Kazuki was well-known for being energetic and carefree, however, today he was anything but. He couldn't focus in class, his usually smiling face replaced with a strange, distant expression.
Azuma, keeping his very calm and graceful demeanor, tilted his head in his good friend's direction, his voice steady. "Kazuki?"
Snapping out of his daydream, his bright eyes revealed shock, "Y-Yeah?" He forced a smile, hiding his unease.
"What's wrong?" Azuma's words were tainted with concern. It wasn't often that he would show anything but a gentle smile and friendly expression.
Kazuki wanted to tell his best friend the truth, but his words failed him, something rare in itself. He shook his head once, the strange, uncharacteristic expression crossing his face once more. Then, realizing how he had been drifitng quickly smiled, and started talking.
The concern broke through the usual calm look, but Azuma didn't speak again, watching as Kazuki tried to joke. Suddenly, an idea formed, maybe Kahoko knew? Before their Christmas break Kahoko had taken down his address, having bought everyone a small gift.
The bell sounded off announcing the end of class. Azuma stood up, prepared to walk with Kazuki, but he was already half-way out of the classroom, leaving him even more concerned. However, that concern quickly turned into silent, seething anger towards Kahoko.
Once outside, Kazuki breathed in the ice cold air, grateful to be outside and away from the other students' eyes. Forcing a smile and a laugh everytime he ran into someone was becoming exhausting, and he wasn't sure if he could continue. He breathed in deeply before pulling his jacket closer and heading towards home.
Admittedly, Kazuki didn't like secrets. He didn't like keeping things from Azuma, especially at seeing the concern, but, he couldn't tell him. He couldn't tell anyone.