A week had passed since Kaito and Hikari began working together.
At first, it had only been about the project.
But now… it had become something more.
Their study sessions in the library had slowly turned into a routine.
Every day after school, they met at the same table near the window.
Every day, Hikari brought snacks.
And every day, Kaito explained complicated topics while Hikari listened carefully.
It was simple.
But somehow…
Kaito had begun looking forward to it.
One afternoon, as the final bell rang, students immediately started packing their bags.
Meanwhile, Kaito was already organizing his books.
He knew where he was going.
The library.
Just as he stood up, a familiar voice called out.
"Kaito!"
He turned around.
Hikari was waving at him from the front of the classroom.
"Library?"
Kaito nodded.
"…Yes."
From the desk beside her, Mika leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"Wow, you two are really serious about this project."
Yui glanced at them calmly.
"I think they already finished most of it."
Mika smirked.
"Then why are they still studying together every day?"
Hikari quickly grabbed her bag.
"Because we want a perfect score!"
Mika raised an eyebrow.
"Sure…"
Hikari avoided eye contact and hurried toward the door.
"Kaito, let's go."
Kaito followed quietly.
Behind them, Mika whispered loudly.
"I'm telling you, something's going on."
Yui chuckled softly.
Later that afternoon, the library was as peaceful as usual.
Hikari sat across from Kaito, flipping through her notebook.
"Okay, I think we finished everything."
Kaito nodded.
"Yes."
Their science project was complete.
Perfectly organized.
Perfectly researched.
Perfectly done.
Hikari closed her notebook.
"So…"
She leaned forward slightly.
"What do we do now?"
Kaito blinked.
"…What do you mean?"
"The project is finished."
She smiled.
"But we're still here."
Kaito didn't know how to answer that.
To be honest…
He had never thought about it.
Studying with her had simply become normal.
Then suddenly—
Thunder rumbled outside.
Hikari turned toward the window.
"Oh no…"
Dark clouds had covered the sky.
Rain began pouring heavily.
Students in the hallway groaned loudly.
"I forgot my umbrella!"
"Guess we're stuck here."
Hikari sighed.
"Well… looks like we're waiting."
They sat quietly for a moment, listening to the sound of rain hitting the windows.
Then Hikari stood up suddenly.
"Actually…"
She reached into her bag.
"I brought one."
She pulled out a small umbrella.
Kaito looked surprised.
"You planned for rain?"
"No," she laughed, "I just always carry one."
She looked at him.
"You don't have one, right?"
Kaito shook his head.
"No."
Hikari smiled.
"Then we can share."
Kaito froze slightly.
"…Share?"
"Yeah."
She said it so casually.
But for some reason, Kaito felt strangely nervous.
A few minutes later, they stood outside the school gate.
Rain poured from the sky.
Hikari opened the umbrella.
It was just big enough for two people.
"Come on," she said.
Kaito stepped closer.
The umbrella forced them to stand near each other.
Closer than usual.
Rainwater splashed around their feet as they began walking.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Hikari suddenly laughed.
"What?"
Kaito asked.
She looked at him.
"You look so serious."
"…Do I?"
"Yeah."
She studied his face carefully.
Then she said something unexpected.
"You should smile more."
Kaito blinked.
"…Smile?"
"Yes."
She nodded confidently.
"I think you'd look nice when you smile."
Kaito didn't know how to react.
No one had ever said something like that to him before.
Hikari noticed his confused expression and laughed again.
"See? Like that."
"…Like what?"
"That little smile you just made."
Kaito froze.
"…I smiled?"
"Yes!"
She pointed at him dramatically.
"You just did!"
Kaito looked away quickly.
"…I didn't notice."
Hikari grinned.
"Well, I did."
For some reason, hearing that made his chest feel strangely warm.
The rain continued falling as they walked quietly through the streets.
Eventually they reached the corner where their paths separated.
Hikari stopped walking.
"Looks like this is where I turn."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Then Hikari smiled softly.
"See you tomorrow, Kaito."
"…Tomorrow."
She turned and began walking down her street.
After a few steps, she looked back.
And waved.
Kaito stood there watching her disappear into the rain.
For some reason…
That small moment stayed in his mind long after he reached home.
Something inside him had changed.
He just didn't understand what it was yet.
But one thing had become certain.
The quiet boy who once preferred being alone…
Was beginning to enjoy someone else's company.
And that small change would soon grow into something much bigger.
Something he would only understand…
When it was already too late.