Morning arrived with soft light streaming through the large windows of the house.
Ayano woke up feeling lighter than usual. He sat for a moment on the edge of the bed, then let out a small breath—not out of awkwardness, but calm.
When he went down to the first floor, the aroma of cooking greeted him.
In the kitchen, Nao stood in front of the stove, wearing a simple apron. Her hair was tied up loosely, her expression focused yet relaxed.
"…Morning," Ayano greeted.
Nao turned.
"Morning."
Not stiff.
Not awkward.
Ayano took a glass of water.
"You're up early."
Nao nodded.
"Habit."
They exchanged small smiles—simple, but meaningful.
On the dining table, breakfast was neatly arranged. An omelet, warm soup, rice, and a bit of salad.
Ayano sat across from Nao, like yesterday… but the atmosphere was different.
"It's good," Ayano said after the first bite.
Nao smiled faintly.
"Thank goodness."
They chatted lightly. About the weather, about school assignments, about the classes they would face today.
No heavy topics.
No talk about the engagement.
And precisely because of that, the morning felt warm.
After finishing, Ayano stood while adjusting his bag.
"I'm ready."
Nao picked up her bag too.
"Me too."
They left the house together.
The walk to school felt calm. Their steps were in sync, the distance not too close, but not far either.
Occasionally, Nao glanced over, making sure Ayano was still beside her.
When the school gate came into view, Nao slowed her steps.
"…We're here," she said softly.
Ayano nodded.
"Yeah."
They stopped.
Just a few more meters to the gate.
Nao took a small breath. Her expression changed—slowly. Her shoulders stiffened, her gaze turned cold. The faint smile she'd had disappeared.
Ayano saw it… and understood.
"Okay," he said shortly.
Nao glanced at him.
"See you later."
"Let's go home together."
Nao nodded, then walked ahead.
As soon as she entered the school grounds, Nao Karuizawa became the feared figure once more.
Sharp eyes.
Cold demeanor.
An aura that made people reluctant to approach.
Several students immediately moved aside as she passed.
Ayano watched her from a distance, then walked to his class.
In class, Ayano sat as usual. Quiet, focused, indifferent to his surroundings. Book open, pen moving calmly.
Nao sat upright. She didn't speak. Didn't look at anyone.
A female student tried to approach.
"K-Karuizawa-san, about the assignment—"
Nao looked at her.
Cold.
"…Ask the teacher."
The girl immediately backed away.
Ayano heard it. His hand stopped writing for a moment.
She wasn't really like that.
He knew.
He knew the shy Nao.
Nao who got nervous talking to people.
Nao who smiled softly in the kitchen that morning.
And for some reason, that thought made Ayano's chest feel warm.
When break time came, Nao stood up first and left the classroom without looking back.
Ayano waited a few minutes, then followed.
Their destination was the same.
The rooftop.
A place where Nao didn't need to pretend.
And a place where only Ayano knew—
that behind her cold attitude, Nao was just a shy girl learning how to live again.
---
The second break bell rang.
Nao left the classroom as usual—quick steps, cold face, not looking at anyone. The students automatically made way.
Ayano waited a few minutes. He closed his book, stood up, then casually walked out of the class.
The rooftop was quiet as always.
The midday breeze blew gently, carrying the distant sounds of the city.
Nao was already there. As soon as she heard the door open, her shoulders relaxed.
"…You're late," she said softly.
"So it wouldn't look weird," Ayano replied as he sat beside her.
Nao nodded. She opened the small lunch box she'd brought.
"I made lunch," she said hesitantly.
"If… you want it."
Ayano turned to her.
"Is it okay?"
Nao gently pushed the box toward him.
"Yeah."
Ayano took the chopsticks and tasted it.
"It's good."
Nao smiled faintly.
"Thank goodness."
They ate side by side.
Not facing each other.
Their shoulders were close—close enough to be aware of each other's presence.
"…In class," Nao suddenly said,
"I'm tired of pretending."
Ayano turned to her.
"But… I'm also scared to be myself," she continued.
"I don't know how to talk to people."
Ayano was quiet for a moment.
"You don't have to force it."
Nao glanced at him.
"But you can talk to everyone."
Ayano chuckled softly.
"I'm not that good either. I just… don't think too much."
Nao lowered her gaze.
"I always think too much."
Ayano nodded.
"I know."
Silence.
Then Ayano said softly,
"But with me… you don't need to wear a mask."
Nao fell silent.
Her face reddened slightly.
"…I know."
The bell rang, signaling the end of break.
Nao closed her lunch box.
"See you later."
Ayano nodded.
"Let's go home together."
In the afternoon, the sky was overcast.
Ayano stood near the school gate, waiting. Before long, Nao emerged from the crowd. As usual, a few male students glanced at her, but none dared to approach.
Ayano stepped toward her.
"Nao."
Nao turned, then walked to his side without saying anything.
They walked side by side.
Raindrops began to fall.
Ayano opened his umbrella.
"Come under here."
Nao hesitated for a moment, then moved closer. Their shoulders almost touched.
"…Thank you," Nao said softly.
The rain grew heavier.
Nao stared at the road.
"Ayano."
"Hm?"
"I… feel comfortable with you."
Ayano turned, slightly surprised.
Nao quickly added, her face red,
"I mean—as a friend. For now."
Ayano smiled faintly.
"Me too."
They kept walking, sharing the same umbrella.
At home later, there might still be awkwardness.
At school, they still had to pretend.
But slowly—very slowly—
the distance between them no longer felt so far.
---
The next morning, the house was once again filled with small sounds.
Not noisy—just footsteps on the floor, the clinking of dishes, and the ticking of the wall clock.
Nao came out of her room with her hair still a little messy.
"…Oh."
Ayano, already sitting at the dining table, turned to look. He froze for a fraction of a second.
Nao immediately realized.
"I-I forgot to brush my hair—" she said in panic, hurriedly covering it.
Ayano quickly looked away.
"It's fine."
Nao glanced at him.
"You saw?"
Ayano was honest.
"…A little."
Nao's face instantly turned red.
"P-Please forget it!"
Ayano smiled faintly.
"Too late."
Nao puffed out her cheeks—annoyed, but not angry.
They had breakfast as usual.
Calm.
Warm.
At school, everything returned to normal.
Nao was cold.
Ayano was focused.
During break, they went to the rooftop.
"I was thinking about something," Ayano said as he opened his lunch.
"What?"
"If… you want to learn how to talk to people, slowly, I can be your practice."
Nao fell silent.
"…Practice?"
"Yeah. Like now."
Nao thought about it.
"I… want to try."
Ayano nodded.
"You don't have to succeed."
Nao smiled faintly.
"You're weird."
Ayano chuckled.
"I know."
That afternoon, the rain poured heavily.
Nao stood at the school gate, looking up at the sky. Ayano arrived carrying an umbrella.
"Let's go home together."
Nao nodded.
In the middle of the road, lightning struck.
Nao stopped. Her hand reflexively grabbed Ayano's arm.
"…!"
Ayano froze.
"You're scared?"
Nao nodded slightly, her face red.
Ayano didn't pull his arm away.
"It's okay. I'm here."
Nao didn't let go of his arm until they arrived home.
That night, the power went out.
The house was dark.
Nao sat on the sofa, knees pulled to her chest. Ayano came over carrying a candle.
"Sorry," he said.
"I forgot that a big house like this can be kind of scary when the power goes out."
Nao smiled faintly.
"A little."
They sat close together.
"…Ayano," Nao suddenly said.
"If… we weren't engaged…"
Ayano turned to her.
"…would you still want to live with me?"
Ayano was silent for a long time.
Then he said softly, honestly,
"I would."
Nao lowered her head. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
"…Thank you."
That night, they didn't touch each other.
But the distance between them
no longer felt unfamiliar.
And without realizing it,
those feelings began to grow—
slowly, warmly, and real.