That night was far from calm.
Nao fell asleep first. At first, she was still, her breathing steady, her face peaceful.
Ayano, lying with his back to her, had thought,
"Finally… I can sleep too…"
Five minutes later—
Nao rolled over.
The blanket was pulled.
Ten minutes—
She kicked lightly, then shifted positions again.
"…Nao," Ayano murmured softly, half-asleep.
No response.
Instead, Nao became even more restless—her shoulder nudging him, her knee nearly hitting his back.
Ayano let out a long breath, trying to move slightly away.
Two minutes later—movement again.
Ayano shut his eyes tightly.
"Seriously… are you sleeping or doing gymnastics?"
He turned around, now facing Nao.
She slept with an innocent expression, completely unaware of the chaos she was causing.
Ayano stared at her for a few seconds… then sighed.
"…At this rate, I'm not going to get any sleep."
He thought for a moment.
Then—with hesitation—Ayano moved closer and wrapped one arm around Nao's waist, gently pulling her into his embrace.
The result?
Nao immediately went still.
Her body seemed to adjust on its own, her head resting against his chest, her breathing returning to a steady rhythm.
Ayano froze.
"…It worked?" he whispered in disbelief.
His face grew warm, but exhaustion finally won.
In that position—warm, calm—Ayano fell asleep too.
Morning came.
Sunlight slipped through the window.
Nao woke up first.
The first thing she felt was warmth.
Warm… and heavy.
Slowly, she looked down—
and her eyes widened.
She was in Ayano's arms.
His arm was still wrapped around her waist, his face so close, sleeping peacefully.
Nao's face flushed instantly.
E—EH?! she panicked internally.
Her heart pounded.
She barely breathed as she slowly removed his arm, afraid of waking him.
Once she managed to pull away, Nao sat at the edge of the bed, pressing a hand to her chest.
"What… what happened last night…?"
She glanced back at Ayano—still asleep.
Strange.
When she was in his arms… she felt comfortable.
Safe.
Warm.
Like it was where she belonged.
Nao shook her head quickly, trying to chase the thoughts away, then left the room with her face still red.
Like usual, she made breakfast.
Her movements were a little awkward that morning.
Sometimes she would pause, remembering how she slept earlier, then fan her face in embarrassment.
A little later, Ayano appeared, his hair slightly messy.
"Morning."
"G-good morning," Nao replied quickly.
They sat down.
Nao wanted to ask.
She really did.
But every time she opened her mouth, the words stopped in her throat.
In the end, Ayano spoke first.
"…Nao."
"Y-yes?"
"Do you… usually move a lot when you sleep?"
Nao froze.
She thought back.
Then her face turned even redder.
"…Yeah."
Ayano gave a small, tired smile.
"That explains it. I could barely sleep last night."
Nao stood up immediately.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize!"
"It's fine," Ayano said casually.
"I'm used to it now."
Nao lowered her head in embarrassment, then returned to the kitchen, helping in small, awkward movements.
After eating and getting ready, they left the house together.
Without realizing it, they walked side by side.
There was no distance like before.
As they approached the school, Ayano didn't stop.
He kept walking beside Nao.
"…We're not pretending anymore?" Nao asked softly.
Ayano glanced at her.
"If you don't mind."
Nao quickly shook her head.
"I don't."
And just like that—
they entered school together.
Walking side by side.
Chatting lightly.
Occasionally laughing softly.
People around them began to stare.
"Hey… isn't that Karuizawa?"
"Why is she walking with Ayano?"
"They look really close…"
Nao heard them.
Usually, she would tense up.
But today—she didn't care.
She just glanced at Ayano, who walked calmly beside her.
And for the first time, Nao thought—
Maybe… this is what it feels like to walk with someone important.
---
That afternoon, the classroom felt… strange.
As soon as Ayano and Nao walked in together, the small conversations stopped one by one.
Some heads turned too quickly to pretend they weren't looking.
Whispers spread.
"Wait… they came together?"
"Isn't Karuizawa not that close to guys?"
"And that's Ayano, right…?"
Nao could feel the stares piercing her,
but strangely—she wasn't as tense as usual.
Ayano walked ahead and pulled out his chair as usual.
Nao hesitated for a split second…
then sat down without distancing herself from him.
That was enough.
Some students immediately nudged each other.
"Definitely."
"There's definitely something going on."
Nao lowered her head, pretending to organize her books.
Her cheeks felt slightly warm.
But she didn't feel like running away.
There was no urge to put on a cold expression.
Instead—
Why… don't I mind them seeing this?
Class began.
Nao was usually focused, cold, untouchable.
Today… she still paid attention,
but her thoughts occasionally drifted.
Toward Ayano.
As the teacher wrote on the board,
Ayano leaned forward slightly, writing neatly.
His hands were large, his movements calm.
Nao stole a glance.
Why am I paying attention to him…?
When Ayano borrowed her eraser without speaking—
just pointing briefly—
Nao nodded reflexively and handed it to him.
Their fingers touched for a moment.
But Nao's heart skipped a beat.
"…?"
She was surprised at herself.
What is this… feeling that wasn't there yesterday?
---
Break time.
Usually, Nao would be surrounded by her new friends.
Today—they still came.
"Nao, let's eat together!"
"We need to go over that assignment!"
Nao nodded.
But before leaving, she glanced at Ayano.
"…You?"
Ayano shrugged.
"I'm going to the rooftop."
Nao almost said "together,"
but the word got stuck.
"Then… see you later."
She walked away with her friends.
Amid laughter and chatter,
Nao smiled.
Warm.
Lively.
Fun.
But—
In between it all, her thoughts returned to the quiet rooftop.
To the one person who chose to be alone.
Why… does it feel like something's missing?
---
Days passed.
Nao kept changing—
softer, easier to smile.
She started joking with classmates.
Some boys even began approaching her,
asking to study together, asking for help.
Nao accepted.
Sometimes she declined gently.
Sometimes she agreed.
And every time she went home—
She always returned to the same house with Ayano.
Eating together.
Talking.
Laughing softly.
That's where the feeling became clearer.
At school, she felt liked.
At home… she felt like she belonged.
Nao began to realize.
I'm not just comfortable around him.
---
Meanwhile, Ayano—
He didn't realize anything.
To him, everything was going according to plan.
Nao had friends.
Nao smiled.
Nao wasn't alone anymore.
That was enough.
Every night, he thought:
In one month… that decision has to be made.
And each day, the calendar on his phone kept moving forward.
20 days.
18 days.
15 days.
Nao started counting without realizing it.
Ayano didn't.
---
One afternoon, as they walked home together,
Nao looked at their reflections on the rain-soaked road.
When that time comes…
Will I be ready to lose days like these?
Nao gently gripped the edge of her uniform.
Ayano walked beside her, calm as always—
unaware that the person next to him was slowly falling in love.
And time—
kept moving forward, without waiting for anyone.
---
Seven days before the one month was up.
That morning seemed normal—
at least on the surface.
Nao went to school with Ayano as usual.
They parted before the gate, exchanging small nods,
then went on with their roles.
In class, Nao had learned to balance her time.
She knew when to sit with friends,
when to be alone for a bit,
and—without realizing it—when her eyes searched for Ayano.
Strange.
There was no promise.
No rule.
But somehow, that priority formed on its own.
Ayano mattered more.
Nao didn't know why.
She didn't try to find an answer.
She just… accepted it.
---
The commotion started in the second period.
Whispers that were usually quiet turned into a wave.
"Hey, new student?"
"Whoa… he's really handsome."
"The car that dropped him off… expensive."
The classroom door opened.
A male student walked in with the teacher.
His hair was slightly messy but styled,
his smile relaxed,
his gaze confident—too confident.
"Nice to meet you," he said with a smile.
"My name is Karu."
The entire class buzzed.
Some girls held their breath.
Some boys whistled.
Karu waved his hand,
like he was used to being the center of attention.
Nao didn't react.
Until—
Karu's gaze stopped.
Their eyes met.
His smile changed.
Not playful.
Not friendly.
A knowing smile.
Nao froze.
No way…
"Long time no see, Nao."
His voice was clear.
Too clear.
The classroom fell silent.
Nao felt the blood drain from her face.
Her fingers gripped her skirt.
"…Karu."
Some students exchanged looks.
"They know each other?"
"Wait, Karu knows Karuizawa's name?"
Karu chuckled.
"Not just know each other. We—"
He paused, then glanced at the teacher.
"We went to the same middle school."
A half-truth.
Nao knew.
And Karu knew that Nao knew.
---
Lunch break.
Nao left the classroom faster than usual.
She headed to the rooftop—her steps quick, her breathing uneven.
Ayano was already there.
He turned at the sound of footsteps.
"Nao?"
Nao stood a few steps away.
Her face was pale, but her eyes were firm.
"Ayano… that new student," she said softly.
"…He's my ex."
Ayano went silent.
"Oh."
That was all.
Nao stared at him, as if waiting.
A reaction.
A question.
An expression.
But Ayano only nodded slightly.
"No wonder he acts so familiar," he said lightly.
"Are you okay?"
Nao was surprised.
"That's it…?"
Ayano shrugged.
"If you're uncomfortable, just avoid him.
If he bothers you, say so."
No jealousy.
No change in expression.
Nao lowered her head.
For some reason—her chest hurt a little.
---
In the following days, Karu didn't back off.
He often appeared near Nao.
Greeting her casually.
Sometimes too close.
"Nao, you've changed."
"You're softer now."
"Where's your boyfriend? Don't tell me you still don't have one."
Nao always answered briefly.
Cold.
Keeping her distance.
But rumors began to spread.
"They're exes?"
"Looks like Karu's still chasing Karuizawa."
"Then what's Ayano?"
Nao heard everything.
And every time—she instinctively looked at Ayano.
Ayano stayed the same.
Calm.
Normal.
As if none of it concerned him.
---
One afternoon, it suddenly started raining.
Nao stood under the school roof, waiting for it to stop.
Karu appeared beside her.
"You've always been like this," he said.
"When it rains, you go quiet."
Nao didn't look at him.
"I don't want to talk."
"Still cold, huh."
Karu chuckled.
"But I like it."
Nao finally looked at him sharply.
"Stop."
Karu raised his hands.
"Okay, okay.
But honestly—you're more alive now.
Because of that guy?"
Nao didn't answer.
Because the answer was too obvious.
---
From a distance, Ayano saw them.
He stood there with an umbrella in hand, hesitating to approach.
She… looks like she fits in now.
The thought came naturally.
Even if I'm not there… she'll probably be fine.
Ayano turned away first.
Nao didn't see him leave.
And for the first time since they started living together—
that distance began to return.
Seven days left.
And an unfinished past
began knocking on the door of Nao's heart.