(Kiyomi's POV).
It started with silence.
Not the peaceful kind — the kind that fills the air when people who used to laugh together start to forget how.
Hinata smiled like nothing was wrong. Akio joked like nothing was broken.
And Minato — well, Minato smiled as usual, but sometimes I caught his eyes drifting somewhere else. Somewhere… far.
I knew it.
I felt it.
Something between us was cracking.
But I didn't want to see it. Because if I did, maybe it would break completely.
So I ignored it.
I smiled. I laughed. I acted like everything was fine.
Until that one day — when it all snapped.
During recess, I found Akio and Hinata sitting under the tree where we always ate together.
But this time, they stopped talking the moment I got there.
Kiyomi: Did I… interrupt something? (I asked).
Hinata looked down. Akio looked away.
It hurt. That simple, silent rejection.
And I couldn't stand it anymore.
So I spoke — maybe louder than I should've.
Kiyomi: I don't know what's going on with you two, but if it's something I did, just say it! I'm tired of pretending we're okay when we're clearly not!
Students looked at us. Hinata stood up first, her voice soft.
Hinata: It's not like that, Kiyomi. We just–
Akio:(Interrupting) We feel like you don't need us anymore.
That line hit harder than I expected.
I froze. Minato, who had been watching from afar, came closer but didn't speak.
And in that moment, I realised how far apart we had drifted — not because of distance, but because of fear.
So I took a deep breath.
Kiyomi: I still need you guys. I never stopped.
Hinata smiled weakly. Akio sighed.
We stood there for a moment, the three of us — awkward, guilty, but somehow relieved.
Then I said the one thing that finally brought warmth back into our circle.
Kiyomi: Let's have a sleepover at my place. Just like old times.
And that's where everything… changed again.
That Friday, everyone came — Akio, Hinata, Minato, and even Asahi, who I'd almost forgotten to invite (typical me).
Ayumi was thrilled. She loved having my friends around. At least, she had the comfort of my friends since Aoki didn't come to our house tonight.
We ate dinner together, laughing again like before. For a moment, it felt like nothing had ever gone wrong.
But under the table, I could feel the strange currents — quiet glances between Hinata and Akio, whispers I couldn't quite catch. Something was up.
After dinner, Ayumi set down her chopsticks.
Ayumi: You guys can play midnight games, but don't stay up too late, okay?
Kiyomi: Yes, ma'am.
She smiled and went off to her room.
That's when Akio leaned back in his chair, smirking.
Akio: Come on, guys. Let's do something special this sleepover. Let's make it memorable.
Hinata: Oh! How about we play midnight games?
I turned to Ayumi instinctively, but she was already gone.
Kiyomi: Sounds fun but…
She peeked out of her room.
Ayumi: You can play. Just keep the noise down!
And that sealed it.
After dinner, Hinata and I washed the dishes while Akio and Minato stayed in the living room.
I could hear faint murmurs — low voices, tense laughter.
Maybe something happened between them, but I didn't ask. I didn't want to.
When Hinata and I returned, Ayumi had gone to bed.
It was just us now.
Minato dropped his glasses by his side when we sat on the floor, getting ready to play card games.
We played card games for a while — nothing serious — but by 11 p.m., Hinata slammed her cards down dramatically.
Hinata: These card games are getting boring. Let's do something more adult-ish.
Akio: Like what?
Hinata: Truth or dare.
Kiyomi: Okay, let's see how it goes.
And so, it began.
The first few rounds were harmless — favourite colours, embarrassing moments, who eats the most snacks during class.
But then the tone shifted.
The questions started digging deeper.
Personal. Probing.
By 11:45 p.m., my heart was pounding — not from laughter, but from dread.
It was my turn.
And Akio was the one asking.
Akio: Truth or dare?
Kiyomi: Truth.
Akio:(Smirking) Who do you like?
The world stopped.
The room went quiet — too quiet. Everyone was watching me.
Hinata's eyes softened, Minato looked tense. Even Asahi looked away awkwardly.
I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. My throat dried up.
Kiyomi:(Stammering) E–excuse me. I– I have to go to the kitchen.
I stood up quickly and left, heart pounding in my ears.
In the kitchen, the air felt colder.
I opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of juice, poured it into a glass, and took a small sip.
Leaning against the counter, I tried to breathe.
"Why did that question shake me so much?"
"Why couldn't I just say it?"
I thought to myself.
Then I heard footsteps.
Minato.
Kiyomi: What are you doing here?
Minato: Still tensed, huh? That question did get you worked up.
He said it softly, walking closer.
Kiyomi: Umm… I don't know what you're talking about. Which question?
But he didn't stop walking.
He stopped just a few inches from me, his voice a low whisper that brushed against my ear.
Minato:(Whispering) Are you scared of saying it… or are you scared of accepting it?
My breath caught.
Then he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
My heart was beating like it wanted to escape.
And all I could see were his beautiful green eyes — he looked better without his glasses.
He leaned closer — I thought he was going to kiss me.
Instead, he reached past me and grabbed my glass.
Minato: I'll just take this.
And then he left — just like that.
My heart was still racing when I turned back toward the door… and froze.
Asahi was standing there.
He didn't say a word — just looked at me with those unreadable eyes.
I didn't know if he saw everything.
But from the way he looked at me, I think he did.
And suddenly, I wasn't sure which scared me more — what he saw…
or what I was finally starting to feel.