( when silence screams arc end )
As soon as lunch ended, a light silence settled over the living room — the soft clinking of plates and glasses, the faint click of the remote, and the background music from the TV. Hina took her place in the corner and pressed the power button on the gaming console.
"Okay, let's start now," she said, her voice carrying that same innocent excitement that lit up her small joys.
Haruki stood up, hesitating slightly. "Before playing the game, I need to take a bath."
Hina replied casually, "Alright, fine, but come back quickly. I've heard boys do dirty things after going to the bathroom."
Haruki looked uncomfortable. "Do I seem like that kind of boy to you?"
Hina gave a mischievous smile. "I was just joking."
As Haruki headed toward the bathroom, the air in the room seemed to grow a little lighter. Hina adjusted the TV's brightness and muttered to herself, "Ever since we came back from the doctor, he's been sad." She was telling the truth, but she didn't know what she should do about it.
Under the shower, warm water running over his back, Haruki stood with a quiet expression in the dim light. Something was moving across his face — something he was trying to hide even from himself.
The doctor's words echoed in his mind: "Now Hina can walk again." It was supposed to be good news, and yet, somewhere in his heart, a small corner trembled.
"The doctor said Hina can walk again now," Haruki murmured to himself. "And Hina has recovered. I should be happy… but I don't know why I don't feel good about it. Maybe now she won't need my help anymore… and if she starts working somewhere else, I won't be able to see her."
The thoughts kept spinning as the water droplets hit with the sound of faint sparks.
After a while, he came out fresh — not as if he were in a rush, but as though he had reached a decision. Hina watched him, and the moment their eyes met, a small smile appeared on her lips.
"You didn't even dry your hair," Hina teased.
Haruki smiled nervously. "Sorry."
"It's fine, I'll do it," she said, taking his towel and gently rubbing his hair dry.
"I can do it myself," Haruki mumbled shyly.
"Sit still," Hina said with a playful smack. She then used the hair dryer to set his hair. "Now you look better."
"Alright," Haruki replied, lowering his eyes.
In that moment, the familiar comfort between them returned — the kind that comes from spending time together without having to speak, the kind that makes a relationship feel normal and homely.
"Alright then, let's play the game," Haruki said.
Hina set the level. "Since you're playing for the first time, let's start on easy mode." Both of them grabbed their controllers, and the match began.
The first match ended far too quickly — Haruki's character knocked off the screen. "I didn't even last two minutes," he said, surprised.
Hina laughed. "It's okay, you're playing for the first time. Let's try again."
Haruki tried again with a bit more determination, but the game felt slippery — always tripping him up. Still, he didn't lose his spirit. Yet again… he lost.
He buried his head in the bed and shouted dramatically, "I lost again!"
"You lose because you attack more than you defend," Hina explained, her voice a mix of playfulness and advice.
Determination flashed in Haruki's eyes. "This time I'll beat you."
"All the best," Hina accepted the challenge.
This time Haruki played with full concentration, but when the match got close, Hina used a cheeky trick — a light shoulder push — to throw him off balance. She won.
"I won again!" Hina shouted happily.
"You cheated," Haruki said with mock annoyance.
"What cheating? Every loser says that after losing," she replied, turning her face away with a smile.
Their playful quarrel hid a quiet affection.
"This time you won't win," Haruki said seriously.
He focused completely — precise moves, perfect timing — and finally… Victory was his. He thumped his chest and shouted, "Yahoo! I won!"
Hina flopped onto the bed. "Oh no, I lost."
In his excitement, Haruki leaned forward, unintentionally ending up over her. Hina gently placed her hand on his cheek — not to push him away harshly, just a soft guard.
"Sorry, I didn't realize… I got too carried away in my excitement," Haruki said quickly, moving back.
"It's okay," Hina said with a smile.
Their eyes met, carrying a faint sparkle — the kind of emotion that quietly binds two people.
They thought about continuing the game, but Haruki paused. "We've been playing for a long time without a break. We should rest a bit."
Hina agreed and lay down on the floor.
Haruki went to the kitchen. "I'll get something to drink." Opening the refrigerator, he took out an energy drink.
"Haru…" Hina called out, still looking at the ceiling.
"Hmm?" Haruki replied absentmindedly.
"You know, lately I've started to like everything," she said with a soft smile.
"What do you mean?" Haruki asked, handing her the drink.
"I mean talking to you, fighting with you, going to college, laughing, joking — I've started to enjoy all of it. Before, I couldn't do these things."
"That's because you used to stay alone," Haruki replied in a slightly sad tone, taking another sip.
Hina turned off the game and put on an old movie on TV. They sat side by side, watching the film. For a while, the scene on the TV, the sound of popcorn, and their occasional glances at each other painted a picture of an ordinary evening.
Then Haruki spoke in a quieter voice. "Will you start going to college on your own now?" There was a hidden fear glimmering in his eyes.
"Yes. The doctor said I can walk on my own now." She then looked at him and gave a sweet smile. "So now you don't have to worry, okay?"
"Alright," Haruki smiled faintly. But the small sadness on his face still lingered — quietly igniting a fire in his heart.
Hina noticed, and without thinking, placed her hand over his, resting her head on his shoulder.
"What are you doing? Sit properly," Haruki said nervously.
"I am sitting properly. Now even this bothers you?" she teased, eyes closed.
"No… no problem," he muttered awkwardly.
"You've done things for me that maybe no one except my parents would do. I can't even thank you enough," Hina said softly.
"I only did it because we're friends, so don't thank me," Haruki replied seriously. Then, after a pause, his voice grew more emotional. "If anything, thank me for this — you became friends with a loser like me."
"You're not a loser," Hina said quickly, looking at him. "You're innocent and very kind." Then she rested her head on his shoulder again.
They watched the TV in silence, the evening becoming deeper and sweeter.
After a while, Haruki pulled his hand back and said, "Alright, I'll get going now."
But when he stood up, Hina grabbed his hand. "Not yet. It's still early."
"I have something to do, so I have to go now," Haruki said softly.
"What work could you have that you're leaving now?" Hina asked with a hint of sadness.
"There is something," he replied with a small smile, though his eyes held a different, hidden worry he didn't explain.
"Alright then," Hina said, masking her concern with a smile.
"Take care," Haruki said gently, picking up a novel from the table. "I'll take this with me."
As soon as the door closed, a quiet heaviness settled in the living room. Hina turned off the TV and lay down on the floor, staring at the ceiling — wondering if things were truly going to be fine now, or if a new morning might take away something old.
Haruki walked along the footpath, the novel in his hand, his heart heavy with an odd silence.
Suddenly, someone jumped onto his back. Isame's lively voice rang out, "What are you daydreaming about?"
"No one," Haruki replied quietly.
"Then why does your face look so pale?" Isame asked, peering at him.
"It's nothing," Haruki said with a faint smile.
"Anyway, tell me — you and Hina went to the doctor today, right? What did he say?"
"The doctor said Hina's fine now and can take care of herself," Haruki replied simply.
"Oh, now I get it," Isame said with a knowing grin. Then there was a pause.
When Haruki turned to look, Isame was no longer there. Just moments ago, he had been right beside him — now gone, like a playful whisper in the air.
"Where did he go…? He was just here," Haruki muttered.
He headed toward home, the novel in his hand feeling heavier now. Standing at the door, he thought — sometimes happiness and fear get so close that a person can't tell them apart.
He stepped inside, closed the door, and a new night — with new thoughts — filled the room.
What next 👀
To be continued 👀