The classroom that day looked quiet. No, not quiet,
Absolutely not.
Sunlight slipped through the windows and rested lazily on desks. A few students whispered here and there, but most of the room carried that slow, drifting energy of an ordinary school day. Hitori sat at his usual place, posture relaxed, expression unchanged. His eyes weren't fixed on anything in particular. He wasn't reading, wasn't writing. Just… there.
Nearby, Minato and his group had already gathered, as usual. Their voices were louder than the rest, full of life that refused to match the calm of the room.
"So what are we doing after school?" one of the boys asked, stretching his arms.
A girl, leaning slightly forward with a spark in her eyes, suddenly clapped her hands.
"Hey boys, why don't we go to karaoke after school?"
The suggestion landed instantly.
"That's actually a great idea," Minato said, his face lighting up.
"Yeah, let's go!"
"I'm in!"
The decision spread through the group like fire. No hesitation. No second thoughts. Within seconds, it was no longer a suggestion.
It was a plan.
The girls exchanged satisfied looks. Decision made.
Hitori had been listening the entire time, though it didn't show on his face.
Then, almost as if remembering something, a few of the girls turned their heads toward him.
"Hey, Hitori, why don't you come with us?" one of them asked.
He blinked once, slightly caught off guard.
"But I ha—"
"Ohh please…" one of the boys cut in immediately.
"Man, why don't you come? If you come with us, more girls will show up," another added with a grin.
"Hehehe…"
"Geez!" one of the girls snapped, rolling her eyes. "You idiots…"
She pointed at them sharply. "Listen! If you do something weird there, don't come with us."
"Yeah, yeah," they replied casually.
Hitori stayed silent for a moment.
Then, without much resistance, he gave a small sigh.
"…Fine."
And just like that, it was settled.
After school, the groups merged into one moving crowd and headed toward the karaoke place.
The streets outside buzzed with evening energy. Neon lights flickered to life as the sky dimmed. By the time they reached the building, excitement had already taken over most of them.
"Let's go, guys!" one of the girls said, practically pulling the door open.
Cheers followed.
Everyone stepped in, voices rising, laughter echoing through the hallway.
Everyone except Hitori.
"…Yeah… yeah… let's go," he muttered, his tone flat as always.
Inside the room, chaos began almost immediately.
Music blasted.
Someone grabbed the mic.
Someone else shouted lyrics off-beat.
Drinks were passed around, snacks opened, laughter bouncing off the walls.
Minato's group rushed to take the first turn.
"I'm starting!" he declared proudly.
"No way, I'm going first!"
"Give me the mic!"
Hitori sat slightly to the side, watching.
Not bored.
Not interested.
Just present.
Then, without warning, his gaze shifted.
Someone had taken the seat next to him.
He turned his head.
And paused.
"…Tachi?"
She looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"What?"
"…Nothing," he said quietly. "It's just… you being here is unexpected."
She leaned back slightly.
"So what? I have friends too. We come to karaoke often."
"…Oh."
A brief pause.
"…Sorry."
She let out a small laugh.
"Did you come here with your friends?" she asked.
Hitori shook his head slightly.
"…I didn't come. They dragged me here."
Tachi laughed again, softer this time.
"Yeah… that sounds like you."
For a moment, Hitori let out a small, quiet laugh as well.
Then, almost as if remembering himself, he took a slow breath.
"…Excuse me. I'm going to get a drink."
"Oh. Okay."
He stepped out of the room.
The noise faded behind him as the door closed.
Outside, the hallway felt calmer. Cooler. More familiar.
At the vending machine, he bought a drink and leaned slightly against the wall, taking a sip.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Did nothing.
Just thought.
Then footsteps approached.
"My, my… finally…"
Hitori glanced to the side.
Minato.
"…What?"
Minato folded his arms dramatically.
"Hitori got a girlfriend… in the end, huh?"
Hitori stared at him.
"…What the hell are you talking about?"
"Girlfriend? Me?"
Minato nodded with complete confidence.
"Ohh... That's true."
"…So then who is she?" he added, leaning closer.
"That's none of your business."
"Oh, come on…"
Hitori sighed.
"…Ahh geez… she's just someone from the library."
"Ohh, I see…" Minato smiled, clearly not convinced.
Then he straightened up.
"Whatever. Let's head back."
"You go first," Hitori said, lifting his drink slightly. "I'll come after this."
"Got it."
Minato grabbed some snacks from a nearby machine and walked back.
A few seconds later, someone else approached.
Tachi.
She stopped beside him, glancing toward the room.
"Hey… that's Itsuki, right?"
"Yeah."
She hesitated for a moment.
"Well… it's not my business, but I noticed something."
Hitori looked at her.
"You haven't talked much recently."
A pause.
"…Did you guys fight or something?"
Hitori took another sip of his drink.
"…Yeah. You could say that."
"Anyway," he said lightly, turning toward the door, "let's go back. They'll get mad."
"…Yeah."
Hitori pushed himself off the wall and followed.
And just like that, the noise welcomed him again.
Loud.
Bright.
Unavoidable.