Kazuki didn't touch his curry bread again.
He just sat there.
Staring out the window like some tragic protagonist in a drama series.
But unlike a drama, nobody came with a sad piano soundtrack.
Except maybe… the sound of his heart sinking.
Why do I even care?
He wasn't even that close with Aira. They just… walked home together sometimes. Sat next to each other in class. Argued over small things. Laughed at random jokes. Exchanged awkward glances.
…Okay, maybe we're a little close.
"Kazuki?"
He froze.
That voice.
Soft. Familiar. A bit out of breath.
He turned, and there she was—Aira. Standing next to his table, tray in hand, lips pressed together like she was unsure if she should sit.
"Can I…?"
He didn't answer, just scooted his tray aside, making room.
She sat down.
There was silence between them for a good five seconds.
Then Aira leaned forward, squinting at him. "You're acting weird."
"No, I'm not."
"You stabbed your bread."
"I always do that."
"You stabbed it."
Kazuki looked away. "Maybe it deserved it."
Aira let out a small laugh. "You're sulking."
"I'm not."
"Are you mad?"
"No."
"Because of Kagami-kun?"
"Why would I be mad about that?" His voice was sharp, but his ears were red.
Aira tilted her head. "You tell me."
Kazuki didn't answer.
Mostly because he didn't know what to say without sounding like a jealous idiot.
Aira sighed, then smiled softly. "You're cute when you're jealous."
He choked on air.
"What—? I'm not jealous!"
"Sure, sure."
She giggled, then took a bite of her sandwich like she didn't just drop a bomb on him.
Kazuki stared at her.
Not in a creepy way.
Just long enough to wonder what the hell was going on in his chest.
Maybe she noticed.
Because she looked back.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the noise of the cafeteria disappeared.
Just him. Her. The window light. The half-stabbed curry bread.
And a weird, floating tension neither of them could name.
"Wanna walk home together later?" she asked.
Kazuki looked away again, but this time his voice was quieter.
"...Yeah."
The school bell rang, marking the end of yet another long day. The sun dipped low into the orange-pink sky, casting long shadows across the emptying halls. Footsteps echoed as students hurried out, chattering about club meetings, snacks, and tomorrow's exams.
Kazuki stood alone by the door of Class 2-B, adjusting the strap of his bag. Calm as always. Quiet. Still.
Until—
"Hey!" a bright voice called out from behind him. "Wanna walk home together?"
He turned slightly.
Aira stood there, her ponytail a little messy from the day, a shy grin tugging at her lips. She looked nervous—like she hadn't fully thought this through, yet said it anyway.
"…Why?"
Her smile stiffened. "Why not? Kagami already went ahead. I'm alone. You're alone. Two alones make a walk, right?"
Kazuki sighed softly. "Whatever."
Translation: Yes.
They walked side by side, slipping through the school gate as it creaked shut behind them. The sidewalk stretched ahead, lined with rustling trees swaying in the early evening breeze.
For the first few minutes, silence ruled the space between them. Awkward, but not unbearable. Just enough to make the heart tick a little faster.
"So…" Aira began, "do you always go home this way?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't it get boring?"
"A road's a road."
"…Can you answer with a complete sentence for once?" she pouted.
Kazuki shrugged. "You're the one who started talking."
She glared. "Yeah, sorry for trying to socialize with Mr. Silent Ice Prince. My bad."
He smirked. Barely.
"Still walking with me, though."
"…Shut up."
The road curved gently ahead, leading them past a small public park where some students were still goofing around. Aira took a breath.
"I like this route," she said, softer now. "There's this tiny bookstore at the end of the street. 'Little Page.' Super old, kind of dusty, but cozy."
"A bookstore?"
"Yup." Her eyes lit up. "I stop by sometimes to check out new romance novels. Or mystery. But mostly romance."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Of course."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You seem like the type who freaks out when two characters so much as hold hands."
"Wha—No I don't!"
"Prove it."
"Prove what?"
He stopped walking.
Aira took half a step forward before realizing he was standing still. She turned with a confused expression.
"Hold my hand."
"…Huh?"
"If it's no big deal, do it."
Aira blinked, frozen like a deer in headlights. Her cheeks started to flush, just a little. "T-that's ridiculous."
"You brought it up."
"Only because you teased me about—"
Kazuki casually extended his hand.
No drama. No buildup. Just... an open palm, waiting.
Aira stared at it. Her heart skipped a beat. Then two.
"…Y-you're not serious."
"I am."
She hesitated. The breeze played with her hair as the seconds ticked by. Then—
"Fine!"
She slapped her hand into his.
Immediately looked away.
"See? N-nothing happened! I'm not panicking!"
"Your face is literally turning red."
"Am not!"
They stood like that for a moment. Not walking. Not talking. Just... holding hands like awkward middle schoolers who had no idea what they were doing.
Kazuki's hand was warm. Solid. Steady.
Aira's was slightly sweaty. Probably from nerves. Definitely not because she was nervous. Nope.
She peeked at him.
He wasn't smirking. He wasn't smug. He was just... Kazuki. Calm. Silent.
Which somehow made it worse.
She quickly pulled her hand back.
"There. Happy?"
He shrugged. "You passed."
"You're the worst."
"Still walked home with me."
"T-tch…"
They kept walking. The tension slowly faded, replaced by something softer. Easier.
"…You really don't talk much, huh?" she said after a while.
"I talk when I need to."
"What about laughing?"
He blinked. "What about it?"
"Do you ever laugh?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you laugh… with friends?"
He was quiet for a second. Then, "I don't really have friends."
"…Oh."
Awkward silence returned.
Then—
"…But today feels different."
Aira turned to him.
"You're weird," he continued. "But not bad weird."
"…That's the nicest insult I've ever gotten."
They both chuckled. Just a little. The air between them felt lighter now.
"Thanks," Aira mumbled.
"For what?"
"For walking me home. Even though you're probably more of a 'walk-alone-like-an-emo-protagonist' type."
Kazuki smirked. "You're not wrong."
They reached the bookstore she mentioned. "Little Page" stood quietly at the corner, with a cracked sign and books displayed behind the dusty glass window.
Aira stopped. "I'll drop by for a bit. You can go ahead."
He paused.
"…I'll wait."
Her eyes widened. "Wait? Why?"
"Dunno."
"…You're so weird."
"Said the girl who freaked out over handholding."
"I did not freak out!"
Kazuki said nothing.
His smirk said everything.
Aira groaned and marched into the bookstore.
Kazuki leaned against the wall, watching the sky turn a deeper shade of orange.
Maybe walking home wasn't so bad after all.