's voice was filled with an uncontrollable smile, and it was a little trembling, "Say it again."

Chen Yu was amused by him and wanted to laugh, but his eyes became even hotter. He raised his head, met Jiang Yizhou's sparkling eyes, and said word by word: "Jiang Yizhou, I like you."

This time, Jiang Yizhou didn't ask any more questions. He looked at Chen Yu and suddenly laughed, like a child who got candy, and the light in his eyes was brighter than the moonlight outside the window.

He gently tightened his grip on Shen Yu's wrist, then slowly loosened it and took his hand instead.

The moment their fingers intertwined, Chen Yu felt an electric current running up along her fingertips, warming her heart all the way. Jiang Yizhou's hands were warm, with a reassuring warmth.

"Then..." Jiang Yizhou looked at him, unable to hide the smile in his eyes, "From now on, you are mine?"

Shen Yu's cheeks turned red at his somewhat overbearing words, but he still nodded gently.

The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a gentle silver glow on the clasped hands of the two young men. The evening study room was so quiet that they could hear each other's heartbeats, as if they were playing a lively song together.

Chen Yu looked at Jiang Yizhou's smiling face and suddenly felt that the long winter after his parents left was finally over.

And his spring has just begun.

With Jiang Yizhou by his side, he is not afraid even if there are storms ahead.

Because they will walk together, like two trees leaning against each other, and slowly grow into each other's support over time.