As days turned into weeks, the rain became a familiar backdrop to Arima and Kaori's blossoming friendship. Yet, the clouds looming over Kaori's heart remained as heavy as ever. Every time he tried to broach the subject of her health, she skillfully diverted the conversation, choosing to talk about their shared interests or the art they were creating together. Arima understood that she was struggling with something deeply personal, but he respected her boundaries while silently worrying about her.
One Friday afternoon, as they were leaving school, Kaori seemed particularly distant. The chatter of their classmates faded into a dull hum as she walked beside him, her gaze fixed on the ground. Arima couldn't help but reach out, gently brushing his fingers against her arm to catch her attention.
"Kaori?" he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Is everything okay?"She looked up, a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Yeah, just tired. It's been a long week."Arima wanted to argue that she was not merely tired, but he held his tongue, unwilling to push her further.
Instead, he suggested they spend some time at the park, a place that always seemed to lighten their spirits.
"Let's go to the cherry blossom tree. I'll bring my sketchbook."Kaori hesitated for a moment but then nodded, a hint of a smile breaking through her facade.
They walked to the park together, and for a while, the world around them faded, replaced by the warmth of their shared moments. As Arima sketched the tree in full bloom, he caught glimpses of Kaori stealing glances at him, and he felt a sense of hope rising within him.