(Hinata's POV).
Lately, the classroom feels different.
Not loud — just… uneven.
It's like laughter no longer spreads evenly across the room anymore. When Kiyomi laughs, it echoes in one corner, and Akio's silence swallows the rest.
And Minato — he's always with her now.
Everywhere.
At first, I thought it was cute. They looked good together in that natural way — like sunlight on glass, warm and easy. But as the days passed, I started noticing the small things — the way he looks at her like she's the only thing that matters, or how she blushes whenever he says her name.
It shouldn't bother me. It really shouldn't.
But it does.
I sit beside Akio during lunch, but he barely says a word these days. He stabs at his food like it owes him something.
Hinata: You're quiet again.
Akio: Nothing to talk about.
Hinata: You've been saying that a lot lately.
Akio: Because it's true.
Silence.
It used to be comfortable between us. Now it feels like we're both standing on glass, afraid to move because it might shatter.
Sometimes, I think he's jealous — not because he likes Kiyomi, but because he hates being replaced. He's always been the center of our little group, the one who kept things balanced. But lately, he's been pushed out of orbit.
By Minato.
I can't say I blame him. Even I find myself drawn to Minato sometimes — not romantically, but because he's… kind in quiet ways. When I was carrying class props last week, he helped me without saying anything, then smiled before walking off. That tiny smile stayed in my mind longer than it should have.
And then there's Kiyomi.
I love her — she's my best friend. But lately, she doesn't look at me the same way anymore. It's not intentional, I know. She's just somewhere else — emotionally — somewhere that's not with us.
I see her sneaking glances at Minato in class, smiling at things no one said aloud.
Sometimes she hums quietly to herself when he's around.
And it hurts.
Not because I want what she has… but because I miss when we used to have each other.
After school, Akio and I walked home together. It was quiet again, except for the cicadas singing their endless summer song.
Hinata: You're thinking about them again.
Akio:(Bitter smile) You noticed?
Hinata: I always notice.
Akio: Then you know why I'm angry.
Hinata: Because Kiyomi changed?
Akio: Because she's acting like we don't exist.
He kicked a stone down the road.
I didn't respond immediately. I didn't want to argue, but I also didn't want to agree — because deep down, I felt it too.
Hinata: Maybe we're the ones who changed.
Akio: Don't start that.
Hinata: I'm serious, Akio. Maybe we're holding on too tightly to what things used to be.
He didn't reply. He just shoved his hands in his pockets and kept walking.
I looked up at the sky — pink-orange, fading into dusk. It reminded me of how Kiyomi once said sunsets were her favourite because they "never rush endings."
Lately, though, it feels like ours is rushing toward one.
When we reached my street, Akio finally stopped.
Akio: Hinata… do you think Minato really likes her?
I hesitated.
Hinata: Yeah. I think he does.
Akio: Then he's going to hurt her.
Hinata: Why would you say that?
Akio:(Quietly) Because he looks like someone carrying a secret.
That line… stayed with me long after he left.
A secret.
The next morning, I saw it too — the faint pallor in Minato's face, the way he sometimes hides a wince behind a smile. It's subtle, but there. And Kiyomi never notices because she's too busy smiling at him like the world's finally made sense.
And me?
I stand there, watching from a distance, feeling like a side character in a story I used to belong to.
I miss her.
I miss us.
But I don't know how to reach her anymore — not when her heart already has someone else's shadow resting on it.
Still… I'll keep watching.
Because if Minato ever hurts her — no matter how kind he looks, or how warm he makes her smile —
I'll be the first to step in.
Even if it means breaking my own heart in the process.