The cold finally starts to ease. The snow that once covered the schoolyard melts into tiny streams that glisten under the weak sunlight. The air still bites, but spring is close enough to feel in the wind.
It's been a while since the fireworks. A while since Jousuke found himself caught between silence and heartbeats. A while since he started noticing how differently the world feels when someone is waiting for an answer.
He sits by the classroom window, head resting against his palm, watching clouds drift across the pale sky.
Around him, the usual noise of Class 1-F fills the room—Asa joking loudly with Natsu, Sakamoto reading a new manga, Rika quietly scribbling in her notebook at the back.
The chatter feels the same, but something in Jousuke's world has shifted.
"Mr. Jousuke Daikuhara, you're zoning out again." Asa teases from across the aisle. "You thinking about exams or... something sweeter?"
Jousuke sighs. "Neither."
"Liar!" Asa grins. "It's a week before Valentine's, man. Even Natsu's pretending to study harder."
"Shut up!" Natsu mutters, earning laughter from nearby desks.
Sakamoto looks up from his manga. "So, Jousuke, any predictions this year? You're probably getting at least two chocolates."
Jousuke shakes his head. "That's not—"
"Two?" Asa cuts in. "More like three!"
Rika glances up calmly from her seat. "Can you guys not make so much noise? Some people are trying to take notes."
Asa groans. "You're no fun."
Jousuke laughs lightly, but inside, his thoughts spiral again.
The mention of Valentine's doesn't excite him—it makes his heart heavier, uncertain.
-ROOFTOP-
-LUNCH BREAK-
Jousuke leans against the cold railing, sandwich in hand. The view of the city below feels peaceful, almost like it belongs to another world.
He hears the door open behind him. Light footsteps follow.
"Skipping lunch again?" Kaede's voice asks softly.
He turns, surprised but not entirely. "Kaede? You're allowed up here?"
She raises her student council pass with a tiny grin. "Perks of the position."
He chuckles. "Of course."
She walks closer, standing beside him. The breeze tosses her hair gently, strands catching the sunlight. "You've been quiet lately." she says. "Everything alright?"
Jousuke shrugs. "Just... thinking."
"About something important?" she asks gently.
He glances at her, then looks back at the view. "Yeah. I guess so."
Kaede folds her arms on the railing, leaning slightly forward. "You always say that when something's actually bothering you."
He smirks faintly. "Do I?"
"You do." she says softly. "You look out there like the answers are written in the clouds."
He laughs under his breath. "Maybe they are."
She smiles, her tone playfully patient. "And what kind of question needs the sky to answer it?"
He hesitates. "...The kind I can't ask anyone."
Kaede tilts her head, studying him carefully. The wind lifts the hem of her blazer, brushing strands of hair against her cheek. "You don't trust people easily, huh?"
"It's not that." he murmurs. "I just don't want to say something I can't take back."
She's quiet for a while before replying, "You're too careful sometimes, Jousuke. I think that's why people like you—you listen, but you rarely speak about what's really inside."
He lowers his gaze. "Maybe I'm just afraid of saying the wrong thing."
Kaede lets out a small, understanding laugh. "Then say the right one slowly. You don't have to rush."
He looks at her, surprised by how calmly she said it. Her words aren't meant to push him—they're meant to reach him.
Kaede's eyes soften. "You know, I used to think being careful meant being strong. But sometimes, it just makes you lonely."
Her voice carries a faint, almost wistful tone. He catches it, though she tries to hide it with a smile.
"Lonely, huh..." he repeats. "I guess you're right."
"You don't have to agree with me just because I sound serious." she teases lightly, then straightens up. "But I mean it. You should let yourself rely on people once in a while."
"Even if it makes things complicated?" he asks quietly.
Kaede nods. "Even then. Complications mean you're living honestly."
He laughs a little at that. "You make it sound easy."
"It's not." she admits. "But maybe that's the point. Feelings aren't supposed to be easy."
The wind rushes between them, soft and cold, but her presence feels steady—anchored.
For a while, they simply stand there, watching the clouds move across the sky.
There's no need to fill the silence—it feels meaningful enough.
Then Kaede glances at him again. "Jousuke."
He hums. "Yeah?"
She smiles faintly, almost shyly. "When you're ready to talk about what's bothering you... I'll listen. No questions. No judgment."
Her tone is gentle but firm, as if she's making a quiet promise.
He looks at her, the sunlight catching in her hair, and something in his chest stirs—a warmth he can't name.
"...Thanks, Kaede." he says softly.
She looks away quickly, cheeks slightly pink. "Don't thank me. Just don't shut people out, okay?"
He nods slowly. "Alright. I'll try."
"Good." She turns to leave, pausing at the door. "And Jousuke?"
"Yeah?"
She gives him a small, sincere smile. "Whatever you're overthinking—it'll make sense eventually. Just don't lose yourself before that."
Her words linger long after she disappears behind the rooftop door.
-HALLWAY-
-AFTER SCHOOL-
Students hurry past with laughter and chatter, but Jousuke walks slowly, mind still distant.
He stops when he spots Rika near the vending machines, pressing a coin into the slot. She glances up, meeting his eyes immediately.
"Oh. Daikuhara-kun." she says with a small nod.
"Hey." he greets, walking over. "Didn't know you stay late too."
"I'm waiting for Ruka. She's in club practice." Rika says, opening her drink. "You heading home?"
"Yeah. Just... taking my time."
Rika studies him quietly for a moment. "You've been taking your time a lot lately."
He laughs softly. "You noticed that?"
"I notice a lot of things." she replies, taking a small sip. "You look like someone who's trying too hard to keep his thoughts organized."
Jousuke chuckles. "You could say that."
Rika leans her shoulder against the wall. "It's written all over your face. You're thinking too much again."
"Maybe." he admits, looking away. "Guess I just don't want to make the wrong choice."
She hums, tilting her head slightly. "Then maybe stop thinking about what's right or wrong. Just think about what's real."
He blinks. "What's real?"
"Yeah," she says simply. "People worry so much about what looks fair that they forget what feels true."
Jousuke is quiet for a moment. "That's... surprisingly deep."
Rika smirks. "You sound surprised."
"Coming from you, yeah."
"Rude." she says, laughing lightly. Then her tone softens. "You know, Daikuhara-kun, you always get this distant look when you don't want anyone to see you worrying. It's obvious if you know how to read you."
He glances at her, unsure how to respond. "And you can?"
"I've known you long enough to tell." she says simply. "You're not good at hiding how you feel."
He scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed. "I thought I was doing a pretty good job."
"You weren't." she says with a half-smile. "You never are."
Rika pushes a can of hot cocoa toward him. "Warm up. You look like you need it."
He accepts it with a quiet thanks. The warmth seeps through his fingers, comforting. "You always carry an extra one?"
"Just for people like you." she teases.
He laughs softly, shaking his head. "You really don't change."
"Maybe not." she replies. "But you are. And that's a good thing, Daikuhara-kun."
He turns to her, meeting her eyes. "You think so?"
Rika nods. "Yeah. You've started to think harder about what matters. It's obvious. You've just got to stop being scared of your own feelings."
The words settle deep in him, quiet but heavy. He doesn't know what to say, so he only smiles faintly. "Thanks, Sakurai-san."
"Anytime." she answers, finishing her drink. "Just promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Don't run away from your feelings this time. Whatever happens."
Her voice isn't sharp—it's steady, firm, and sincere.
Jousuke nods slowly. "Yeah. I won't."
Rika smiles faintly. "Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow."
And with that, she walks toward the stairs, her shadow stretching against the glowing hallway lights.
He watches her leave, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly until the hall falls silent again.
-TRAIN STATION-
-EVENING-
The sky is already painted with orange and purple hues when Jousuke reaches the station.
His phone vibrates—one new message.
Kaede: Don't overthink too much. You'll just make yourself sick.
Kaede: And if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.
He stares at the screen, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He types back slowly.
Jousuke: I know. Thanks, Kaede.
He pockets his phone and exhales, watching the train lights approach. The sound of the rails hums softly beneath the platform, matching the steady rhythm of his thoughts.
Valentine's is only a week away. And somehow, that week feels like it's going to change everything.