When I started High School, My Childhood Friend, who had suddenly become distant and cold, was harassed by a stranger. I stepped in to help, and as a result, from the following day, My Childhood Friend's behavior became unusual. - Chapter 22

“Want to do something?”

It was Sunday afternoon, and Shizune was in Natsuki’s room. They had planned a day together, and the chosen venue ended up being his house.

The two of them alone in his room—it was a thought that quickened Natsuki’s heartbeat. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t done this countless times before as kids, playing until the sun set. Yet now, the memory of what had happened at Shizune’s house surfaced, making his chest tighten involuntarily.

Though his parents were out, his younger sister was in the room next door, providing a sobering reminder of reality. Still, there was a persistent, undeniable tension beneath the surface.
“Hmm… I feel like playing a video game together,” Shizune said, leaning slightly forward.

“Video games, huh… I haven’t bought any new ones lately. Just the old ones we have. I could borrow something from my sister, though. What type do you want?”

“Something fun we can play together.”

“Got it. I’ll go check.”

Natsuki stood and walked to his sister’s room. She greeted him with a teasing grin. “Ooh, big brother has a girl over?” She said, earning a gentle flick on the forehead. With that, he secured a few games and returned.

“I got some. Which one do you want to play?”

“Oh, this one’s new! Let’s try it,” Shizune said, pointing to a puzzle game known for being surprisingly tricky.

They dove into the game, and time seemed to slip away as the challenges escalated, their teamwork put to the test.

“Natsuki, you’re not great at this, are you? Come over here,” Shizune teased.

“I’m fine… oh, I fell,” he muttered, handing her the controller.

“Can I try?”

“Yeah, go for it.”

Shizune shifted closer, taking the controller. Concentration furrowed her brow as she solved a particularly tricky part. Before he realized it, they were sitting so close that their legs touched, and Natsuki could catch the faint scent of her shampoo whenever he inhaled.

“Done!” Shizune beamed, handing the controller back to him.
“Thanks,” he said, taking it but finding it hard to focus with their legs still pressed together.

“Um, our legs are touching,” he finally managed to say, glancing at her.

“Oh! S-sorry…” Shizune quickly shifted, her cheeks tinting pink as she covered her face with one hand.

Natsuki’s gaze lingered on her, feeling a pang of regret for pointing it out. He could have quietly moved away instead of mentioning it.

(Why didn’t I just let it be? Guess I’m not as composed as I think.)

With a sigh, he pushed his thoughts aside and focused on the game. Time flew by, and before long, the sky outside was painted with the warm hues of early evening.

“Finally, we cleared Chapter Two,” Shizune said, stretching her arms.

“Want to keep going?” Natsuki asked.

“Nah, it’s getting late. We should stop.”

“Good point,” Natsuki said, powering down the console and exhaling.

“That last part was tough,” Shizune admitted. “I hate that we had to look up a guide.”

Natsuki chuckled. “Hey, want to go grab something from the convenience store?”

“Ooh, yes! I want ice cream. What time is it, anyway?”

“A bit past five.”

“Then I should probably bring my stuff and head home afterward.”
They stepped outside, the warm orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the street. The crows cawed as they walked, filling the silence between their playful chatter.

“Wonder what kind of ice cream I’ll get…” Shizune mused aloud.
“They had a new kind yesterday,” Natsuki said. “Looked fancy, chocolatey.”

“Tempting, but I’m in a soda-flavored mood today.”

They laughed, strolling side by side. Natsuki’s heart thudded a bit harder than usual, and he found himself watching her. The tilt of her head when she spoke, the way she looked up at him with her big, curious eyes—it was all so natural, yet it tugged at something deeper inside him.

“Hey, do you think we look like a couple to other people?” Shizune asked suddenly, pointing at a couple ahead holding hands.

Natsuki blinked. “Where’s that coming from?”

“I don’t know. We hang out a lot, so I was just curious,” she said with a little laugh.

“Hmm, maybe. But we’re not holding hands like they are,” he joked.

“Want to change that?”

Before he could second-guess himself, Natsuki reached for her hand. It was impulsive, reckless even, but today felt different.
Shizune’s eyes widened. “W-wait, that was a joke!”

Natsuki started to pull away, but she tightened her grip, cheeks flushed.

“Is this… okay?” he asked softly.

“Yeah… yeah, it is,” she whispered with a shy smile.

Natsuki’s chest tightened. This moment felt different—warmer, closer, like the boundary between friendship and something more had blurred.

“Shizune, do you… have someone you like?” Natsuki ventured after a pause.

Her eyes darted to the side before she nodded. “Yeah… he’s right next to me.”

“Is… is that a joke?”

“Of course,” she laughed, but her voice wavered. “Or maybe not. Who knows?”

“Buy me a box of Häagen-Dazs and I’ll tell you,” she teased, breaking the tension.

“Dream on.”

The playful exchange settled some of the nerves, but when they reached the store, Natsuki’s mind was still racing. They each picked out a soda-flavored ice cream, paid, and found a nearby bench at the park to sit and eat.

“Hey, Natsuki, do you have a crush on someone?” Shizune asked suddenly, swinging her legs as she unwrapped her ice cream.

“Yeah… I do.”

“Wait, really?” She turned to him, eyes wide.

He nodded. “She’s… sitting next to me.”

Shizune stopped mid-bite, staring at him with a mix of disbelief and hope.

“Stop joking around,” she whispered, eyes narrowing.

“I’m not joking,” he said, eyes locked on hers.

A silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken feelings. The chirping of distant cicadas filled the quiet.

“Can… can I tell you properly tomorrow?” Natsuki said, finally breaking the tension. “Don’t give me an answer until then.”

Before he could react, Shizune leaned in, wrapping her arms around him. The sudden embrace startled him, and she kept her face pressed to his chest, her breath warm and shaky.

“Why not now?” she asked, voice muffled but steady. “Is now… not okay?”

Natsuki’s heart raced, but he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. He tightened his hold, feeling the weight of his words and the hope that lingered between them.

“I love you, Shizune. Will you go out with me?”

“Yes… yes, please,” she replied, pulling back just enough to show the tears glistening in her eyes and a radiant smile.
They stayed like that, close and warm, until the sky turned dark and the city lights flickered on.

“Should we head back?” Natsuki whispered.

“Yeah. I’m so happy right now, I could float home.”

They walked hand in hand down the quiet street, laughter and gentle conversation carrying them all the way.

The next morning, Natsuki found himself walking to school with Shizune. Everything felt surreal, like a dream he hadn’t woken from.

“Hey, Natsuki, you seem lost in thought,” Shizune said, nudging him playfully.

“Just… still can’t believe it,” he admitted.

“Me neither,” she said, smiling. “I guess we’ve always been like this, huh? Just now, we’re finally honest about it.”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

Their path forward might be filled with challenges, doubts, and more moments of uncertainty. But for now, with Shizune by his side, Natsuki knew they could face anything.

“Hey, Natsuki.”

“Yeah?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to say your name.”

He laughed, squeezing her hand a bit tighter. This was just the beginning, and for once, he was ready for whatever came next.