Little One (Naegiri Fanfic)

Chapter 4 💜

The next day passed like any other, but Makoto couldn't help but notice Kyoko's growing distance. She was avoiding him, and it was becoming increasingly obvious. Every time he tried to approach her, she either slipped away or found some excuse to be somewhere else. It was as though a wall had suddenly sprung up between them, and it gnawed at Makoto's heart.

Finally, after searching for her between meetings and tasks, he found her in a quiet corridor. Without hesitation, he rushed over and gently grabbed her hand. "Kirigiri-san," he said, slightly out of breath, "what's going on? Why are you avoiding me?"

Kyoko immediately pulled her hand away, her expression cool and unreadable. "I'm not avoiding you. I'm just busy," she replied, turning her gaze away.

Makoto's heart tightened, and he took a step closer. "Then why can't you look me in the eyes?" he asked softly. "I know something's wrong. Did I do something to upset you? Please, just talk to me."

Kyoko paused, her eyes flickering with an emotion she couldn't quite suppress. She took a deep breath, finally meeting his gaze. In that moment, she saw the same earnest, caring boy who stood by her side during their most difficult moments at Hope's Peak Academy. His eyes held the same warmth, the same unwavering hope that had pulled her back from despair time and time again. He wasn't just the Ultimate Hope—he was the person who had seen her for who she truly was and accepted every part of her. He was the person who had given her strength when she had none left.

And it was then, in that single, piercing moment, that Kyoko realized just how much she had fallen for him. It wasn't just admiration or respect. It was something far deeper, something that terrified her to acknowledge.

"There's nothing wrong," she finally said, her voice wavering ever so slightly. "I just... I need some time to think, please, Naegi-kun."

"If you need someone to talk to," Makoto replied gently, "you know I'm always here for you."

His kindness cut deeper than any blade, and Kyoko felt her resolve begin to crumble. It was painful—so painfully clear how much he cared, how much he genuinely wanted to be there for her. And yet, she couldn't ignore the fear gnawing at her heart: the fear that Makoto's warmth and kindness would be given to someone else, that someone else would be the one to stand by his side, to hold his hand, and share his smiles. Was she already too late?

Unable to bear it any longer, Kyoko turned and walked away without another word, leaving Makoto standing there, a look of sadness etched across his face.

As she walked down the corridor, her steps heavy, Asahina suddenly appeared, concern evident in her eyes. "Hey, Kyoko-chan," she called out, pulling her aside. "Are you okay? You've been acting strange lately."

Kyoko sighed, trying to mask her emotions, but Asahina wasn't fooled. "It's about Naegi-kun, isn't it?"

A faint blush crept up Kyoko's cheeks, and she gave a reluctant nod.

"Kyoko-chan, you're one of the bravest people I know," Asahina said, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "But you should be more afraid of letting him slip away. Don't let that happen. Don't let him be the one that got away."

Those words struck a chord in Kyoko, and something shifted within her. Determination replaced fear, and she decided that she couldn't let this moment pass her by. She needed to confront her feelings, to face them head-on, no matter how terrifying it might be.

Summoning her courage, she called Makoto later that evening and asked if he would join her for dinner, just the two of them to discuss about something. "Of course, Kirigiri-san," he replied instantly, his voice bright with excitement. "I'd love to."