Elena hurried out of the library
her steps quick and restless
when suddenly she collided with someone in the hallway. Without sparing a glance or offering an apology she brushed past and continued walking.
Is that girl insane? Kae muttered irritation flashing across his face.His friend scoffed watching Elena disappear down the corridor. Not even a single sorry. Can you believe that?
A little later Aira Mira and Sita stepped out of the library as well.Mira turned to Aira with a playful smile.Are you going to eat something? Aira shot her an unimpressed look.Do you ever think about anything other than food? Mira raised her hands dramatically glancing at her as if making an important declaration. There are only two rules in life EAT and Sleep. Am I right, Sister Sita?
Sita laughed lifting her hand to meet Mira's in a cheerful high-five.One hundred percent correct little sister.Then it's settled Mira said with a grin. Let's go. We'll leave this grumpy one behind.
Sita slipped her arm through Aira's gently pulling her along.Oh no Aira doesn't get to refuse me. She's coming with us.Mira smirked and gestured forward with a playful bow. Alright then,Boss after you.Aira and Sita walked ahead together while Mira followed behind and the three of them made their way toward the café.
Kae's friend suddenly turned around and said
Hey look! Aira is heading toward the café. Are we going?Kae nodded and without another word they started walking in that direction.When Mira reached the café she turned to Aira and Sita. You two wait here. I'll go get something for you.
Sita looked at her and asked Can I come with you?
Mira leaned close to her ear and whispered No Sister. Spend your time here giving her a gentle nudge.Sita laughed and nodded as if she understood that Mira wanted her to stay with Aira.
Aira pulled her phone out of her pocket and placed it on the table tugging her chair back and forth before finally sitting down. Once seated she glanced at Sita and asked So, aren't you going to sit?Sita looked at her slid her chair close to Aira and sat down beside her keeping a watchful eye on Aira as she scrolled through her phone.Suddenly Aira's gaze landed on Elena who was approaching with her friends. Elena's eyes in turn locked on Aira. The moment Elena saw Aira sitting with Sita she quickly hid her face behind her notebook. Aira watched her for a moment tilting her eyes back and forth silently wondering why Elena was acting this way.Elena whispered to her friends,Let's go somewhere else. I have some work to do. Her friends murmured Okay okay and started walking. Elena still hiding her face behind her notebook bumped into some boys on the way and murmured Sorry sorry.
Aira adjusted her posture sitting upright and steady and watched Elena walk away. She chuckled softly to herself thinking Red banner Amm Not bad at all.Lost in her own thoughts Aira noticed Sita looking at her. What are you thinking? Sita asked.Aira shook her head and replied Nothing Sita.By now Mira had brought the food to the table and placed it neatly announcing Alright let's start eating. Kae and his friends had arrived at the same time. Kae taking a small spot between Sita and Aira, asked Hey, Aira.Without paying much attention, Aira replied Do you have some work?Kae pulled out a chair, sat down beside her, and said I needed to solve a problem. Sita immediately added We're not free right now. Come during free time.Kae pouted and glanced toward Sita.The problem can be solved now. A senior always helps a junior right?Aira paused eating and said to Kae Show me. Kae quickly looked at his friend who placed a book in front of Aira and said Here, take this.Sita clearly didn't like the way Kae was looking at Aira and she couldn't hide her irritation as Mira fed herself noodles while keeping a keen eye on Sita watching her irritation simmer.
Sita watching the scene murmured This is way too much.Aira turned her attention to Kae and said You can come to me tomorrow morning. I'll be free and I'll help you solve all of these problems in a day. Don't worry.Kae's face lit up with joy.Oh you're so kind.meanwhile kae picked something from Mira plate and playfully fed it to Aira who kept a perfectly serious expression. Mira and Sita exchanged glances both slightly annoyed.Aira looked at Kae and said i don't like it then don't do it.Kae gently placed his hand over hers.But this is my love she said.Sita quickly removed Kae's hand and said Alright now go let us eat. Kae pouted and got up dramatically giving Aira a playful wave goodbye before leaving. Mira and Sita exchanged glare filled looks.Sita immediately poured some water near Aira's hand. Aira frowned.Hey what are you doing?
Mira quickly handed Sita some tissues. We're cleaning your hand,she said.Aira keeping her serious expression, replied My hand is clean.
Sita insisted No it's not clean. I'll help you.
Mira glanced at Sita winked and gave her a thumbs-up.Good job.Sita then fed Aira a bite of food right in front of her. Aira held the spoon pretending authority and said I can manage this before taking a bite herself.Mira wrinkled her nose and asked Why are you so serious sister?Aira didn't reply.So Mira picked up a piece of meat from her plate placed it on Sita's and said with a smile Enjoy sister Sita.Sita laughed and in return picked some vegetables from her plate and placed them on Mira's. You eat too little sister.The two of them began eating together while in the back of Aira's mind the Red Banner was still spinning making her chuckle quietly to herself.
A little while later Mira walked into the classroom alongside Aira and Sita. As soon as the two girls stepped inside and placed their bags on their chairs Aira turned to Mira.
You can go now she said casually.Mira however glanced around and asked Where does Elena usually sit?Aira shrugged lightly.I've never really paid attention to anyone.Mira made a small face at her indifference before turning to Sita.
Sita do you know where Elena's seat is?Sita looked around then pointed ahead. I think it's over there.The seat was only a little distance ahead of Aira's close enough that from there Aira would have a clear unobstructed view of Elena.Aira immediately looked at Sita and let out a soft sigh.
Do you want to change your seat? Sita asked gently.No it's fine. Sit down Aira replied her tone steady.Then she turned back to Mira.You should go to your class. The lecture is about to start.
But Mira didn't leave right away. Instead she walked toward Elena's desk while Aira and Sita watched her closely. Reaching the table Mira carefully placed a small heart-shaped sticker card on it followed by a bottle of juice.Enjoy she murmured softly before turning and walking away.
Watching this Aira made an odd expression. What is she even doing? she muttered.Sita however smiled faintly. She's putting in effort.Aira let out a quiet scoff. Yeah for a few days of amusement.
Or maybe for something that lasts Sita replied thoughtfully. That comment didn't sit well with Aira.
She turned sharply to look at Sita her expression changing in an instant. Sita immediately sensed she might have said something wrong and quickly added I just meant Mira keeps going to Elena again and again.Aira held her gaze for a moment then said calmly You're right.
Around the same time Elena entered the room with her friends. As soon as she saw Aira she immediately walked over and took her seat. Aira didn't usually smile that much but at Elena's subtle gestures she offered a faint private smile one meant only for her.Today for the first time Aira noticed Elena in a way she hadn't before sitting at her chair perfectly aligned with Aira's gaze so that she could see Elena clearly. Elena picked up the small card and juice bottle from her desk then looked briefly in Aira's direction. Aira met her gaze directly watching silently. Elena nudged the bottle slightly forward with a small gesture and then returned her expression to neutral. Aira couldn't quite understand the meaning behind it.Before long the teacher arrived and the class began. Elena took a sip of the juice and set the bottle down. Watching this Aira whispered to Sita
I don't think Mira's efforts will make much of a difference here.Leaning slightly forward toward Aira, Sita smiled.Let's see she replied her tone light.With that Aira grabbed a pen from SITA and began writing and Sita wearing an adorably sweet expression picked a pen from Aira's pocket and joined in.