The next few weeks after their first date were like a dream for Aizen and Violet. They spent more time together, sharing secrets, laughter, and quiet moments that strengthened their bond. But as much as they enjoyed their newfound closeness, there was one thing they both knew they had to face: making their relationship public.

  Violet, in particular, was nervous about it. She had always been a private person, someone who preferred to stay in the background rather than in the spotlight. The thought of everyone at school knowing about their relationship made her stomach flutter with anxiety. But she also knew that keeping it a secret wasn’t fair to either of them, especially Aizen, who deserved to be acknowledged as someone important in her life.

  Aizen, on the other hand, was more at ease with the idea, though he understood Violet’s concerns. He wanted to support her in whatever decision she made, but deep down, he also felt that going public would solidify their relationship in a way that nothing else could. It would be a declaration to the world—and to themselves—that they were committed to each other.

  One evening, as they walked together in the park, Aizen brought up the topic.

  “Violet,” he began, glancing at her with a gentle smile, “I’ve been thinking... maybe we should let everyone at school know about us.”

  Violet looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. “You mean... make it public?”

  Aizen nodded. “Yeah. I know it’s a big step, but I think it’s important. We shouldn’t have to hide how we feel about each other.”

  Violet bit her lip, mulling over his words. She knew he was right. They had nothing to be ashamed of, and their relationship was something to be proud of. But the fear of judgment, of people’s whispers and stares, still lingered in her mind.

  “I’m just... worried about what people will think,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Aizen stopped walking, turning to face her. He gently took her hands in his, looking into her eyes with sincerity. “Violet, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. The only thing that matters to me is how we feel about each other. If we’re happy, that’s all that should matter.”

  Violet felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. Aizen had a way of making her feel safe and loved, and in that moment, she realized that she didn’t want to hide anymore. She wanted to be with him openly, without fear or hesitation.

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  “You’re right, Aizen,” she said softly, a small smile forming on her lips. “Let’s do it. Let’s make it public.”

  The next day at school, they decided to take the plunge. Aizen and Violet walked into the school building together, their hands intertwined. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes. As they made their way through the hallways, they could feel the curious eyes of their classmates on them, whispers beginning to spread like wildfire.

  At first, Violet felt a surge of anxiety, but Aizen’s steady presence beside her gave her the strength she needed. They reached their homeroom, where Ryuen and Kei were already waiting. Ryuen, ever observant, immediately noticed their linked hands and raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

  “Well, well, looks like you two finally decided to make it official,” Ryuen teased, leaning back in his chair.

  Kei, on the other hand, looked genuinely surprised, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of them together. “Wait, you guys are... together? Like, for real?”

  Aizen chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, Kei. We are.”

  Kei’s surprise quickly turned into excitement. “That’s awesome! I’m so happy for you guys!”

  Violet blushed at the attention, but seeing how supportive their friends were made her feel more at ease. Ryuen gave Aizen a knowing look, nodding in approval.

  “I knew it would happen sooner or later,” Ryuen said with a grin. “You two were always meant to be together.”

  The news spread quickly throughout the school, and by lunchtime, it seemed like everyone knew about Aizen and Violet’s relationship. There were a few surprised reactions, some envious glances, and of course, the usual gossip. But overall, the response was positive. Their classmates seemed genuinely happy for them, and the initial buzz soon settled into acceptance.

  As the days went by, Aizen and Violet found that being open about their relationship made things easier. They no longer had to hide their feelings or worry about being seen together. Instead, they could enjoy each other’s company openly, whether it was walking to class, studying in the library, or spending time together after school.

  One afternoon, as they sat together in the courtyard, Violet leaned her head on Aizen’s shoulder, a contented smile on her face. “I’m glad we decided to do this,” she said softly.

  Aizen smiled, wrapping his arm around her. “Me too, Violet. It feels good to be ourselves, without hiding anything.”

  Violet nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. Being with Aizen had brought so much happiness into her life, and she knew that as long as they were together, they could face anything that came their way.

  And so, as they sat there in the warm afternoon sun, surrounded by the sounds of laughter and chatter from their classmates, Aizen and Violet knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together. A journey that they would face side by side, with love, trust, and the unbreakable bond they had formed.

  To be continued...