The Delinquent The Quiet Girl
Episode 13 – Heartbeats
--
Morning: A New Tension
Miku barely slept last night.
Naruto's words kept echoing in her head.
"I hope it's me."
Her heart wouldn't stop racing.
She knew she liked Naruto.
She knew he was important to her.
But now… she knew he might feel the same way.
And that changed everything.
--
At School: Naruto is Different
Miku wasn't the only one acting strange.
Naruto was being… weird.
He wasn't teasing her as much.
He wasn't stealing her food.
And when their eyes met, he'd look away fast—his ears slightly red.
Even their classmates noticed.
Random Student: "Oi, Naruto, did you and Miku fight or something?"
Naruto: "Hah? Shut up." (glaring)
Miku clutched her notebook, hiding her smile.
It was kind of cute, seeing Naruto flustered.
She had never seen him like this before.
Maybe… this was her chance.
--
Lunch Break: A Small Step Forward
They sat under their usual tree, but the atmosphere was awkward.
Naruto was fidgeting.
Miku was nervous.
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, Naruto let out a frustrated groan, ruffling his hair.
Naruto: "Tch. This is annoying."
Miku blinked.
Miku: "What is?"
Naruto leaned back against the tree, staring up at the sky.
Naruto: "…Dunno. Just… everything feels weird."
Miku's grip on her bento tightened.
This was it.
She needed to say something.
She took a deep breath.
Miku: "…About yesterday…"
Naruto stiffened.
She hesitated—but then, gathering her courage, she mumbled:
Miku: "…It is you."
Silence.
Naruto slowly turned to look at her.
His blue eyes were wide, staring at her as if he couldn't believe what she just said.
Miku's cheeks turned bright red.
She quickly looked down, gripping her skirt.
Miku: "I… I like you."
Her voice was soft, but Naruto heard every word clearly.
His heartbeat slammed against his chest.
He had been so sure she liked someone else.
But hearing her say it…
His mind went blank.
Miku, the sweet, quiet girl who always blushed around him, who always stayed by his side—
Liked him.
Naruto swallowed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Then, in a rare moment of honesty, he muttered:
Naruto: "…Yeah. Same."
Miku's breath hitched.
She looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise.
Miku: "…Really?"
Naruto groaned, looking away.
Naruto: "Tch. Don't make me say it twice."
Miku giggled softly.
Naruto's face turned even redder.
He wasn't used to this.
He wasn't used to being vulnerable.
But somehow, with Miku—
It didn't feel so bad.
--
After School: A New Beginning
As they walked home together, the air between them was lighter.
Miku felt braver.
Naruto seemed less tense.
Then—without thinking—Miku gently reached out and held his sleeve.
Naruto froze.
He looked down at her, surprised.
Miku's cheeks were pink, but she didn't let go.
Instead, she whispered:
Miku: "…Is this okay?"
Naruto stared at her for a moment.
Then, with a small smirk, he muttered:
Naruto: "…Yeah."
And for the first time since meeting him—
Miku saw Naruto genuinely smile.
Her heart soared.
Maybe… just maybe…
This was the start of something beautiful.
--
End of Episode 13.