Miyuki

Later that night, after the second day of basketball training, Kazuki made his way to the vending machine, hoping to see Miyuki like usual. It had become something of a quiet ritual—the chance to share an unspoken moment together, even if they didn't exchange words. But tonight, she wasn't there.

He frowned, hands in his pockets, glancing around as if she would suddenly appear. The night was cool, the soft hum of cicadas filling the silence. Something felt off. Miyuki was always here at this hour, sipping her tea with that peaceful look in her eyes.

A sudden thought struck him.

'Is she okay?'

For a few minutes, he hesitated. Would it be weird if he checked on her? They weren't that close yet—at least, not in a way where dropping by her room unannounced was normal. But the nagging feeling wouldn't leave him. Before he could second-guess himself, Kazuki found himself walking toward the girls' dormitory.

He stopped in front of her room, taking a slow breath. His heart pounded as he raised a hand to knock. Softly, just in case.

No response.

He tried again, a little firmer this time.

"…Miyuki?"

A faint rustling sound came from inside. Then, a weak voice. "Kazuki…?"

His worry deepened. "Are you okay?"

There was a pause before she finally replied, "…I don't feel well."

That was enough for him. Without thinking, he pushed open the door slightly. "I'm coming in."

The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Miyuki was lying under the covers, her face flushed, her long hair messily draped over her pillow. She looked exhausted, her usual grace replaced by undeniable fatigue.

Kazuki stepped closer, his voice gentle. "You have a fever."

Miyuki blinked slowly, trying to sit up, but he immediately placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't. Just rest."

She let out a soft sigh, sinking back into her pillows. "I… didn't want to bother anyone."

Kazuki exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You're not bothering me."

She gazed at him for a moment, something unreadable in her tired eyes. Then, a small, almost embarrassed smile. "You always seem so calm, Kazuki. But right now… you look worried."

He didn't know how to respond to that. So instead, he glanced around her room. "Have you eaten?"

Miyuki shook her head lightly. He sighed, standing up. "Alright. Wait here."

Before she could protest, he was already heading out the door.

Kazuki wasn't the best cook, but he knew how to make something simple. He borrowed the dorm's shared kitchen, whipping up a warm bowl of rice porridge. It wasn't much, but it was something easy on the stomach.

When he returned, Miyuki was still awake, looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. "You… cooked for me?"

"Yeah. Don't expect anything fancy." He set the bowl down, scooping a spoonful. "Come on, eat."

She hesitated before taking the spoon from his hand, tasting a small bite. Then another. A soft hum left her lips. "…It's warm."

Kazuki sat on the edge of the chair beside her bed, watching as she slowly ate. The air between them was quiet but comfortable. Then, after a moment, she spoke again.

"You know… no one's really taken care of me like this before."

He blinked. "What about your family?"

She hesitated. "They're busy most of the time. It's not like they don't care… just that, I learned to take care of myself."

Kazuki listened, his fingers idly tapping against his knee. "That must've been tough."

Miyuki gave a small, thoughtful smile. "It's not so bad. But… it does feel nice, having someone here."

A warmth spread through his chest at her words, and for the first time, he felt like he was seeing a part of Miyuki no one else did. Not just the graceful, elegant girl everyone admired, but the person behind all of that—the one who still longed for warmth in quiet moments like this.

She set the bowl down, shifting under her covers. "You don't have to stay, Kazuki. You must be tired."

"I'll stay." The words left his mouth before he could even think. "At least until you fall asleep."

Miyuki looked at him, her eyes softening. "…Okay."

A few minutes passed, the only sound in the room was the soft ticking of the clock. Just as Kazuki thought she was asleep, she shifted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Kazuki… you're really kind."

He felt his face heat up at the unexpected words. "I just… did what anyone would do."

Miyuki gave a tired but knowing smile. "Not everyone would."

Kazuki opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, he felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He looked down, surprised to see Miyuki's fingers barely holding onto the fabric of his hoodie.

"…Stay a little longer," she murmured, her voice drowsy.

His heart skipped a beat.

"…Yeah."

And so, he stayed. The night stretched on, and eventually, her breathing evened out, her body relaxing into sleep. Kazuki sat there, arms crossed, watching the faint rise and fall of her chest.

For the first time, he wasn't just admiring her from a distance. He was here, right beside her. And somehow, that realization made his heart race more than any game ever could.

Maybe… this was the start of something more.