Vol. 1 — Chapter 7: Just Us on the Way Home
The air was cooler now.
The sun was slowly dipping below the rooftops, casting long shadows across the street.
Yuto walked quietly beside Yuna. They had just left the school gates, and for a while, neither of them said anything.
He kept glancing at her from the corner of his eye. She walked with small, light steps, hands in her cardigan pockets, her long hair swaying with each step.
It felt unreal.
Is this really happening? he thought. Walking home with Yuna… just the two of us?
Yuto swallowed nervously. The silence wasn't awkward, but it wasn't relaxed either.
It was something in between—like his chest was too full, and he didn't know what to say.
Then Yuna broke the silence.
"Do you usually walk alone?" she asked, eyes still on the path.
Yuto nodded. "Yeah… I mean, sometimes I go with Daiki or Souta if we finish at the same time, but… mostly alone."
Yuna hummed. "I see. I walk alone too sometimes."
"Really? What about Rika?"
"She usually has club stuff after school," Yuna said. "So it's rare we go home together."
Yuto nodded again. "I see…"
Silence again.
Then Yuna looked up at the sky and said, "The clouds look nice today."
Yuto glanced up. There were streaks of orange and pink in the sky, the clouds soft and scattered.
"Yeah," he said. "It looks… peaceful."
Yuna smiled. "I like walking during this time. It feels like the world is slower."
Yuto looked at her. "You always say things like that."
"Like what?"
"Pretty things," he mumbled, looking away.
There was a pause, and then Yuna let out a quiet laugh.
"You think so?"
Yuto's ears were red. "I didn't mean it in a weird way…"
"No, no," she said, shaking her head. "It makes me happy."
Yuto blinked. "It does?"
"Mhm," she nodded. "You're kind, Yuto. You just don't talk much."
"I… I don't know how to say stuff the right way sometimes," he admitted.
"That's okay," Yuna said, looking at him. "I think it's nice."
Their eyes met for a second. Yuto looked away again, flustered.
As they turned a corner, they passed by a small park. Kids were still playing, their laughter echoing in the air. A dog barked in the distance, and the wind carried the scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery.
"Hey," Yuna said suddenly. "Wanna stop by that bakery?"
"Huh?"
"They sell melon bread that's still warm around this time."
Yuto blinked. "O-Okay."
So they stepped inside. The small shop was warm and cozy, with wooden shelves filled with pastries. The lady at the counter greeted them cheerfully.
"Two melon breads, please," Yuna said.
Yuto tried to protest. "Wait, I should—"
"It's my treat," Yuna smiled.
"But—"
"No buts. Just take it, okay?" she said, handing him one of the wrapped melon breads.
Yuto held it awkwardly. It was warm.
Not just the bread… her kindness too.
They walked out of the shop, each holding a melon bread.
Yuna took a bite and let out a happy sigh.
"Mmm! So soft."
Yuto took a bite too.
It really was good.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
"You're welcome."
They reached the intersection where they'd part ways.
Yuto's house was to the left, and Yuna's was straight ahead.
"Well," Yuna said, stopping.
"Yeah…" Yuto nodded.
"Thanks for walking with me," she said.
Yuto smiled a little. "Thanks for inviting me."
Yuna looked at him, then stepped a little closer.
"I hope we can do this again."
Yuto's heart skipped.
"Y-Yeah. Me too."
She waved. "See you tomorrow, Yuto."
"See you."
And just like that, she walked away, the sunset at her back.
Yuto stood there for a moment, watching her go.
Then he looked down at the melon bread in his hands.
His fingers tightened just a little.
I want to get to know her more.
He didn't say it out loud.
But the feeling was clear.
End of Chapter 7.