Shinzō no Oto


Author: MUTIA, KHARL IAN M.



CHAPTER 1: Ordinary Days, Ordinary Heartbeats

Haruki keeps his life quiet—books, headphones, silence.

Then there’s Ren.

Too bright. Too friendly. Too… noticeable.

At first, Haruki avoids him.

But somehow, Ren keeps appearing in his life like it’s natural.

“Hey, you always sit here alone?”

Haruki nods.

Ren smiles. “Not for long then.”

Haruki looks away too fast.

But his heart doesn’t.


 CHAPTER 2: The First Spark (Unintentional Closeness)

In the library, Ren sits beside him again.

This time, on purpose.

Their shoulders accidentally touch while reaching for the same book.

Both freeze.

“…Sorry,” Ren laughs, scratching his cheek.

But his ears are red.

Haruki notices.

And for the first time, he smiles a little.

Not much.

But enough for Ren to notice.

And now he freezes instead.


 CHAPTER 3: Slow Days, Loud Hearts

Lunch together starts “accidentally.”

Then it becomes a habit.

Ren shares food:

“Try this. It’s good.”

Haruki takes it.

Their fingers touch.

Silence.

Haruki chokes slightly.

Ren panics: “Are you okay?!”

Haruki nods quickly, avoiding eye contact.

But his ears are red.

Ren stares for a second—

then laughs softly.

“Why are you blushing?”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“I’m not.”

But they’re both smiling now.


 CHAPTER 4: Stolen Glances

Class feels different now.

Haruki catches Ren looking at him.

He looks away immediately.

Too late.

Ren already saw him looking.

Later, Ren whispers:

“You stare a lot, huh?”

Haruki nearly drops his pen.

“That’s not true.”

Ren leans closer, teasing:

“Then why are you looking at me now?”

Haruki’s face turns red instantly.

Ren laughs softly… but quieter than before.

Like he’s happy about it.


 CHAPTER 5: Rainy Day Closeness

Rain traps them in the school hallway.

No umbrella.

No escape.

Ren shakes his wet hair slightly, laughing.

“You look like a drowned cat.”

“I don’t.”

“You kind of do.”

Haruki finally smiles.

Ren notices.

And suddenly stops teasing.

For a second, they just look at each other.

Too long.

Too quiet.

Too close.

Haruki’s heart starts beating louder than the rain.


 CHAPTER 6: Unspoken Feelings

Walking home under a shared umbrella (too small for both of them).

Their shoulders keep brushing.

On purpose?

Maybe.

Neither moves away.

Ren suddenly says:

“You’re warm.”

Haruki replies:

“…You’re too close.”

But he doesn’t step away.

Neither does Ren.

Their fingers almost touch while holding the umbrella.

Almost.

Not yet.

But close enough to feel everything.


 CHAPTER 7: Almost Confession Moments

They hang out more now.

Studying together—but barely studying.

Ren doodles small hearts on Haruki’s notebook when he’s not looking.

Haruki notices.

Doesn’t erase them.

Ren sees that too.

Neither says anything.

But both are smiling like idiots.


CHAPTER 8: The Heart Speaks First

On a quiet afternoon under a tree:

Ren leans back, looking at the sky.

“You know…”

Haruki hums.

“I think I like spending time with you too much.”

Haruki pauses.

His heart jumps.

“…That’s dangerous,” he replies softly.

Ren turns his head slowly.

“Why?”

Haruki finally looks at him.

And this time, doesn’t look away.

“…Because I feel the same.”

Silence.

Then—

Ren smiles.

Soft.

Warm.

Real.


 FINAL CHAPTER: Tibok

They don’t rush.

They just exist together.

Walking home.

Sharing snacks.

Laughing over small things.

Stealing glances that last a little too long.

Haruki realizes something:

It was never sudden.

It was never loud.

It was always there—

growing quietly…

beat by beat…

tibok by tibok.

And now, every heartbeat?

Belongs to Ren.



Created by; KHARL IAN M. MUTIA