The festival had ended a week ago, but its memories lingered in the hallways — the laughter, the lights, the whispers.
Especially the whispers.
I could feel them wherever i went.
Every time I passed by a group of students, the murmurs started again.
About the accident. About me and Minato. About "how close" we'd become ever since the punishment began.
"Did you see them walking home together?"
"Maybe they're dating."
"No way. Kiyomi? With him?"
I tried to ignore it, but every sentence was another echo against my heart.
In truth, Minato and I had become closer — not in the way the rumors said, but in the quiet, human way that made the silence between us feel warm.
But lately, I'd started noticing things.
Small things.
He'd cough suddenly when lifting heavy boxes.
He'd stop halfway down the hall to catch his breath.
And sometimes, when he thought no one was looking, he'd press a hand to his chest.
At the Rooftop…
Kiyomi: Hey (I called, holding two cans of iced tea). You look like you need this.
Minato was sitting against the fence, the afternoon sun painting him gold.
He looked up with a faint smile, taking the can.
Minato: Thanks.
Kiyomi: You've been kind of off lately (I said carefully, sitting beside him).
Minato:(Confused) Off?
Kiyomi: Yeah. You zone out a lot. And your cough's getting worse.
He hesitated, eyes on the clouds.
Minato: It's just... asthma.
Kiyomi: Liar (I said softly). I'm not that easy to fool.
He glanced at me — surprised, maybe even scared — but I just smiled faintly.
Minato: Fine (He said, looking away again). Maybe I'm just tired.
Kiyomi: You're always tired (I said, bumping his shoulder gently). You need to rest once in a while, you know?
He chuckled quietly, but there was no laughter in his eyes.
Minato: If I rest too long… I might never get up again.
I froze.
Kiyomi: What's that supposed to mean?
But before he could answer, the bell rang — saving him.
Meanwhile – Akio and Hinata
In the classroom, Akio stared at the empty desk beside his own — my seat.
I'd been spending almost every afternoon with Minato now.
Hinata noticed his clenched jaw.
Hinata: You've been glaring at that desk for ten minutes.
Akio forced a smirk.
Akio: Guess I miss our nerdy friend.
Hinata: Liar (She said, half-smiling). You're jealous.
He looked at her sharply.
Akio: What? No.
Hinata:(Softly) Akio, you've never been good at hiding your feelings.
He looked away.
Akio: I just don't get it. He's... weird. He's quiet. He barely talks. Why her?
Hinata didn't answer — because deep down, she'd been asking herself a similar question lately.
Not about me and Minato… but about her and Asahi.
The way he smiled at her in the mornings. The way he looked away when she caught his eyes.
Everything was getting complicated.
Back at the Cleaning Room
I was sweeping the floor while Minato arranged books on the shelf.
It was quiet again — the kind of peaceful silence that felt alive.
I hummed softly under her breath. He stopped for a moment, listening.
Minato: You're humming.
Kiyomi: Oh. Sorry.
Minato: Don't be. His smile was faint. It's... nice.
A soft blush crept up my neck.
Then — the sound of his cough.
Deep, ragged. Painful.
I turned quickly.
Kiyomi: Minato?
He waved it off, leaning against the table.
Minato: I'm fine.
Kiyomi: You're not fine.
Minato: It's nothing, Kiyomi.
I crossed her arms, glaring.
Kiyomi: You're terrible at lying.
He met her gaze then — calm, gentle, and heartbreakingly sad.
Minato: Kiyomi... please. Just... let me pretend for a while, okay?
The broom slipped slightly from my grip.
There was something in his tone — like a goodbye I wasn't supposed to hear.
That Evening…
Hinata, Akio, and Asahi walked home together.
The mood was unusually quiet until Hinata finally spoke.
Hinata: Do you think... something's wrong with Minato?
Akio scoffed.
Akio: Besides his personality?
Hinata: Akio.
He sighed.
Akio: I don't know. But if he hurts Kiyomi, even once, I'll–
Asahi: You'll what? (He asked calmly).
Akio didn't finish. He just kept walking.
Hinata looked back at the fading school building, worry in her eyes.
Nightfall
At my desk, I opened my storybook — the one that started it all.
But tonight, the words wouldn't come.
All I could think about was Minato's cough. His tired smile. His eyes that seemed to carry the whole weight of silence.
For the first time, my pen trembled.
For the first time, I was afraid of losing someone…again.