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

The warm light of the setting sun colored the streets orange and gold. Haruto Kirigami strolled home, his hands in his pockets, his mind as still as the wind that whispered through the leaves.

She was several feet away, her recognizable figure silhouetted by the light of the setting sun. Time was momentarily suspended.

She hadn't changed. Same eyes, same hair, same posture. And yet—Haruto felt nothing.

Hyuka's eyes locked with his, and he knew she was uncertain. Like she was looking for something in his face. Some sort of reaction.

"…It's been a while," she finally spoke.

Her voice. It was the same, too. But it didn't carry the weight it used to in his heart.

Haruto looked at her for a moment before answering, his voice cold but easy.

He didn't ask her how she was doing. He didn't care.

Hyuka moved, looking a bit uneasy. She parted her lips as if to speak further, but Haruto didn't let her.

The streetlights went on as Haruto walked further towards his home. The experience played itself out in his mind, but not the way it would have happened before.

Previously, he would have felt something—anger, sadness, perhaps regret. But now?

Not due to suppressing memories. Not due to submerging pain. But due to the fact that it no longer mattered.

It was an odd sensation—one that made him feel lighter.

The following day at school, Nasaki Kitta leaned against the classroom wall, arms folded as she gazed at Haruto.

.You met her, didn't you?" she questioned, her expression unreadable.

Haruto didn't take the time to lie. "Yeah."

Nasaki let her head move slightly to one side. "And?"

No hesitation on his part. No forced impassiveness. Only the plain fact.

Nasaki looked at him for another heartbeat, then nodded as if she'd already suspected that would be his response.

She didn't question him about it. She didn't ask if he was all right. She simply knew.

And for some reason, that knowledge made Haruto feel even more at ease.

That night, Haruto walked home once more, this time accompanied by Nasaki.

They didn't say much. They didn't have to.

There was no tension, no awkwardness—only a silent understanding between them.

Haruto looked up at the sky, the stars just starting to twinkle. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

"So, this is what it feels like to finally let go."

His heart was light for the first time in a long time.

And walking next to him at the same speed—without a single word, but closer than ever—was Nasaki.

Chapter 18: "No Longer the Same"