Chapter 25: A Subtle Distance

The reverberations of last night's game of Truth or Dare still lingered in Haruto Kirigami's mind, although he tried not to care. He had told the truth. He hadn't lied. But there was something about the way it happened—when he confessed he had a crush—that stood out as a mistake.

And now, everything wasn't the same.

The following morning, Haruto entered the classroom, anticipating another ordinary day. But there was something amiss.

Nasaki Kitta wasn't even glancing at him.

Usually, she'd steal a peek in his direction. Perhaps toss a teasing remark or an amused smile. But today—nothing.

She sat at her desk, chatting quietly with other students, as if nothing had occurred the day before.

Haruto sat down, gazing out the window. He wasn't one to overanalyze, but an odd unease settled in his chest.

Why was she ignoring him?

It wasn't apparent. Nasaki was still smiling, still being her normal self. But Haruto picked up on the little things. The way she didn't glance in his direction. The way she answered too hastily when someone else addressed her. The way she maintained just enough space between them.

Something had shifted.

And Haruto despised it.

By lunchtime, the sensation only intensified.

Haruto had intended to dine in his own corner—the quiet bench by the rooftop stairs. Usually, Nasaki would have an excuse to sit close, teasing him for eating alone.

But today, she wasn't there.

Instead, he saw her sitting with a group of students in the cafeteria.

Haruto scowled. She wasn't the kind to join large groups. And yet, there she was—laughing, chatting, as if everything was normal.

He clenched his jaw and turned away.

It shouldn't bother him. It didn't matter.

But it did.

After school, Haruto walked toward the school gates, his mind restless. The usual rhythm of his quiet life felt disrupted.

And then—he saw her.

Nasaki was a few steps ahead, walking alone.

Without thinking, Haruto quickened his pace until he was beside her.

She blinked in surprise but quickly forced a small smile. "Oh. You're here."

Haruto did not react immediately. He simply walked beside her, keeping pace.

Then, at last—

"Are you avoiding me?"

Nasaki winced.

It was only a moment, a brief pause, but Haruto noticed it.

"N-No," she replied too hastily. "Why would I?"

Haruto's black eyes regarded her warily. "You tell me."

Nasaki made an embarrassed little laugh. "You're reading too much into this, Haruto. I've just been… busy."

Haruto didn't believe her.

But he did not press the issue.

".Right," he growled.

For an instant, silence hung between them. It wasn't awkward, but it wasn't the same as before.

Nasaki caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. She wanted to say something, anything to right this odd tension, but the words wouldn't leave her mouth.

And then—

"Hey, you two!"

A classmate ran up to them, smiling. "Are you guys joining the festival committee? They need more people to assist with preparations."

Haruto was going to dismiss the proposal outright.

But Nasaki forestalled him.

"Sure!" she said hurriedly.

Haruto looked at her, surprised.

The classmate grinned. "Great! The first meeting's tomorrow after school." And then they both looked at Haruto. "What about you?"

"No." The response was icy and quick.

But then—Nasaki looked at him.

"Come on, Haruto," she said, her tone bright but with a hint of something else. "It's just a school function. No big deal."

Haruto let out a sigh.

He would have said no again normally. But there was something about the way she spoke—the way she was still insisting on that smile—that made him hesitate.

".Fine."

The classmate applauded. "See you both tomorrow, then!"

And they were alone once more.

Haruto glanced at Nasaki, expecting her to be smug about dragging him into something.

But instead, she just looked… tired.

".You're really acting weird today," he muttered.

Nasaki didn't answer.

She just smiled—a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

They walked together in silence for a while, the sun setting in the distance.

Haruto thought about asking again. About pressing her for a real answer.

But in the end—

He didn't.

Because for some reason… he didn't want to hear what she had to say.

When Nasaki arrived home, she slung her bag onto her bed and fell back into her chair, exhaling.

Her heart was pounding.

She remembered yesterday's game—the way Haruto had confessed having a crush on someone.

He didn't confess on who.

But she was sure it was not her.

She disliked the pain.

She disliked that she cared so much.

She wished to suppress it, to forget, to force these emotions beneath the surface like she always did.

But it was becoming increasingly difficult.

And she wasn't certain if she could continue to pretend anymore.

Meanwhile, Haruto sat in his own room, gazing at the ceiling.

His chest ached, and he couldn't quite figure out why.

The manner in which Nasaki had been behaving… it irritated him more than it ought.

The manner in which she smiled but didn't look at him.

The manner in which she accepted the festival committee so readily.

The manner in which she appeared… distant.

It wasn't like her.

And for the first time—

Haruto understood something.

He missed her.

Not as a classmate. Not as someone who irked him.

He missed her.

And that frightened him more than any nightmare ever could.

End of Chapter 25