The classroom felt… normal.
Too normal.
Which made it strange.
Yamabuki sat at his desk, staring at nothing.
"…This is suspicious."
Takumi leaned over.
"What is?"
"There's no chaos today."
Takumi nodded seriously.
"…You're right. That's terrifying."
Meanwhile…
Near the window—
Naya sat quietly as always.
Perfect posture. Calm expression.
The "goddess" everyone admire
But inside—
Her thoughts were anything but calm.
…Why was I annoyed yesterday?
She tapped her pen lightly.
He was just talking to someone.
Pause.
So why did that bother me…?
Her eyes shifted slightly—
Toward Yamabuki.
Laughing with Takumi.
Looking completely normal.
Carefree.
…Why am I looking at him again?
She quickly looked away.
"…This is annoying."
Back to Chaos
"Oi Yamabuki," Takumi said.
"What now?"
"That girl—Aika?"
"…What about her?"
"She's looking at you again."
Yamabuki froze.
"…You're lying."
"I never lie about important things."
"That is NOT important!"
Takumi smirked.
"…You've got options now."
"I DON'T WANT OPTIONS!!"
The Observation
Naya noticed.
Of course she did.
Aika was glancing toward Yamabuki again.
Smiling.
Trying to catch his attention.
And Yamabuki—
Being his usual self—
Panicking internally.
"…Idiot," Naya muttered softly.
But this time…
Her tone wasn't calm.
The Small Moment
During break—
Yamabuki stood near the hallway,
drinking water.
Trying to escape reality.
"…Peace at last—"
"Yamabuki."
He choked.
"WHY DO YOU ALWAYS APPEAR LIKE THAT?!"
Naya stood beside him.
Silent. Close.
Too close.
"…You're loud," she said.
"You're the one scaring me!"
The Question
For a moment…
Neither spoke.
Then Naya suddenly asked:
"…Do you like talking to her?"
Yamabuki blinked.
"…Who?"
"Aika."
"Oh… that girl."
"…Answer."
Yamabuki scratched his head.
"I mean… she's normal."
Silence.
Naya looked away.
"…I see."
The Reaction
For some reason…
That answer didn't feel right.
Not to her.
Her grip on her sleeve tightened slightly.
Normal…?
Then—
Without thinking—
She stepped closer.
Again.
"Then talk to her more."
Yamabuki frowned.
"…Why do you sound mad?"
"I'm not."
"You ARE."
"I'm not."
"You definitely are!"
The Crack
Naya suddenly stopped.
Her expression shifted.
Just a little.
"…Why does it matter to you?"
Yamabuki froze.
"…Huh?"
"…Who I talk to."
Silence.
The question hung in the air.
Heavy.
Real.
Yamabuki didn't have an answer.
Because honestly—
He didn't know either.
Ending
Naya stepped back.
Calm again.
Mask back in place.
"…Forget it."
She turned.
Walking away.
But this time—
Her steps weren't steady.
"…This is stupid…"
Yamabuki stood there.
Completely lost.
"…Yeah…"
"…It is…"