Chapter 27: A Step Closer

The sun shone brightly outside the school building, but the classroom inside was cold. Haruto Kirigami leaned his chin on his hand, sitting at his desk, gazing blankly out the window.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about today didn't feel right.

And when Nasaki Kitta entered the room, he knew why.

She didn't say hello.

Normally, she would toss in a teasing comment, call out his name, or at least look his way. But today, nothing. Just a brief glance—tense, almost hesitant—before she proceeded directly to her seat.

Haruto scowled.

It wasn't her style to shun him.

Something was certainly amiss.

The school festival was just days away, and preparations were on their climax. The whole class was abuzz with excitement while they completed adorning their areas.

"Fine, we need someone to manage the main stage decorations," said the class rep.

Some of the students rolled their eyes, already tired with their own duties.

"Kirigami and Kitta, can you?"

Haruto's fingers wiggled.

He looked at Nasaki, who had spoken hardly a word to him all morning. She hesitated before nodding.

"Yeah… sure."

And just like that, they were together again.

As they worked, Haruto couldn't help but notice it again—the distance.

Normally, even when they were working and busy, Nasaki would cover the silence with small talk or mild teasing. But today, she was silent.

Too silent.

The atmosphere between them was heavier than before.

"Are you going to continue acting like this?" Haruto asked at last, ending the silence.

Nasaki's fingers, which were tying a banner, stiffened for an instant.

"I am not acting," she replied without glancing in his direction.

Haruto sighed. "So, really? Then why aren't you going to look at me?"

She shifted her head away a bit, tightening the knot on the banner. "…I just don't feel like talking much today."

Haruto glared at her, his keen eyes examining her face. She was shying away from his eyes—something Nasaki never did.

"…Fine," he grumbled, going back to work.

If she didn't want to speak, then he wouldn't push the issue.

But the way she was shying away from his eyes made him realize—

She wanted to tell him something but was restraining herself.

After school, Haruto and Nasaki were among the last to leave, finishing the decorations later than expected. Just as they stepped outside—

Pitter-patter.

Raindrops began to fall, slow at first, then quickly turning into a steady downpour.

"Tch," Haruto muttered. Neither of them had brought an umbrella.

"Looks like we're stuck here," Nasaki said, staring at the rain.

The entrance was empty except for the two of them.

The patter of rain filled the silence between them, a strangely appropriate background to their unresolved tension.

Nasaki waited for a few moments before she let out a small laugh.

"…This is just like some cliché romance manga, huh?"

Haruto looked at her, anticipating her usual smirk—but instead, he saw her face strangely soft.

"…Is it?" he asked.

Nasaki took a breath, the air coming slightly unsteady. "Yeah. Two classmates, standing in the rain, hoping it will go away. Cliché."

There was something different about her voice.

Something very. sad.

Haruto narrowed his eyes. "Nasaki—"

"Haruto."

She broke in.

He blinked, startled.

She never used his given name.

Nasaki dropped her eyes, cradling her bag strap as if holding a fragile egg. "Do you ever get like. you're not sure how to handle your own emotions?"

Haruto went rigid.

For a second, he didn't know what to say.

She wasn't kidding. She wasn't joking.

For the first time—

She was dropping her guard.

"…Yeah," Haruto said at last. His tone was soft, but sincere. "I do."

Their eyes locked.

There was no need for words.

In that instant, they knew each other in a way that words couldn't say.

The rain kept falling, harder than ever.

Without thinking, Haruto took off his blazer and held it over Nasaki's head.

"…Let's go," he said simply.

Nasaki blinked. "H-Hey, wait, what about you?"

"I don't care," he muttered, stepping forward.

Nasaki hurried to follow him, hiding her red face beneath the blazer.

They walked in silence, the rain soaking Haruto while Nasaki remained dry under his makeshift umbrella.

Her heart pounded.

It wasn't anything grand. It wasn't a confession.

But it was the nicest thing he'd ever done for her.

And that alone—

Was sufficient to cause her to fall just a little further.