The light of a flashlight.
The image of the security guard instantly flashed through Reina's mind—the uniform, the cap, and the jangling bunch of keys hanging at his waist.
She didn't know if the other person had discovered them, didn't know if that light was just a routine patrol or if it had already locked onto a target; she knew nothing.
She only knew that her body had reacted faster than her thoughts.
Her foot, which had been tremblingly searching for a foothold, suddenly slipped.
"Ah—"
She instinctively wanted to scream, but desperately swallowed the sound, turning it into a short, muffled grunt in her throat.
In her panic, her hands clung tightly to the top of the wall, leaving her hanging there, her feet kicking wildly against the wall, but she couldn't find any purchase.
The light was still swaying.
It was getting closer.
No—must get over—now—
Reina used all her strength, pushing up with both arms, and finally managed to hoist half her body onto the wall.
But her movement was completely awkward; she had no time to adjust her posture. She felt her center of gravity shift, and she tumbled out from the top of the wall.
It's over.
This was the first thought that flashed through her mind.
It would hurt a lot to fall, she might sprain her ankle, or perhaps make a loud noise and draw the security guard over completely.
She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain to come.
The pain did not come.
Instead, there was a soft, warm sensation; something had caught her steadily, absorbing the force of her fall bit by bit.
Reina opened her eyes.
In the dim light, she saw Rin's face.
Very close.
Close enough to see her own shaken face reflected in those azure eyes.
Rin's hands were wrapped around her waist, having caught her steadily.
The position had them almost pressed together, close enough to feel the warmth of each other's breath, with white hair strands brushing against Reina's cheek, carrying a faint, indescribable fragrance.
"..."
Rin didn't speak.
She just tilted her head slightly, looking at the pink-haired girl in her arms who hadn't yet regained her senses.
Then, her brows furrowed slightly.
Not because she was tired from holding her, but because she had caught her too hastily, and her back had hit the wall behind her.
A dull, throbbing pain came from her shoulder blades, but she didn't make a sound, nor did she let go.
[Holy crap???]
[Rin! You! Are! My! God!]
[She caught her! She really caught her!]
[What kind of classic hero saving the beauty trope is this]
[It's over, it's over, it's over, they are officially locked in now]
[Aizawa shippers, disband immediately (just kidding)]
[Whose flashlight was that just now! Come out and take the credit!]
[Security guard: I'm the one protecting this couple]
Reina's feet finally touched the ground.
Her legs were still a bit weak, and she leaned against Rin instinctively, using that support to steady herself, her hands still resting on the other's shoulders, feeling the smooth skin beneath the thin uniform fabric.
"S-sorry..." she heard her own voice, as small as a mosquito's, "I... that light just now... it startled me..."
Rin didn't answer.
She just looked down at Reina for a few seconds, then those azure eyes curved slightly.
Very faintly.
So faintly that it was almost imperceptible.
But Reina saw it.
"Are you steady?"
Rin asked, her voice still as soft and calm as before, devoid of any emotion.
"...Mm."
Reina nodded.
Only then did Rin let go of her waist, moving slowly, as if ensuring she could stand on her own before completely letting go.
Then she turned around, her gaze falling toward the street not far away.
Streetlights cast pools of warm yellow light; occasionally, pedestrians hurried by. The flashlight beam had disappeared around a corner; it was probably just a false alarm.
"Let's go."
Rin didn't look back, just raised her hand and gestured lightly behind her.
Reina looked at that white figure.
The light from the streetlamp fell upon her, gilding her silhouette with a thin edge.
Her hair tips swayed gently in the night breeze, and her raised hand was still waiting for her to catch up.
She suddenly felt that her heartbeat was perhaps even faster than it had been when climbing the wall just now.
"...Okay."
She took a step and followed.
Sakurano looked down at her wrist.
7:13.
She had been waiting at the school gate for a long time, from nearly 5:30 until now.
Initially, Sakurano's plan was to clearly explain to Reina the influence and importance of joining a good club for future school advancement.
This reason was legitimate enough; the Literature Club's activity records, the accumulation of reading reports, and opportunities to publish in school journals were all things that could be noted in a school advancement recommendation.
And what could the Astronomy Club provide?
Sakurano had checked; that club's activity records for the past three years were almost blank, and its only member was a white figure whose presence was so low it could be ignored.
She felt she had a responsibility to remind Reina.
But by 6:00, she changed her mind.
At exactly 6:00, the main school gate was locked on time. Sakurano watched with her own eyes as the security guard closed the iron gate, slid the bolt, and walked back to the guard room with its warm white light.
She suddenly realized that Reina might not even know about this.
So a new idea emerged: if Reina was locked inside the school and couldn't get out, she could help resolve the situation, talk to the security guard, and rescue Reina from her predicament.
In this way, not only could she make Reina feel grateful to her, but she could also take the opportunity to bring up the club matter again.
Quit the Astronomy Club, join the Literature Club, and from then on, walk a more secure and promising path.
Two birds with one stone.
But, now the problem had arrived.
"..."
Where is she?