There are days when the silence between Shinbou and me feels harmless.
And then there are days when it feels like the silence is louder than any conversation we could have.
Today was the second kind.
---
At lunch, I sat with Hinata on the courtyard steps. The sun was warm, the breeze soft, and for a moment, I felt like I could forget the storm inside me,thinking about the boy who sat beside me, unreadable and distant.
Hinata tilted her head. "Still thinking about him?"
I didn't answer right away.
"I just… wish I knew what's going on in his head."
"He's hard to read," she admitted. "But you're trying to read a book that's missing half the pages."
I gave her a weak smile. "Thanks for the depressing metaphor."
"Anytime."
---
We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, until a shadow passed by.
A tall boy with messy brown hair and a camera slung around his neck was passing in front of us, humming to himself. He paused when he noticed Hinata staring at the camera.
"You like photography?" he asked, smiling gently.
Hinata blinked. "What? Oh I mean, kinda. My cousin does it, so I know a little."
He nodded. "It's nice, right? Seeing things from a different angle."
He gave a small bow. "I'm Itsuki. 2nd year. I usually hang out with the photography club."
"Oh," Hinata said, suddenly quieter. "I'm Hinata. 1st year."
"Nice to meet you," he said, then smiled at both of us. "Enjoy your lunch."
As he walked away, Hinata stared at the ground.
I smirked. "Wow. You spoke in full sentences."
She elbowed me. "Shut up. I was caught off guard."
"You're blushing."
"I am not!"
I grinned. Maybe I wasn't the only one with brain static around mysterious boys.
---
Back in class, Shinbou remained as quiet as ever.
But I noticed something.
Just as the teacher raised his voice during a long explanation, Shinbou flinched slightly and touched his temple.
Another headache?
I kept my gaze steady, trying not to be obvious.
He didn't say a word. Just pressed his fingers to his temple, then dropped his hand like nothing happened.
When the bell rang, he left before I could even get my books together.
---
Later, as Hinata and I walked home, she nudged me.
"So… Shinbou is still a locked door?"
"More like a sealed vault."
She hesitated, then smiled softly. "Well… maybe don't try to force it open. Just wait. You never know what time might reveal."
I nodded, but my thoughts wandered.
Because some part of me quiet but stubborn still hoped that one day, his eyes would finally meet mine and remember.
Even just a flicker of something.
But until then… I guess I'd wait.