The next day…
Yamabuki avoided her.
Completely
.
He didn't look at the window.
Didn't turn around.
Didn't even breathe in her direction.
This is safer…
"Wow," Takumi whispered beside him.
"You're acting like a criminal avoiding the police."
"I'm avoiding problems," Yamabuki muttered.
Takumi leaned closer.
"Same thing."
During Class
But avoiding Naya…
Was harder than he thought.
Every time the teacher spoke, his mind drifted.
Every time someone laughed, he remembered her voice.
And worst of all—
Every time he looked at his hand…
He remembered the warmth.
"…Idiot," he muttered to himself.
After School Announcement
Just as the final bell rang, the teacher spoke:
"Before you leave, tomorrow we'll have a cleaning duty rotation."
Groans filled the classroom.
"Yamabuki… and Naya Yamada."
Silence.
Then—
"EH?!"
Takumi slammed the desk.
"BRO YOU'RE BLESSED!!"
"I'M CURSED!!" Yamabuki shouted.
Meanwhile, Naya quietly packed her bag.
She didn't react.
Didn't even look at him.
And for some reason…
That bothered him more.
The Next Day – After School
The school was unusually quiet.
Most students had already gone home.
Yamabuki stood near the hallway,
holding a mop.
"…Let's just finish this fast," he muttered.
"…Yeah."
He froze.
She was already there.
Naya stood near the bucket, sleeves slightly rolled up.
No "goddess aura."
No perfect smile.
Just… normal.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then—
"I'll do the windows," she said.
"I'll do the floor."
Simple.
Distant.
Like strangers.
The Silence
The sound of water and cloth filled the empty classroom.
No laughter.
No teasing.
Just quiet work.
Yamabuki glanced at her.
Naya was focused on cleaning the window.
Her reflection shimmered faintly in the glass.
For a second…
It looked like she was looking at herself.
Not proudly.
But… uncertainly.
The Moment Near Water
"Careful," Yamabuki said suddenly.
Naya turned.
"…Hm?"
"The floor's wet."
Too late.
Her foot slipped slightly.
"Ah—"
Yamabuki reacted instantly.
He grabbed her arm.
Pulled her closer.
The bucket tipped—
Water spilled across the floor.
Splash.
Silence.
They froze.
Too close.
Way too close.
Naya's hand was against his chest.
Yamabuki's hand still holding her arm.
Their reflections trembled in the water on the floor.
For a brief second…
It felt like the world had stopped.
Then—
Naya looked up.
Her expression wasn't calm anymore.
"…You always do this."
"Huh?"
"You come close… without thinking."
Yamabuki frowned.
"You were about to fall!"
"That's not what I mean."
Her voice was quiet.
But heavy.
"…It's dangerous."
Yamabuki's heart tightened.
"Dangerous…?"
Naya looked at the water on the floor.
Their distorted reflections staring back at them.
"…If you get too close to me…"
She paused.
"…you won't be able to go back."
Yamabuki didn't understand.
But at the same time…
He felt like he did.
Ending
Naya gently pulled away.
This time…
Slower.
Like she didn't really want to.
"…Let's finish cleaning," she said softly.
Yamabuki stood there.
Watching the ripples in the water slowly fade.
"…Yeah…"
But his mind was no longer calm.