The school bell rang, signaling break time. Students flooded the courtyard, laughing and chatting in clusters, while the sun bathed the campus in a soft golden glow. Away from the crowd, three figures huddled behind a brick wall, peeking through the narrow edge like spies on a mission.
Sakura pressed her back against the wall and whispered dramatically, "Target spotted. Two o'clock."
Sato leaned closer, following her gaze. There, across the courtyard, Kaito sat slouched on a wooden bench beneath a lone tree. A juice box dangled loosely from his hand, the straw tilted, and milk dripped lazily onto the ground—one drop after another, forming a tiny puddle on the dirt path. His expression was blank, his eyes distant, as if he were staring into a void no one else could see.
"He looks… depressed," Hikari murmured softly, her usual cheerful tone replaced by concern.
The three of them fell silent for a moment, watching their friend from afar. Kaito was never the type to look gloomy. In fact, he was the kind of guy who smiled even when he lost at games or got scolded by teachers. Seeing him like this…it didn't feel right.
Sakura clenched her fist with determination. "Okay, this is it. Time to execute the plan."
Sato raised an eyebrow. "The plan? You actually made one?"
"Of course," Sakura said proudly, pounding her fist into her palm. "Listen up: While Kaito isn't looking, we sneak up behind him, tie him up, stuff him into a big bag, and then—wait for it—hang him from the rooftop of the tallest building in school! Then we threaten to let him go unless he tells us what's bothering him." She finished with a wide grin, as if she had just invented the greatest idea in the universe.
Sato stared at her in disbelief. "…Are you serious right now?"
"What? It's flawless," Sakura said defensively, crossing her arms. "Fear is the fastest way to make someone spill their secrets!"
"No," Sato said flatly, brushing her words aside. "That's not just a bad plan, that's a crime."
Sakura pouted, puffing her cheeks. "Fine then, genius. What's your brilliant idea?"
Sato tapped his chin thoughtfully, then said, "Honestly, I think the best approach is to act normal. Show no signs of curiosity, give him space, and wait for him to talk on his own. People open up when they're ready."
Sakura stared at him blankly, then sighed with exaggerated boredom. "Wow. Your brilliant plan is… disgusting."
"Hey!" Sato frowned. "At least my plan doesn't involve kidnapping and potential murder. 'Hang him off a building'? Really?"
"Don't you dare underestimate the power of fear!" Sakura snapped back. "It works in movies all the time!"
"Movies aren't real life!" Sato shot back.
The two glared at each other, sparks practically flying between them, until Sato finally sighed in defeat. "You know what? Let's let Hikari decide. Hikari, please tell Sakura my plan is better—"
But his words stopped mid-sentence. There was no reply. He blinked, turning to the spot where Hikari had been standing, only to find empty air. "Hikari?"
Sakura looked around too. "Where the heck did she go?"
Before they could guess, both of them froze as their eyes landed on the bench.
Hikari was already sitting right next to Kaito.
"What the—?!" They yelled in unison, scrambling out from their hiding spot and sprinting toward her.
"Hey, Kaito," Hikari said gently, tilting her head to meet his downcast gaze. "If something's bothering you… you know you can tell me, right? I'm your friend."
Kaito blinked, startled. "Hikari, I…"
Before he could finish, Sakura and Sato burst onto the scene, nearly tripping over each other.
"Y-Yo, Kaito!" Sakura shouted, forcing an awkward laugh. "Didn't see you there! Haha… me and Sato were just… uh… talking about you!"
Sato winced as Sakura jabbed her elbow into his ribs. "Yeah! Totally… talking about… you," he said through gritted teeth, glaring at her.
Kaito raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You guys…"
"Anyway!" Sato quickly changed the subject, his voice softening as he looked at his friend. "What happened, man? You're not usually this quiet."
For a moment, Kaito didn't respond. He just stared at the ground, gripping the half-empty juice box in his hand. Then, slowly, he stood up, forcing a smile. "You guys shouldn't stress yourselves. I'm fine. Really. But… thanks for worrying. How about I treat you all to drinks after class?"
He started walking away, but something about his fake smile made their hearts ache.
"Kaito, wait!" Hikari called out.
He stopped and turned back, only to find Sato stepping forward. Before Kaito could react, Sato wrapped his arms around him in a sudden, firm embrace.
"Kaito…"
Kaito froze. Hearing his name spoken so softly—so sincerely—broke something inside him. His body trembled, and then, like a dam shattering, tears streamed down his cheeks.
"I-I'm so sorry," he choked out, his voice cracking. "It's… all my fault. Someone almost died yesterday… and it's because of me."
His knees buckled, and he collapsed into Sato's arms. Sato held him tight, supporting his weight as Hikari and Sakura rushed over, their eyes wide with shock.
"Kaito, what are you saying?!" Sakura blurted out. "That wasn't your fault! That girl… she was the one acting crazy!"
But Kaito only shook his head, tears dripping onto the ground. "You don't understand. She's like that because of me. I caused it…"
The three friends exchanged stunned glances.
And then Kaito began to speak.
Kaito's Past – Eleven Years Ago
"Eleven years ago," he whispered, his voice heavy with guilt. "I met Nozomi. Our parents were close friends, and we were born on the same day, same month, same year. We clicked instantly. Played together every day. She… she was my best friend well apart from Sato that is."
His eyes grew distant as he recalled the memories—two small children running through fields, laughing under the summer sun.
"When we turned six, she confessed to me."
Flashback
"Kaito," little Nozomi said shyly, her cheeks pink as she clutched her tiny hands together. "Being around you… it makes my heart go boom-boom-boom. But in a good way."
Six-year-old Kaito tilted his head in confusion. "Huh?"
"I'm trying to say… I like you," Nozomi stammered, her face burning. "And I know what I want for my birthday gift. I want you, Kaito!"
Kaito's face turned crimson. "Wha—?! No, no, no! I'm sorry, Nozomi, but I can't! I… I don't feel that way!"
"Why not?!" Nozomi cried, her eyes glistening. "It's not like you like someone else, right?"
Kaito hesitated. "Well… I wouldn't say that…"
Her heart sank. "Wait. Don't tell me you like another girl!"
"No, no! It's not a girl," Kaito said quickly, waving his hands. "It's just… we're too young. We can't be talking about this stuff yet."
But Nozomi didn't give up. She held his hand tightly. "I know how insecure you feel sometimes. That's why… I've been training. Learning how to fight. So I can protect you, Kaito. You don't have to regret being a pacifist, because I'll fight for you. So please… just let me be yours."
Kaito froze. A part of him thought… maybe it wouldn't be so bad. His parents refused to hire bodyguards—they wanted him to 'grow strong on his own.' But with Nozomi by his side, he'd feel safe. So he made a promise.
"If you really want that… then… protect me," he said softly.
And she did.
Day after day, year after year, she kept her word. By middle school, Nozomi was fearless—beating up bullies, scaring away thugs, training relentlessly. And Kaito… he got used to it. He liked the attention, the feeling of being untouchable. So he kept delaying his answer. Knowing full well… he could never love her the way she loved him.
Then… everything fell apart.
One day, I messed with the wrong people. And Nozomi… she paid the price."
Kaito's voice shook as he continued.
"They… they beat her. Badly. I can still see it—her lying on the ground, blood everywhere. I called for help… but by the time the doctors saved her…"
Flashback – Hospital Room
"She's stable," the doctor said. "But when her skull was fractured… a fragment pierced her brain. It's damaged the part that controls rational thought. I'm afraid… she may suffer from episodes of psychosis."
Kaito stared through the window at Nozomi's hospital bed. Her once-bright eyes… now empty. Her smile… twisted.
"Isn't there any way to fix it?!" he begged. "There has to be!"
"We can make a suppressant," the doctor said hesitantly. "But it's temporary. And… the side effects are unknown."
"I don't care," Kaito said firmly. "Do it. I'll take full responsibility."
Back to the present
Kaito buried his face in his hands. "I thought… I could handle it. Keep her safe. Keep everyone safe. But yesterday… she snapped again. And this time… someone almost died."
His shoulders trembled as he whispered, "It's all my fault. If I'd just given her an answer back then… if I'd just let her go…"
Silence hung in the air. None of them knew what to say. Sakura bit her lip, her usual fiery attitude dimmed. Hikari knelt beside Kaito, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Kaito… you don't have to carry this alone anymore," she said softly. "We're your friends. Let us help you."
Sato nodded, gripping his shoulder firmly. "No more secrets. Whatever happens… we face it together."
For the first time that day… Kaito looked up. And for a brief moment, the weight on his heart felt a little lighter.