Chapter 24: Truth and Dare Game

The room was alive with energy.

It wasn't every day a teacher didn't make it to class. Generally, students would use the chance to study, talk, or just relax and enjoy the reprieve. Today, however, Haruto's classmates had different plans.

"Let's play a game!" one of them exclaimed, already smiling.

Someone else clapped. "Yeah! Truth or Dare!

Haruto, sitting in the far corner of the room, sighed. He had no desire to join. He liked the quiet, the tranquility of being left alone.

Unfortunately, his peers had other ideas.

"Come on, Kirigami, play with us!" a boy shouted.

"No," Haruto replied immediately, his tone cold and remote.

"Aww, don't be so serious," another classmate tossed in. "It's just a game."

"No."

Even colder.

Nasaki, who had been sitting beside him, looked over at him. She knew Haruto wasn't the kind of person to get involved in this sort of thing. But still—

"Come on, Haruto," she said with a small smile. "It won't kill you to have a little fun."

"No."

Nasaki pouted. "Please?"

Haruto paused.

Nasaki didn't ask him for much. And when she did, she didn't nag too much. But today, she was gazing at him hopefully.

Haruto let out a deep sigh. ".Fine."

His classmates cheered.

Nasaki smiled.

The game had begun.

The circle of students took turns, answering silly dares or awkward truths. Laughter echoed through the classroom.

Then—

It was Haruto's turn.

A mischievous classmate grinned. "Kirigami, truth or dare?"

Haruto considered. He could take a dare, do something simple, and move on.

But before he could choose, someone else spoke up—

"Truth," another classmate suggested, smirking. "We'll ask him something interesting."

Haruto clicked his tongue. He had an awful feeling about this already.

"Fine," he said gruffly.

The classmate inched closer, eyes shining.

"Do you have a crush on anyone?"

Silence.

Haruto stiffened.

His instinct was to tell a lie. To dismiss it and say no.

But before he could speak, his thoughts betrayed him—

Nasaki.

The sight of her face appeared before his mind's eye. The way she smiled, the way she gazed at him, the way she had stroked his head the day before when he had awoken from his nightmare.

His heart pounded harder.

"Kirigami?" someone shouted, jolting him out of his trance.

Haruto slowly let out his breath.

He could lie. But for some reason… he didn't feel like it.

"…Yes," he spoke at last.

Gasps and excited whispers swept the room.

"Whoa, really?"

"Who is it? Tell us!"

"No way, Kirigami actually likes someone?"

Nasaki remained motionless, her heart dropping.

She had not anticipated Haruto to confess so readily.

She gripped her hands beneath the desk, attempting to suppress the tiny, persistent pain in her chest.

The game continued.

But Nasaki could hardly concentrate.

Haruto had a crush.

That alone made her feel uncomfortable. She wanted to believe that it didn't matter. That it wasn't significant.

But for some reason—

It hurt.

"Nasaki, your turn!" someone shouted.

She blinked. "Huh?"

"Truth or dare?"

Nasaki was hesitant.

"Truth," she whispered.

One of the girls smirked. "Do you have a crush on someone?"

Nasaki's whole body tensed up.

Her face blushed.

She wanted to deny it.

She wanted to skirt the question.

But her heart was already in betrayal.

Haruto.

Her emotions for him had been there for some time. Hidden, silent, becoming stronger without her knowledge.

And now, confronted with the question—

She couldn't lie.

"…Y-Yes," she grumbled.

The class exploded in excitement once more.

Nasaki didn't dare glance at Haruto.

But she felt his eyes upon her.

And she asked herself—

Was he thinking of her, too?

Haruto's Second Turn

The game went on, laughter and jibes filling the air.

Then—

It was Haruto's turn again.

"Truth or dare?" someone asked.

Haruto sighed.

He had just managed to get through the first round. He didn't want to have to answer another truth question.

"…Dare."

The students smiled wickedly.

"Alright, then. Tell us about your crush."

Haruto's face grew dark.

"No."

The class groaned. "Come on! That's the dare!"

"You chose dare, Kirigami! You can't change your mind now."

Haruto glared at them, then let out a sigh.

"…Fine," he muttered.

The room was filled with excitement.

"Tell us her personality!" one girl begged.

"What do you like about her?" another chimed in.

Haruto paused.

He could lie.

He could say something vague.

But for some reason—

He didn't want to.

His eyes flashed toward Nasaki, briefly.

Then—he spoke.

"She's stubborn," he said softly. "But kind."

The class fell silent for a moment.

Haruto went on, voice firm.

"She's smart. Annoying, sometimes. But… she cares, even when she doesn't have to."

Nasaki's breath caught.

Haruto wasn't looking at her.

But she felt as if—

He was speaking of her.

The class was whispering, trying to understand who he was referring to.

Nasaki, however—

She already knew.

And her heart was pounding.

As the game continued, Nasaki hardly even noticed.

Haruto's words lingered in her head.

Was he speaking of her?

It seemed he was.

And yet—

She wasn't sure.

Her fingers curled slightly, digging into the material of her uniform.

She wanted to know. She wanted to be sure.

But at the same time—

She was scared.

Scared of what the answer would be.

Scared that, if she let herself get her hopes up—

She could end up hurt.

She nibbled on her lip.

Perhaps it was better to act like she didn't know.

Perhaps it was safer to just leave things as they were.

But deep down—

She knew.

She wanted to know the truth.

Even if it frightened her.

The game finally ended.

The bell rang, and class was over.

Everyone began packing up, still laughing and talking about the game.

Haruto got up, stretching a little.

Nasaki hesitated.

Then—

She took a step closer to him.

"…Haruto."

He turned. "What?"

She gazed at him for a moment.

Then, with a tiny smile, she shook her head. "Nevermind."

Haruto scowled a little but didn't push her.

Nasaki sighed.

Perhaps… someday.

Someday, she would ask.

But for now—

She would just remain at his side.

Even if she never spoke the words aloud.

Because somehow.

That was enough.

For the moment.

End of Chapter 24