(Kiyomi's POV)
The laughter from our little game still lingered in the air, fading into the quiet hum of night. It had been such a long day — full of teasing, hidden looks, and unspoken feelings. We all sat on the floor with our pajamas, and the mood was soft and tired.
Asahi spun the bottle one last time. It landed on Hinata.
Asahi: Alright, Hinata… one last question.
Hinata: Go ahead, I'm ready.
Asahi leaned forward, his eyes sharp but kind.
Asahi: Do you still think about Akio?
The question hit everyone like thunder.
Hinata froze. Akio looked away. I bit my lip, pretending to look at my phone.
Hinata's lips trembled slightly, then she forced a smile.
Hinata: Sometimes… but it doesn't matter anymore.
The silence that followed said otherwise.
After that, the energy died down. I told them to head to bed before Ayumi came checking.
We all split up — Akio, Asahi, and Minato took my dad's old room. Hinata stayed with me in my room.
I thought I'd fall asleep fast, but the moment I lay down, my mind betrayed me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Minato's face — his smile, his voice, that look in his eyes when he almost kissed me.
My heart was racing so hard I couldn't take it anymore. I quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen. The house was dark except for the faint glow from the fridge light. I poured myself a glass of water, trying to calm down.
That's when I heard footsteps.
Minato's voice came from behind me.
Minato: What are you doing here?
Kiyomi: Came to grab a glass of water. What about you?
Minato: Same. Couldn't sleep?
Kiyomi: Yeah… just thinking about you.
I hadn't meant to say that out loud. But it was too late.
He smiled — that same soft, pure smile that made my chest tighten.
Minato: I wish I could sleep with you like last time. But instead, I'm stuck sharing a room with two boys.
Kiyomi: I'm pretty sure that if we were sharing the same bed, sleeping wouldn't be a problem.
Minato chuckled softly.
Minato: I'd really love to share a bed with you.
I froze. My breath caught. What he said wasn't exactly romantic, but the way he said it made the room warmer.
He stepped closer. I started backing away without realizing it until— thud!
I bumped into the fridge.
He leaned in, close enough for me to feel his breath on my skin.
Minato:(Whispering) Watch where you're going… cause you're going straight to my heart.
My heart nearly stopped.
He turned and started walking out.
Kiyomi:(Softly) Don't you want water anymore?
Minato:(Smiling faintly) Seeing your face was alreadyrefreshing enough. Good night, Kiyomi.
And just like that, he left — calm, effortless, leaving my world spinning.
I drank my water, still trembling. Then went back to my room.
Even as I closed my eyes, my heart, my mind, and my whole body still called out his name.
(Asahi's POV)
I couldn't sleep either. Something about Minato was… off. He looked tired, pale — like he was forcing himself to act normal.
When I heard the door creak, I saw him come back from the hallway, with a smile on his lips. He looked startled to see me awake.
Asahi: Minato… what's going on with you?
Minato: Nothing. Just couldn't sleep.
Asahi: That's not what I mean. You've been quiet. You've been… hiding something. Even Kiyomi's noticed.
Minato's jaw tightened.
Minato: You're imagining things, Asahi. Go to sleep.
But as Minato turned away, I caught something — the faint tremor in his hand, and the way he touched his chest, like he was in pain.
Asahi: Something's definitely wrong with him (I whispered to myself).
(Kiyomi's POV)
Back in bed, I finally drifted to sleep — but my dreams were full of him.
Minato's face, his whisper, the way he looked at me in the dark.
Somewhere between the silence and my heartbeat, I realized it —
I wasn't just falling for Minato.
I already had.