The next morning—
Something was off.
Very off.
Yamabuki walked into class and immediately stopped.
"…Why is everyone staring at me?"
Takumi smirked.
"Oh, you don't know?"
"…Know what."
"That was fast."
"…WHAT was fast?!"
The Whisper
"Is that him…?"
"Yeah, the one from yesterday…"
"They were so close…"
"I heard it was against the wall—"
"…I'm leaving."
Panic Mode
Yamabuki grabbed Takumi.
"…Explain."
Takumi tried not to laugh.
"…You and Naya."
"…What about us?"
"…You two are famous now."
"…I will end you."
The Source
Apparently—
Someone saw it.
The moment.
The too close moment.
And of course—
They exaggerated everything.
Meanwhile…
Naya entered the class.
Silence fell.
Then—
Whispers again.
"…She's here…"
"…Act normal…"
"…Don't stare—"
Everyone stared.
Collision (Again)
Yamabuki and Naya's eyes met.
Just for a second.
Then both looked away instantly.
"…This is your fault," Yamabuki muttered.
"…How is this mine."
"…You exist."
"…That's not an argument."
"…It is today."
The Rumor Evolves
By lunch—
It got worse.
"They're dating."
"No, it's secret relationship."
"I heard they almost kissed.
"
"…WE DIDN'T—"
Too late.
Cornered
Yamabuki got surrounded by classmates.
"Since when?"
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Is she your type?"
"…I hate all of you.
"
Naya's Side
She wasn't safe either.
Girls gathered around her.
"So?"
"…So what."
"You and Yamabuki."
"…No."
"That's not a proper answer."
"…It is."
"…You're blushing."
"…I am not."
The Escape
After school—
Yamabuki rushed out.
"…I need air."
"Same."
He froze.
Naya was there.
Again.
Silence
Awkward.
Too awkward.
"…So."
"…So."
"…This is bad."
"…It is."
The Unexpected
"…You could deny it properly,"
Yamabuki said.
"…I did."
"…Not convincingly."
"…That's your problem."
"…It's OUR problem."
The Pause
Wind passed between them.
Neither moved.
Neither left.
The Real Problem
"…Does it bother you?" Yamabuki
asked.
"…What."
"…The rumors."
Naya didn't answer immediately.
"…A little."
"…Same."
The Shift
"…But," she added,
"…it's not entirely wrong."
"…Huh?"
"…The distance yesterday."
"…That wasn't normal."
System Overload
Yamabuki froze.
"…What are you saying."
"…Nothing."
"…YOU JUST SAID SOMETHING."
"…Forget it."
"…I CAN'T FORGET THAT."
Final Line
Naya walked ahead slightly… then
stopped.
"…Try not to get too close again."
Pause.
"…Next time, I might not move away."