(Thursday — Kiyomi's POV)
The aquarium trip felt closer now. Not in days, but in the way people talked about it — quiet excitement threaded through lessons, doodles of jellyfish in notebooks, whispered plans during breaks.
It was during lunch that Hinata found me.
She didn't bounce over the way she used to. She walked. Slower. Careful, like she was holding something fragile.
Hinata: Kiyomi, can we talk? (She said, stopping beside my desk).
We moved to the corridor, the one near the science lab where the windows let in too much light.
She tucked her hair behind her ear.
Hinata: We… haven't really spent time together. Not like before.
My chest tightened.
Hinata: I miss you (She added, softer). And with the aquarium trip coming up… I was hoping we could go together. Just us. Like old times.
There it was.
Not a demand. Not jealousy.
Just Hinata — asking.
I thought of Minato instantly. Of how I'd imagined the two of us standing before the glass tanks, our reflections mixing with blue water and silver fish.
But then I looked at Hinata's face.
So, I smiled.
Kiyomi:(Smiling) I'd like that. Let's spend time together.
Her shoulders dropped in relief, and she laughed, pulling me into a quick hug.
Hinata: Thank you. Really.
When the bell rang, I felt both warm and oddly hollow.
After school, I met Minato by the gates. He was waiting like always — bag slung over one shoulder, eyes lifting the moment he saw me.
Minato: Hey. You look… thoughtful.
I sighed.
Kiyomi: Hinata asked me to spend the aquarium trip with her.
Minato: Oh.
A pause. Just a breath.
Then he smiled.
Minato: That's good. You two deserve time together.
I stared at him.
Kiyomi: You're not… upset? (I asked, slightly amazed).
He shrugged lightly.
Minato: Why would I be? You caring about your friends is one of the things I like about you.
Something inside me loosened.
Kiyomi: I was looking forward to spending it with you (I admitted, my voice small).
Minato stopped walking and turned to me fully.
Minato: We'll have other days. Other places. I'm not going anywhere.
That did it.
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest.
Kiyomi: Minato, you're the best (I mumbled).
He stiffened for half a second—then relaxed, arms circling me gently, carefully, like he was holding something precious.
In that moment, I felt it.
The way his heartbeat steadied.
The way his breath hitched, just a little.
And I swear...
Minato Shimizu looked like he was on top of the world.
We stayed like that until the sky began to dim, and even then, neither of us wanted to be the first to let go.
After Minato and I went our separate ways, I went home feeling happy. The aquarium trip was tomorrow.
I had dinner and went to bed feeling excited.
But when I closed my eyes, all I could see was when I hugged Minato after school. And it was just then that I realized that I hugged him.
That meant that I pressed my busty chest against his. Heat crept to my face in embarrassment. And I was red until I slept off.