The bell signaling the end of the afternoon classes echoed through the school hallways like a metallic wave vibrating through the walls.
Chairs scraped against the floor, backpacks snapped shut, and conversations rose from every corner. Classroom 2-B slowly began to empty.
Mio approached Aoi's desk as she put her phone into her bag.
— Aoi-chan, are you going to the club?
Aoi looked up.
— Yes… but I need to do something first.
She stood up slowly and, for a moment, her eyes searched for someone in the classroom.
Misaki Arai.
Misaki was sitting quietly, putting her notebooks into her bag with short, silent movements.
Aoi took a deep breath and walked toward her.
Each step felt a little heavier than it should.
When she reached the desk, she spoke:
— Hi, Misaki-chan.
Misaki only glanced up slightly.
— Hi.
The answer was dry, almost automatic.
Aoi smiled, but there was a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead.
— I-I wanted to properly thank you for yesterday.
Misaki stopped packing her things for a moment… but soon continued.
— It was nothing.
She closed her bag's zipper.
— And I didn't really do anything either.
Silence settled between them.
Short.
But heavy.
Aoi stood there for a few seconds watching Misaki finish packing, then tried again:
— Do you want to eat something before going to club activities?
Misaki put her bag over her shoulder.
— I'm not in any club.
She turned her face slightly.
— And I have some business to take care of.
Aoi blinked, surprised.
Misaki continued:
— Don't worry about thanking me. It's common sense to do something like that.
She started walking toward the door.
— See you tomorrow, Sakamoto-san.
And she left the classroom.
Quickly.
Without looking back.
Aoi stood there looking at the door for a few seconds.
Something about that response felt… too cold.
Near the window, Takumi, the class representative, was talking with Hanae Kurosawa.
Aoi walked toward them.
— H-hello…
The two looked at her.
Takumi adjusted his glasses with his index finger.
— What is it, Sakamoto?
Hanae tilted her head slightly.
— Hello.
Aoi took a deep breath.
— I think you saw what happened earlier with Misaki…
Takumi answered calmly:
— I saw her deliberately walk up to those girls.
Aoi widened her eyes.
— T-Takumi-san!?
Hanae crossed her arms.
— I'll keep an eye on her.
She looked at the classroom door for a moment.
— I noticed she's acting strange.
Aoi looked at the two of them.
Takumi picked up his bag.
— Good afternoon.
And left the classroom.
Aoi murmured:
— What can we do?
Hanae replied calmly:
— Leave it to me.
She tucked her hair behind her ear.
— If necessary, I'll inform the student council or the teacher.
Aoi lowered her head slightly.
— T-thank you, Kurosawa-san.
Hanae smiled faintly.
— See you later.
And she left as well.
Shortly after, Mio and Hina approached.
Mio asked:
— Did you two get closer, Aoi-chan?
Aoi scratched the back of her neck.
— I-I just wanted to thank her… she helped us find you.
Mio made a confused expression but didn't insist.
Then Aoi said:
— Well… I'm going to the theater club.
Mio smiled.
— Ah, right. We have a literature club meeting today.
Hina raised her hand.
— Today I'm continuing my manga at the art club.
The three exchanged a quick glance, smiled, and then walked in different directions through the school corridors.
The theater club room was on the second floor of the old building. When Aoi opened the door, voices echoed inside.
— Sakamoto-chan!
Some club members waved at her.
Aoi walked in slowly.
— Hello… how is everyone?
One of the boys in the club laughed.
— You've been gone for a while!
Aoi smiled awkwardly.
— I-I had some important things… but now I'm back.
In the center of the room, two students were acting.
The girl's voice echoed dramatically:
— And so, my dear… what shall we do?
The boy responded with theatrical intensity:
— I must think about what to do… but soon everything will be alright, my love.
The scene ended and the whole room started clapping.
The boy next to Aoi said proudly:
— I'm so proud… the stars of the school are in the same club as me.
He pointed discreetly.
— Shinohara Yuri and Fujimoto Takeo.
Aoi observed the two.
Fujimoto Takeo had slightly messy brown hair that fell naturally over his eyes. He smiled with confidence, but without arrogance.
Shinohara Yuri had an elegant posture, almost perfect. Her movements were precise, as if every gesture was calculated.
Takeo raised his hands modestly.
— Thanks, everyone… but that was just practice.
Shinohara smiled.
— Thank you… but we all have to work hard.
She raised her fist energetically.
— Fight!
The club members laughed and clapped again.
The teacher in charge then spoke:
— Well, we already have the base for the play we'll present in a few months. Take the script and the characters that Shinohara and Fujimoto chose.
Aoi picked up the paper and started reading slowly.
The lines.
The descriptions.
The characters.
She was getting immersed in the story when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
When she turned around, Takeo was smiling at her.
— Looks like you're motivated today, Aoi-chan.
Aoi answered honestly:
— I'm still thinking about some problems… but it feels good to be back in theater.
Takeo nodded.
— If you need help, just tell me.
He pointed to a part of the script.
— By the way… this character would suit you well.
Aoi looked at the paper.
Megumin.
She laughed.
— Nice joke, senpai… I was planning to handle the lighting.
Takeo blinked.
— Huh? But this character is perfect for you.
He crossed his arms.
— Shinohara wrote some of her lines.
Aoi looked up at Shinohara.
She was looking at the two of them.
But the moment she realized Aoi noticed… she quickly looked away and started talking to another classmate.
Aoi thought:
Shinohara-san…?
Takeo tilted his head.
— What's wrong?
— Nothing, Takeo-kun.
— Well, I'll go back to practice.
He turned to leave.
— W-wait, Takeo-kun.
— What is it?
Shinohara was walking past them at that exact moment.
That's when Aoi asked in a low voice:
— Do you have a girlfriend?
Shinohara froze.
Her eyes widened.
For a second, she turned pale.
Her steps slowed.
She was listening.
But she kept walking away.
Her lips trembling slightly.
Takeo scratched his head.
— Why are you asking me that?
Aoi replied:
— Well… someone is interested in you.
Takeo raised an eyebrow.
— Someone you know well?
— Yes.
— Who is it?
Aoi crossed her arms.
— Answer me first.
Takeo laughed.
— I don't have a girlfriend.
Aoi nodded.
— Well… the one who asked about you was my friend, Kanzaki Mio.
Takeo thought for a moment.
— Ah… that girl.
He shrugged.
— She's pretty… but I don't know if we'd match.
Aoi replied:
— Be gentle, okay?
Takeo smiled.
— Alright. I'm not planning to do anything right now. I'm busy with some things.
Then he laughed.
— Thanks for telling me… little sister.
He paused.
— Ah… I mean, Aoi-chan.
Aoi crossed her arms.
— Do I still look like your sister?
Takeo laughed.
— A little less nowadays… but still.
Aoi sighed.
— Fine.
She lifted the script.
— I'll keep reading… and think about your suggestion. Megumin.
Takeo went to talk to the teacher.
Aoi was focused on the script when a shadow appeared in front of her.
It was Shinohara Yuri.
She was pouting slightly, with a somewhat irritated expression, though trying to look neutral.
— Hello, Sakamoto.
— Ah… hi, Shinohara-san.
— You seem comfortable.
She crossed her arms.
— Have you chosen your role yet?
— Yes… Takeo-kun helped me.
Yuri murmured almost inaudibly:
— T-Takeo… kun?
Aoi blinked.
— Huh? What did you say, senpai?
— N-nothing.
Yuri turned her face away.
— You need to work hard. This will be a great performance.
— O-okay, senpai…
Yuri walked away, sat in a chair, and started reading the script.
But her attention wasn't there.
She looked up and looked at Takeo.
He was smiling while talking to the teacher, with his messy hair, relaxed posture, and that natural way of talking to everyone.
Yuri felt her face getting warm.
I wish he would look at me like that…
She quickly looked away.
— I-I'm going to the bathroom.
The Mirror
In the bathroom, Yuri opened the faucet and splashed some water lightly on her face.
She looked up at the mirror.
Her face was red.
Her eyes… different.
She took a deep breath, gripped the sink, and murmured:
— W-what should I do…?
Water dripped down her face.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
— Could it be… that Aoi likes him…?