"Eh—?! Kujo-san!"
Yuu's voice sounded panicked.
Chairs scraped.
Other voices followed.
"What happened?!"
"She fainted—!"
"Quick, call a teacher—!"
But all of it felt distant.
Fading further.
Until finally—darkness.
•
•
•
Slowly, her consciousness returned.
The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air.
A white ceiling.
And a weakness spreading throughout her body.
"…Ah."
Shirayuki's eyelids slowly opened.
Her vision was still blurry.
But—she could sense someone nearby.
Sitting.
Silent.
She shifted her gaze.
And there he was.
Tenshou Aizen.
Sitting on the chair beside the bed.
His posture was upright, one hand resting against the chair, his gaze directed toward the window.
As if simply… waiting.
Shirayuki's heart beat softly.
…Why is he here?
As if sensing her movement, Aizen shifted his gaze.
Those red eyes met hers directly.
Silence.
A few seconds passed.
"You're awake?"
His voice was low.
Flat, as usual.
Shirayuki tried to move her body.
But her body felt extremely weak.
Her hand could only slightly grip the blanket.
"…Why did you come to school today?"
She fell silent.
Her breathing felt heavy.
"I heard you had a fever."
Aizen paused for a moment.
His gaze didn't leave her.
"That's not like you."
The words fell just like that.
Without emphasis.
Without excess emotion.
Yet that—
was what made them feel different.
Shirayuki didn't answer. Not because she didn't want to, but because her body truly didn't have the strength.
Aizen didn't repeat his question.
Nor did he press further.
He only looked at her for a moment—then shifted his gaze back toward the window.
As if that was enough.
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
it didn't feel awkward.
After a while—
footsteps were heard from outside.
The door opened.
"Yuki."
Haruki entered quickly, clearly holding back worry.
His gaze immediately fell on Shirayuki.
"Are you alright?"
Shirayuki could only nod slightly.
Haruki let out a relieved breath.
Then his gaze shifted to the figure beside the bed.
"Aizen."
His tone became more formal.
Aizen stood.
"Haruki-san."
His reply was brief.
The two of them looked at each other for a moment.
"Thank you for watching over her," Haruki said.
Aizen didn't answer right away.
"There was nothing to watch over."
His tone remained flat.
As if it wasn't something worth mentioning.
Yet—
he had stayed here from the beginning.
Haruki smiled faintly.
"Even so, I'm still grateful."
He stepped closer.
"I'll take her home."
Aizen gave a short nod.
"In that case, I'll return to class."
He turned.
But—
his steps paused for a brief moment.
"…Don't push yourself."
Without turning.
Without changing his tone.
Yet clearly directed at her.
Then he left.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Shirayuki unconsciously stared at the door.
It closed softly.
Silence filled the infirmary once more.
Haruki stood beside the bed, looking at Shirayuki a little longer than usual.
"…You really caused trouble on your first day."
His tone sounded light.
But clearly—he was worried.
Shirayuki simply closed her eyes for a moment.
Her strength hadn't fully returned.
"Sorry…"
Her voice was soft.
Almost inaudible.
Haruki sighed.
He pulled a chair and sat beside the bed.
Without saying much, his hand reached out to touch Shirayuki's forehead.
Warm.
His brows immediately furrowed.
"You still have a fever."
Shirayuki remained silent.
Her gaze shifted to the side.
Haruki didn't mind.
He was used to it.
"…You've never been good at taking care of yourself."
His words sounded like a light complaint.
Not a reprimand.
Just a familiar fact.
Shirayuki didn't reply.
She didn't have the strength.
And Haruki didn't wait for an answer.
He slowly stood.
"That's enough. We're going home."
His tone was firm.
Leaving no room for objection.
He picked up Shirayuki's bag and straightened it.
"You don't need to come tomorrow."
A decision.
Short.
Clear.
Shirayuki only nodded slightly.
Her body wasn't in any condition to refuse.
Haruki then leaned down slightly.
"Can you stand?"
Shirayuki tried to move her body.
But—
weak.
Her steps wavered even before she could fully stand.
Without another word—
Haruki immediately supported her.
"Tch…"
A quiet click of his tongue escaped.
"Pushing yourself like that."
His tone sounded annoyed.
Yet his hands only steadied her more firmly.
He didn't let go.
"Hold on."
He adjusted his arm slightly.
Offering support.
Shirayuki complied.
Her hand gripped Haruki's arm.
Warm.
Strong.
Stable.
They walked slowly toward the door.
Their steps were slow.
Measured.
Unhurried.
As if he was used to doing this.
***
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
The sky outside had begun to dim, evening light filtering through the large window, gently sweeping across the spacious and neatly arranged room.
Shirayuki sat at the edge of the bed.
Her uniform had been changed.
Now she wore lighter home clothes.
But—
her body still felt weak.
"Miss, please lie down."
A soft voice came from beside her.
Aoi.
Her personal attendant.
She stood properly, but not stiffly. Her gaze was calm, attentive without excess.
Shirayuki didn't argue.
She slowly lay down on the bed.
The blanket was pulled up to cover her body.
Warm.
But not enough to remove the heaviness in her body.
Aoi carefully adjusted the blanket.
Her movements were neat.
Practiced.
"Would you like to take your medicine now, Miss?"
Shirayuki shook her head slightly.
"…Later."
Her voice was still weak.
Aoi nodded.
"Understood. If you need anything, please call me."
She stepped back.
But didn't fully leave.
As if making sure everything was alright.
Tok tok.
A knock sounded at the door.
Aoi immediately opened it.
"Haruki-sama."
Haruki entered without much preamble.
His gaze immediately went to Shirayuki.
"…How is she?"
"She still has a fever, but she's more stable," Aoi replied calmly.
Haruki gave a short nod.
"Thank you."
Aoi gave a slight bow.
"Excuse me."
She stepped out, closing the door gently.
Now—
only the two of them remained.
Haruki stepped closer.
Stopping beside the bed.
"Brother Renji couldn't come because he has an out-of-town schedule."
Haruki stood beside the bed, his voice softer than before.
"I also won't be able to stay with you because I have to go abroad for work."
He paused for a moment.
His gaze rested on Shirayuki.
"So make sure you take care of yourself. Don't push yourself."
His tone remained calm.
But this time—
it felt more attentive.
"I'll be back in five days."
A brief silence.
"Alright, Brother."
Shirayuki gave a weak smile.
A small one.
But enough to be seen.
Haruki fell silent.
His gaze lingered on her face.
As if—
there was something he wanted to say.
But didn't.
He let out a quiet breath.
"…Just sleep."
His voice returned to being flat.
But not cold.
He turned toward the door.
"Get enough rest."
Click.
The door closed.
And the room returned to silence.
The sunlight began to fade.
Golden rays from outside the window slanted into the room, washing over the floor and walls with a warm color that slowly dimmed.
Shirayuki lay still on the bed.
Her eyes open.
Staring at the ceiling.
Her body still felt weak.
But her thoughts—
didn't stop.
…Even though I'm inside a novel—
everything feels too real.
She blinked slowly.
Can I consider this world… truly real?
After all— I already died in my previous life.
There's no way back.
A brief silence.
Her thoughts continued.
But if it's my soul inhabiting this body…
then—
where did the original Shirayuki's soul go?
Her chest tightened slightly.
That question had no answer.
And somehow—
she didn't really want to think about it too deeply.
"Hah…"
A long breath escaped softly from her lips.
Her gaze shifted slightly toward the window.
The evening light grew dimmer.
…I guess there's nothing wrong with considering this world real.
Because this is where I am now.
The place where I opened my eyes.
The place where I breathe.
The place where I… live.
Her eyes slowly closed.
I'm sorry, the original Shirayuki.
The thought appeared just like that.
Without sound.
Without hesitation.
But this life…
now belongs to me.
And this time—
I will live it the way I want.