The next day felt… off.
Not in an obvious way.
Just—
Like something invisible had shifted.
Yamabuki sat in class, staring blankly at the board while the teacher kept talking.
"…Yamabuki."
No response.
"…Yamabuki!"
"Huh?"
The whole class turned toward him.
"…Care to explain the answer?"
"Tch… how would I know?"
Snickers spread across the room.
"Detention," the teacher sighed.
"Whatever."
But that wasn't what was bothering him.
Not even close.
His eyes drifted sideways.
To her seat.
Empty.
"…She's late?" he muttered.
Naya… late?
That didn't make sense.
She wasn't the type.
Break time came.
Still no sign of her.
"…Oi," Yamabuki grabbed a random classmate.
"Where's Naya?"
"How would I know…?" the guy shrugged.
"Maybe she skipped?"
"…She wouldn't."
That uneasiness from last night—
It came back.
Stronger.
Without thinking—
Yamabuki stood up and walked out of class.
"Hey! Where are you going?!"
someone called.
"I'm bored." 💢
Lie.
The hallway felt longer than usual.
Empty.
Too quiet.
He checked the usual places.
Rooftop.
Library.
Back stairs.
Nothing.
"Tch…"
His frustration started turning into something else.
Something sharper.
"…Don't tell me…"
His mind flashed back—
"If I disappear one day…"
"…idiot."
He clenched his fists.
"…you think I'd just let that happen?"
Then—
A sound.
Soft.
Almost like something falling.
From the old storage room.
Yamabuki turned slowly.
"…Who's there?"
No response.
He walked closer.
Each step heavier than the last.
The door was slightly open.
Creaking as he pushed it.
Inside—
Dark.
Dust floating in the air.
Broken desks stacked carelessly.
And then—
"…Naya?"
She was there.
Sitting on the floor.
Back against the wall.
Head lowered.
"…Oi."
No response.
Yamabuki's chest tightened.
He stepped closer.
"…What the hell are you doing here?"
Still nothing.
"…Hey."
He crouched in front of her.
And that's when—
He saw it.
Her hands.
Shaking.
"…Naya?"
Slowly—
She looked up.
Her usual calm eyes were gone.
Replaced with something—
Unstable.
"…You found me."
Her voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Tch… of course I did. You think you can just disappear—"
"—I didn't want you to."
That stopped him.
"…What?"
"I didn't want you to find me."
Silence.
"…Then why say that yesterday?"
Naya laughed softly.
But it didn't sound like her.
"…Because I knew you would."
Something about that answer—
Didn't sit right.
"…You're acting weird again."
"I know."
"Then stop it."
"I can't."
That—
Was new.
Yamabuki frowned.
"…What do you mean you can't?"
Naya looked away.
"…There are things… you don't know about me."
"Tch… then tell me."
"…No."
"Why not?"
"Because if I do…"
She paused.
"…you might hate me."
For a second—
Yamabuki just stared at her.
Then—
He sighed.
Annoyed.
As usual.
"…You're stupid."
Naya blinked.
"…What?"
"I said you're stupid."
He stood up.
Crossing his arms.
Looking away.
"…Like I'd hate you over something like that."
Silence.
"…You don't even know what it is."
"Tch… doesn't matter."
"…Why?"
Yamabuki hesitated.
Just for a second.
"…Because I already decided."
"…Decided what?"
He glanced at her.
Eyes sharp.
Serious.
"…That I'm not letting you go anywhere."
Naya froze.
"…That's not your choice."
"Too bad."
For the first time—
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"…Make it my problem."
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Heavy.
But warm.
Naya slowly lowered her gaze.
Her lips trembled slightly.
"…You're really… unfair."
"Tch… I know."
But as he turned to leave—
"…Yamabuki."
He stopped.
"…You might regret this."
"…Yeah?"
He didn't turn back.
"…Then I'll regret it later."
And with that—
He walked out.
Leaving Naya alone.
But for the first time—
She didn't feel alone.
She pressed her hand against her chest.
Heartbeat unstable.
"…Too late…"
She whispered.
"…you're already involved."