The afternoon sun hung low, casting long, slanting shadows across the school courtyard. Classes had just ended, and students began to scatter—some heading home, others lingering in small groups, their voices blending into the warm air.
The faint scent of chalk dust and fallen leaves lingered in the corridors, mixing with the last golden light spilling through the windows.
Yuki stretched lazily as she walked down the hallway, dragging her bag behind her.
"Hey, do you guys have time? Let's go out."
Shoto scratched the back of his head, hesitating.
"I'd like to, but…" His gaze flicked back toward the gym.
Watabe looked up from his bag.
"Hmm? …We have practice, remember? Coach will get mad if we're missing members."
Shoto sighed, pointing at him.
"See?"
Yuki clicked her tongue.
"Ah… fine. Then how about yo—"
A hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.
"Oops… what are you talking about, Yuki?"
The voice—sweet. Too sweet. Yuki froze. Slowly, she turned.
"K-Kiyomi…"
Kiyomi's smile was bright—almost radiant—and yet somehow terrifying. Her eyes gleamed like sunlight on water, sharp but unreadable.
"Didn't you promise me," she said gently, her grip tightening just slightly on Yuki's shoulder, "that you'd help the first- and second-years with volleyball practice?"
Yuki forced a stiff smile.
"Ah… right… was that… today?"
"…Today."
A cold silence settled between them. Shoto quietly stepped back.
"Good luck," he whispered.
Watabe nodded.
"We'll pray for you."
"HEY—WAIT—!" Too late. They were already walking away.
Yuki exhaled slowly, a knot of dread tightening in her stomach.
"…Can I still escape?"
Kiyomi tilted her head, one eyebrow arched.
"Hmm?"
Yuki straightened instantly, forcing her usual lazy expression back into place.
"Nothing!"
Meanwhile, Watabe, Shoto, and Rai walked ahead. The hallway smelled faintly of disinfectant and lockers, the muffled hum of the air vents accompanying the soft tap of their shoes.
"Ah, we're heading to practice. You'll be on your own, Rai," Watabe said.
Shoto added, "We'll go out next time."
Rai remained silent. Almost too faint to hear, she murmured,
"…I hope there won't be a next time."
Shoto slowed, frowning.
"…Hmm? Did you say something?"
"…Nothing," Rai whispered, eyes downcast. She walked ahead alone, the sounds of the school fading behind her.
Shoto and Watabe exchanged a glance.
"…See you," Shoto said, raising a hand.
Watabe waved. Rai didn't look back—she only lifted her hand slightly, just enough to be seen. Then she disappeared down the hallway, swallowed by the quiet shadows of the afternoon.
The gym was alive with the sharp thud of bouncing volleyballs and overlapping voices.
Yuki stood in the middle of the court, completely overwhelmed.
"…Why are there so many of you?"
Kiyomi clapped once, sharp and commanding.
"Alright. Warm-ups first. Yuki, you're in charge."
"EH?!"
"No complaints."
"…Yes, ma'am…" Dragging her feet, Yuki stepped forward, holding the volleyball like it had personally offended her.
"Okay… line up… or something…"
The students quickly formed rows, eyes shining with excitement, whispers of encouragement and admiration buzzing around her.
"…Why are you all so motivated?" Yuki asked.
"Because you're Yuki-senpai!"
"You're really good!"
"…Huh." Her lazy expression softened for just a moment.
"…Well, I am amazing," she said, flipping her hair, cheeks faintly flushed.
Kiyomi narrowed her eyes.
"…Focus."
"YES, MA'AM."
Rai walked quietly toward the exit, the noise of the school fading behind her. Just before the gate—
"KOUSAKIIIIII!!"
"KOOOUUSAAAAKIIII!!"
Voices echoed down the hall. Rai paused, recognizing the name, but chose not to react. She kept walking, until she noticed someone pressed against the wall: Kousaki, hiding.
Rai's eyes widened slightly.
Kousaki raised a finger to her lips.
"Shhh!"
Footsteps approached.
"Where did she go?!"
"She was just here!"
Kousaki glanced at Rai—then suddenly grabbed her necktie.
"…Huh?!" In one swift motion, she pulled Rai closer. Rai stumbled, her back hitting the wall. Kousaki leaned in, faces inches apart. Too close.
"…What are you—" Rai froze.
"Quiet," Kousaki whispered, low and serious.
Footsteps passed by.
"…Wait."
"…Isn't that someone from another class?"
"…Yeah… but where's Kousaki?"
Kousaki's grip tightened slightly.
"…Not here."
"Check the classrooms again!"
The footsteps faded. Silence returned. Neither of them moved. Kousaki's hand still held Rai's tie. Their eyes met.
"Ah—!" Kousaki quickly stepped back.
"Sorry!"
Rai remained calm.
"Why were you hiding from them?"
Kousaki blinked.
"Huh? Uh… I wasn't done with what they asked me to do… hehe."
Rai stared at her.
"…What?"
Before she could respond further, Kousaki covered Rai's mouth and grabbed her hand, pulling her away.
"What are you doing?" Rai muttered.
"I was telling them where you were."
"…I'm hiding, remember?" Rai said nothing and kept walking.
A convenience store. A music shop. A newly bought manga. Still—Kousaki followed quietly.
"Why are you following me?" Rai finally asked.
"We're just going the same way."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"…Ah, that's right," Kousaki said. "Do you want to come along?"
"…I'm going home."
"…At the—"
"No."
"…The lake?"
"No."
"…Just for a bit?"
"No."
Kousaki pouted.
"Pleaaaaaase…"
"…No."
Rai stopped. Kousaki clasped her hands together, leaning slightly forward, eyes pleading. Rai stared at her… then sighed.
"…Fine."
They returned to the place where they first met: a small hut beneath a tree, overlooking the calm water. The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and gold.
"…Why did I come along…" Rai muttered under her breath.
Kousaki, seated inside, adjusted her camera, silent and precise. Rai set her bag down and lay back.
"…You had time to come here," she said flatly, "but couldn't even finish what they asked you to do."
"I'm here to finish it already," Kousaki replied, eyes still on the camera.
Rai glanced sideways.
"…Is that so."
Kousaki exhaled softly, resting her chin on her hand.
"…The sunset's taking a while… I hope they don't get mad at me tomorrow…"
She paused, then smiled faintly.
"Ah, that's right. Rai, do you want to try—" She turned. Rai was already asleep.
"…That fast…" Kousaki whispered.
The light of the setting sun spilled gently into the hut, resting on Rai's sleeping face. Peaceful. Untouched. Kousaki raised her camera, adjusting the lens carefully. Click. Rai beneath the golden light. Click.
A few moments later, while editing quietly, Kousaki glanced at Rai.
"…Mm…" Rai stirred.
"…What time is it?"
"Not that late yet," Kousaki replied.
"…Aren't you done yet?" Rai asked.
Kousaki shook her head.
"…You can go ahead. I'm not done yet."
Rai closed her eyes again.
"…Wake me up when you're done."
Kousaki sighed quietly.
"…Seriously… you really are strange."
Finally, Rai stood.
"…Hurry up."
They walked under the cool night air. Step by step. Quiet. Still. One ahead, one behind.
Kousaki's gaze drifted… and stopped. Rai's cheek. The faint mark from earlier. Guilt stung. She couldn't voice it.
"…Hey," she called softly.
Rai didn't turn.
"…What?"
"…Why did you wait for me?"
Rai kept walking.
"…No reason."
Kousaki's fingers tightened around the camera strap.
"…No reason… huh…" Her eyes lingered on Rai's back, trying to understand something unspoken.
They walked in silence again. Not awkward. Not comfortable. Just… quiet.
Eventually, Kousaki stopped.
"…I'll go this way."
Rai halted. For a moment, neither moved. Kousaki smiled faintly.
"…Thanks… for waiting."
Rai didn't answer. She turned slowly and walked away.
"…See you at school, Rai." Kousaki lifted her hand in a small wave. Rai didn't look back—but after a second, she raised her hand slightly, just enough to be seen. Then she kept walking. Step by step, until she disappeared into the night.
Kousaki watched long after, her fingers tightening around the camera strap.
"…No reason… huh…" she murmured softly, almost like she didn't believe it. She turned, walking the other way. The night swallowed her steps. And yet… a small warmth lingered in her chest, a quiet hope, subtle, unspoken. That maybe, somehow, tomorrow would be different.