The soft hum of conversation drifted through the classroom as students filed in, settling into their seats. Haruki sat by the window, his chin propped on one hand as he stared outside. The gray clouds from the previous day had finally begun to clear, but the faint chill in the air remained, brushing against the glass like a lingering reminder of the storm that had passed.
Despite the warmth of the morning sun peeking through the clouds, Haruki felt cold. Aoi’s expression from the day before, filled with frustration and disappointment, had etched itself into his mind. Her parting words—“You can’t keep running forever, Haruki”—played on a loop, gnawing at the edges of his thoughts.
He hadn’t seen her yet today. Part of him hoped she wouldn’t show up, but another, quieter part wanted her to. He hated the way they had left things—unfinished, unresolved. But at the same time, he didn’t know what to say to her if she did confront him again.
“Good morning, Haruki!”
Eiji’s cheerful voice broke through his reverie, and Haruki blinked, turning to see his friend dropping into the seat beside him. Eiji was carrying his usual oversized bag, which thudded against the floor as he sat.
“Hey,” Haruki muttered, his voice quieter than usual.
Eiji frowned, leaning closer. “You okay, man? You’ve been zoning out a lot lately.”
“I’m fine,” Haruki said automatically, though the tightness in his chest made the words feel like a lie even as he spoke them.
Eiji didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he dug into his bag and pulled out a bright red can of soda. “Here. You look like you could use a sugar boost.”
Haruki stared at the can for a moment before taking it. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Eiji said, grinning. “Just don’t pass out on me during class, okay? I’m not carrying you to the nurse’s office again.”
A faint smile tugged at Haruki’s lips, and for a brief moment, the tension in his chest eased. Eiji had a way of making things feel normal, even when they weren’t.
The first half of the day passed in a blur of lectures and assignments. Haruki struggled to focus, his mind wandering despite his best efforts. Every time he tried to concentrate, his thoughts drifted back to the rooftop, to the men who had confronted him, to Aoi’s piercing questions.
By the time lunch rolled around, Haruki was exhausted. He grabbed his tray and headed to his usual spot by the window, hoping for a moment of quiet.
But as soon as he sat down, he noticed Aoi across the room. She was sitting with a few other students, her notebook open as she scribbled something down. She didn’t look his way, but Haruki could feel her presence like a weight pressing against his chest.
He poked at his rice, his appetite fading. The tension between them was unbearable, but he didn’t know how to fix it.
“Hey, Haruki.”
Eiji slid into the seat across from him, his tray piled high with curry and tempura. “You’re not eating much. Everything okay?”
Haruki shrugged, pushing his rice around with his chopsticks. “Just not hungry.”
Eiji frowned but didn’t say anything. Instead, he started eating, filling the silence with the clatter of his utensils.
Haruki glanced toward Aoi again, catching her just as she looked up. Their eyes met for a split second before she quickly turned away, her cheeks tinged pink.
Haruki’s stomach twisted. He needed to talk to her, to explain—something. But the thought of approaching her in front of everyone made his chest tighten with anxiety.
“Haruki.”
Eiji’s voice pulled him back to the present, and Haruki realized his friend was staring at him.
“You’ve been acting weird all day,” Eiji said, his tone serious. “Did something happen?”
Haruki hesitated, his mind racing for an excuse. “It’s nothing. Just... family stuff.”
Eiji raised an eyebrow. “Family stuff, huh?”
Haruki nodded, hoping that would be enough to end the conversation. But Eiji didn’t look satisfied.
“You know, you can tell me if something’s bothering you,” Eiji said. “I’m not just here to make jokes and eat all the good food in the cafeteria.”
Haruki managed a small smile. “I know. Thanks.”
Eiji grinned, leaning back in his chair. “Anytime. Just don’t forget that, alright?”
The afternoon classes were quieter than usual, the rain from the day before seemingly draining everyone’s energy. Haruki kept his head down, scribbling notes even as his thoughts wandered.
He caught himself glancing at the back of the room more than once, his eyes drawn to Aoi. She didn’t try to approach him, but he could feel the tension between them like a string pulled taut, waiting to snap.
When the final bell rang, Haruki was the first to leave the classroom. He didn’t want to wait around for another confrontation, not when his mind was already spinning with everything he was trying to process.
But as he stepped into the hallway, he heard footsteps behind him.
“Haruki.”
He stopped, his shoulders tensing. Slowly, he turned to see Aoi standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.
“We need to talk,” she said.
Haruki sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Kisaragi—”
“Don’t say it’s none of my business,” Aoi interrupted, her voice firm. “Because it is. You don’t get to decide that for me.”
Haruki hesitated, his chest tightening. He wanted to tell her to let it go, to stay out of it for her own safety. But he could see the determination in her eyes, and he knew she wouldn’t back down.
“Fine,” he said quietly. “What do you want to know?”
Aoi stepped closer, her gaze piercing. “Who were those men on the rooftop? Why did they call you Nakamura?”
Haruki swallowed hard, the weight of her questions pressing down on him. “They’re... family,” he said finally, choosing his words carefully.
“Family?” Aoi repeated, her brow furrowing.
Haruki nodded. “It’s complicated.”
Aoi crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. “Complicated how?”
Haruki hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn’t tell her everything—not yet. But maybe he could give her just enough to satisfy her curiosity.
“My family’s involved in... some stuff,” he said carefully. “Stuff I’m trying to stay out of.”
Aoi’s frown deepened. “What kind of stuff?”
Haruki looked away, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “You don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do,” Aoi said, her voice firm. “Haruki, if you’re in trouble—”
“I’m not in trouble,” Haruki said quickly, cutting her off. “I just... I don’t want you to get involved.”
Aoi stared at him, her expression softening slightly. “Why not?”
“Because it’s dangerous,” Haruki said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The hallway fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
Aoi stepped closer, her gaze steady. “I can handle it,” she said quietly.
Haruki shook his head, his chest tightening. “No, you can’t.”
Aoi opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. They both turned to see a teacher approaching, their expression stern.
“Shouldn’t you two be heading home?” the teacher asked.
“Sorry,” Aoi said quickly, stepping back.
Haruki nodded, avoiding the teacher’s gaze. “We were just leaving.”
As the teacher walked past them, Aoi turned back to Haruki, her expression unreadable.
“This isn’t over,” she said quietly.
Haruki didn’t respond. He watched as she walked away, his chest heavy with the weight of everything he couldn’t say.