After the festival, the school returned to its usual silence.
Kurume was sitting by the window again, silent during recess and writing down his homework without much emotion.
Miyako raised her hand again in every lesson, a checkered notebook, everything under the ruler.
It would seem that everything is as it was.
But something has changed.
Something elusive.
The lessons became quieter
Now that we were sitting next to each other, even the silence was comfortable.
Sometimes she would write down the formula and drag the notebook closer to mine, just to show me how to solve it.
Sometimes I'd get a second marker for her.
Sometimes I just watched her whisper something to herself while solving a problem.
And, as strange as it may sound, it was enough for me.
After school
"Walk me out?" "What is it?" she suddenly asked at the exit.
I wouldn't have asked before. I'd just go alone.
And now…
—Of course," I replied, and we walked towards the station.
For the first time, not near, but close. Shoulder to shoulder.
We were silent.
But this silence was... comfortable.
At her house
"Thanks for coming,— she said, a little shyly.
—It's nothing.
—Hey, Kurume...— Suddenly it's quiet.
—Huh?"
— Have you ever... felt like you just wanted someone to stay by your side? Not for the sake of words. Not for the sake of deeds. Just — was it?
I froze.
And for the first time, he didn't laugh it off.
He just nodded.
- yes.
— Now— yes.
She looked into my eyes for a long time. And then... suddenly she stepped closer.
Not a kiss. Not a hug.
She just rested her head on my shoulder.
For a few seconds.
It's warm, calm, as if that's how it should be.
"I feel good with you,— she whispered.
And she went to her room, leaving me standing in the middle of the street with my heart pounding.