( when silence screams )
The soft morning light was spilling into Haruki's room through the window.
Haruki picked up his shirt, opened the door, and stepped outside.
As soon as he moved forward, his eyes froze in place.
Hina.
She was standing right in front of him… changing her clothes.
A small, slightly naughty smile crept across Haruki's face. A tiny drop of blood slid from his nose.
"Wow… what a view," he whispered.
Hina put on her dress and looked at Haruki.
For a moment, Haruki's heart stopped. He quickly turned his head away.
"I didn't see anything! I swear, I didn't see anything!"
Hina raised an eyebrow. "What didn't you see?"
"Nothing…" Haruki replied plainly, but the blood was still dripping from his nose.
Hina frowned. "Wait a second! Were you watching me while I was changing?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Haruki said quickly.
"Your nosebleed says it all," Hina said, narrowing her eyes.
Haruki stepped back. "Sorry… but I only saw by accident."
"After seeing everything, now you say it was an accident," Hina said in a disappointed tone.
Haruki sighed softly. "Believe me… when I came out, you were already changing."
"But you did see," Hina said, lowering her head.
Looking at her, Haruki explained, "I'm telling the truth, Hina… it was just a mistake."
Seeing his troubled face, Hina nodded. "Okay… if you say so, I'll believe you."
"Thanks," Haruki said with a faint smile.
Hina smiled too. "It's fine… now hurry up and get ready."
"Yeah," Haruki agreed.
The two were walking on the road toward college.
In a casual tone, Hina asked, "What happened to you last night? You were acting totally crazy."
Still looking straight ahead, Haruki said, "I don't know why that happens to me."
Maybe he's hiding something from me… Hina thought.
Suddenly blushing, Hina asked, "By the way… when you saw me without clothes… how did I look?"
Haruki's cheeks turned bright red. "Is that really necessary to ask?"
"Well, you've already seen, so you might as well tell me," Hina said shyly.
Haruki hesitated. "Y… y… you looked good."
Hina gave a teasing smile. "Oh really?"
She kept looking at him, and Haruki, embarrassed, said, "Can you stop staring at me now?"
"What can I do… you're looking so cute today I just can't take my eyes off you," Hina teased.
Haruki blushed even more.
"You look even cuter when you blush… I hope my evil eye doesn't fall on you," Hina laughed.
"Enough already," Haruki said, still flustered.
What's gotten into her today… Haruki wondered.
Not far away, Tsubaki and a few of his friends were watching them.
"These two seem to be getting way too close lately," one boy said.
Tsubaki had a can of coke in his hand. He crushed it in anger. "I can see that."
When they reached class, Haruki helped Hina to her bench.
"Alright… I'll go now," he said.
"Yeah, go," Hina smiled.
"Should I go?" Haruki confirmed again.
"Yes, go," Hina said with her eyes closed, smiling.
"Okay, bye."
Haruki was about to leave when Hina called out, "Haruki, wait!"
"Yeah?" Haruki turned.
"Bend down," Hina said.
"Why?"
"Just bend." She grabbed his jacket and pulled him down.
As soon as he bent, Hina smiled and ran her hand over his head.
"What was that?" Haruki asked in surprise.
"Nothing… now go," Hina said.
As Haruki turned, he bumped into Tsubaki.
"Sorry… I ran into you by accident," Haruki said.
"Oh really…" Tsubaki gave a strange smile… and suddenly punched him hard in the stomach.
"Tsubaki! What are you doing?" Hina screamed.
Tsubaki kicked Haruki, sending him crashing into the wall.
"This is all because of you," Tsubaki said angrily.
"If it's because of me, then why are you hitting him?" Hina tried to reason.
"I warned him… but he didn't listen," Tsubaki said, landing another punch.
"This is my final punch!" Tsubaki struck hard, and Haruki fell to the ground.
Hina helped him up. "Haruki, are you okay?"
"I… I'm fine," Haruki tried to smile.
Tsubaki laughed. "Wow… you're not as weak as I thought. Looks like I'll have to hit harder."
"Tsubaki, don't do this!" Hina panicked.
Tsubaki pulled his leg back for a kick.
"Please, stop!" Hina shouted.
When Tsubaki kicked, Hina hugged Haruki tightly to protect him.
For a moment, Haruki froze… Hina still wasn't letting go.
But the kick didn't hit Hina — and when Haruki looked, he was shocked.
To be continued 👀👀