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 did not know when it began. Perhaps it was when in the library her smile seemed warmer than before. Perhaps it was when she always managed to draw him out of his isolation. Either way, he knew something was different. And that was precisely why he began to steer clear of her.

He convinced himself it was nothing. Just a passing thought. But in his heart, he knew the true reason—he was afraid.

Haruto was here before. He once had a crush. He once reached out. And he got rejected. It wasn't liking someone anymore—it was the fear of doing it again.

Haruto had been careful for the last few days. He avoided eye contact, took alternate routes, and even feigned sleep in class so that he would not have to speak to her.

She saw his changed demeanor, how he kept a distance from her. And she was angry about it.

Lunchtime. The cafeteria was full of students talking and eating, but Haruto wasn't listening. He had already made his escape plan prior to Nasaki's arrival—except she was quicker.

Before he could make a break, Nasaki caught his wrist.

"Not so quick, Kirigami," she said, her tone playful but serious. "Are you trying to get away from me?"

Haruto stiffened. He could lie, make something up, but something in the way Nasaki was looking at him made it impossible.

Instead, he groaned. "I just needed some space."

Nasaki's teasing grin lost its stability for a fraction of a moment. "Why?"

".I don't know," Haruto muttered, turning his eyes away.

Nasaki regarded him for an instant before releasing his wrist. "Fine," she said, folding her arms. "But don't think you can hide from me forever."

Because deep in his heart, he knew that she was correct.

Later on during the afternoon, fate got up to its trick again.

Haruto and Nasaki walked home together.

They did not say a word at first. The sun was setting, casting the sky in warm orange hues. The silence was not awkward, but Haruto could not shake the tension.

And then Nasaki blurted out, "Haruto, have you ever been in love?"

His thoughts instantly flashed back to his past—to the girl he had a crush on, the time he confessed, and the rejection that came after.

.I don't know," he eventually said.

Nasaki was laughing. "How can you not know?"

Haruto balled his fists. "It's complicated."

Nasaki leaned her head to one side, smiling. "So then let's simplify. If someone makes you happy when you're around them, and you want to preserve that happiness… that could be love."

For the first time, he truly considered it.

Did he want to preserve what they had? …Yes.

Nasaki had already proceeded ahead, without realizing Haruto had halted.

"Hey, coming or what?" she yelled back.

Haruto took a deep breath. He did not reply. He simply trailed behind her.

But in his heart, he already knew the reply.

Chapter 14: Unspoken Feelings