The day felt unusually quiet. Maya sat alone at the corner of the cafeteria, the usual hum of conversation around her fading into the background. Her heart was heavy with worry
—Kaito hadn't shown up at school today. Not a word from him, not even a message. She had asked herself a thousand questions. Had something happened to him? Was he okay? She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She glanced at her phone once more, checking for any messages, but there was nothing.
A sigh escaped her lips as she absentmindedly played with the end of her pencil. She wasn't used to feeling this way. Usually, she kept her emotions in check—hidden behind walls of calm and quiet, just like she had for years. But Kaito... Kaito had become something different. He was warm. He was alive in a way that made everything feel more vivid, and his absence only made the world feel duller.
At that moment, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Maya stood up quickly, not wanting to linger any longer in her worried thoughts. As she walked to her next class, her mind continued to drift back to Kaito. What if something had happened to him? What if he was sick?
That night, Maya couldn't sleep. Her thoughts were tangled with concern, and she felt the urge to do something. She grabbed her phone and dialed Kaito's number, her finger hesitating over the call button for a moment. The phone rang, and when Kaito picked up, she could hear the faint rasp in his voice.
"Hey... Kaito, are you alright?"
He let out a small cough, followed by a weak chuckle. "I'm fine, just a little under the weather. It's nothing serious."
But Maya wasn't convinced. "I'm coming over," she said, determination filling her voice.
"What?" Kaito's voice sounded surprised. "No, it's really okay, Maya. I'm just resting. You don't need to—"
"I'm coming. I'll bring some things," she interrupted, already gathering her things.
Kaito hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in. "Alright... but you really don't have to do this."
"Send me your address," Maya replied before hanging up.
Once she had the address, Maya made a quick stop at the store on her way over. She bought all the essentials—herb tea, chicken soup, and a few snacks she knew he liked. As she walked to his house, her heart beat faster with excitement and a hint of nervousness.
Kaito's house was modest, not far from the school. When she knocked, the door opened slowly, revealing Kaito standing there with messy hair and a tired expression. His normally sharp features looked softer, almost fragile. Maya couldn't help but feel a pang of concern as she took in his appearance.
"Hey, you didn't have to come all the way here…" Kaito began, but his voice trailed off when he saw the bag of supplies in her hands.
"I did," Maya replied softly. "You're sick, and I'm not going to leave you here alone."
Kaito smiled at her words, his eyes warm despite his exhaustion. "I'm glad you came."
She stepped inside, and Kaito led her to the living room, where he had clearly been resting. You live here alone? What about your parent?
Maya askes.
Well I stay alone here, as long as I get good grades, the moment it drops I'll probably move in back with dad. Kaito answers.
Maya smiles>>
The soft lighting of the room created a cozy atmosphere, and Maya immediately set to work. She began preparing the tea and heating up the soup, while Kaito settled on the couch, his gaze never leaving her.
As she worked, Maya found herself constantly looking at him. The way his tired eyes softened when he smiled, the way his tousled hair framed his face. Her thoughts drifted back to the way he had looked at her when they first met—like she was someone special. And now, as she cooked for him, something shifted inside of her. She realized how much she cared for him—more than she had ever admitted to herself.
Once the soup was ready, Maya carefully placed a bowl in front of Kaito, her fingers brushing against his as she handed it to him. For a moment, the contact lingered, the warmth of his skin sending a small shock through her. She looked up, their eyes meeting, and she could see the faint blush on his cheeks.
"You didn't have to do all this…" Kaito said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I wanted to," Maya replied, her voice steady but her heart racing.
She watched as he ate, occasionally taking sips of the tea she made for him. They talked softly, their voices blending together in the quiet of the evening. Kaito's eyes softened as he spoke, his usual teasing tone replaced by something gentler, more sincere.
When the soup was finished, Maya stayed seated beside him, their shoulders brushing lightly. She couldn't help but feel a pull toward him—something beyond friendship, something deeper.
"Thanks, Maya," Kaito said, his voice still raspy. "You really didn't have to do all this…"
Before Maya could respond, he suddenly reached over to touch her hand, his fingers brushing hers lightly. The touch was gentle but electric, sending a rush of warmth through her. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze.
"I'm glad you're here," he said, his voice low.
In that moment, time seemed to slow. Maya's heart was pounding in her chest, and she felt the overwhelming urge to be closer to him. Without thinking, she leaned in slightly, their faces mere inches apart.
Kaito looked at her for a moment, and then, as if drawn by some invisible force, he leaned in too. Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss. It was warm and gentle at first, as if neither of them wanted to rush it. But then, slowly, the kiss deepened, and the world seemed to fall away. Maya felt her heart racing, her hands trembling slightly as she reached out to hold onto him.
For a few minutes, the only thing that existed in the world was the two of them—their kiss, the warmth, the feeling of being close. It was everything Maya had ever imagined and more, and yet, it felt completely natural, as if this was how it was always meant to be.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Maya's cheeks were flushed, and Kaito's face was a mixture of surprise and contentment. He smiled at her, his hand gently resting on her cheek.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.
Maya could hardly speak. She just smiled back, her heart full.
"I should probably go," she said after a moment, reluctant to leave but knowing it was getting late.
Kaito stood up with her, as they walked to the door. He paused at the threshold, looking at her with a quiet intensity.
"I'll walk you home," he said.
Maya shook her head, but her heart fluttered at the thought of him walking her home. "It's okay, Kaito. You need to rest."
"I'll be fine," he insisted, his hand finding hers again. They stepped outside into the cool evening air, the sound of distant raindrops echoing in the quiet street.
They walked together in comfortable silence, the air between them charged with the weight of what had just happened. When they reached her house, Kaito paused, turning to face her.
"Thanks for everything tonight," he said softly.
Maya smiled at him, her heart swelling. "You don't have to thank me. I just wanted to help."
Kaito leaned in once more, his lips brushing against her forehead in a soft, lingering kiss. "You did more than help, Maya. You made me feel… something I haven't felt in a long time."
Maya's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him, her fingers still intertwined with his. She felt as though the world had shifted, and in that moment, she knew that everything between them had changed.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kaito nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'll be waiting."
As Maya stepped inside her house, she leaned against the door for a moment, her hand resting over her racing heart. Everything felt different now, and she couldn't help but smile. Kaito was no longer just someone she liked. He was someone who had touched her heart in ways she never expected.
And in that moment, she realized that she had just crossed a line—one that she wasn't sure she would ever want to come back from.