Chapter 34 – A Sweet Discovery

The sun lingered in the afternoon sky, its warmth bathing the school grounds. Haruto strolled alongside Nasaki, their pace in rhythm as they headed home. Their daily habit of walking together had become so habitual that Haruto hardly paid attention to it anymore.

"Haruto," Nasaki said with a mischievous grin, "You don't blush as much anymore. Are you getting accustomed to me?"

Haruto looked at her, his calm self hiding the slight flush rising up his neck. "Perhaps," he muttered, looking aside.

Nasaki chuckled faintly. "You're still adorable when you attempt to be cool."

Haruto didn't say anything, but the slight flush on his ears betrayed him.

The following day at school, their friends began to pick up on the subtle cues. Haruto and Nasaki weren't excessively clingy, but the manner in which they snuck glances at one another and the way Haruto appeared more relaxed in Nasaki's presence didn't escape attention.

"Do you think…?" one of Nasaki's friends, Yuna, leaned over to whisper to another girl, Saki.

"Absolutely," Saki nodded, a sly smile spreading across her lips. "They're keeping something from us."

Yuna's eyes glittered. "Let's track her back home from school."

"Ah, great." Saki chimed in.

Holding ignorance to the others' idea, Nasaki called for Haruto to meet up at a quiet area after school.

The after-school breeze tossed leaves around when Haruto and Nasaki entered a shady place under the shadows of a broad tree at the park. The surroundings were silent, removed from the sounds of the world.

Haruto braced himself at the trunk of the tree and softly let out air. "Quiet here…

Nasaki sat next to him, observing him intently. She saw the faint fatigue in his eyes.

"You're tired," she said softly. "Why don't you take a nap for a while?"

"I'm fine," Haruto whispered, but sleepiness tinged his voice.

Nasaki grinned, her mischievous side appearing. "If you're that sleepy… you can sit on my lap."

Haruto's eyes went wide, his face immediately reddening. "W-What?!"

"I'm serious," Nasaki said, patting her lap lightly. "Come on. I won't bite."

Haruto paused, but something in her gentle smile made him relent. Gradually, he put his head on her lap, his muscles rigid at first.

"Relax," Nasaki whispered, stroking her fingers lightly through his hair.

Haruto's heart pounded, but his tension soon dissolved at her soft touch. His eyelids became heavier, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

Yuna and Saki, not far from them, huddled behind a bush, their eyes open in shock.

"No way…" Yuna breathed, her mouth agape.

"See them," Saki smiled. "Haruto's sleeping on her lap. They're for sure together."

Yuna's eyes twinkled. "I knew it! They've been really strange lately."

"Should we go up there and get on her case about it?" Saki whispered, struggling not to laugh.

"Wait a little while," said Yuna, her sly grin spreading wider. "Let us wait for the right time."

They chuckled soundlessly, lying in wait for the innocent looking scene to proceed.

Haruto stirred after a while, blinking as he realized where he was. The weight of his head still rested on Nasaki's lap. His heart pounded as he quickly sat up, his face turning crimson.

"S-Sorry," he muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Nasaki, however, was unfazed. She smiled warmly, her eyes soft with affection. "You looked peaceful," she teased, her fingers still lightly brushing his hair.

Haruto's blush heightened as he attempted to compose himself. "I… I didn't mean to… "

"You're adorable when you're blushing," Nasaki whispered, her voice practically inaudible.

Haruto gazed at her, his heart beating faster than ever before. Her eyes contained something tender, something that made him forget his blush for a moment.

When Haruto and Nasaki separated later in the evening, Yuna and Saki shared knowing looks.

"Tomorrow," Yuna whispered, a sly smile spreading across her face.

"Absolutely," Saki agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

They couldn't wait to confront Nasaki and hear all the juicy gossip.