shu1031

Haruto Kirigami is a brilliant and handsome high school student who keeps his looks and real self behind unkempt hair, glasses, and an icy attitude. Haunted by a painful past, he has issues with trust and likes to be alone, keeping everyone at arm's length.

Nasaki Kitta, a lovely and smart girl, has secret feelings for Haruto but keeps them hidden behind a genial and calm surface. Even though she has such feelings, it is hard for her to approach him because he is antisocial.

With small, silent moments—such as brief conversations in the library, shared glimpses in the hallway, and small gestures of kindness—their bond slowly begins to develop. As Haruto's walls begin to break down, Nasaki becomes a beacon of warmth and compassion in his otherwise icy existence.

The narrative weaves through key high school moments: a school festival where Haruto comes out of his shell, a home visit that introduces Nasaki to his secret world, and a touching graduation where Haruto finally accepts the future with renewed hope.

Curtains of the heart

Haruto Kirigami liked to be alone. It wasn't that he disliked people he just didn't require them. At least, that's what he believed.

Following the group project, something odd occurred.

"Yo, Kirigami!" Tanabe said as he walked by Haruto's desk one day. Haruto did not reply, hoping him to pass by.

But Tanabe did not. Instead, he smiled. "Great job on the research, man. We aced that presentation."

Haruto blinked. They normally ignored him, whispered behind his back, or looked away. This was… different.

"Yeah," Haruto said after a moment.

Tanabe laughed, slapping him on the back before continuing on his way.

Even Ishida, who had hardly spoken to him before, nodded at him in the corridor.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to make Haruto nervous.

People were beginning to treat him like a normal person.

And he didn't know how to feel about it.

Haruto had a routine. At lunch, he would sit at the most distant table, by the window, away from the commotion of the cafeteria.

Today was no exception—until Nasaki Kitta appeared and sat down across from him.

Haruto glared at her. "What are you doing?"

"Having lunch," she said indifferently, opening her bento box.

Nasaki ate a bite of her food before responding. "Why not?"

Haruto sighed. "You have other friends."

"And?" She cocked her head. "You don't own this table, do you?"

He clicked his tongue. "Do whatever you want."

Nasaki just smiled, eating in silence.

For the first few minutes, Haruto acted like she wasn't there. But there was something about her being there that… wasn't intrusive at all.

She wasn't bombarding him with questions or trying to make small talk.

And, oddly enough, Haruto didn't care.

The second day, it occurred again.

By the fourth day, Haruto did not even question it anymore. Nasaki would spot him at lunchtime, sit beside him, and have her meal as if it were the most normal thing to do.

She would sometimes chat about anything—homework, something silly she heard in class, or childhood stories.

Other times, she wouldn't say much at all, and they would just sit in silence.

Haruto had to admit… it wasn't terrible.

He wouldn't say he liked it, but he didn't dislike it, either.

During the last period, their homeroom teacher made an announcement.

"The school festival is coming up next month, and each class will be responsible for an event. Start thinking about ideas, because we'll vote on them tomorrow."

Haruto, however, immediately tuned it out. He had no intention of participating.

As soon as the bell rang, he grabbed his bag and walked toward the door—only to be stopped by Nasaki.

"Let's walk home together," she said.

"Because we're both leaving at the same time?" She raised an eyebrow.

They strolled side by side in comfortable silence for some time. Then Nasaki said something.

"You're not interested in the school festival, huh?"

Haruto scoffed. "What do you think?"

She laughed. "Figures. But you know, it might not be so bad."

Nasaki smiled. "For you to do something new."

Haruto turned away. "Not interested."

She didn't press the issue further, but something in the look she gave him made Haruto think she wasn't going to drop this so quickly.

And for some reason… that didn't annoy him as much as it should.

Later that evening, as Haruto was lying in bed, gazing up at the ceiling, he couldn't help but have his mind wander back to Nasaki.

Everyone else had lost hope after one or two futile efforts at communicating with him. But her? She persisted.

For the first time in a very long time, he caught himself thinking of someone other than himself.

And that disturbed him more than anything else.

Chapter 6: A Growing Connection