Saki's footsteps echoed down the hallway, each soft tap of her shoes sounding louder than it should. The school felt strangely quiet today… or maybe all that silence was coming from inside her chest, where her heart struggled under the weight of her own confusion.
"Ugh, Saki… you really made everything worse, didn't you…"
She sighed to herself, shoulders sinking.
At least the class had been canceled—that was her only relief. But the way Hiroki had looked at her earlier… that stare still lingered on her back like warm sunlight she didn't know how to escape from.
When she reached the club meeting room, her fingers trembled around the door handle.
Then her eyes snapped open.
"Oh no… the club project! I didn't prepare anything!"
She cracked open the door. Everyone was already seated, chattering, papers spread out like they actually did their tasks. Saki blinked, scanned the room, and slipped into the first empty seat she found.
"So," Director Takeshi began, arms crossed, "what have you prepared for your projects? Or was one week too short for you?"
Students began explaining one after another, but Saki heard none of it.
Her mind was in the hallway.
With him.
Hiroki… what is he thinking about me right now?
Was that disappointment in his eyes… or something else?
She chewed on her thumbnail, sinking deeper into thought—until Takeshi's voice cracked through her head:
"Saki. Are you thinking about your project?"
"Ah—!"
She jerked upright.
"If it's too much for you, you don't have to force yourself," Takeshi teased, a small laugh in his voice.
"Unless you plan to take my job and run the school yourself?"
The room erupted with soft laughter.
Saki's face turned scarlet. "I-I'm sorry, sir… I'm just… confused lately."
"Then go wash your face."
"O-okay…"
She stood up, heading toward the door—until someone called after her:
"Don't forget to leave your mixed emotions in the bathroom, Saki!"
More laughter.
More heat on her cheeks.
More chaos in her chest.
She hugged her arms to herself as she walked down the hallway. Her steps were fast, almost stumbling. She didn't want anyone to see her expression.
But fate, as always, seemed determined to push her straight into the storm she was trying to avoid.
From the other side of the corridor… Hiroki turned the corner at the exact same moment.
Like two magnets pulled by an unseen force, they collided lightly—just enough for Saki to lose balance. Hiroki moved instantly, catching her wrist before she fell.
Saki's fingers instinctively curled around his hand.
Warm.
Steady.
Too close.
She quickly pulled away, heart thundering. "S-sorry…"
"Saki," Hiroki murmured, his eyes narrowing with concern.
"You've been… different. Your head's somewhere else. And not knowing why… it really bothers me."
His voice was low. Honest.
His breath mingled with hers.
"W-Where were you going?" he asked softly.
"T-To the bathroom… Even the director noticed I was off and sent me."
"Saki…" Hiroki exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"I feel like I did something wrong. But I don't even know what it is."
"You didn't do anything wrong," she whispered. "Thank you for caring about me."
She stepped forward to leave—
But Hiroki caught her wrist again, gently.
Her back met the wall, and he braced one arm beside her head, blocking her escape.
Saki froze.
The distance between them disappeared—
no space, no excuses, nothing but the pounding of her heart.
"Saki," he said softly, "I want to know what's hurting you. Because… I care."
Her eyes trembled. Warmth stung behind them.
"H-Hiroki…"
And then it burst out of her, her courage snapping free:
"I was jealous. I… I got jealous, okay?"
Hiroki's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"A girl as pretty as you… jealous? Of me?"
Saki's knees almost gave out.
"M-Maybe because you're handsome," she mumbled.
That was the moment Hiroki gently lifted her chin with two fingers.
The world blinked out.
Saki's breath caught—her eyes fluttered shut, surrendering to the moment.
But then—
Hiroki pulled his hand away.
"I almost lost control because of how cute you are," he whispered, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Saki opened her eyes.
Disappointment hit her like a cold wave—followed by embarrassment so sharp she covered her face with her hands.
Hiroki chuckled softly.
"Well then… what exactly has been bothering you?"
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Her throat locked, words drowned by nerves.
"Too much all at once?" Hiroki asked gently.
"If you prefer… we can talk more after school."
Saki nodded quickly and escaped toward the restroom.
Inside, her reflection looked as shaken as she felt.
Her cheeks were burning.
Her heart was still sprinting.
"What was that…? What just happened…?"
She splashed cold water on her face, but the heat didn't fade.
"This is ridiculous… I still don't understand what's confusing me…"
Then—
"Oh no! The meeting!"
She rushed out. Even while walking, her eyes instinctively searched for Hiroki.
"Should I walk slower? Maybe I'll run into him…"
Forget it, Saki. If he appears, you'll stop anyway.
Back in the meeting room, she opened the door.
Hiroki wasn't there.
A brief disappointment flickered across her chest.
"There you are, Saki," Takeshi said.
"I hope you've left your troubles behind."
Saki managed a tiny smile as she sat back down.
But she wasn't listening to the meeting.
She didn't hear the chatter, the plans, the papers rustling.
All she could think about was one thing:
What will happen… when she meets Hiroki after school?
And why her heart refused to calm down whenever she pictured him standing in front of her…