Chapter 3:
"Was it a bit too much?"
Everything In Between
The bell rang and classes resumed.
Hikari felt relieved that the day somehow felt quiet for Yuzuki—or so she thought.
But as their final period was about to begin and students started filing out in groups towards their Home Economics room, Hikari saw a familiar figure turning the wrong way down the hall.
“Oh no,” she mumbled and quickly followed.Sure enough, Yuzuki was standing in front of the science lab door, reading the schedule on the wall with a confused look.
Hikari jogged over, trying to catch her breath and also not to laugh. “Umm, Nakayama-san?”
Yuzuki turned, wide-eyed, already blushing. “A-Ah… Is this not—?”
“Nope, our room’s the other way. You’re a whole floor off,” Hikari said kindly, motioning with her thumb.
Yuzuki looked down, cheeks blooming with pink. “Oh… I’m… sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Hikari said with a small laugh. “You’ll get used to this place eventually. Come on, let’s walk together.”
The corridor stretched long and bright, lined with tall windows on one side. The spring sunlight spilled in, turning the polished floor into a mirror of soft gold. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the walls, mingling with the distant chatter of upperclassmen walking along with them and the slam of a door somewhere far ahead. They passed by a bulletin board cluttered with club posters, their colors loud against the pale cream walls.
As they walked side by side down the corridor, Hikari tried to fill the silence. “So… any favorite subject so far?”
Yuzuki thought for a moment. “Literature, maybe.”
“Ooh, that’s not an easy one, huh. I respect that.” She commented while holding her hand in front of her, showing thumbs up as a sign of approval.
Yuzuki said nothing in return, but Hikari thought she saw the faintest curve on her lips—like a smile, maybe. Or that’s what Hikari wanted to believe.
They walked quietly until they reached their classroom. As Yuzuki thanked her again before going to her seat, Hikari sighed, along with the thought that getting to know someone really needs quite some time and a lot of patience.
From that day on, with that realization, Hikari kept on showing up. Not forcefully. Not loudly. Just gently—casual moments in the morning, soft words between breaks.
“Did you see the white small cat in the garden yesterday? Isn’t it cute?”
“Have you checked the new pastries in the school store? They said they were delicious!”
“You really are pretty good at literature, huh!”
All those friendly approaches from Hikari only to be responded with utmost politeness from Yuzuki—always, as if they weren't somehow acquainted.
“Yes, Suzuki-san.”
“Ah… I haven’t yet, Suzuki-san.”
“Thank you, Suzuki-san.”
Each time, Hikari saw the same thing in Yuzuki's eyes—a faint pause, like she was always contemplating on how to respond. Hikari wasn’t certainly sure but she felt like Yuzuki was trying to keep some distance from her—or maybe, from everyone. Yuzuki looked too careful not to cross beyond some invisible line.
The week rolled by and Friday came.
That afternoon, the sky had begun to dim, casting the hallways in sleepy amber. Students were exchanging weekend plans as they lined up at their shoe lockers, and Hikari, with shoes already changed, stood waiting near the entrance.
Yuzuki arrived a moment later, still adjusting her bag over her shoulder.
“Nakayama-san, are you going home already?” Hikari cheerfully asked.
“Ah… yes…” Yuzuki replied as she set her shoes down in front of her.
“Then, wanna walk together—” Hikari trailed off upon seeing Yuzuki’s expression. It was as if she was trying to figure out who’s the girl in front of her, acting all friendly.
“It’s me, Hikari,” she said. Then words slipped out of her mouth, felt all natural, just like how she’s been treating all those she cared about, “So, Yuzu—,”
But as Hikari met Yuzuki’s gaze, she paused.
“I’m sorry, Suzuki-san.” Her voice apologetic, her eyes calm but unreadable. “I remembered… I have to stop by some place before going home.”
Yuzuki bowed slightly and at that moment, Hikari felt it again—that invisible wall between them. And so, she just smiled. A little softer… a little sadder.
“Mm… Well then, take care on your way home, Yuz… Nakayama-san.” She waved a hand as she turned around and made her way out.And just like that, they parted.
Hikari walked down the stone pavement, the quiet of the early evening settling around her.
Was it a bit too much?
She thought to herself, tightening her grip on the strap of her bag while letting out a long sigh.
Hikari felt relieved that the day somehow felt quiet for Yuzuki—or so she thought.
But as their final period was about to begin and students started filing out in groups towards their Home Economics room, Hikari saw a familiar figure turning the wrong way down the hall.
“Oh no,” she mumbled and quickly followed.Sure enough, Yuzuki was standing in front of the science lab door, reading the schedule on the wall with a confused look.
Hikari jogged over, trying to catch her breath and also not to laugh. “Umm, Nakayama-san?”
Yuzuki turned, wide-eyed, already blushing. “A-Ah… Is this not—?”
“Nope, our room’s the other way. You’re a whole floor off,” Hikari said kindly, motioning with her thumb.
Yuzuki looked down, cheeks blooming with pink. “Oh… I’m… sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Hikari said with a small laugh. “You’ll get used to this place eventually. Come on, let’s walk together.”
The corridor stretched long and bright, lined with tall windows on one side. The spring sunlight spilled in, turning the polished floor into a mirror of soft gold. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the walls, mingling with the distant chatter of upperclassmen walking along with them and the slam of a door somewhere far ahead. They passed by a bulletin board cluttered with club posters, their colors loud against the pale cream walls.
As they walked side by side down the corridor, Hikari tried to fill the silence. “So… any favorite subject so far?”
Yuzuki thought for a moment. “Literature, maybe.”
“Ooh, that’s not an easy one, huh. I respect that.” She commented while holding her hand in front of her, showing thumbs up as a sign of approval.
Yuzuki said nothing in return, but Hikari thought she saw the faintest curve on her lips—like a smile, maybe. Or that’s what Hikari wanted to believe.
They walked quietly until they reached their classroom. As Yuzuki thanked her again before going to her seat, Hikari sighed, along with the thought that getting to know someone really needs quite some time and a lot of patience.
From that day on, with that realization, Hikari kept on showing up. Not forcefully. Not loudly. Just gently—casual moments in the morning, soft words between breaks.
“Did you see the white small cat in the garden yesterday? Isn’t it cute?”
“Have you checked the new pastries in the school store? They said they were delicious!”
“You really are pretty good at literature, huh!”
All those friendly approaches from Hikari only to be responded with utmost politeness from Yuzuki—always, as if they weren't somehow acquainted.
“Yes, Suzuki-san.”
“Ah… I haven’t yet, Suzuki-san.”
“Thank you, Suzuki-san.”
Each time, Hikari saw the same thing in Yuzuki's eyes—a faint pause, like she was always contemplating on how to respond. Hikari wasn’t certainly sure but she felt like Yuzuki was trying to keep some distance from her—or maybe, from everyone. Yuzuki looked too careful not to cross beyond some invisible line.
The week rolled by and Friday came.
That afternoon, the sky had begun to dim, casting the hallways in sleepy amber. Students were exchanging weekend plans as they lined up at their shoe lockers, and Hikari, with shoes already changed, stood waiting near the entrance.
Yuzuki arrived a moment later, still adjusting her bag over her shoulder.
“Nakayama-san, are you going home already?” Hikari cheerfully asked.
“Ah… yes…” Yuzuki replied as she set her shoes down in front of her.
“Then, wanna walk together—” Hikari trailed off upon seeing Yuzuki’s expression. It was as if she was trying to figure out who’s the girl in front of her, acting all friendly.
“It’s me, Hikari,” she said. Then words slipped out of her mouth, felt all natural, just like how she’s been treating all those she cared about, “So, Yuzu—,”
But as Hikari met Yuzuki’s gaze, she paused.
“I’m sorry, Suzuki-san.” Her voice apologetic, her eyes calm but unreadable. “I remembered… I have to stop by some place before going home.”
Yuzuki bowed slightly and at that moment, Hikari felt it again—that invisible wall between them. And so, she just smiled. A little softer… a little sadder.
“Mm… Well then, take care on your way home, Yuz… Nakayama-san.” She waved a hand as she turned around and made her way out.And just like that, they parted.
Hikari walked down the stone pavement, the quiet of the early evening settling around her.
Was it a bit too much?
She thought to herself, tightening her grip on the strap of her bag while letting out a long sigh.
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