As she entered the house, she walked straight toward her room without saying a word. Her footsteps were quiet, almost hesitant, as if she was afraid that stopping even for a moment would make everything inside her spill out.
Closing the door gently behind her, she let out a long breath she didn't realize she had been holding all this time.
The silence of her room wrapped around her.
She slipped under the blanket, pulling it close as though searching for comfort. Lying on her back, she stared at the ceiling. The faint shadows dancing above felt strangely distant.
Her heart was racing.Her thoughts refused to settle.
Fragments of conversations, expressions, and memories kept flashing through her mind, overlapping until nothing made sense anymore. She pressed her hands against her chest, trying to calm the uneven rhythm of her breathing.
Why did everything feel so heavy?
Slowly, exhaustion claimed her. Somewhere between confusion and quiet longing, her eyes closed.
She didn't know when sleep finally took her.
The night passed warmly, almost protectively, as if the darkness itself wanted to give her rest. Outside, time moved forward unnoticed—the stars fading, the sky softening, and a new bright morning quietly replacing the night she never saw leave.
The chirping of birds began just outside her window.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, touching her face.
When the alarm started ringing, her eyes slowly opened.
For the first time, no one had to knock on her door.No one called her name again and again.
She simply woke up on her own.
For a moment, she lay there, surprised at herself.
Getting up, she walked toward the window and pushed it open slightly. A cool morning breeze brushed against her skin, carrying freshness that cleared her lingering thoughts.
She sat there for nearly ten minutes, silently watching the peaceful street below.
It felt… calm.
Almost new.
Finally, Asuka stood up and began getting ready for school.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, her oka-san was busy preparing breakfast when her oto-san walked in and sat down at the table.
"You know," he said gently, watching her work, "you should take rest sometimes."
Oka-san glanced at him with a knowing smile."Is this a new technique to tell me you're going out with your friends?"
"Oh—please," oto-san replied dramatically, making a small pout. "Why would I say something like that?"
"Then what is it about, if I may know, Mr. Baji?" she teased.
He hesitated before speaking softly."I was thinking… maybe next week, just the two of us… we could go out for dinner."
Oka-san froze.
She slowly turned toward him, searching his face."You're not joking… right? This isn't some prank?"
Oto-san laughed and shook his head."It's a promise. I swear."
For a brief moment, warmth filled the kitchen — the kind built over years of quiet understanding.
Just then, Asuka entered.
"Morning," she said brightly.
Both of them stared at her in complete disbelief.
"How are you up this early?!" they said at the same time.
Asuka blinked before laughing awkwardly."It's not that shocking. Why are you making those faces?"
Oka-san crossed her arms."You do realize there's still one hour before school?"
"Yep. I know," Asuka replied casually while picking up the newspaper.
Her mother narrowed her eyes."Are you sure you're not taking some drugs or supplements?"
Asuka grinned."Yeah, just started yesterday."
Oto-san immediately leaned forward and touched her forehead.
"As I thought… slight fever," he announced seriously.
Asuka groaned, clearly annoyed."Are you guys serious? I wake up early one day and suddenly I'm sick? I'm never doing this again."
Both parents laughed.
"But you really do have a small fever," oto-san said gently. "Take medicine. You can rest today if needed."
She sighed and nodded."I think it's just the cold morning."
"Still," oka-san added while serving breakfast, "better to be careful."
The warm meal filled the room with comfort.
"This," Asuka said happily before taking her first bite, "is exactly what I was waiting for."
About ten minutes later, Keisuke walked into the kitchen half-awake, searching for food.
"You're up this early?" he asked, eyes wide.
Asuka rolled her eyes."Yes. Problem?"
He shrugged."Just surprising to see someone like you awake before noon."
"Very funny," she replied with an irritated expression.
Thirty minutes later, Asuka and Keisuke left for school together.
The morning streets were lively, students walking in groups, conversations blending with the cool air.
Ahead of them, Keisuke spotted Emma, Manjiro, and Draken.
He immediately sped up.
"Hey, Mikey!" Keisuke called.
Manjiro turned back at the sound of his voice.
Keisuke walked quickly toward them, leaving Asuka slightly behind.
She slowed her steps unconsciously.
Her eyes briefly met Manjiro's and she quickly looked away.
He kept looking at her.
"You'll be late if you don't walk faster," he said casually.
She nodded silently and walked closer to them.
"Morning," she said.
Emma smiled warmly."Good morning, Asuka."
When they reached school, Emma headed toward her classroom while the others walked together down the hallway.
A strange silence settled between them.
Asuka glanced at Manjiro.
How can he act like nothing happened? she wondered, irritation mixing with something she didn't want to name.
Meanwhile, Manjiro's expression remained completely normal, as if everything was unchanged.
Draken leaned closer and whispered something into his ear.
Manjiro suddenly smiled while looking at her.
Her chest tightened.
As soon as they entered the classroom, Asuka walked straight toward her friends, throwing him a sharp glare on the way.
Manjiro blinked, eyes widening slightly.
He genuinely couldn't understand why she was angry.
Later, when the break arrived, the classroom slowly filled with noise and chatter. Asuka rested her head lightly on her desk, closing her eyes for a moment. The morning had felt longer than usual, and her thoughts still refused to stay quiet.
After a minute, footsteps stopped near her desk.
Manjiro pulled a chair from the front row and sat facing her casually, resting his arms on the back of it.
Sensing his presence, Asuka slowly lifted her head.
"Oh… it's you, Mr. Nonchalant," she said lazily.
"Non… what?" he asked, clearly confused.
She sighed. "Nothing. I mean Mr. Relaxed."
She looked straight into his eyes.
Manjiro tilted his head slightly. "Did something happen?"
"Take a guess," she replied.
He studied her face for a moment before a small smile appeared."Ah… I think I know. But why are you acting like this?"
Asuka crossed her arms. "Because this isn't something I casually do."
He raised an eyebrow. "You mean I do things casually?"
"How would I know?" she shrugged.
Manjiro chuckled softly before suddenly standing up.
"Come with me. I want to show you something."
Before she could protest, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Ignoring curious stares from classmates, he led her out of the classroom and up the stairs until they reached the school terrace.
The cool breeze welcomed them.
Asuka looked around. "What are we doing here?"
"Nothing," he said calmly. "Just wanted somewhere peaceful."
She smirked. "Peaceful… with me? You do know peace and I walk in opposite directions."
He laughed a genuine, carefree laugh.
Then, unexpectedly, he held her hand again.
His voice lowered.
"Asuka…"
She looked at him, suddenly aware of how close they were.
"Date me."
Her eyes widened instantly.
"A-ah… what?"
Her face turned bright red as the words settled in her mind. She stared at him, unsure if she heard correctly.
Manjiro simply waited, watching her carefully, unusually serious.
She looked away, trying to calm her racing heart.
"What if… I say I have no intention of marrying you in the future?" she asked quietly.
He smiled without hesitation."That's up to you. But I'll make sure you change that perspective someday."
She blinked at his confidence.
"It's not that… I just…" she hesitated, words getting stuck. "What if I'm not around?"
His expression changed immediately.
"What do you mean?" he asked, searching her face. "Why wouldn't you be here?"
"You never know," she murmured, avoiding his eyes.
Manjiro stepped closer.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," he said firmly, "but I promise you—nothing will happen to you."
Her eyes widened at his words.
"Don't say things like that…" she whispered quickly. Then, after a small pause, she added shyly, "I'll date you… but promise me you'll never change yourself… and even if someday things change… you'll move forward."
He looked at her quietly for a second.
Then a slow smile appeared.
"So… we're dating?" he asked.
Her heart started pounding again as he leaned closer.
The distance between them disappeared little by little. His hand gently moved to her cheek, and she could see emotions shifting in his eyes playful, soft, and strangely sincere.
Just as he leaned closer—
The terrace door suddenly burst open.
"Oh, you're here, Mikey," Draken said casually.
Manjiro froze.
His expression immediately turned annoyed.
"If I ever give you an award," Manjiro sighed, "it'll be for the worst timing ever, Ken-chin."
Draken blinked, realizing the situation.He looked away awkwardly.
"Hehe… I'll… come later."
Asuka quickly stepped back, completely flustered. She fixed her hair, trying to hide her embarrassment before walking toward the door.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Manjiro and gave him a small, shy smile.
Then she left.
Draken smirked as silence filled the terrace.
"I guess that was a yes."
"Shut up, Ken-chin!" Manjiro snapped, though a satisfied grin refused to leave his face.