Akihiko Shiraishi is Suisha Academy’s golden boy—top of the class, track team ace, and the embodiment of composure, all while living under the watchful eye of his demanding older brother. Everything about his life seems flawless—until it isn’t. Enter Harumi Kurose, a rebel from rival Higasa High, who doesn’t care about school rankings or following the rules. They come from different worlds, yet fate keeps placing them on the same path, especially during those quiet walks home. Our Walk Home Chapter 17-23 deals more with the real face behind his everyday facade.
Our Walk Home Chapter 17: Mask Begins to Crack
Our Walk Home Chapter 17 begins with Akihiko Shiraishi almost having a breakdown. After school, he gets a phone call that shakes his carefully structured world. His older brother—the one who raised him, supported him, and guided every step—issues an ultimatum: quit the track team and double down on cram school. There’s no room for hobbies or distractions, not with the final exams approaching. His brother insists this is the only path forward.
Back in class, Shiraishi tries to push through. However, his mind is a fog of guilt and uncertainty. He stares at his notes but absorbs nothing. Each word from the teacher blurs with the pressure weighing on his shoulders. As the day drags on, his usual focus slips away. The perfect student isn’t so perfect anymore.
Later, while heading home in the rain, Shiraishi bumps into Harumi. The moment feels surreal. Harumi, sensing something was off, apologized for teasing him earlier. But Shiraishi shakes his head—it’s not about that. It’s everything else. For a few moments, the two walk in silence.
As they part ways, Harumi reflects—he can see right through the brave face Shiraishi wears. Now more overwhelmed than ever, Shiraishi is stuck between pleasing his brother and not losing Harumi. Our Walk Home Chapter 17 ends with the weight of both expectations and emotions pulling Shiriaishi apart, and he can’t help but blame himself for the storm he’s caught in.
Chapter 18: Expectation of Akihiko’s Brother
Our Walk Home Chapter 18 begins with Shiraishi, who was once the epitome of calm and control,begining to fall apart.Nights become sleepless, plagued by looping dreams where he’s frozen in place while everyone watches, disappointed. Even in waking hours, the fear doesn’t leave him. It follows him like a shadow, creeping into everything he does.
In school, his detachment grows more obvious. Murmurs begin—people whisper about what’s going on with the golden boy. But no one asks directly. They assume he’s just tired. No one sees the storm inside. Eventually, Shiraishi makes a painful decision. He quits the track team. He expects disappointment or even anger from Captain Takaoka. Instead, Takaoka simply nods and tells him to take care of himself. The quiet support is kind, but it doesn’t fix anything. In class, he’s called on, and he blanks out entirely. He doesn’t even hear the question. Our Walk Home Chapter 18 ends with a silence that follows, which is louder than any scolding could be.
Our Walk Home Chapter 19: Harumi’s Friendship
Our Walk Home Chapter 19 begins as Shiraishi reaches a breaking point. After his latest shutdown in class, Yamamoto—always blunt, never cruel—calls him out and asks him to stop pretending that everything’s fine. The words sting because they’re true. Shiraishi doesn’t respond. Instead, he bolts from the classroom and into the rain, barely registering where he’s going. Shame mixes with water on his skin, and he just keeps walking.
Eventually, Harumi finds him—soaked, silent, and emotionally drained. This time, Harumi doesn’t hold back. He reminds Shiraishi of something he once said: “Don’t bottle things up.” The irony hits hard. Shiraishi realizes he’s been doing exactly that—building walls no one could scale.
They end up in Harumi’s apartment, wrapped in the kind of silence that feels safe. Harumi offers a hot drink to Shiraishi. Harumi doesn’t ask questions right away. He just waits. Finally, Shiraishi speaks. He admits what he’s been hiding: the fear, the pressure, the crippling self-doubt. He says he feels like a fraud—someone who wears a mask so well, even he believes it.
Harumi listens without interrupting, and that quiet compassion is enough. It doesn’t solve everything, but for the first time in weeks, Shiraishi doesn’t feel alone. Our Walk Home Chapter 19 ends with Shiraishi realizing that sometimes being seen helps the most.
Chapter 20: Harumi And Akihiko’s Park Date
Our Walk Home Chapter 20 begins with Harumi joking that their hangout counts as a “friendly date.” Shiraishi blushes but doesn’t object. Still, a quiet fear lingers—what if they’re seen? What if someone from school finds out?
Yet Harumi’s relaxed nature keeps things easy. Out of uniform, he seems lighter, more himself. As they explore the city, Harumi talks about his photography project: capturing “traces”—the proof that something existed, even if it’s gone now. His words resonate with Shiraishi, who feels like he’s disappearing under the weight of expectations.
During their walk, Harumi snaps a candid photo of Shiraishi. He turns it into a bet: if Shiraishi feels better in a week, he wins. If not, Harumi does. Their laughter comes easily, and somewhere in the conversation, Shiraishi starts sharing openly. He talks about the pressure, his brother, and the ever-looming fear of failure. And Harumi listens—again, without judgment.
Our Walk Home Chapter 20 concludes with a simple walk becoming a turning point. It’s no longer just an escape; it’s a step toward living more honestly.
Our Walk Home Chapter 21: Their First Meet
Our Walk Home Chapter 21 begins with Shiraishi questioning not just his choices, but the reason behind them. His brother didn’t just raise him—he built his entire future. So, walking away from the plan isn’t just about freedom. It’s about feeling like he’s betraying the one person who gave up everything for him.
When Shiraishi shares this with Harumi, there’s no mockery or quick advice. Harumi listens, then gently asks: “If following his plan is hurting you, why are you still on it?” That question sticks in Shiraishi’s mind. He doesn’t have an answer—at least, not a good one. They decide to study for finals together. It’s a small act, but it feels huge. For the first time, Shiraishi is making a choice that isn’t rooted in obligation. It’s for himself.
As they are talking, Shiraishi realizes —meeting Harumi first time on his birthday. Harumi teases that he’s technically older by a few months, ending Our Walk Home Chapter 21.
Chapter 22: Akihiko Gets Back His Confidence
Our Walk Home Chapter 22 begins with a new plan in place. Shiraishi negotiates with his brother: no cram school, at least for now. In return, he promises to study seriously with Harumi, who, despite being from rival Higasa High, matches his academic standing. His brother, though skeptical, agrees, but warns him: one slip, and it’s back to the grind.
Relieved, Shiraishi finally makes his exit from the track team official. Captain Takaoka, ever understanding, accepts the resignation with a nod. He doesn’t fight it—he just reminds Shiraishi to look after himself. But outside the classroom, new tensions rise. Rumors swirl that Higasa High has implemented an aggressive strategy known as the “Living Hell.” It’s a grueling system of mandatory study marathons, designed to raise overall class averages—even if it burns students out. The goal? Beat Suisha Academy completely.
Everyone anticipates that Shiraishi will rise to the challenge, defeating Harumi in the finals to uphold Suisha Academy’s reputation. Our Walk Home Chapter 22 ends with Shiriashi struggling —what if that system ends up changing Harumi? Worse, it could destroy the fragile bond they’ve built. Shiraishi doesn’t want to lose another piece of himself—or Harumi.
Our Walk Home Chapter 23: Harumi Meets Akihiko’s Family
Our Walk Home Chapter 23 begins with Harumi quickly clearing things up, telling him straight, he’s not involved in Higasa’s twisted plan. Winning doesn’t matter to him. Harumi suggests going to Shiraishi’s place due to the broken AC situation. Shiraishi resists but loses a rock-paper-scissors game and gives in. What follows is classic domestic comedy. His sister teases them, and his parents assume Harumi is his girlfriend. Shiraishi, red-faced, drags Harumi to his room.
There, Harumi spots an old photo—little Shiraishi with his brother on his first day of kindergarten. That’s when it clicks. For Shiraishi, his brother isn’t just a role model. He is home. The pressure isn’t just academic—it’s emotional. Just as they begin diving into their notes, Kazuki, Shiraishi’s younger brother, barges in. At first, it’s harmless sibling banter. Our Walk Home Chapter 23 ends with Kazuki staring at Harumi, and coldly dropping a line that stops everything: “I’ll never forgive you.”
Quickies
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