(Kiyomi's POV).
The afternoon sun was soft and golden, the kind that paints everything in quiet warmth. Minato and I walked home together again — just like yesterday, but something about today felt different. There was a comfort between us now, a kind of closeness that didn't need words.
We didn't rush. The streets were half wet from the morning rain, and the sound of our shoes against the pavement blended with the rustle of trees.
Minato: You're quiet today.
Kiyomi: Just thinking.
Minato: About what?
Kiyomi:(Smiling faintly) You.
He looked at me, half surprised, half amused — that soft grin I'd started to love playing on his lips.
Minato: Careful. You'll make me think you mean it.
Kiyomi: Who says I don't?
He stopped walking. The wind brushed past us, carrying the scent of rain-soaked flowers. For a second, neither of us moved. Then Minato reached out and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear — slowly, carefully, like he was scared it might break the moment.
Minato: Kiyomi…
My heart raced. I could feel it — the air thick between us, the space shrinking, our gazes locked. It was like everything around us disappeared, leaving just that warmth, that pull.
Then—
A voice: Kiyomi!
We turned. It was Akio.
He stood a few steps away, eyes narrowing, voice calm but heavy. Hinata was beside him, silent, her expression unreadable.
Akio: I was looking for you. You left school without saying anything.
Kiyomi: Oh… sorry. I didn't think it mattered.
Akio: Right. Because now you have Minato.
The tone in his voice made my stomach twist. Minato stepped closer, subtly, his presence protective but calm.
Minato: You don't have to sound like that.
Akio: Like what?
Minato: Like she did something wrong.
A long silence. Rainwater dripped from a nearby tree, breaking the tension for only a second.
Hinata finally spoke, softly.
Hinata: Akio… let's go.
He looked at her, his expression softening, but only for a moment. They walked off together — yet even from behind, I could tell. The distance between them wasn't just physical anymore. It was in their silence, in how they didn't look at each other, in how her hand stayed at her side instead of reaching for his.
That night, I couldn't stop thinking about what happened.
Was Akio jealous… or was he just protective?
And why did it bother me so much that Hinata looked at Minato the way she did earlier in class — that long, searching glance when she thought no one was watching?
The next morning, I tried to shake it off. But when Minato arrived at school, Hinata was already there — talking to him. Laughing softly. My chest tightened.
"Why does it hurt seeing them like that?
Later, during group practice, I barely focused. Every time Minato smiled at her, something twisted inside me — something I didn't want to admit was jealousy.
When class ended, Minato noticed.
Minato: You're avoiding me.
Kiyomi: No, I'm just tired.
Minato: Liar.
Kiyomi: Why don't you go talk to Hinata again? You two seemed happy.
His brows furrowed. He stepped closer.
Minato: You're jealous.
Kiyomi: No, I'm not.
Minato: Then look at me.
I tried — but the moment I did, I felt everything crumble. The confusion, the warmth, the fear of losing something I didn't even know I had.
Minato:(Gently) Kiyomi… it's only you I want to walk home with.
The words hit me harder than I expected. Before I could say anything, he smiled — that same calm, quiet smile — and walked out.
I stood there, heart pounding. Maybe it was jealousy, maybe it was love. Maybe it was both.
Whatever it was, I couldn't deny it anymore.
Something real had begun between us — fragile, powerful, and terrifyingly beautiful.
But so had the shadows.
Because for every warmth between Minato and me… something in Akio and Hinata's world was starting to fade.