Days passed after the first day.
School slowly became normal again.
Classes started early every morning. Teachers gave homework. Students talked and laughed during breaks.
But for me, something felt a little different.
Ritou sat beside me everyday.
Sometimes she looked outside the window.
Sometimes she read her book quietly, and sometimes she talked to me.
At first our conversations were very short.
"Did you finish the homework?"she asked me one day.
"Yes", I said.
"Good!"
That was all, but slowly we started talking more.
One afternoon, the classroom was quiet. Most students were outside.
Ritou was still sitting beside me. She was writing in her notebook.
I looked at her for a moment.
Suddenly, she looked at me.
"You are staring again," she said.
"I wasn't staring", I replied.
She smiled a little.
"You always say that."
My face turned red. I quickly looked down at the desk.
Ritou laughed softly.
After school ,the bell rang. Students started leaving the classroom.
I packed my bag slowly.
Ritou was still there.
"Are you going home?" she asked.
"Yes."
She stood up.
"Let's walked together."
I was surprised, but I nodded.
"Okay "
We walked outside the school.
The afternoon sun was warm. The road was quiet.
For a while we didn't say anything.
Then Ritou spoke.
"You are quieter than your brother."
"Yes," I said.
She looked at me.
"But that isn't a bad thing."
I looked at her with suprise.
She smiled.
"It's a small change" she said.
"What change?", I asked.
"You talk more now."
I thought about it. Maybe she was right. Maybe something had changed a little, and that small change made my days feel brighter.