The punishment dragged on for another week.
Every afternoon after classes ended, when the rest of the students filled the school grounds with laughter and the sound of bouncing balls and closing lockers, Minato and I stayed behind in silence — the forgotten duo of class 2-A.
We swept, wiped, dusted, and arranged. And somehow, without planning it, our rhythm fell in sync.
If I wiped the desks, Minato emptied the bins. If Minato cleaned the boards, I washed the windows. We rarely needed words.
But outside our quiet bubble, the noise was deafening.
"I saw them again after class."
"She's totally into him."
"Isn't he the weird guy who never talks?"
"Guess opposites do attract."
"They're together every day."
"Maybe they like each other."
"Didn't Kiyomi say she doesn't believe in love? Hypocrite much?"
The whispers never stopped — It spread like wildfire.
I tried to ignore it, but I could feel the weight of every look, every whisper that trailed me in the hallway. After class…
Asahi: Alright, detention duo (He announced teasingly, leaning against the classroom door as I packed my bag). Try not to burn the school down again.
I shot him a flat look.
Kiyomi:(Sarcastically) Ha. Ha. Hilarious.
Minato quietly picked up the broom, avoiding the laughter.
Hinata, sitting nearby, watched the scene carefully. She'd noticed how often I smiled lately—those soft, unguarded smiles I hadn't worn since middle school.
Asahi noticed it too.
And though he chuckled with the others, there was a quick, fleeting look he shot toward Hinata before looking away.
Cleaning Duty, Day 7
The air smelled faintly of chalk and cleaning detergent. Minato was wiping the blackboard while I rearranged the desks.
Kiyomi: Hey (I said suddenly). You ever think it's weird?
Minato: What is?
Kiyomi: How people make up entire stories about others… just because they don't understand them?
He looked at me, thoughtful.
Minato: It's easier to gossip than to understand.
Kiyomi: Still sucks (I muttered, adjusting a desk). Now everyone thinks I'm some lovestruck fool.
He smirked faintly.
Minato: Are you?
I froze, the eraser slipping from my hand. Kiyomi:(Surprised) Wha—?!
Minato: I mean…(He said, tone teasing but soft) are you a lovestruck fool?
Kiyomi: Y-you're ridiculous (I stammered, bending to grab the eraser). Completely ridiculous.
He chuckled—a quiet, warm sound that I'd never heard from him before.
And in that moment, something fluttered inside my chest.
It wasn't fear this time. It was… warmth.
Maybe even joy.
Meanwhile – Hinata
Hinata leaned against the corridor wall, watching through the slightly open door.
I was laughing—actually laughing—with Minato.
It was subtle, but something inside Hinata stirred. A flicker of confusion… maybe worry.
When she turned, she found Akio standing behind her, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Akio: You've seen it too, huh?.
Hinata nodded slowly.
Hinata: Yeah. They've gotten…close.
Akio's jaw tightened.
Akio: Too close.
He didn't say anything more, just walked away, his hand tightening into a fist.
Back in the Classroom:
When we finished, the sun was setting again.
The light cast long shadows across the floor, turning the ordinary into something quietly beautiful.
I sat on one of the desks, looking at my reflection in the window.
Kiyomi: I used to hate staying after school (I said softly). It felt lonely.
Minato glanced at me, then at the fading orange sky.
Minato: Does it still feel lonely now?
I turned toward him—and for a moment, my breath caught.
The sunset's light framed him perfectly, soft and golden.
Kiyomi:(Whispering) No. Not anymore.
He froze, eyes widening slightly.
Something in my tone—gentle, trembling—made his chest ache.
But then he looked away, his expression clouding.
Minato: You shouldn't say things like that.
Kiyomi: Why not?
Minato: Because…(He hesitated. His hands clenched slightly). Because I don't deserve to make you feel less lonely.
The words hit her harder than she expected. Kiyomi: Minato…
He shook his head, forcing a faint smile. Minato: Forget it. I'm just tired.
I wanted to ask why his eyes always looked so sad when no one was watching.
But I didn't. Not yet.
That Night…
Lying in bed, I couldn't sleep.
My heart felt restless—confused, warm, scared.
I remembered Minato's quiet laugh. The way his hair fell into his eyes when he smiled. The way he'd said "You shouldn't say things like that."
My fear of love whispered, "You'll only get hurt again".
But another voice whispered, "Maybe this time, it's different".
I rolled over, burying my face in my pillow.
Kiyomi: This is bad (She muttered). Really, really bad.
And yet… she smiled.
Meanwhile, across town, Minato sat by his window, the city lights reflecting in his glasses.
He touched his chest lightly, feeling that same warmth—and the faint, stabbing pain that came with it.
Minato: I can't let her get too close (He thought). Not when time's already running out.