Take Me Back
To The Year
1981
Chapter 11:
"Unwritten Words"
The morning went by in a blur, and before Haruto knew it, he was already seated in his usual spot at the back of the gakkō classroom.
He let out a quiet sigh, leaning back slightly as his gaze drifted toward the window. The sky outside was a soft blue, with streaks of white clouds lazily floating by. The morning sunlight cast a gentle glow over the room, making everything feel a little too peaceful, a little too dreamlike.
But as much as the outside world looked calming, his eyes naturally found their way to something else—
Someone else.
Souta.
She was sitting in front of him, her back facing him as she quietly flipped through her notebook. Her hair was slightly tousled from the morning breeze, and every now and then, she would tuck a loose strand behind her ear.
It was a simple movement, something she probably did unconsciously, but for some reason, Haruto found himself staring.
He quickly looked away, shaking his head at himself.
"Get a grip, Haruto."
Letting out another sigh, he pulled out his own notebook and absentmindedly flipped to a blank page. His fingers tapped lightly against the paper, his mind wandering.
Writing.
It was something that had always come naturally to him. The way words flowed together, the way emotions could be captured in ink—it was his own way of expressing things he couldn't say out loud.
And today, without even thinking, his pen started moving.
At first, they were just scattered words. Fleeting thoughts. But before he knew it, they started forming into something more—a poem.
A poem meant for her.
---
She walks with the sun in her steps,
A quiet warmth that lingers,
A light that reaches even the farthest corners of my world.
Her laughter rings like wind chimes in spring,
Soft, yet unforgettable,
Filling the silence with something I never want to lose.
She doesn't know,
But even in the simplest of moments,
She is the story I never grow tired of writing.
Haruto paused, staring at the words he had just written.
His fingers tightened slightly around the pen.
He knew he could never let her see this.
Because what would she think if she read these lines? Would she laugh? Would she tease him? Or worse—would she realize that every single word was about her?
A soft sigh left his lips, and he quickly flipped the page over, hiding his words from sight.
Just as he did, a voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"What are you writing?"
Haruto stiffened, eyes widening slightly as he looked up—
Only to meet Souta's curious gaze.
She had turned around in her seat, resting her chin on her arms as she peered at him with an amused expression.
His mind blanked for a moment before he hurriedly shook his head. "N-nothing."
Souta raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Really? You looked pretty focused."
"It's just… random stuff." He muttered, stuffing the notebook back into his bag. "Nothing important."
Souta hummed, still watching him with suspicion.
Haruto cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. "Shouldn't you be reviewing or something?"
She pouted. "The professor's not even here yet. Besides, I'd rather talk to you."
His heart did that annoying little flip again.
He rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the way his face suddenly felt warm. "You're so annoying."
Souta grinned. "And yet, here you are, still putting up with me."
Before he could respond, the classroom door slid open, and their professor walked in, signaling the start of the lesson.
Souta turned back around in her seat, and Haruto let out a quiet breath of relief.
As the lesson began, he tried to focus on what was being taught, but his mind kept drifting. His notebook sat untouched inside his bag, its pages holding words that were never meant to be read.
And yet, deep down, he knew—
One day, he wouldn't be able to keep them hidden forever.
——
Between the Lines
The school day passed like a slow-moving breeze—one that Haruto barely noticed as he found himself lost in thoughts more often than not.
Even as the professor's voice echoed through the classroom, even as the rustling of pages and scribbling of pens filled the air, his mind was elsewhere.
More specifically, on the girl sitting in front of him.
Souta.
She had no idea, did she?
No idea how his eyes would unconsciously find her in a crowded room. No idea how his heart would pick up its pace whenever she smiled at him. No idea how she had unknowingly become the subject of every poem he'd ever written.
Haruto sighed under his breath, glancing down at his notebook. The words from earlier were still there, carefully tucked away between the pages. He resisted the urge to reread them.
This was getting ridiculous.
He had to focus.
Leaning back in his seat, he forced himself to stare at the board, tapping his pencil against his desk in an attempt to distract himself. But just as he was about to get lost in the lesson, a small paper ball landed on his desk.
His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at it for a second before unfolding it.
"You look like you're about to fall asleep."
Haruto blinked before glancing up.
Souta was turned slightly in her seat, peeking at him over her shoulder, an amused grin on her face.
He rolled his eyes before quickly scribbling a reply.
"Maybe I am. This lesson is boring."
He casually tossed the note back to her when the professor wasn't looking.
A moment later, another note landed on his desk.
"Should I throw my pencil at you to wake you up?"
Haruto let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head. He didn't even have to look up to know she was trying to stifle her laughter.
"Try it, and I'll steal your lunch later."
He tossed the paper back, watching as she read it. Souta's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed as she scribbled furiously.
"You wouldn't dare."
Haruto smirked. "Watch me."
Souta turned around just enough to shoot him an exaggerated glare before quickly facing forward again when the professor glanced their way.
Haruto shook his head, suppressing a chuckle.
Despite everything, she always made his days feel lighter.
—
When the lesson finally ended, Haruto stretched his arms, letting out a quiet yawn.
Souta turned in her seat, resting her arms on his desk. "You survived. Barely."
"Thanks for the support," he said dryly.
She grinned. "Anytime."
They packed their things as the other students filed out of the classroom, the sound of chatter filling the hallways.
"So," Souta began, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Wanna grab something to eat?"
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I just threaten to steal your lunch?"
She waved a hand dismissively. "Please, as if you'd actually do it."
He smirked. "You sure about that?"
Souta gasped dramatically. "Haruto Shiranami, are you saying you'd betray my trust?"
Haruto simply shrugged, amused. "Depends on how good your lunch is."
She swatted his arm. "Unbelievable."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Let's go."
With that, the two of them made their way down the hall, walking side by side, their conversation filled with playful bickering and laughter.
And as much as Haruto tried to convince himself that this was just another ordinary day—
Deep down, he knew.
Every moment with her was anything but ordinary.