✯Echoes of You✯

Friday, April 8 - 9:24 p.m.Kazama's Room, Kasukabe

Kazama's POVThe room smelled faintly of fresh paper and detergent - clean, organized, and quiet enough that I could hear the hum of my desk lamp. My notebook lay open in front of me, but I hadn't written a single line since I came home.

Every time I tried, my mind drifted back to the riverside - to the reflection of streetlights on the water... and to Shinchan's hand in mine.

I rubbed the back of my neck, annoyed at myself for letting a simple moment linger this long. It doesn't mean anything, I told myself. He's always touchy. He's always like that with everyone.

But he wasn't like that with everyone, was he?

When Shinchan looked at me tonight - really looked - there was something behind his grin, something that made the space between us feel fragile and real.

I exhaled, shutting the notebook. The clock read 9:36 p.m.

From my window, I could see the streetlight outside flicker once, twice, then steady itself. For some reason, it reminded me of him - unpredictable, a little chaotic, but bright in ways I couldn't ignore.

I rested my chin on my arm and whispered into the quiet,

> "Why are you always in my head, Shinchan?"

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Shinchan's Room, Kasukabe - 9:58 p.m.

Shinchan's POVI lay on my bed with my phone above my face, scrolling through our class group chat but not reading a single message.

The only thing stuck in my mind was Kazama's laugh - that low, rare laugh that didn't sound forced or perfect. It had happened just once tonight, but it was enough to make me grin like an idiot every time I remembered.

"Man, what's wrong with me?" I mumbled, tossing the phone aside.

My room was messy as usual - comic books scattered across the floor, clothes half-folded, my toy collection staring at me like they knew something I didn't.

I closed my eyes and let the day play back in pieces: his neat hair shifting in the breeze, the way he said 'I don't mind' so quietly I almost missed it, the soft brush of his sleeve against mine.

That one moment - it stayed, warm like sunlight you feel even after stepping into shade.

I turned to my side and hugged a pillow, whispering without meaning to,

> "Goodnight, Kazama."

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Kazama's POVAt 10:04 p.m., my phone buzzed.One message.

> Shinchan: You asleep, smarty?

I stared at it, a small smile tugging at my lips before I typed back.

> Kazama: Trying to be. Why aren't you?

> Shinchan: Can't sleep. Thinking about that takoyaki.

I shook my head, replying-

> Kazama: Liar. You're thinking about how you'll copy my math notes tomorrow.

> Shinchan: Maybe that too. ;)

And before I could stop myself, my thumb hovered over the screen, typing something I didn't plan.

> Kazama: ...Today was nice.

It sent before I could delete it.The three dots appeared almost instantly.

> Shinchan: Yeah... it really was.

I exhaled, the tiniest laugh escaping me - half nerves, half relief.

Outside, the wind rustled the trees near the window.Inside, I realized this wasn't just noise anymore.

It was something beginning.

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End of Chapter 3

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