YUKITO POV
Hinata grabbed my arm and started pulling me away from Kurohime-senpai. I was surprised by her sudden boldness. We walked in silence, her grip firm and determined. I had no idea where she was taking me, but I followed without protest.
As we made our way through the bustling school hallways, the sounds of the festival faded into the background. My curiosity grew with each step. We passed by classmates and other festivalgoers who stopped and stared, their eyes widening in shock. Hinata, the popular girl known for her outgoing nature and rumoured boyfriend, was holding my hand. Whispers followed us, the surprise evident in their hushed conversations.
"Is that Aki-san with Futaba-san?" someone muttered.
"Is he the rumoured boyfriend?" another voice said in disbelief.
I felt a pang of discomfort, but Hinata's grip on my hand remained strong and unwavering. She kept her head high, ignoring the murmurs around us. Despite the curious and sometimes judgmental looks, she didn't falter. It was as if she had something important to prove.
In reality, our relationship was a façade—a "pretend boyfriend" arrangement that had started as a convenient cover for her to avoid unwanted attention. But now, as we walked through the crowded hallways, it felt different. The weight of our past and the truth about our connection hung heavily between us.
Finally, we arrived at the school's rooftop. The cool evening breeze greeted us, and the sounds of the festival were now a distant murmur. Hinata let go of my arm and turned to face me, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and determination.
"Yukito," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I need to know something."
I nodded, my heart racing. "What is it, Hinata?"
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Why did you reject me back in our first year?"
The question hit me like a ton of bricks. I hadn't expected this. Memories of that day flooded back—Hinata's hopeful expression, my own hesitation. I had to be honest with her, even if it was difficult.
"Hinata," I started, choosing my words carefully, "it wasn't because I didn't like you. It was because I didn't think I could be the person you needed."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean?"
I sighed, gazing at the sunset. "I have a lot of responsibilities at home. My family relies on me for so much, and I didn't think it was fair to start something with you when I couldn't give you the time and attention you deserved. I didn't want to hurt you by being an absent boyfriend. Back then, I had just lost my dad, and it was my mom who held our family together, who kept me and Yumi on our feet. But I knew I couldn't let my mom bear that burden alone forever—I had to help her. I was so busy with everything that I couldn't even think about a relationship, at least not then..."
Hinata's expression softened, and she stepped closer to me. "So, you rejected me because you cared about me?"
I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Yeah. I thought it was the right thing to do, even though it hurt to turn you down."
She looked down, her hands clenched into fists. "I was so angry and hurt. I thought you didn't like me at all."
"I'm sorry, Hinata," I said sincerely. "I never meant to make you feel that way. I just... didn't know how to handle it."
Hinata looked up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Yukito, I wish you had told me. I would've understood."
I reached out, gently placing a hand on her fallen tears. "I know that now. And I'm sorry for the pain I caused you."
There was a heavy silence between us as we both grappled with our emotions. The sun continued its descent, casting long shadows across the rooftop. I could see the struggle in Hinata's eyes, the conflict between her lingering anger and the understanding she was beginning to grasp.
"Yukito," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I've always wanted to be close to you. Even when I was angry, I couldn't stop caring."
Her words hit me hard. The realization of how deeply my actions had affected her was overwhelming. "Hinata, I... I never knew."
She shook her head, wiping away a tear that had escaped. "I don't know what happens next. But I needed to hear the truth from you. I needed to understand."
I nodded, feeling the weight of our shared history pressing down on us. "Thank you for listening. For giving me a chance to explain."
As we stood there, the distance between us seemed to shrink, not just physically but emotionally. The rooftop, with its expansive view of the school and the world beyond, felt like a fitting place for this moment of clarity. The festival continued below us, a reminder that life went on, full of possibilities and new beginnings.
But for now, we just stood there, two people finally beginning to understand each other amidst the fading light.
I watched as Hinata walked slowly to the rooftop fence, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the last rays of sunlight kissed the sky. The vibrant colors mirrored the turmoil within her heart, painting a picture of beauty tinged with sadness. When she turned back to me, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and I could see the struggle within her, trying to keep her composure.
"Yukito-kun," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "all this time, I thought I could move on. I tried to pretend your rejection didn't hurt, but it did. I built this wall around me, convinced that I didn't need anyone."
Her words struck me deeply, and I stepped closer, aching for her vulnerability. "Hinata, I—"
"Please, let me finish," she interrupted softly, determination shining through despite the tear that rolled down her cheek. "I thought if I distanced myself from you, it would hurt less. But every time I saw you, every moment we shared—even as friends—it reminded me of what could have been. I never stopped caring."
I felt my heart race as I listened. "Hinata, I never wanted to hurt you. I wanted to protect you… but maybe I was just protecting myself."
She looked down, gripping the fence tightly, and I could see the fear behind her brave facade. "I felt so angry with you, but deep down, I was just afraid. Afraid of being alone, of being hurt again."
Those words resonated with me. Spending time with her—even under the guise of a fake relationship—had made me realize something important. "Hinata, it was different for me too. Those moments we spent together… they showed me that I can be the person you need."
Her eyes widened, surprise mingling with hope. The tension in the air shifted, and I could feel the weight of unspoken possibilities surrounding us. I stepped closer, closing the gap, aware of the electric connection between us.
I took Hinata's hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. The final festival day buzzed with excitement as students gathered on the school's field for a celebration filled with laughter, music, and the flickering glow of a bonfire. The atmosphere was electric, alive with anticipation.
As the rhythm of the music beckoned, I turned to Hinata, my heart racing. "Would you like to dance?" I asked, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my chest.
Her eyes lit up, a mixture of surprise and joy dancing across her features. "Really? You want to dance with me?"
"Of course," I replied, a smile breaking through. "It feels like the perfect way to celebrate today, don't you think?"
She nodded, her earlier tension easing as she took a step closer. Together, we made our way toward the gathering, where students swayed under the starlit sky, the bonfire crackling warmly beside us.
As we reached the edge of the dance area, I pulled her into my arms, our movements guided by the rhythm of the music. The world around us blurred as we swayed, lost in our own little bubble. With each step, I felt the connection between us deepen—every twirl, every shared smile, bringing us closer.
Hinata's laughter rang out like music, and I couldn't help but grin. "I never imagined we'd end up here like this."
"Me neither," she admitted, her eyes sparkling. "But it feels right."
In that moment, surrounded by friends and the warmth of the bonfire, I realized that this was more than just a dance; it was a new beginning for us. As the night wore on, we moved together, the worries of the past fading into the background, leaving only the joy of the present.
As the music swelled, the rhythm pulsing through the air, I held Hinata close, feeling the warmth of her presence. The bonfire crackled nearby, casting flickering shadows across the field, and for a moment, it felt as if time had stood still.
With each step, the world around us faded, leaving only the two of us. I could see the joy in her eyes, the way her laughter danced with the music, and it filled me with a courage I hadn't anticipated.
"Hinata," I said, my voice barely rising above the sound of the celebration. She looked up at me, curiosity written on her face. "There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" she asked, her expression shifting to one of attentive concern.
Taking a deep breath, I summoned the courage to lay my heart bare. "These past few months, spending time with you—even under the pretense of a fake relationship—has changed everything for me. I've realized that I want to be more than just a friend. I want to be the person you need, the one who's there for you."
Hinata's eyes widened, surprise and hope mingling in her gaze. "Yukito..."
I stepped closer, feeling the intensity of the moment. "I know it won't be easy, and I know we have to face our fears, but I can't keep pretending that I don't care about you. I love you, Hinata—deeply. You've always meant more to me."
Her breath caught, and for a heartbeat, the world around us faded away. The laughter of our classmates and the crackling of the fire became distant echoes as I waited for her response.
Finally, a soft smile broke through her surprise, and I felt a warmth spread through me. "Yukito, I've wanted to hear those words for so long. I love you too. I always have."
With those words, the tension in the air shifted to something light and full of possibility. As we swayed to the end of the music, I pulled Hinata closer. She closed her eyes, a soft smile on her lips, and I leaned in to kiss her. The moment felt suspended in time, the warmth of her breath mingling with the cool night air.
Our lips met gently at first, a tentative exploration of this new connection. As the kiss deepened, the noise of the festival faded away—the laughter, the crackling bonfire—until it was just us, wrapped in the intimacy of the moment.
When we finally pulled away, I looked into her eyes, which sparkled with surprise and joy.
Hinata's cheeks flushed a soft pink as she smiled, her eyes bright.
In that moment, everything felt clear. This was the start of something special—a journey filled with love and understanding. The night stretched out before us, full of possibilities, and I couldn't wait to explore them together, one step at a time.
VOL 1
END