The Way He Laughs

Mio noticed it during lunch.

Not the noise. Not the crowd.

Him.

Haru sat a little apart from the others, like he always did—even now that he wasn’t truly alone anymore. Ken and Kenta were nearby, talking animatedly, their laughter easy and bright.

Mio watched Haru’s face as he followed the conversation.

The timing of his reactions.

The way his eyes shifted, careful, observant.

How his lips curved into a smile a second later than everyone else’s.

And then—he laughed.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t showy.

Just a quiet breath, shoulders lifting slightly, eyes crinkling at the corners.

Mio’s chest tightened.

That’s… cute.

The thought surprised her so much she nearly dropped her fork.

She looked away quickly, heart racing for no clear reason, then glanced back again—just to be sure.

Haru caught her staring.

His brows lifted in question.

Mio panicked.

She signed quickly, hands a little clumsy.

The food— is good.

That wasn’t even what she meant to say.

Haru blinked.

Then smiled.

He signed back, teasing without realizing it.

You’re bad at lying.

Mio froze.

Then her face burned.

“That obvious?” she muttered under her breath, knowing he couldn’t hear it anyway.

She laughed awkwardly, then looked down at her tray, trying to calm her heartbeat.

Across from her, Haru watched her carefully.

He’d noticed it too.

The way she looked at him.

The way her expressions softened lately.

How she tried—really tried—to speak to him in his world.

He didn’t understand why.

But he liked it.

More than he probably should.

After lunch, they walked together down the hallway, bags slung over one shoulder. Mio slowed her pace without thinking, matching his step exactly.

She didn’t even realize she was doing it until he glanced over and smiled at her again.

That smile lingered longer this time.

Mio felt something twist warmly in her chest.

“…This is dangerous,” she whispered to herself.

But she didn’t step away.

She stayed right there beside him.