The first day at school passed in an unusual quiet for Tadashi. Though the usual antics of
Kei, Rin, Daiki, Haruto, and Hikaru filled the air with laughter, there was an undeniable
shift in his thoughts. He found himself watching Nao more often, not out of curiosity, but
out of something deeper. Concern, understanding, and an unspoken connection forged
from their late-night conversation at the park.
Nao, for her part, seemed unchanged on the surface. She still carried herself with quiet
confidence, still kept a careful distance from others. But every so often, Tadashi caught
fleeting moments where she seemed... different. Less guarded. More present.
One afternoon, as the group sat under the tree in the courtyard, Daiki tossed a crumpled
piece of paper at Tadashi's head.
"Earth to Tadashi. You've been staring into space
again."
Kei smirked.
"Or maybe staring at a certain someone."
Tadashi sighed, rubbing his temple.
"You guys seriously need new material."
Nao rolled her eyes.
"You guys are unbearable." But there was no bite to her words,
only mild exasperation.
Daiki grinned.
"It's only because we love you, Nao."
She scoffed but didn't deny it.
Daiki gasped.
"Wait, did she just accept our affection? Mark this day on the calendar,
boys."
Nao groaned.
"I take it back. All of you are insufferable."
Daiki clutched his chest dramatically.
"You wound me, Nao. Truly."
Kei nodded sagely.
"A tragic love story. Portrayed by the one we care for the most."
Nao picked up her book and pointedly ignored them, though the hint of a smile tugged at
her lips.
The conversation moved along, but Tadashi found himself wondering: was this what
rebuilding trust looked like? Not some grand moment, but little pieces of warmth
slipping through the cracks? Nao hadn't pushed him away, hadn't shut him out. If
anything, she was... letting herself be part of something again.
Later that evening, Tadashi found himself walking home with Nao once more, the sky
painted in soft hues of orange and pink. Neither of them spoke, but it wasn't an
uncomfortable silence. It was simply... quiet. Comfortable.
After a while, Nao spoke.
"I don't regret telling you."
Tadashi turned to look at her. She wasn't facing him, her eyes fixed ahead, but there was
something vulnerable in the way she said it.
"I thought I would," she continued.
"That I'd feel exposed. Weak. But... I don't."
Tadashi's chest tightened. He didn't know what to say, so he simply nodded.
"I'm glad."
Nao let out a small breath, almost a laugh.
"Don't get used to it."
A grin tugged at his lips.
"No promises."
Nao sighed.
"You're really annoying sometimes."
Kei's voice suddenly rang in Tadashi's head.
"Or maybe staring at a certain someone."
Tadashi cleared his throat.
"You sound just like Rin and the others."
Nao scoffed.
"I take offense to that."
They walked a little further, and Tadashi found himself smiling. This was different. Not
forced, not strained. Just... natural.
Nao's walls had cracks in them now. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn't
trying to fix them.