Chapter 4 Last Chapter:Breaking The Silence

A few days after the rain incident, the atmosphere between us felt completely different. Haru still came to my desk every single day without fail. He was still loud, he still acted like a bully sometimes, and he still loved to disturb me while I was trying to study... but everything felt different now. It felt warmer. It felt softer.

He wouldn't take my things away and hide them anymore. He would just lean lazily on my desk, resting his chin on his hands, and just watch me read or write. Sometimes, he would even bring me snacks or cold drinks from the canteen, throwing them casually at my desk like it was no big deal, acting like he didn't care even though his ears would turn red.

"Here. Eat this. You look too thin, like a stick. It's disgusting."

But I knew. I knew he bought it because he wanted me to have it.

And then came the day that changed everything forever.

He dragged me by the wrist to the rooftop after class, pulling me gently but firmly until we were away from everyone else. The wind was blowing strongly up there, making my hair fly around messily. He let go of my wrist, but he wouldn't look at me directly. He was scratching his head, pacing back and forth a little, looking nervous and fidgety. It was so weird and cute seeing the loudest, toughest guy in school acting so shy and unsure.

"Hey... Mio..." he finally started, stopping in front of me.

"Yes?" I answered softly, looking at the ground, my heart beating like crazy in my chest.

"Look at me." He reached out and gently lifted my chin up, forcing me to look straight into his eyes. His eyes were dark, serious, and full of sincerity. "I know everything. I know you talk a lot with your friends. I know you laugh and smile so brightly when you're with them. I've seen it. I've watched you. And honestly... I'm jealous. I'm so damn jealous it makes me crazy."

"I want to hear your voice too. I want you to talk to me like you talk to them. I want you to laugh with me. I don't want you to be shy or scared anymore. I want to be someone you are close with. I want to be important to you."

He took a deep, shaky breath, gathering all his courage.

"I like you, Mio. I was mean and loud before because I was stupid and I didn't know how to get your attention. I acted like an enemy because I didn't know how to be a good guy. I acted like I hated you because I was too shy to say the truth. But I've liked you... silently... for so long. I really like you."

My breath hitched in my throat. My eyes widened, and I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would jump out of my chest. The boy I thought I hated, the boy I thought was just an annoying bully... was the boy who actually cared for me the most.

"Haru..." I whispered, no longer hiding. No longer shutting down. I looked at him with all my feelings exposed.

"I... I also like you," I said, my voice a little louder, a little clearer than before. "I was just... too shy to say it. I was scared..."

His eyes went huge, sparkling with surprise and happiness. He saw my smile—the real, genuine smile I only show to people I trust and love.

"......." He was speechless for a second, completely stunned, then he scratched his head and laughed loudly, his face turning bright red like a tomato.

"Hah! Finally! You finally spoke to me properly! I knew it!"

He grabbed my hand tightly, interlacing our fingers together, holding on like he never wanted to let go.

"Good. From now on, you're mine. No more silence. No more enemies. Just us. Got it?"

"Okay..." I nodded, smiling back at him happily.

And so, the silence between us broke completely, replaced by the loud, happy, and beautiful sound of love.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***