The classroom clock ticked steadily, each second echoing through the empty afternoon.
Dust motes drifted in a thin beam of sunlight slicing through the blinds, landing softly on Minato's desk.
I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He was supposed to be erasing the board, but his hand had slowed.
Again.
Kiyomi:(Softly) Minato, you've been staring at the same spot for two minutes.
Minato: I'm just... tired (He murmured, rubbing his temple).
Kiyomi: You've been saying that for days.
His pale face told me there was more to it than that. He'd been coughing again — not the usual kind, but deep, heavy ones that made him hold his side and turn away so I wouldn't notice.
But I noticed everything now.
Punishment Days: Week Three
Our after-class punishment had stretched longer than expected. Cleaning duty every evening, sorting equipment in the storeroom, wiping windows — it had all become part of our strange, quiet rhythm.
Sometimes we talked. Sometimes we didn't.
But the silence between us had softened — no longer heavy, just… there, like something quietly alive.
Today, the silence felt heavier.
When Minato bent down to lift a box of old sports uniforms, I noticed the tremor in his hands.
He dropped the box halfway.
Kiyomi: Hey, stop. Let me do that (I said, kneeling to pick it up).
Minato: It's fine (He insisted, forcing a weak smile).
Kiyomi: It's not fine (I said, my voice sharper than I intended). You keep pushing yourself like nothing's wrong, and it's... exhausting to watch.
He froze at her words. His eyes — usually calm — flickered with guilt.
Minato: I didn't mean to worry you (He said quietly).
Kiyomi: Then stop making me worry (I whispered, eyes on the floor).
Neither of us moved for a moment.
Hinata's Doubt
The next day, Hinata cornered me near the courtyard stairs.
Hinata: Be honest with me. Is something going on between you and Minato?
I nearly dropped her notebook after hearing what she had said.
Kiyomi: What? No–! Why would you–
Hinata: Because you two disappear together every afternoon, and you've started looking at him the way you don't look at anyone else.
I blinked, caught between anger and embarrassment.
Kiyomi: It's punishment work, Hinata. That's all.
Hinata smiled sadly.
Hinata: If you say so. But... be careful, okay? Sometimes people who hide their pain the best are the ones who leave scars on others.
Her words lingered long after Hinata walked away.
A Moment Under Rain
The following evening, clouds gathered without warning.
Rain fell in sheets, tapping against the classroom windows like impatient fingers.
Minato and I had stayed late again, finishing our cleaning shift.
We could've left early. But we didn't.
I stood near the open window, watching the rain blur the courtyard lights.
Kiyomi: Looks like we're stuck here (I murmured).
Minato gave a faint laugh.
Minato: Could be worse. At least I'm not alone.
Something about the way he said it made her heart skip.
He coughed again — harder this time — and she turned to him, eyes wide.
When she moved closer, he shook his head, breath unsteady.
Minato: I'm fine. It's just... the cold air.
Kiyomi: You've been saying that since last week (I said softly). You're not fine, Minato.
I hesitated, my hand hovering before resting lightly against his sleeve. His body was trembling — faintly, but real.
Kiyomi:(Concerned) Why do you keep pretending you're okay?
Minato: Because... (He paused, looking out the window) If I admit I'm not, then people start treating me like I'm already gone."
My breath caught.
The rain grew heavier, drowning the silence that followed.
I wanted to ask "what's wrong?", but something in his eyes told me he wasn't ready to answer — not yet.
Still, I made a silent promise to myself.
Kiyomi:(Whispering) Then I'll just be the one who doesn't treat you differently. Even if I'm scared.
Minato looked at me — really looked — and something in his chest eased.
He smiled faintly.
Minato: You're strange, Kiyomi.
Kiyomi: Yeah, I've heard that before. Alot of times actually.
Akio's Shadow
From the hallway, someone had seen us.
Akio stood frozen near the door, his jaw tightening as he watched the two of us standing by the window — her hand on Minato's sleeve, our silhouettes framed by the rain.
His chest burned with something sharp and ugly — jealousy, mixed with confusion.
It wasn't just that he liked me.
It was that I was slipping away — and Minato, of all people, was the one I was running toward.
Later that night, Akio texted Hinata:-
"Akio: You've seen it too, right?"
" Hinata: "Yeah... I have. But maybe it's not what we think."
"Akio: Maybe. But something's changing, and it's not good."
When the rain finally stopped, Minato and I stepped out into the soaked courtyard.
The night smelled of wet grass and chalk dust.
Streetlights reflected in puddles, trembling like ghosts of light.
I walked beside him in silence, carrying both umbrellas — his had broken earlier.
Minato: You really didn't have to (He said quietly).
Kiyomi: I wanted to.
My hand brushed his when I passed the umbrella handle to him.
For a heartbeat, neither of them let go.
Minato: Kiyomi (He said, voice low). If... if someday I'm not around–
Kiyomi: Don't… don't say things like that.
He looked at me — eyes soft, tired, and full of things unsaid.
Minato: Then promise me something.
Kiyomi: What?
Minato: That when tomorrow comes... you won't stop living because of me.
The rain began again — soft, almost gentle.
And for the first time, I felt something I couldn't name — a fear deeper than any I'd known before.
Not of love.
But of loss.