The hallway was crowded.
Too crowded.
Yamabuki sighed.
"…Why is everyone here today?"
Takumi shrugged.
"Because you're here."
"…I will push you."
"Try."
The Problem
Group work continued.
Which meant—
"…We're stuck again."
"…Yes."
Naya stood beside him.
Same calm face.
Same distance.
But now—
It felt… different.
The Assignment
"Today, you'll present your work," the teacher said.
"Pairs will present together."
Yamabuki froze.
"…No."
Takumi whispered:
"…Yes."
"I HATE THIS CLASS."
Before Presentation
They stood near the front.
Waiting.
Too close.
Way too close.
"…You're standing too near," Naya said.
"…There's no space!"
"…Move."
"…YOU move."
"…I was here first."
"…This isn't a seat!"
The Moment
Someone bumped into Yamabuki from behind.
"Sorry—"
But it was too late.
He stumbled forward—
Right into Naya.
"…!"
Their distance disappeared.
Completely.
Too close.
Way too close.
Freeze
For a second—
Everything stopped.
Naya's back hit the wall.
Yamabuki's hand pressed beside her shoulder.
Their faces—
Just inches apart.
"…Move."
"…I can't."
"…Then try harder."
"…You try harder!"
Heartbeat
Silence.
But not really.
Because—
thump… thump…
Too loud.
Too fast.
Yamabuki frowned.
"…Why is my heart—"
"…Don't say it."
"…I didn't even finish!"
"…Don't."
Eye Contact
They looked at each other.
Directly.
No escape.
No jokes.
No sarcasm.
Just—
Something else.
"…You're staring," Yamabuki muttered.
"…You're closer."
"…That's not my fault!"
"…It is."
"…HOW?!"
The Break
"Next pair—Yamada and Yamabuki."
Both snapped out of it.
"…!"
Naya quickly stepped aside.
"…Let's go."
"…Y-Yeah."
Presentation
They stood in front.
Side by side.
But now—
The distance felt smaller.
Uncomfortable.
Different.
Yamabuki spoke first.
"…This is our report…"
His voice was normal.
But his mind wasn't.
Why is she so close…?
Naya's Turn
"…We concluded that—"
Her voice was calm.
Perfect.
But her fingers—
Slightly trembling.
Why didn't I push him away faster…?
After Class
The bell rang.
Students left.
But Yamabuki stayed.
"…Oi."
Naya stopped.
"…What."
"…About earlier—"
"…Forget it."
"…You're saying that too easily."
"…Because it's nothing."
"…It didn't feel like nothing."
The Crack
Silence.
Naya looked away.
"…You're overthinking."
"…Maybe."
"…So stop."
"…I can't."
Ending
She walked past him again.
Same as before.
But this time—
Her pace wasn't steady.
Not calm.
Not perfect.
Final Line
"…Why does getting closer… make it
harder to breathe…?"