The next day, the morning sunlight shone through the window, spilling into the classroom of Class 2-4 at Raizen High School. The air in the classroom was filled with the smell of chalk dust and paper, and everything seemed no different from usual.
However, for Itsuka Shido right now, sitting in this classroom today required tremendous courage.
His back was stiff, and his gaze was fixed intently on the teacher writing on the blackboard, as if that were the most captivating thing in the world.
However, the corner of his eye uncontrollably glanced, again and again, toward the seat next to him.
Sitting there was a clear-faced boy with soft black short hair—Koushi Hōoin.
He rested his chin on one hand, his eyes wandering slightly as he looked out the window. His posture was lazy and natural, exactly like a student who had just returned after two days of absence and hadn't yet focused.
(Koushi... He's back... Does he really... not remember anything?)
Shido's heart felt tightly clenched by an invisible hand; every beat brought dull pain and unspeakable guilt.
In his mind, the figure of the girl with icy-blue long hair and broken, resolute eyes—Phoenix-in Chinatsu—overlapped and then tore away from the best friend sitting before him who knew nothing of it, causing waves of dizziness.
(That was his "sister"... Although Koushi himself never mentioned her, that girl truly, definitely existed, and...)
Shido's fingernails unconsciously dug into his palm. (And yet, I know everything, even... about her...)
That budding emotion that had been cruelly cut short, along with Chinatsu's final "Goodbye" and the subsequent erasure of her existence, felt like cold needles stabbing his conscience.
He couldn't turn around naturally, smile at Koushi, and sling an arm around his shoulder to discuss last night's gaming results, as he usually would.
(What expression should I use when facing him? How should I explain my strange behavior these past few days? I... I don't even dare to look into his eyes, afraid of seeing the shadow of another person in those similar features.)
The dismissal bell finally rang, and Shido immediately wanted to flee this suffocating seat.
However, a cool, clear voice sounded behind him, freezing him instantly.
"Chinatsu-san."
It was Tobiichi Origami. She had appeared beside Koushi's desk at some point, her pale blue eyes calm and unwavering, yet carrying an undeniable scrutiny.
Koushi seemed to have just snapped out of his daze, raising his head with a slight confusion: "Hm? Classmate Tobiichi, is something the matter?"
Origami didn't beat around the bush and asked directly: "Where is your sister, Phoenix-in Chinatsu, now?"
"Sister?" The confusion on Koushi's face became more pronounced. He furrowed his brow slightly, as if trying hard to remember.
"Classmate Tobiichi, are you mistaken? I don't have a sister. I'm an only child."
His tone was natural, carrying a suitable amount of doubt, showing no signs of pretense.
Shido's heart plummeted.
(He... really doesn't remember... Chinatsu, she even erased her own brother's memory...)
Origami's expression remained unchanged; she simply continued to state:
"The day before yesterday, Shido and I went to your house to visit you while you were sick. At that time, your sister Chinatsu was at home and prepared tea for us."
Her gaze swept toward the rigid Shido, as if seeking confirmation.
Shido felt his cheeks instantly burn. He didn't dare look at Koushi, only staring intently at the tips of his shoes, as if flowers might bloom there.
(That's right... That day... Chinatsu, she... even poured us tea...)
Just then, a lively voice cut in. It was Hiroto, the class busybody:
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