For a while, things were good — really good.
The stares and whispers still came, but Kaito didn't care. He held Ayumi's hand in public without hesitation. If anyone asked if she was his girlfriend, he answered proudly: "Yeah. Got a problem with that?"
And Ayumi? She started to feel... seen.
But that didn't mean everything was easy.
---
"You never tell me when something's wrong," Kaito said one evening, his voice tight.
Ayumi glanced up from her notebook. What do you mean?
"I mean," Kaito said, "every time something's bothering you, you just... smile like everything's fine."
Ayumi forced a smile now — the exact one he was talking about. It's nothing. I'm okay.
"You're not okay," Kaito pressed. "You've been off for days. Just... talk to me."
Ayumi shifted uncomfortably. I don't want to bother you with my problems.
"You're not bothering me!" Kaito's voice rose. "You never bother me."
I know that's what you say... but I don't want to make things harder for you.
"You're not making things harder." His fingers clenched. "I want to know what's going on. I want to be there for you."
You are, Ayumi signed quickly. You always are.
"Then why won't you let me in?"
Because I don't want you to regret this someday!
The words were sharper than Ayumi intended, and her hands froze in place.
Kaito's face shifted — confusion, then hurt.
"You think I'd regret... being with you?"
Ayumi's fingers trembled. I just... I don't want to be a burden.
"You're not a burden!" Kaito's voice cracked. "Why do you keep acting like you're too much to handle?"
Because people leave, Kaito! Ayumi's gestures came faster, sharper. When things get hard, people leave. I'm just... I'm trying to make it easier when you decide to go, too.
Kaito stared at her in disbelief. "You think I'm going to leave?"
Ayumi dropped her hands.
"You really believe that?" Kaito's voice softened now, like her words had taken the wind out of him.
I don't know what to believe, Ayumi signed weakly.
"You're pushing me away because you're scared," Kaito said quietly.
Ayumi shook her head. No, I'm just —
"You're scared," Kaito repeated. "And I get it. But if you keep shutting me out... I don't know how to stay."
The silence between them felt heavy.
Then Kaito stepped back, his eyes dark with frustration.
"Let me know when you're ready to actually talk."
And with that, he left.
---
For two days, they didn't speak.
Kaito buried himself in classwork, ignoring the ache in his chest.
Ayumi spent her nights staring at her phone, rereading old messages but never finding the courage to send a new one.
By the third day, Ayumi couldn't take it anymore.
---
She found Kaito alone by the school's vending machines.
Hey. Her fingers moved stiffly.
He barely looked at her. "Hey."
Ayumi's hands hovered in the air. I'm sorry.
"For what?" Kaito's voice was flat.
For pushing you away. For not telling you what's going on.
Kaito crossed his arms. "Then tell me now."
Ayumi swallowed hard.
I like you, she signed slowly. A lot. But... I'm scared.
Kaito's gaze softened just slightly. "Of what?"
Ayumi's hands faltered. Of being too much. Of holding you back. Of you waking up one day and... realizing this isn't what you want.
Kaito sighed, dragging a hand down his face.
"I chose to be with you, Ayumi," he said. "I knew what that meant."
But I don't want to weigh you down, Ayumi signed.
"You don't," Kaito insisted. "I want to be with all of you — not just the parts you think are convenient."
He paused. "I can't promise I won't mess up. Or that things won't get hard. But..."
His hand hesitated before he reached for hers.
"I want to figure it out. With you."
Ayumi stared at their joined hands, warmth spreading up her arm.
I want that too, she signed softly.
"Then stop pushing me away," Kaito said, voice low.
For the first time in days, Ayumi let herself believe that maybe — just maybe — Kaito really meant it.
---
Later that night, Ayumi wrote something down in her notebook.
It wasn't a message for Kaito — not yet — but she kept rereading it anyway.
"Maybe I'm allowed to be loved... just as I am."
---
To Be Continue