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 was different the day after their confession. He stood outside the school gates, his heart racing faster than ever. He didn't know what to do now that he had confessed with Nasaki. Would it be different? Would things go back to the way they used to be?

Haruto's thoughts were cut off when he heard Nasaki's cheerful voice. She walked toward him, her usual bright smile on her face, but there was something softer about it today.

"Morning," Haruto mumbled, looking away to hide the warmth spreading across his face.

"Good morning." Nasaki's smile lingered as she stood beside him. They fell into step together, walking toward their classroom.

Though they didn't talk much, their silence was pleasant. But Haruto caught the way his gaze kept finding his way to hers, and he could sense the same from her. Even slight glances had his heart beating fast.

By lunchtime, their peers began to notice.

"Hey, Haruto," one of his friends joked, leaning in with a smile. "You and Nasaki seem. closer today.

Haruto's eyes widened, and he turned his head away, feigning not to have heard. Nasaki, though, just laughed it off, waving a hand in dismissal.

"Don't play with him," she said, but her smiling face didn't fool anyone.

Haruto remained silent, wishing he could vanish, but at the same time, he was glad that Nasaki was dealing with things so effortlessly.

"Let's go eat somewhere quiet," Nasaki proposed, taking Haruto to a quiet place beneath a great tree in the courtyard.

They sat down, the leaves above them rustling in the afternoon wind. They ate in silence for a while, but it wasn't awkward. Haruto was going to say something when Nasaki suddenly spoke.

"Haruto," she said softly, her voice warm.

"Hmm?" He looked at her, taken aback by the soft look in her eyes.

"You seem tired," she said smiling teasingly. She then slapped her lap. "Why not take a nap?"

Haruto blinked in reaction to what she had just said.

"W-what?" His cheeks grew red on the spot.

Nasaki smiled mischievously. "Come on, I won't bite. For just a while, though."

Haruto faced away from her, blushing. "I. I'm fine."

But Nasaki approached him, softening her smile. "Please? I need you to wind down."

Haruto hesitated, but the warmth in her voice made it impossible to refuse. Slowly, he leaned back and rested his head on her lap. His heart thumped in his ears as he sensed the heat of her thighs beneath him.

"Is it. okay?" he whispered softly, his voice barely audible.

"Of course," Nasaki whispered, softly combing her fingers through his hair.

Haruto's muscles tightened initially, but as she stroked her fingers through his hair in gradual, calming patterns, he started to unwind. His eyelids drifted closed, and for what felt like an eternity, he was utterly at peace.

Their break over, they went back to class, but something between them had altered.

Nasaki's small gestures became more frequent—a brush of her hand, a playful nudge, or a smile that lingered just a little longer.

Haruto, though still shy, found himself reciprocating in his own quiet way. He'd glance her way more often, stand a little closer when they walked, and even offer small, hesitant smiles that Nasaki always noticed.

They didn't need words to know that something between them was changing.

As the sun set, casting a golden light over the school grounds, Nasaki chatted lightly.

"Hey, Haruto," she said, her voice carefree but her eyes full of hope. "There's another school activity coming up. perhaps we could. you know, go and take a look together?"

Haruto's gaze met hers, and for the first time, he didn't falter.

"Yeah. I'd like that," he replied softly.

Nasaki's smile grew wider, and Haruto felt something warm spread through him.

Walking home together, the atmosphere between them was charged with a subdued anticipation. Theirs was becoming something else, and neither of them was afraid to see where it could go.

Chapter 32 – Riding the New Emotions