The bell rang, echoing sharply through the classroom. Students scrambled to pack their things—chairs scraping, bags zipping, voices overlapping into a chaotic symphony.
At the back, Yuki sat surrounded by a sea of scattered notebooks and stationery. Shoto shot her an annoyed glance.
"Why are you so slow? We're going to leave you behind. You pulled out all this stuff and didn't even use half of it."
Yuki didn't even look at him. "Then help me instead of whining."
Shoto let out a heavy sigh.
…Seriously.
Meanwhile, Rai had already finished packing. Without a word, she stood and walked toward the door.
Yuki's eyes snapped up. "Ahhh—Rai, wait!"
But Rai didn't slow down. She kept walking, as if Yuki didn't exist.
…She really didn't wait. That idiot, Yuki muttered under her breath.
Shoto slung his bag over his shoulder. "I'm going ahead. You're taking forever."
Yuki glared at him. "Wait for me!"
Instead of organizing properly, she shoved everything into her bag.
"Hey—don't just throw it in—" Shoto muttered.
"Forget it! I'll fix it later!" Yuki snapped, zipping it shut. She grabbed her bag and stood up. "Let's go."
Shoto sighed again but walked beside her. "…Finally."
Yuki tilted her head. "…Huh?"
Shoto looked away. "…Nothing. Forget it."
Yuki narrowed her eyes. "…You're acting suspicious."
"…You're just loud."
Yuki groaned dramatically. "My legs hurt."
Shoto raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
"Rai chased me yesterday," Yuki huffed.
Shoto smirked. "I bet it's your fault."
They stepped into the hallway—
—and there she was.
Rai, walking calmly ahead, completely unbothered.
"…There she is."
Without warning, Yuki bolted.
"RAIII!"
Shoto clicked his tongue and ran after her.
"You made me wait, and now you're leaving me behind?!"
"Then hurry up, Shoto!" Yuki shouted.
She caught up—
BUMP!
She crashed straight into Rai.
Rai stopped. Slowly, she turned her head and looked down at Yuki.
"…What?"
Flat. Cold. Emotionless.
Yuki smiled anyway.
Wow… I really want to punch her.
Rai stared at her. "…Creepy."
Yuki's eyebrow twitched. "…Did you just say that?"
Shoto finally caught up, slightly annoyed. He glanced around—people were staring.
"…Look," he muttered. "Everyone's staring again. This is your fault, Yuki."
"Ehhh?! Why me?!" Yuki protested.
Shoto gave her a look that clearly said Are you serious?
Yuki froze. "…What?"
Shoto clicked his tongue. "…Unbelievable."
They continued walking.
Shoto stretched. "Man… I'm getting hungry…"
Then he smirked. "…Hey."
Yuki glanced at him. "What?"
Shoto looked ahead. "…I wonder where that beautiful girl is."
Yuki blinked. "…Huh?"
Shoto chuckled. "The one I saw before."
Yuki froze. "…Wait… you mean the one from the mall?"
Shoto grinned. "Yeah."
Silence.
Then—
Yuki covered her mouth.
"…You mean the guy who walked like a girl?"
She burst out laughing. "HAHAHA—Shoto!! That one?!"
Shoto froze. "…Oi."
Yuki kept laughing. "I told you, that wasn't it! There was a girl there before!"
Shoto clicked his tongue. "You just don't believe me."
This time, he looked serious.
"The girl I told you about… she's here. In this school."
Yuki didn't hesitate. "That's just your imagination."
Shoto frowned. "…No, I'm serious. I really saw her. What year do you think she's in?"
Yuki snorted again.
"Okay, okay—sorry," she said, still chuckling.
Beside them, Rai yawned softly. "…You two are loud."
They entered the classroom.
"Hey, Shoto! What happened?" Watabe asked.
Shoto dropped into his seat. "Nothing… just Yuki."
"Hey! Don't blame me!" Yuki shot back.
Watabe chuckled.
Rai quietly sat by the window, resting her chin on her hand. Sunlight streamed across her, giving her a calm, distant glow.
Her eyes drifted downward.
Outside, two girls were walking.
One of them looked familiar.
Kousaki…?
Her expression didn't change.
She simply watched.
"…She's been like that for a while," Yuki whispered.
Shoto lazily opened one eye. "…Huh?"
Yuki gestured toward Rai.
Shoto followed her gaze. "…Oh."
They looked at each other.
Silently—
Yuki started making exaggerated hand signs.
Look at her. She's been staring forever. Is she broken?
Shoto blinked. "…What?"
Yuki repeated it faster.
Shoto frowned. "…Are you casting a spell?"
Yuki froze.
Then her face darkened.
She grabbed her notebook, scribbled, and shoved it at him.
"LOOK AT RAI!!"
"…Ah," Shoto said. "You could've just said that."
Yuki snatched it back and wrote again.
"I DID."
"…Didn't understand."
"She's been staring since earlier," Yuki whispered. "Isn't that weird?"
Shoto glanced at Rai. "…Yeah. A little."
"See?!"
"Maybe she saw something."
"Or someone…"
They both went quiet.
"…What are you trying to say?" Shoto asked.
Yuki leaned closer—
THUNK!
A piece of chalk hit her forehead.
"OW—!"
The room fell silent.
"Yuki," the teacher said calmly. "Would you like to share?"
"…N-No, ma'am…"
"—pfftt—"
Shoto shook violently, trying to hold it in.
"HAHA—!"
Yuki slowly turned.
"…Shoto."
"You got hit so clean—!"
"Shoto."
"Right in the forehead—!"
"SHOTO."
"…Sorry."
The teacher's eyes shifted.
"…And you too, Rai. You've been staring there for a while. Is what you're looking at… related to the lesson?"
Rai slowly blinked. Then she turned her head.
"…Sorry, ma'am."
Her voice was calm. Flat.
Shoto glanced at her—then at Yuki's forehead.
A visible red mark.
He inhaled—
Pff—
He froze.
The teacher was already looking at him.
"…Shoto."
My life is over.
Later, the three of them stood outside as punishment, holding books.
"Ahhh… my arms hurt…" Yuki groaned. "This is your fault."
"My fault?" Shoto frowned.
"You laughed too much!"
Rai spoke calmly. "I am struggling."
Shoto sighed. "Man… when will this end?"
Yuki looked around nervously. "It's embarrassing if someone sees us…"
A student passed by—
Then stopped.
It was Miyo.
"Ahhh!" she pointed at Rai.
"You're the—"
Yuki and Shoto leaned in.
"—the… what was it again?"
"…Huh?"
"Ahhh, I need to go back to class!" she said, running off.
"…Weird," Shoto muttered.
"Do you know her?" Yuki asked.
Rai shook her head. "No."
A moment later, the teacher appeared.
"Is there a problem?"
"N-No, ma'am!"
"Do you understand why you're being punished?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Stay for ten more minutes."
"Ten more minutes?!" Yuki whispered.
"Shhh!" Shoto hissed.
Eventually—
"You three, come inside."
Back in the classroom—
"Shoto, bring these notebooks to the office."
"…Why me, ma'am?"
Yuki smirked. "See ya~"
"…This girl."
At the faculty office—
Shoto stepped inside—
—and froze.
A girl walked past him.
His eyes widened.
…Her.
The same girl.
The one he had been talking about.
"Shoto?" the teacher called.
"Ah—nothing, ma'am."
He placed the notebooks down quickly.
"Ma'am, I'll go ahead—"
He rushed outside—
But she was already gone.
"…I lost her again."
Meanwhile—
Rai returned from the cafeteria, holding food.
She ran into Kousaki and Miyo.
"Ah, it's Rai," Kousaki said.
Miyo pointed. "Ahhh! I remember now! You're the one we saw the other day!"
Rai tilted her head. "…?"
Kousaki covered Miyo's mouth. "Shhh! You're too loud!"
"S-Sorry…"
"I have to go now," Rai said calmly.
"Ah… okay. See you."
Later—
"You took so long! I'm starving," Yuki complained.
Rai handed her the food.
Then held out her hand.
"…Hmm?"
"You didn't give enough money."
"I'll pay you next time," Yuki grinned.
Rai stared at her.
"What? I said I'll pay."
Rai sat down and started eating.
Watabe looked at Shoto. "Why are you smiling?"
Shoto leaned back. "Man… I hope I see her again."
Yuki smiled slightly.
"…It feels like Rai's actually enjoying things a little more after coming back from the cafeteria."
"Did something happen?" Shoto asked.
Rai shook her head. "Nothing."
Yuki leaned closer. "That looks good… can I have some?"
"Pay me first."
"You're so stingy."
"Want mine?" Watabe offered.
"Nope."
They ate quietly.
Sunlight filled the room.
Outside, the world kept moving—
But inside, the four of them shared a strange, peaceful moment…
The kind that only comes after a day full of chaos, laughter, and quiet mysteries.