Extra 6: The Simple Things

It was a typical afternoon at school. The corridors were buzzing with students finishing their classes and rushing to their next activity. Shen Yu, as usual, was walking to the cafeteria with Bai Xue by his side, chatting about their latest homework assignments when he felt a familiar presence behind him.

Before he could even react, Lu Zhixuan's arm slipped around his shoulders, his warmth immediately comforting Shen Yu. "You're looking a little cold," Lu Zhixuan said, his voice casual, but with a hint of concern.

Shen Yu, who had been rubbing his arms absentmindedly in the chilly hallway, glanced up at him in surprise. "I'm fine," he muttered, shrugging off the obvious discomfort.

But before he could protest further, Lu Zhixuan was already slipping his jacket off and draping it over Shen Yu's shoulders. "Here, take it," he said with that signature smirk of his, clearly unaffected by the cold himself.

Shen Yu blinked at him, taken aback by the small yet thoughtful gesture. "You don't need to—"

"I do, actually," Lu Zhixuan interrupted with a teasing smile. "Besides, you look like you need it more than I do."

Shen Yu shook his head, trying to keep his heart from racing. He pulled the jacket tighter around his shoulders, the fabric feeling surprisingly warm against his skin. It wasn't the grand, romantic gesture that might make people swoon; it was just a simple act of care, but it made Shen Yu feel seen in a way that nothing else had.

"Thanks," he muttered quietly, not quite meeting Lu Zhixuan's gaze, though his heart thudded in his chest.

Lu Zhixuan merely grinned, his hand brushing against Shen Yu's as they walked toward the cafeteria. "No problem."

As they reached the lunch counter, Shen Yu picked out his usual, a simple sandwich and a drink. Lu Zhixuan had already paid for his food, as he always did, and was sitting at their usual table by the window. As Shen Yu made his way over, he noticed something odd—a small sandwich was sitting on Lu Zhixuan's tray.

"Didn't you get enough food today?" Shen Yu raised an eyebrow as he sat down, glancing at the extra sandwich.

Lu Zhixuan shrugged, his grin widening as he caught Shen Yu's gaze. "I didn't think you'd want to walk around hungry. I saved you the last one."

Shen Yu blinked in surprise. He opened his mouth to protest, but when their eyes met, the words died on his tongue. It wasn't just the fact that Lu Zhixuan had thought ahead to save it for him—it was the way he did it so naturally, without asking or even thinking twice about it.

"You really didn't have to do that," Shen Yu said, his voice softer now, his heart warming despite himself. "You're always so..." He trailed off, unsure of how to describe the feeling he was experiencing.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Lu Zhixuan's smirk was playful, but there was something else in his eyes. "But I wanted to. What's wrong with that?"

Shen Yu sighed, half-exasperated and half-amused. "You're impossible."

But deep down, the truth was that those small, thoughtful gestures meant everything to Shen Yu. They were never loud or flashy; they didn't demand attention or praise. They were just little, quiet moments where Lu Zhixuan showed up for him in ways that were so simple, yet so meaningful.

As they ate, the world around them continued to move. Other students were laughing, chatting, and eating, but in the bubble of their own little world, Shen Yu realized that it wasn't the big romantic moments that made him feel so deeply connected to Lu Zhixuan—it was these moments, these everyday acts of kindness and care.

Even as the day wore on, with exams looming and the usual school chaos swirling around them, Shen Yu felt a strange sense of peace settle in his chest. It was moments like these—simple, genuine, and quiet—that made him feel more loved than any grand declaration ever could.

And when they finally got up to leave, Lu Zhixuan brushed his hand against Shen Yu's once more, his thumb lingering just a little longer than necessary. Shen Yu didn't pull away. Instead, he gave him a soft smile, the kind that said everything without needing words.

He was starting to realize that, maybe, this was enough. Just being here with Lu Zhixuan, sharing these simple moments, was everything he had ever needed.