The classroom was quiet. Most students were at the club meeting or the cafeteria. The afternoon sun cut through the dust motes. It landed on the desk.
Kaito sat alone. His jacket was off. It hung on the chair back. His hands were on the wood.
He held the deck. He shuffled them. The sound was soft. Paper against paper. A rhythmic whisper.
He was not gambling. He was checking.
Luna was new. The card felt heavier than the others. It sat near the bottom. He needed to ensure the seal was holding. He needed to ensure she was stable.
Kaito thought: Do not fluctuate.
The card remained cool. Stable.
He heard footsteps. Light. Familiar.
He did not look up. He continued shuffling.
Hana said: "You are still here."
Kaito said: "Yes."
Hana said: "Ryota said you skipped lunch."
Kaito said: "Not hungry."
Hana said: "That is not an answer."
She walked around the desk. She sat on the edge of the table next to him. Her skirt brushed his arm. She did not move away.
