Echoes of Concern

Hinata's POV

“Where is he?” I had spent the entire afternoon searching for him, my worry growing with each passing minute. As I moved through the bustling hallways of the school, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach.

My first stop was the classrooms, where I hoped to catch him before he disappeared into the crowd. But when I arrived, the rooms were empty, the desks neatly arranged and devoid of any sign of him.

Undeterred, I pressed on, determined to leave no stone unturned in my quest to find him. I checked every corner of the school grounds, my eyes scanning the faces of my classmates for any sign of his familiar figure.

But as the final bell rang and the school began to empty out, my anxiety only grew. Haruto was nowhere to be found, and with each passing moment, the weight of my worry threatened to overwhelm me.

It wasn't until I remembered the quiet solitude of the library that a glimmer of hope flickered to life within me. Perhaps Haruto had sought refuge there, lost in the comforting embrace of books and knowledge.

With renewed determination, I hurried to the library, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. But when I arrived… the library was deserted, the shelves lined with rows upon rows of books, their spines gleaming in the dim light.

For a moment, I stood there, my heart sinking at the thought that I might have missed him once again.

But then, a sudden realization struck me, a small spark of hope amidst the darkness of my despair.

“The rooftop,” I told myself.

It was the one place I hadn't checked yet, the one place where Haruto might go to seek solace in the midst of his troubles. With a newfound sense of purpose, I dashed up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest as I prayed that I wasn't too late.

When I reached the rooftop, my breath caught in my throat at the sight of Haruto lying there, his form outlined against the fading light of the setting sun. I began to walk closer to him slowly.

“His fingers,” I noticed the way his fingers fidgeted nervously with the pages of the book resting on his face. It was a small gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the turmoil raging within him.

I knelt beside him, I reached my hand out to gently lift the book from his face.

"H-Haruto?" I called out softly, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He started at the sound of my voice as if emerging from a deep reverie. Slowly, he turned to face me, his eyes clouded with uncertainty.

"Hinata? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest. "I was worried about you."

“Don't worry about me, worry about yourself,” he answered.

“Are you okay, Haruto?” Looking at his face and how he acted, I know there's something wrong with him. From there, I decided to force him to say the truth.

“Yes,” Haruto replied.

“I know you're not, Haruto. Stop lying, you're not good at it.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his gaze fixed on some unseen point in the distance. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with emotion. "I don't know what to do, Hinata. My grades are terrible, and if I don't improve, my parents are going to kick me out."

I felt my heart break at his words, the weight of his despair pressing down upon me like a leaden cloak. Without hesitation, I reached out and gently took his hand in mine, offering what little comfort I could.

"You're not alone, Haruto," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "We'll figure this out together, I promise."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with gratitude and something else, something deeper and more profound. It was a silent acknowledgment of the bond we shared, a connection that transcended mere friendship.

“I'll help you with the upcoming exam,” I offered.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked, raising his body from lying down.

With confused words I remember replying, “Cause…we're friends,” I said. “And that's what friends do,” I continued and ended my sentence.

He froze before finally giving an answer. “I'd be happy.”

Hearing his answer, I excitedly replied, “Great, we will have reviews after school then, I'll let you know.”

“Cool. Coffees’ on me whenever you want some. Consider it as a token of gratitude,” he said.

“Thank you,” I brought myself up, ready to go downstairs.

“See you tomorrow?” he stated.

I walked towards the stairs and turned to him as I waved, “See you!”

I left him there lying gently bathed by the setting sun. With my last glance at him, I go down to get back home.

I smiled, I have no idea why I feel so happy and excited. Wait… why am I excited?!

“Wake up Hinata!” I scolded myself.

***

The next day at school passed in a haze, my mind preoccupied with the plans I had made with Haruto for our study session in the library. As the final bell rang, I gathered my things with a sense of anticipation, eager to get started on our study session.

Making my way to the library, I felt a flutter of excitement in my chest as I pushed open the doors and stepped inside. But as I looked around, my heart sank at the sight of the empty room, the shelves looming silently in the dim light.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly sent Haruto a message, letting him know that I was waiting for him in the library. Sitting down in one of the chairs, I tried to quell the rising sense of unease that gnawed at my insides.

But as the minutes turned into an hour, my excitement began to wane, replaced by a growing sense of worry. I checked my phone repeatedly, hoping for a response from Haruto, but each time I was met with silence.

Feeling a knot form in my stomach, I dialed Haruto's number, my fingers trembling as I waited for him to pick up. But after several rings, my call went unanswered, leaving me alone with my mounting fears.

Trying to push back the rising panic, I searched for any possible explanation for Haruto's absence. Maybe he had forgotten about our plans, or perhaps he had gotten held up with something at home. But deep down, I knew that something wasn't right.

As the minutes ticked by, my worry only grew, until it threatened to overwhelm me entirely. I knew I had to find Haruto, to make sure he was okay, no matter what it took.

Gathering my things, I made my way out of the library, determined to track down my friend and uncover the truth behind his sudden disappearance. For in the face of uncertainty, true friendship knows no bounds, and I would stop at nothing to ensure Haruto's safety and well-being.

To be continued…