Chapter Thirteen: Whispers in the Hall

Takara Minami never thought walking through the school hallway could feel like walking a red carpet—minus the glamour, and with twice the whispering.

It started during second period.

A group of students near the lockers turned their heads too quickly when he passed by. One girl nudged her friend with an exaggerated, "That's him." Another snickered when she caught Takara's eye.

He raised an eyebrow. That was… odd.

By lunch, it wasn't just whispers—it was looks. Curious, speculative, some wide-eyed with faux innocence.

"What did I do now?" Takara muttered as he slid into the seat beside Kayo in the cafeteria.

Kayo Tsukishiro, calm as always, was methodically unwrapping his sandwich. "You exist?"

Takara sighed. "With you, apparently. We're trending."

Kayo looked up, meeting his eyes. "People are talking?"

"Staring. Whispering. Probably writing haikus about us in their group chats."

Kayo took a sip of tea. "Do you want to confront them?"

"No. I just… want to eat my lunch without being analyzed like a science project." He stabbed his chopsticks into his rice. "Why are they even whispering? It's not like we're making out in public."

Kayo blinked, clearly startled. "Is that on the table?"

Takara flushed. "No! I mean, not literally. I just… I thought we were keeping things lowkey."

Kayo looked thoughtful. "We've been walking together every day. Studying together. You drew me in the art room twice last week."

Takara frowned. "That's lowkey for me. I haven't even posted anything on social media."

Kayo reached across the table, fingers brushing Takara's wrist briefly—just enough to say I see you. I'm here.

"If this bothers you, we can pull back," he said softly.

"No," Takara said quickly. "That's not what I want."

Kayo waited, quiet and patient.

"I just wasn't expecting the world to notice so fast," Takara admitted. "I don't care if they talk. I just want to feel… in control of what they think they know."

Kayo nodded once. "Then let them talk. We don't owe them anything."

Things escalated on Wednesday.

Takara had just stepped out of chemistry class when two girls cornered him near the bulletin board.

"Takara!" one of them said brightly. "You and Kayo are super cute. Like, drama-tier romance. It's kind of iconic."

He blinked. "Oh. Uh… thanks?"

The other girl giggled. "How long have you been dating?"

Takara blinked. "I—wait, what?"

"You're not?" she asked, her tone suddenly doubting.

He paused. This was a test, wasn't it?

And yet… something in him didn't feel the need to lie.

"No," he said slowly. "We're not dating. Yet."

The first girl's eyes sparkled. "Yet! Ooh, I knew it. You two have so much chemistry."

The bell rang before Takara could respond. As they scattered, he stood there for a second, stunned.

And weirdly… kind of okay with it.

He didn't tell Kayo what happened until they were back in their room that evening. Rain tapped gently at the window, and their shared lamp cast soft light across the desk where Kayo sat reading.

"I got ambushed by love detectives today," Takara said as he dropped his bag on his bed.

Kayo looked up. "Love… detectives?"

Takara nodded. "They wanted confirmation that we're dating."

Kayo tilted his head. "And what did you say?"

"I said we weren't. Not yet."

Kayo blinked, and for the first time all day, he actually smiled. A real one. Not the barely-there curve of his lips, but something warmer, more open.

"Is that what we are?" he asked.

Takara sat down, pulling his knees to his chest. "I mean, I don't know. Are we?"

Kayo considered it, setting his book down slowly. "We're not nothing."

Takara's throat tightened. "You don't mind if people… assume?"

"I mind a lot of things," Kayo said, turning toward him fully, "but not that."

They held each other's gaze in the quiet.

Then Takara smirked. "You're really bad at labels."

Kayo shrugged. "You're really bad at subtlety."

"That's fair."

Thursday brought a different energy.

People were still whispering, but it felt less invasive. Less speculative, more… accepted.

Takara noticed a few nods in the hallway, like silent "good for yous." Even Rika waved him over during lunch with a teasing grin.

"You two broke the school in record time," she said.

Takara groaned. "We're not even dating yet and somehow we're trending."

Rika snorted. "Please. Everyone knows you're endgame."

"Tell that to my nerves."

"Your nerves should calm down. You're allowed to be liked, Takara. Even loved."

The word loved sent a tiny thrill down his spine. He wasn't sure he was ready for it.

But he wasn't running from it, either.

That night, Takara found Kayo sitting at the windowsill, legs curled, hoodie sleeves pulled down over his hands. The soft patter of rain filled the silence.

"Hey," Takara said, approaching slowly. "Deep thoughts?"

Kayo shook his head. "Just thinking."

"About?"

Kayo didn't answer right away. Then he said, "It's strange. I used to want to be invisible."

Takara joined him at the window. "And now?"

"I don't hate being seen," Kayo admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Not when it's with you."

Takara turned his head. "You're getting way too good at this."

"I've been watching you."

Takara blinked. "Huh?"

"How you talk to people. How you feel things. How you let yourself be known. I used to think it made you reckless." Kayo's eyes flicked to him. "Now I think it makes you brave."

Takara didn't know what to say.

So he leaned in, slow and deliberate, and let his head rest against Kayo's shoulder.

Kayo didn't flinch. He didn't freeze.

He leaned back.

Later, just before lights out, Takara stood at the foot of Kayo's bed, fidgeting.

"There's something I want to ask."

Kayo looked up. "Okay."

Takara rubbed his hands together. "Do you want to… make this official?"

Kayo blinked. "You mean, like…"

"Dating," Takara said quickly. "I mean, if you want to. No pressure. If we're not there yet, that's okay. I just—"

"Yes."

Takara paused. "Wait. Really?"

"Yes," Kayo said again, quieter, but firmer. "I want to."

Takara grinned so hard it hurt.

"Cool. Cool cool cool. Not freaking out."

"You're definitely freaking out."

"I'm keeping it contained."

Kayo slid over, lifting his blanket in invitation.

Takara blinked. "You serious?"

"You're cold. I'm warm. Stop standing there and come here."

Takara climbed in beside him, heart beating wildly.

As he settled under the blanket, inches away, Kayo whispered, "Don't kick."

"No promises."