Interlude: Just The Two of Us

The soft hum of the vending machine filled the air as I pressed the button for a can of warm coffee. The quiet rooftop was a rare escape from the usual school chaos, and right now, it was just me and the distant sound of the city beyond the school walls.

Just as I cracked open the can, the rooftop door creaked open.

"…I knew you'd be here."

I turned to see Hinata standing at the entrance, her hair slightly tousled by the wind. She walked over, her usual confident gait a little slower than usual.

"You found me," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "What, did you have a tracker on me or something?"

Hinata rolled her eyes. "I don't need one. You always disappear after lunch. You're too predictable."

I smirked. "Or maybe you just pay too much attention to me."

She clicked her tongue but didn't deny it. Instead, she plopped down beside me on the bench, pulling her knees up slightly as she gazed at the sky.

A comfortable silence settled between us.

"…Long day?" I asked after a moment.

She sighed. "Yeah. I had a pop quiz in math, and I totally bombed it."

"I'm not even surprised."

"Shut up," she muttered, bumping her shoulder against mine.

I chuckled before tossing her a drink I'd gotten from the vending machine. She caught it clumsily, blinking down at it.

"…You got one for me?"

"Yeah, well, I figured you'd show up," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.

Hinata stared at the can for a second before looking at me, her expression unreadable. Then, quietly, she murmured, "…Thanks."

It was rare to hear her voice that soft.

I turned away, feeling a strange warmth creeping up my neck. "…Don't mention it."

For a while, we just sat there, sipping our drinks, watching the sky shift from afternoon blue to soft orange.

"Hey, Yukito," Hinata suddenly said as she rummaged through her bag.

"…Here," she said, shoving a small box into my hands.

I blinked, looking down at it. "What's this?"

"Don't be dense. It's chocolate," she huffed, looking away. "I figured I should at least give you something today…"

I stared at her for a moment before grinning. "Wow, so even you have a sweet side."

"Shut up."

I chuckled, shaking my head as I opened the box. Handmade chocolates, a little uneven but carefully wrapped.

Something about it made my chest tighten.

"…Thanks, Hinata," I said, my voice quieter than before.

She didn't look at me, but I could see the tips of her ears turning red.

"Happy Valentine's, Yukito."

Maybe some things really were just that simple.

"Thank you, Hinata."

Although our relationship was a fake one... maybe...

Just maybe...