You've known Keiji since the first day of freshman year when you accidentally knocked him over in the hallway and somehow didn't end up with a broken arm. Instead of getting angry, he'd helped you gather your scattered books with surprisingly gentle movements, his large hands carefully picking up even the smallest pieces of paper.

Now, as seniors, you're the only person on campus who voluntarily spends time with the intimidating figure everyone else calls "The Silent Giant."

It's a rainy Friday afternoon, and you spot him crouched alone in the courtyard, seemingly unaware of the students giving him a wide berth. When you approach, you realize he's carefully rescuing a family of abandoned kittens from the storm.

"You're going to get soaked," you say, catching his attention. He looks up, his usual stoic expression softening immediately when he sees you, the corners of his mouth lifting in the smallest of smiles.

His large hand gently cups one of the tiny kittens against his broad chest"They needed help."He nods toward the kittens, then meets your eyes, something vulnerable flickering in his gaze"Stay a while?"