Luna POV
By the time Luna reached school, something felt off. At first, she brushed it off as nerves from overthinking about last night, but halfway through the first period her stomach twisted sharply.
She pressed a hand against her stomach under the desk, her face turning pale. The teacher's voice faded into background noise as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
"Ugh… why my stomach hurts so bad" she thought, biting her lip. She didn't want to cause a scene, so she forced herself to sit straight and pretend everything was fine.
Niki POV
Niki had been watching Luna the whole period, noticing how her face was pale, her hands fidgeting against the desk, sweat glistening on her forehead. He leaned closer and whispered, his voice low, "Are you okay?"
Luna gave a small nod, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
The bell rang for PT period, and everyone rushed toward the ground, laughing and chatting. Luna stood up slowly, clutching her stomach. Niki noticed the way she struggled to walk, but what caught his eyes next made his heart drop—
A dark red stain spread across the seat she had just left and onto the back of her blue skirt.
"Wait—" Niki grabbed her wrist before she could step out. Startled, Luna looked at him with confusion.
He gently but firmly pushed her back into her chair, shielding her from the other students rushing past. His jaw clenched, mind racing. He didn't know what to say. His throat went dry.
Luna tilted her head, confusion in her eyes. "Niki… what's wrong?"
He lowered his voice, leaning close so no one else could hear. "You… you have…" he muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
Finally, he leaned in closer, whispering so soft she almost didn't hear:
"You… you have a stain on your clothes."
Luna's eyes widened, still not understanding fully. She blinked, face heating up. "What do you mean?"
And that's when it hit Niki. The way she looked at him—genuinely clueless, lost. He inhaled sharply, realization dawning. This… this must be her first time
Before she could ask anything, Niki's voice came out low and steady, "Can you do one favor for me?"
Luna blinked at him, confusion written all over her face, but she still nodded.
Without another word, Niki shrugged off his PT jacket and gently pulled her up from the chair. He stepped closer, wrapping the jacket carefully around her hips, covering the stain.
Luna's eyes widened. "Niki… what are you doing?"
He looked into her eyes, serious yet calm, then placed his finger softly on her lips. "Shhh," he whispered, not letting her speak further.
Before she could protest, he held her wrist firmly but carefully, guiding her out of the classroom. His steps were quick, protective, until they reached the women's bathroom. He stopped just at the entrance and said gently, "Wait here."
Luna stood frozen, heart pounding, still processing what was happening.
Meanwhile, Niki turned and rushed to the nurse's office. He hesitated for a moment, then explained everything quietly. The nurse's face softened, impressed.
"You did the right thing, Niki," she said warmly. "Most boys wouldn't know how to handle this… you're a good friend."
Niki's ears turned slightly red, but he didn't reply. He only nodded, eager to make sure Luna was okay.
The nurse left with him and went straight to the women's bathroom to help Luna. Niki didn't follow—he knew this wasn't his place anymore. Instead, he walked back toward the classroom, glancing back once with a worried expression.
When he returned, he silently picked up a cloth and some water, cleaning the stain left behind on Luna's chair. His movements were calm.
Bathroom Scene – Luna POV
Luna stood frozen, still confused, staring down at her skirt. Her stomach twisted in pain, and her mind was blank. The door opened gently, and the school nurse stepped inside with a calm smile.
Nurse: "Luna, sweetheart, it's okay. Don't panic. It looks like you just got your first period."
Luna (blinking, whispering): "M-My… what?"
Nurse (soft chuckle): "Your period. It happens to every girl when she grows up. Nothing to be scared about."
Luna's face turned red instantly, her hands gripping her skirt.
Luna: "But… everyone will see… and I don't even know what to do…"
Nurse: "Shh, it's alright. That boy Niki already covered you with his jacket. No one saw anything. You're safe."
Luna's eyes widened a little.
Luna: "He… told you?"
Nurse: "Yes. And he did the right thing." (smiles reassuringly) "Now, let me show you how to use a pad. After that, you'll change into your P.E. uniform, okay?"
Luna (nodding slowly, still embarrassed): "O-Okay…"
The nurse patiently explained everything, showing her step by step. Luna listened carefully, her cheeks still hot but her heart calming down a little.
Nurse: "There, all done. See? Not as scary as you thought."
Luna (quietly): "…Thank you. I… I really didn't know what to do."
Nurse (patting her shoulder gently): "That's why I'm here. Remember, it's nothing to be ashamed of. You're just growing up, Luna."
After changing into her P.E. uniform, Luna lay down on the nurse's bed, clutching her stomach. The dull pain made her eyelids heavy, and before she knew it, she drifted off to sleep.
When she woke up, the room was quiet. She blinked slowly, and the first thing she saw was Niki sitting beside her, holding her school bag in one hand and a chilled juice bottle in the other.
Luna (half-asleep voice): "Niki…? Why are you here?"
Niki (raising an eyebrow): "Wow, you sleep like a grandma. You drooled a little, you know?"
Luna (sitting up quickly, embarrassed): "W–what?! I didn't!"
Niki (smirking, placing the juice near her): "Relax, I'm joking. But seriously, you were knocked out like a rock. I thought I'd have to check if you're still alive."
Luna (glaring, holding her stomach): "…You're so annoying. I was just tired."
Niki (shrugging, leaning back in his chair): "Yeah, yeah. Here, drink this before you faint again. Carrying your bag was already a pain."
Luna (taking the juice, softly): "…Thanks. You didn't have to."
Niki (snorting): "Please. If you walked around like a zombie with that bag, you'd probably trip down the stairs. Then I'd be the one blamed for not helping. No thanks."
Luna (rolling her eyes but smiling faintly): "You're impossible."
Niki : "And yet, here I am saving you. You should start calling me 'hero.'"
Luna (snapping back): "More like headache."
Niki chuckled under his breath, shaking his head while Luna sipped the juice.
Luna (sip the juice he offers): "well…Thank you. Really. For everything. I didn't know what to do back there… if you weren't there…"
Niki (raising an eyebrow, smirking): "Oh? Is Luna actually praising me? Someone record this moment."
Luna (shaking her head, serious tone): "I mean it. You saved me from a really embarrassing situation… you took care of me. I'm… really thankful."
Niki (his smirk fading just a little, scratching the back of his neck): "…Tch. Don't make it sound like I'm some saint. I just did what anyone with a brain would do."
Luna (smiling faintly): ". That's why it means a lot."
Niki (looking away, trying to hide his expression): "…Whatever. Just don't go fainting again, okay? I'm not your babysitter."
Luna (grinning now, teasing back): "Too late. You already acted like one today."
Niki (snorts, standing up and grabbing her bag): "Great. Now I'm officially stuck as your bodyguard. Lucky you."
Luna giggled softly.
After School – Outside the Nurse's Office
Luna stepped out slowly, clutching her bag. Her stomach still ached a little, but she felt much better after resting. Niki was already leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, waiting.
Luna (blinking): "You're… still here?"
Niki (rolling his eyes): "What, you thought I'd let you wander home looking like a zombie? Come on."
He didn't wait for her answer and take her bag, just started walking. Luna followed beside him.
Luna (quietly, but warmly): "Niki… thank you. For staying with me, for… everything today."
Niki (snorts): "You're really obsessed with thanking me."
Luna : "I'm being serious! You don't understand how much it helped me."
Niki (glancing at her, smirk tugging at his lips): "Then pay me back by not making stupid faces in class tomorrow. Deal?"
Luna (giggling despite herself): "You're impossible."
They walked in comfortable silence until they reached her house. Niki stopped at the gate, swinging her bag forward and handing it to her.
Niki (in a flat tone, but softer than usual): "Get inside. Rest. Don't overthink."
Luna (smiling brightly): "Okay… see you tomorrow."
He gave a small wave—half lazy, half tired—before turning and walking off down the street. Luna stood there a moment longer, watching his back disappear, her lips curving into a soft smile.
to be continued~