Chapter 2: Our Secret Place

Weeks had passed since that first awkward encounter on the rooftop.

Little by little, day after day, Haruka Fujimoto kept coming back. After track practice, after classes, even on rainy days when the sky hung low and gray—she’d show up with that same easy grin, towel around her neck, and quiet curiosity in her eyes.

And strangely... Yuki didn’t mind.

They never made plans. No promises. No words like “friend” or “after school” were exchanged. But somehow, this secret place on the rooftop became theirs.

With each visit, the awkwardness faded. Haruka teased. Yuki smirked. The quiet space between them softened until Yuki no longer flinched when the door creaked open.

So today, when the faint glow of the late sun lit the rooftop pink, Yuki leaned against the fence as if expecting her. Cigarette lit, sketchbook in hand, cardigan slipping carelessly off her shoulder.

Her eyes flicked toward the door.

"I knew she’d come again today..."

And right on cue—

Creeeak.

The door groaned open.

“Why’d you skip class earlier? That’s bad, you know... such a delinquent.”

Yuki smirked without lifting her gaze.

Haruka stepped onto the rooftop in her track uniform, towel slung around her neck, cheeks pink from effort and sweat glistening at her temple.

"Because I wanted to draw more," Yuki replied lazily. "The teachers are... distracting."

A faint puff of smoke drifted from her lips as she spoke.

Without thinking, she glanced sideways, catching the sheen of sweat on Haruka’s face. A teasing smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

"...And you reek of sweat. Haha."

Haruka laughed, unbothered. "Pff—shut up! That’s the smell of hard work!"

Yuki chuckled softly, hiding it behind her cigarette.

She held the cigarette out toward Haruka. "Want one?"

Haruka waved her hand, smiling. "Nah. If the captain caught me smoking, I’d be kicked out for life."

She stepped closer, eyes flicking to the sketchbook with playful suspicion.

"So… what are you always drawing up here, anyway?"

Yuki stiffened just slightly, instinct tugging at her chest.

In an instant, she hugged the sketchbook to her chest.

"None of your business."

Haruka grinned. "Is it me? You’ve been staring at me a lot lately."

Yuki flushed, her grip tightening.

"Don’t look! I said no!"

But Haruka only leaned in further, grin widening. "Stop being stingy! Just one look!"

"Tsukishiro—!"

Yuki twisted away as Haruka lunged for the sketchbook. Their balance gave out—

"Ah—"

Thud!

They tumbled to the ground, breathless and tangled on the cold concrete.

Yuki gasped, frozen, her wide eyes staring into Haruka’s grinning face—far, far too close.

"Wh-What the hell?!"

Haruka seemed perfectly calm, totally unbothered by the proximity.

"Finally got it," she murmured, plucking the sketchbook from Yuki’s loosened grip.

"W-Wait—!"

Haruka stood, flipping through the pages, her smile deepening.

"So it is me you’ve been sketching... cute."

Yuki bolted upright, heart pounding.

"G-Give that back, you idiot!!"

Haruka only laughed softly, brushing off her jacket. "Hey, no need to freak out. You’re pretty good, Yuki."

Her name again, spoken so easily.

Yuki clutched the sketchbook close to her chest, cheeks burning. She could barely breathe.

The breeze stirred gently between them.

They stood apart now—Haruka relaxed and grinning; Yuki trembling, her chest tight with unfamiliar heat.

"Why does she act like nothing happened... while I can't even breathe?"

.........--- END OF CHAPTER 2 ---.........

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