Episode 5: A Bus Crush

[Scene: Morning – On the Bus]

Days passed, and Elina had slowly moved on from Yuto. Her crush on him had faded, and she was focusing on her studies again. But life had a way of surprising her. One morning, while traveling to school on the bus, she noticed a boy sitting a few rows ahead. He looked calm, handsome, and… different. From the moment she got on the bus, his eyes seemed to find her.

Elina felt it — a strange, new feeling. She could feel when someone is looking at her, and this boy’s gaze was different. It was not teasing, not rude, not even casual. His eyes were pure, soft, and focused, as if he was seeing her for the first time and truly appreciating her.

For the entire journey, from the start station to the last stop, they didn’t talk. Not a single word. But Elina could feel something stirring inside her — a tiny spark of curiosity, of excitement. His presence was calm yet captivating. Every glance made her cheeks warm, and her heart beat a little faster.

Elina (FC) [thinking]: Wow… why do I feel this way? His eyes… they feel so kind.

[Scene: On the Bus – Journey]

Elina tried to look out the window, pretending she wasn’t aware of him. But she couldn’t stop sneaking glances. He was handsome, yes, but there was something more — a softness in his gaze, a quiet, pure intention that made her feel safe and noticed.

From the start of the bus ride, he didn’t break eye contact completely. Sometimes, he looked away quickly when she noticed him staring, but the moment she looked back, his eyes found hers again. For Elina, it was a new, exciting feeling. Her mind kept imagining small things — like him smiling, greeting her, or even just sitting near her.

Elina (FC) [thinking]: Could this be… another crush? But… it feels different.

[Scene: Last Station – Goodbye]

Finally, it was her stop. Elina’s heart felt heavy — she didn’t want the ride to end. As she got up and walked toward the door, she noticed him move closer to the window, trying to show her something, maybe his phone number or just a smile. Elina wanted to reach out too, but the moment passed.

They shared one last look, and both smiled at each other. That small, simple smile felt like a whole conversation. It was innocent, warm, and left a mark in her heart. Elina stepped out of the bus, feeling a little flutter in her chest. She knew this boy, whoever he was, had left a lasting impression.

As she walked away, she couldn’t stop thinking about the bus ride. She realized this was another crush — one of those pure, sweet, quiet crushes that made her heart beat faster without any words spoken.

Elina (FC) [thinking]: Another crush… but it feels nice. Calm, soft, and… exciting.

Elina smiled to herself, hugging her school bag a little tighter. Life seemed full of little surprises. Crushes could appear anywhere — in stores, on buses, or even in fleeting moments. And maybe that was what made them so special.

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