The morning sun filtered through the leaves of the forest, casting soft shadows that danced across the ground. The cool breeze caressed the faces of the students as they began to gather their things to return to school. However, away from the hustle and bustle of the others, Kotaro walked quietly along a forest path, his footsteps barely audible over the fallen leaves. Beside him, Naomi followed close behind, visibly worried, her gaze fixed on Kotaro's elbow that still showed signs of pain.
-Are you sure you're feeling okay? -Naomi asked, her voice laden with guilt as she watched him closely.
Kotaro, always serene, gave her a calm look, with a half smile that he rarely showed in public.
-I told you... I'm fine," he replied softly, with a tone that conveyed tranquility.
Naomi, however, couldn't stop thinking about the fall in the creek the night before. The image of Kotaro protecting her was still fresh in her mind. He had hurt himself for saving her, and she couldn't help but feel responsible. As they walked in silence, the crunching of leaves under their feet was the only sound that filled the air until Naomi, her gaze lowered and her eyes restless, broke the quiet.
-Now that I think about it... you're always saving me, Kotaro. You've helped me so many times without my asking.... -said Naomi, her voice trembling slightly as she was filled with confused emotions, memories of the moments they had recently shared crossing her mind.
Kotaro paused for a moment, turning his head slightly towards her, letting the cool breeze from the forest gently move his dark hair. Sunlight streamed through the branches and fell upon his face, giving him an almost ethereal look that Naomi couldn't help but notice. He looked different in that instant.
-It's nothing," Kotaro replied with his typical calmness. I don't do it for a special reason. It's just... I'm born. I want to see you well.
Those words resonated deeply with Naomi, who felt her heart skip a beat. He said it with disarming sincerity. She remembered the night before, the way he had protected her without a second thought, the warmth of his body while they were together, the touch of his hand on her head, the gentle gesture that had soothed her. Her face slowly warmed, and a surge of emotions swept over her.
"Why do you always make me feel this way?" thought Naomi, trying not to look so embarrassed as Kotaro walked a little ahead.
A blush spread across her cheeks, and she unintentionally averted her gaze to the forest, though she felt he was so close she could even hear his thoughts. The sense of security Kotaro gave her, mixed with the growing attraction she was beginning to feel, both unnerved her and, at the same time, gave her peace.
The ride back on the bus to school was relaxed. A few students were talking among themselves, though most were sleeping, exhausted from the previous day's activities. The rays of the midday sun streamed through the bus windows, softly illuminating the passengers who were surrendering to exhaustion.
Naomi, for her part, had found a seat next to Kotaro. Although her mind kept reliving recent events, she felt that there was a new connection between them now, something that hadn't been there before. She glanced sideways at him, watching as Kotaro, seemingly exhausted from the day, settled into the seat, closing his eyes.
"He must be really tired..." thought Naomi as she too drifted off into the quietness of the ride.
However, just a few minutes later, she felt a light weight on her shoulder. She looked down and saw Kotaro's head resting on her shoulder. An unexpected warmth rose up his neck to his cheeks. Her heart began to beat rapidly, a mixture of surprise and nervousness swept over her.
"Hey, it can't be...! He's so close he's going to hear my heartbeat!" she thought, completely flustered as she tried to control herself.
Naomi felt as if time stood still. Kotaro's presence at her side was reassuring, yet overwhelming at the same time. Her heartbeat seemed to ring loudly in her ears, but seeing that Kotaro was completely asleep, she realized that he did not sense her nervousness.
In the midst of her own bewilderment, she noticed that Saori, from the front seat, was looking at her with a mischievous smile. Her friend, always direct, shot her a look of complicity and approval, which only increased Naomi's blush.
"No.... this is too much..." she thought, as she tried to relax.
Finally, she accepted the situation. She didn't want to wake him up. Kotaro, who was always serious, almost unreachable, now rested so nonchalantly on her shoulder, as if, for the first time, he had lowered the barriers that kept him apart from everyone. Unable to help herself, Naomi closed her eyes and allowed the moment to envelop her.
There was something special about that shared peace, something she hadn't felt before. No matter what came next, for the first time Naomi felt that being near Kotaro was where she really wanted to be.
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Naomi walked briskly beside Kotaro, still worried about his elbow. Night had already fallen, and the lights from the street lamps in the neighborhood drew elongated shadows on the ground. Kotaro, though grateful for his company, kept his serious countenance, occasionally glancing at Naomi, who kept discreetly watching him, as if his every little movement might indicate that something was wrong.
-Naomi, you really don't have to accompany me. -Kotaro broke the silence with his usual calm tone, but there was a slight hint of discomfort in his voice. I don't want you to be home so late.
-Don't worry, really.... -Naomi shook her head quickly, "I want to make sure you get home safely.
Although her determination was firm, inside, Naomi's heart was beating fast, and not just out of concern for Kotaro. Something else was troubling her, a feeling that had been born over the past few days. Kotaro seemed different to her, and though she tried to avoid thinking about it, that slight nervousness wouldn't go away.
When they finally arrived at the door of Kotaro's house, his mother greeted them. With a gentle expression, and although she tried to remain composed, it was obvious that worry had invaded her.
-Kotaro! -exclaimed his mother, running to him and wrapping him in a motherly embrace, which for a brief moment left him motionless. They called me and told me what happened. I was so worried!
Before Kotaro could say anything, Naomi reflexively stepped forward.
-I'm so sorry. -Her voice trembled, and her eyes filled with sudden tears. It was my fault... it was all an accident, but if it hadn't been for me....
Her head bowed in apology. The pain in her chest was evident. She was convinced that Kotaro had suffered for her clumsiness, and now what she wanted most of all was to make amends, even if it was impossible.
Kotaro, seeing the distress in Naomi, immediately intervened.
-It wasn't your fault, Naomi," he said seriously, but with a touch of warmth that tried to reassure her. It was all an accident. You don't have to put pressure on yourself about it.
She turned to her mother, who was looking at Naomi with sympathetic eyes.
-It was just a bump. No dislocation or anything serious. I'll be fine in a couple of days.
Kotaro's mother nodded, still worried, but accepting the explanation.
-Thank you for accompanying him, Naomi. I know you take good care of him.
Naomi smiled, though her heart was still fluttering. As she said goodbye and walked back home, her thoughts kept turning to Kotaro, his kind gesture, his calmness under pressure. Something had changed inside her.
The next day, on the way to school, Naomi walked beside Saori, who was full of energy as always.
-And how is Kotaro doing? -asked Saori, casting a curious glance at her friend. Yesterday I was very worried about what happened.
-He's better," Naomi replied, trying to sound calm. He won't be back to school for two days. The blow to her elbow wasn't too bad, but she needs rest.
-What a relief! -Saori let out an exaggerated sigh. You know how scared I was that night? When you didn't come back with him, I went out to look for you with the others. I was so worried...
Suddenly, Saori hugged her shoulders tightly, surprising Naomi.
-I didn't want anything bad to happen to you. -Saori's voice, though teasing, had a touch of sincerity in it. Good thing you had your protective prince to take care of you.
Naomi, this time, didn't react with a quick protest as she used to do when Saori teased her with Kotaro. Instead, her mind took her back to the night before. She remembered how Kotaro had run to her, how he had covered her with his own body, and his words.... "I'm calmer if you're okay." Those memories made her blush deeply, and her heart began to pound harder.
"What's happening to me?" she thought to herself, completely bewildered by the intensity of her own feelings.
Saori, noticing her friend's lost expression and the color in her cheeks, reached over and waved her hand in front of her face.
-Earth calling Naomi! -She said in a mocking tone, "Is something wrong with you? You're as red as a tomato. Are you all right?
Naomi, touching her face quickly and realizing that she was blushing, mumbled:
-I-it's nothing! I was just thinking...
Before Saori could say anything else, Naomi hurried her steps, stepping forward with her face burning with embarrassment. Saori, ever observant, let out a giggle as she followed.
-Hmm... Nao, Nao... -she whispered to herself, smiling mischievously. I think something's going on here.
As Naomi walked away, her heart was still racing. She still didn't understand what was happening to her, but one thing was for sure: Kotaro had stopped being just the quiet, mysterious boy. For her, something else had begun to blossom.
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The days without Kotaro at school seemed to pass more slowly for Naomi. Even though she knew it would only be a couple of days, her mind couldn't stop thinking about him. The guilt over the accident was still haunting her head, but also... something else. Something that was starting to worry her, and not exactly because of the blow to Kotaro's elbow.
Determined to help him, Naomi had spent both days visiting him at home, taking notes and homework so he wouldn't fall behind in class. But beyond that, her concern for him had become a kind of self-imposed mission. She felt responsible, and had decided that, as part of her apology, she would take care of him in any way she could.
Kotaro, for his part, wasn't exactly happy about that.
-Naomi, you don't have to do all this," said Kotaro, somewhat uncomfortably as Naomi held out a tray of food.
-Of course I do! -Naomi replied, placing the tray on the desk in front of him with a disarming determination. It's the least I can do after.... well, you know, about the creek and your elbow.
Kotaro sighed, resigned. He knew that arguing with Naomi in this state wasn't going to get him anywhere. She was determined and wasn't going to change her mind so easily. Besides, even if he wouldn't admit it, he was secretly grateful for her presence. It made recovery...less lonely.
Naomi was running back and forth, organizing things, making sure Kotaro didn't have to move around too much. When Kotaro's mother called from the kitchen to announce that the food was ready, Naomi practically jumped out of her seat.
-I'll go! -she shouted quickly, leaving Kotaro with no chance to react.
As she walked down the stairs, Naomi thought, "I'm going to help him with whatever he needs. I'll lift him up, I'll help him with his homework, I'll take care of him like he deserves."
But then, a somewhat more...curious...thought popped into her mind, "What if I had to put food in his mouth, too?" Naomi felt her cheeks immediately burn. Then her imagination went even further, taking her to the image of Kotaro undressed, like the time she accidentally saw him take off his shirt. "What if I also had to help him.... change his clothes?"
She shook her head sharply, trying to shake off those thoughts.
-What am I thinking? -she whispered to herself, still blushing.
-Sorry? -Kotaro's mother's voice brought her out of her musings. The woman was looking at her curiously. Is something wrong?
Naomi, even more flushed and somewhat nervous, stammered:
-N-nothing. I'm... It's nothing! -And before she could get herself in trouble any further, she grabbed the tray of food and rushed upstairs, leaving Kotaro's mother completely confused.
During those two days, Naomi spent much of her time watching Kotaro. Every time he moved or spoke, her eyes followed him, and her mind began to fill with little details that she hadn't noticed before, or at least hadn't paid as much attention to.
She noticed that, despite his quiet and reserved appearance, Kotaro had a serene expression that conveyed an unwavering assurance. Even in those moments when he was clearly uncomfortable from being injured, he remained calm. His hands, they seemed strong, capable of protecting.... "Able to protect me," Naomi thought, remembering again how he had saved her that night.
"Since when did I start seeing Kotaro this way?" she thought, lost in thought as she watched him work in silence.
It was as if everything about him had been amplified before her eyes: his messy, yet mysteriously charming hair; the depth of his eyes when he looked at her; and the way his low voice soothed her effortlessly.
"It can't be... Am I... in love with Kotaro?" she wondered, horrified at the conclusion she had come to.
The next day, Naomi was on her way to school with a mixture of nerves and excitement. She had spent the night thinking about how she would act when she saw Kotaro. She was trying to convince herself that everything would stay the same, that she would act as usual. "Everything normal, Naomi. Everything the same. Just... act natural."
But, when she walked into the living room and saw him sitting in his usual spot, by the window, with the morning light softly illuminating his face, everything went out the window. Kotaro was looking out the window, his hair slightly tousled, and the gentle breeze seemed to caress his locks with an enviable lightness. His profile was like a moving painting, and Naomi felt her heart race.
"Has he always been so...cute?" she thought as his steps became slow and clumsy, almost as if he were walking in slow motion.
She tried to greet him, but her words came out choppy and full of nervousness.
-Good morning, Kotaro.... -she said, almost like a robot, her face completely flushed.
Kotaro looked up, surprised by Naomi's unusually awkward tone. He frowned, but didn't comment.
-Good morning, Naomi," he replied in his usual calm manner.
Naomi slumped back in her seat quickly, still feeling the intensity of her own blush. "Oh no, this isn't right, I can't even talk to him without getting nervous!" she thought, as she tried to calm her racing heartbeat.
Just then, Akane, with her unmistakable mischievousness, quietly approached Naomi's ear.
-Are you in love? -she whispered, with a mischievous smile.
Naomi, startled, looked quickly at Kotaro before awkwardly shaking her head.
-No, of course not! What are you saying? -she said in a desperate whisper, but the answer only made Akane smile even wider.
-Yes... of course," said Akane, winking at him and returning to her place, leaving Naomi even more confused and blushing than she already was.