It's strange how quiet a classroom can feel after everyone leaves.
The kind of quiet that feels too heavy — like the air itself is waiting for something to happen.
That day, even the ticking of the clock sounded loud. I was erasing the chalkboard, pretending not to notice Akio staring at me from the back of the room.
He hadn't said much lately.
Actually… he hadn't said anything at all.
Minato had already left — earlier than usual. He'd looked pale again, almost ghostly.
I told him to get some rest, but all he did was smile like he was trying to make me worry less.
(Which obviously didn't work.)
Now it was just me, Akio, and the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.
Akio: You've been spending a lot of time with him (He finally said).
Kiyomi: Huh? (I turned, pretending I didn't already know who he meant).
Akio: Minato. You're always with him after class. People are talking, Kiyomi.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
Kiyomi: Let them talk (I said, trying to sound calm). It's just punishment cleaning. You know that.
He laughed — but it wasn't his usual laugh. It was bitter.
Akio: Yeah. Just punishment cleaning. Except he's the only one who gets to see that smile of yours.
That hit me harder than I expected.
Kiyomi: Akio–
Akio: Forget it (He snapped, grabbing his bag). You can do whatever you want. Just don't act like you don't know what you're doing.
He stormed out before I could even think of what to say back.
For a moment, I just stood there — holding the eraser like it could fix everything.
But it couldn't.
Nothing could.
Hinata's Confrontation
The next day didn't get any better.
It was lunch break (recess) when Hinata pulled me aside — literally pulled me — behind the gym.
She looked serious. Not angry, just… serious in a way that made my stomach twist.
Hinata: Kiyomi, we need to talk.
Kiyomi: If this is about the gossip again–
Hinata:(Interrupting) It's not just gossip anymore.
Kiyomi: Then what–
Hinata: It's you (She interrupted). You're different lately. You've been smiling more, but it's like you're scared to be caught doing it.
I didn't know what to say. Because she wasn't wrong.
I've always been scared of love. Of what it does to people — how it makes them weak, how it ruins perfectly calm hearts.
But lately… every time Minato smiled, or brushed my hand by accident, or said something that made the world slow down — I felt something that scared me more than anything else.
And that's how I knew it was real.
Kiyomi: Hinata, I don't even know what I'm feeling (I admitted quietly).
Hinata: Then figure it out (She said, her tone softening). Before someone gets hurt.
The words felt like a warning I didn't understand yet.
After School
That afternoon, Akio didn't show up for cleaning duty.
He always stayed behind with us before — even when he didn't have to. But now, it was just me and Minato again. The silence between us felt heavier than before.
He looked tired — paler than ever. His hands trembled slightly as he carried a bucket to the sink. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but the way his eyes flicked away stopped me.
He didn't want me to see it.
Whatever "it" was.
Kiyomi: Hey (I said, breaking the silence). You should really take tomorrow off. You're overworking yourself.
Minato: Maybe (He said softly). But I like being here. It's peaceful… when it's just you and me.
My heart skipped.
I turned away, pretending to focus on the broom, even though I could feel the warmth rising in my face.
Kiyomi: You say that like you're some kind of old man escaping from reality (I joked weakly).
Minato: Maybe I am (He said, smiling faintly). Reality's kind of heavy these days.
Something about the way he said it made me stop.
There was sadness in his voice — the quiet kind you can't fix.
I didn't ask again.
And that's one of the things I'll always regret.
The next morning, Akio didn't come to class.
Rumors said he'd gotten into a fight with someone from another class. Others said he'd skipped school entirely. Either way, it didn't sound like him.
When he finally came the next day, his uniform was a mess. His usual easygoing smile was gone.
He didn't even look at me when he walked past.
I tried to approach him after class, but he brushed past me like I wasn't even there.
Kiyomi: Akio, please–
Akio:(Interrupting) Why him, Kiyomi? (He suddenly turned, voice trembling with anger). Out of everyone, why him?
Kiyomi: It's not like that–
Akio:(Interrupting) Then what is it? You've changed. You don't even talk to me anymore unless he's around.
I swallowed hard.
Kiyomi: You're wrong.
Akio: Then say it. Say you don't care about him.
The words hung in the air like glass — fragile and dangerous.
I couldn't say it. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
That silence said everything.
Akio's eyes widened, just a little, before he looked away.
Akio: Yeah (He muttered, voice cracking). That's what I thought.
He left before I could take a single step toward him.
And all I could do was stand there — in the middle of the hallway — wondering when everything started to hurt this much.
That Night
It rained again.
I sat by my window, watching the drops slide down the glass like little fragments of time.
Minato's cough from earlier kept replaying in my mind.
Akio's words echoed too — sharp, angry, but… honest.
I hugged my knees and whispered to myself.
Kiyomi:(Whispering) I didn't mean for things to get this complicated.
But deep down, I knew that wasn't true.
Because feelings aren't accidents.
They grow — quietly, dangerously — until they demand to be noticed.
And maybe…
maybe mine already have.