Monday morning...
The rain had finally stopped. The sky was still gray, the air smelled like wet pavement, and my shoes made tiny squeaks as I walked through the hallway.
Hinata:Morning, Kiyomi!
Hinata waved from our classroom door, a bright smile on her face despite the gloomy weather.
Kiyomi:Morning. (I replied, brushing a few drops off my bag). It feels like the rain followed me.
Hinata:Or maybe you're just dramatic (She grinned). Anyway, guess what? There's big news. The school festival's been announced!
I blinked.
Kiyomi:(Surprised) The school festival?
Before Hinata could answer, Asahi—the ever-serious class rep—clapped his hands at the front of the class.
Asahi:Everyone, settle down! Important announcement from the teachers!
The classroom immediately filled with whispers. Even Ayaka and Nao paused their gossip.
Asahi continued...
Asahi:(Continues) The Cultural Festival will be held three weeks from now. Each class is responsible for planning one main attraction. We'll vote on ideas by tomorrow.
Hinata's eyes sparkled.
Hinata:(Excited) We could do a maid café!"
Akio, from his seat by the window, snorted. Akio:You just want to wear the uniform.
Hinata:And you just want to see me wear it.
Kiyomi:Hinata!
The class burst into laughter.
Even Asahi had to hide a smile.
Asahi:Alright, alright, calm down. We'll discuss ideas later, but for now, please form small groups for brainstorming.
Later that day...
Hinata, Akio, and I sat together with Minato Shimizu, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. His headphones hung around his neck, and his notebook was covered in doodles instead of ideas.
Hinata:So, genius, any ideas?
Minato: We could do something quiet. Like an exhibit. Maybe a planetarium.
Akio:That actually sounds cool.
Hinata:Yeah, but we'd need a lot of tech. Plus, this is high school, not NASA.
Kiyomi:I like the idea, though. It feels peaceful.
Akio smiled at me.
Akio:See? Kiyomi gets it.
I looked away, pretending to reread our notes. The truth was, I hadn't been able to stop thinking about what Akio said during the rain: "Then we'll share it."
It was such a small thing to say… but somehow, it made my heart act strange.
I didn't want it to. I didn't want to feel that way.
After School...
The group meeting dragged on until most students left. Hinata stayed behind to argue with Asahi about café decorations (she was really pushing the maid café idea).
That left just Akio and me in the hallway.
Akio:Hey…(He said, tilting his head) you've been quiet today.
Kiyomi:I'm just tired.
Akio:From thinking too much?
I gave him a small glare, but he only smiled—his usual, gentle smile that made teasing impossible to hate.
His voice dropped a little lower.
Akio:You're still thinking about the rumours, huh?
Kiyomi:(Unsure) It's not that... It's just...
My voice trailed off. I didn't even know what I was trying to say.
He leaned against the wall.
Akio:You don't have to explain. You just... seem like someone who's afraid of getting close to people.
That hit harder than I expected.
Kiyomi:That's not true.
I said, desperately trying not to believe it.
Akio:Then why do you always step back when someone steps closer?
I froze.
For a second, all I could hear was the faint echo of students laughing down the hall, and the soft squeak of wet shoes on the floor.
Kiyomi:Because it hurts when people leave.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Akio didn't say anything right away. He just nodded slowly.
Akio:I get that.
I looked up.
Kiyomi:You do?
Akio:Yeah. My mom used to move a lot because of work. I stopped getting close to classmates. I figured... it's easier not to care.
Kiyomi:Did it work?
Akio smiled faintly.
Akio:(Teasing) Not when people like you keep ruining my plan.
I laughed softly despite myself.
Kiyomi:You're so dramatic.
Akio:Guess we're both a little dramatic.
The Next Morning...
The classroom was buzzing with excitement. Everyone had come up with festival ideas overnight.
Ayaka and Nao were pitching a "Romantic Café" (of course), Takeshi wanted a Haunted House, and Minato still wanted his Planetarium.
Asahi stood at the front again.
Asahi:We'll take a vote after lunch. Be ready with your proposals.
Hinata whispered to me.
Hinata:(Whispers) What do you want, Kiyomi?
Kiyomi:Anything's fine… as long as it doesn't involve confessions or love themes.
Hinata:Still scared?
Kiyomi:Still realistic.
Hinata:You know, Akio's right. You really are afraid of love.
Kiyomi sighed, staring at Akio from across the room as he laughed with Asahi.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was afraid.
But when Akio caught my gaze and smiled, I realized something terrifying—
Even fear couldn't stop the small warmth that was starting to grow in my heart.