Yuki rested her head on her desk, letting the morning light wash over her. The soft hum of the classroom and the faint scent of chalk dust filled the air. Her eyelids grew heavy—
The door slid open.
Shoto stepped in, his bag slung over his shoulder. He paused when he noticed her.
"Morning, Yuki," he said, tilting his head. "You look… down today."
"…That's because Kiyomi didn't help me practice with the first- and second-years," Yuki muttered, her voice muffled against her arms.
Shoto chuckled. "That's senpai for you."
"Booo…" Yuki groaned, letting her head drop again.
She lifted it slightly. "By the way… where's Watabe?"
"Coach called him. Again."
"…I see."
Just then, Rai entered the classroom. Her gaze immediately found Yuki.
"You look tired," she said simply.
"Ah… morning, Rai," Yuki replied.
Rai sat down, still watching her.
"…Even monsters get tired, huh," she murmured faintly.
Yuki frowned. "Did you say something?"
"…Nothing."
Shoto had heard it. He laughed lightly and gave Rai a small pat on the back.
"Man, that's rude."
Yuki slowly lifted her head, eyes narrowing.
"I'll kill both of you."
Shoto raised his hands. "Sorry, sorry…"
He leaned back in his chair.
"Mannn… summer again, huh?"
"Yeah… so hot," Yuki muttered, fanning herself lazily.
Then suddenly—
"That's right! Are you all free this weekend?"
Shoto tilted his head. "I am… why?"
"Let's go on a picnic!" Yuki said with a grin.
"A picnic? Where?"
Yuki tapped her chin. "…Hmmm… ahhhh! At Akigawa River!"
Shoto smiled. "Akigawa River? I'm in. And we'll have a barbecue too."
"Nice idea, Shoto," Yuki nodded. "How about you, Rai?"
"I—"
"Yosh! It's already decided," Yuki cut her off confidently. "We just need to ask Watabe and…"
"Who?" Shoto asked.
"That's right… Suzuki. I'll ask her," Yuki said, practically glowing.
"Ahhh… I can't wait!"
Just then, the teacher entered, catching the last part.
"Yuki, don't forget—we have exams next week. Focus on reviewing, okay?"
The class chuckled softly.
"Yes, ma'am," Yuki replied, hiding her grin.
The students quickly settled down.
A moment later, Watabe rushed in, slightly out of breath.
"Did your coach call you again, Watabe?" the teacher asked.
"Yes, sensei. Sorry for being late again," he said, bowing before taking his seat.
Shoto leaned over. "So… what did the coach say?"
Watabe glanced around. "…I'll tell you later. Sensei will get mad if she sees us chatting."
"Alright," Shoto said with a shrug.
The bell rang again, signaling lunch.
Chairs scraped as students stood up, filling the room with chatter.
Yuki glanced at Rai. "Where are you going? Cafeteria again?"
"…Mm."
Rai stood and walked away without hesitation.
Yuki sighed. "Why don't you just make your own lunch?"
No response.
"Ah—wait! Buy me som—"
Too late.
Rai was already gone.
"…That idiot."
Watabe let out a small laugh.
"Well, I gotta go now. Later, Shoto. Yuki."
He waved and left.
Yuki blinked. "Where is he going again?"
Shoto rested his chin on his hand.
"You know… coach again."
"Why?"
Shoto's expression softened slightly.
"Coach wants Watabe to stay longer for the baseball team. It's his last year…"
He paused.
"…But Watabe wants to focus on studying for college."
Yuki went quiet.
"…I see… so he's thinking about his future, huh…"
She turned to Shoto.
"How about you? Are you going to stay?"
Shoto didn't hesitate.
"Of course."
He smiled faintly.
"This is my last chance."
Yuki studied his face for a moment.
"…What about college? Are you going?"
"Yeah," Shoto replied casually. "There's still a lot of time to study."
He looked at her. "You?"
"Me?" Yuki smirked, sitting up straighter. "Guess what."
Shoto raised an eyebrow. "Guess what?"
"I'm studying secretly," Yuki said proudly, flipping her hair. "Amazing, right?"
Shoto blinked. "…Wow. Amazing."
Yuki narrowed her eyes.
"Tch. You don't believe me, do you?"
Shoto only smiled in response—which somehow made it even more suspicious.
Meanwhile, in the hallway—
Rai walked quietly, her steps light against the polished floor. The noise of students filled the space, but she moved through it like it didn't exist.
Not far away, Kousaki spotted her.
"…Rai."
She instinctively took a step forward—
"Hey, Kousaki!"
She stopped.
Her classmates had gathered around her.
"What are you going to do after class?" one of them asked.
Kousaki hesitated. "…Eh? Ahh…"
Her eyes flickered back toward the hallway—
But Rai was already gone.
"…What's wrong?"
Kousaki forced a small smile.
"Ah… nothing."
Still, her gaze lingered where Rai had disappeared.
Back in the classroom—
Rai quietly returned to her seat.
Yuki immediately noticed her.
"Ah, Rai—how about you? Are you going to study for colle—"
Before she could finish, Rai placed a cold drink on her desk.
Yuki blinked. "…So you knew, huh?"
Rai sat down and opened her snack calmly.
Yuki leaned forward.
"So? Are you going to college?"
Rai extended her hand.
"…What?" Yuki frowned.
"…200 yen."
Yuki sighed and handed it over.
But Rai didn't lower her hand.
"…What? I already paid you."
"…Your other debt."
Yuki clicked her tongue and handed more coins.
"There. Happy?"
"…Thanks."
Rai finally relaxed, taking a bite of her snack.
Yuki stared at her.
"Sooo… what do you think?"
Rai glanced at her. "…Hmm?"
"I asked if you're going to college."
Rai went quiet.
For a moment, she just stared at her snack.
"…Don't know."
Yuki's eyebrow twitched.
"…Do you even have any ambition?"
"…Don't know."
That was it.
"Okay, that's enough."
Yuki grabbed her ear.
"Ow—ow—ow… attitude," Rai muttered flatly.
"Answer me seriously, you idiot!"
Rai gave her a blank look.
"Who are you? My mom?"
"…Huh?!"
Yuki was about to snap—
But suddenly, her expression softened.
"…Speaking of moms…"
Her voice dropped slightly.
"I've never seen your parents before… even when we were kids. Whenever I went to your house, you always said they were at work… but when I asked your grandma…"
She paused.
"…she always changed the topic."
Yuki tilted her head.
"Where are they?"
Shoto blinked.
"…Now that you mention it… I don't think I've ever seen them either…"
Silence.
Then—
"…They're already dead."
Yuki froze.
"…Eh?"
"A-Are you serious?"
Shoto scratched his head.
"…Man… that's kinda heavy…"
A beat passed.
Silence—
Then—
"…Just kidding."
Rai stood up, picking up her empty container, whistling as she walked away.
Yuki shot up.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"
"To throw this away… maybe?" Rai replied lazily.
Shoto leaned back.
"…Man. You're dead."
Rai waved without looking back—and left.
"Hey! I'm not done with you! Do you think that's funny?!" Yuki shouted.
But Rai was already gone.
A few minutes later—
"…Class is about to start. Where is Rai?" Shoto muttered.
"What's wrong?" Watabe asked.
"Well…" Yuki crossed her arms. "That idiot…"
The teacher entered and glanced around.
"Looks like it's going to rain… oh, is Rai absent toda—"
The door suddenly slid open.
Rai walked in casually.
"…I'm here."
"…Oh," the teacher said, slightly surprised. "Take your seat."
Rai nodded and walked in.
As she passed by—
Yuki glared at her.
A sharp, irritated stare.
Rai didn't even look at her.
She simply sat down…
Like nothing mattered.
The final bell rang.
Students began heading home as rain poured heavily outside.
"Whoa… good thing I brought an umbrella!"
"Let's share!"
Voices echoed near the entrance.
Shoto adjusted his bag.
"I'll go ahead. My siblings don't have umbrellas—I need to pick them up."
"Sure," Watabe said.
"Aww… caring brother," Yuki teased.
Shoto chuckled and left.
Watabe looked at Rai.
"Do you have an umbrella?"
Yuki silently stared at her again.
"…No," Rai answered.
There was still a small bump on her head.
"That's what you get," Yuki sighed. "I keep telling you to bring one."
Watabe scratched his head.
"And we all go different ways… what now?"
"I'm leaving," Yuki said. "Do whatever you want—even if you get sick."
Watabe sighed.
"Just wait for the rain to stop. I'll go too—I might miss the train. See you."
Rai simply waved as she changed her shoes.
Students passed behind her.
When she finished, she stepped forward—
Ready to walk into the rain.
Suddenly—
Someone grabbed her bag.
She stopped.
"…?"
"Are you planning to go home wet?"
Rai turned slightly.
Kousaki stood behind her.
"…Don't you have an umbrella?"
"…No."
Behind her—
"Ahh, it's Titan," Miyo said.
"Don't call her that," Kousaki frowned.
"Don't you have an umbrella, Titan?"
"Hey."
Rai didn't respond.
Miyo waved.
"I'm leaving. I'll leave you two. See you, Kousaki… Titan."
She walked away.
Kousaki looked at Rai.
"…I can't leave you behind. Let's share."
"No. It's fine. Go ahead."
"Like I said, I can't."
She grabbed Rai's arm and pulled her.
"Oi…" Rai muttered.
"Just come. Stop complaining… dummy."
"…Dummy?"
And just like that—
They walked out together under one umbrella.
Rain fell steadily.
Kousaki struggled to keep the umbrella high enough.
Rai was too tall.
Thud.
Rai hit her head.
She rubbed it and glanced at Kousaki.
"…That's why I told you to go ahead."
"I'll hold it."
"No, I got it."
Rai let her try again—
Thud.
Another hit.
Without hesitation, Rai took the umbrella.
"I said I had it…" Kousaki sighed.
Eventually, they reached a split in the road.
"I'll go now," Rai said.
"I'm coming with you."
"No need. Go home. Your parents will scold you."
"They're not that strict."
"Just go."
"No."
Rai stared at her.
Persistent.
"…Let's go," Kousaki said, pulling her again.
Rai sighed.
They arrived in front of a large house.
Kousaki's eyes widened slightly.
So big…
"Then… I'll go now," she said.
Rai looked at her soaked uniform.
"…Kousaki."
She turned. "Yeah?"
"You're soaked."
"I know. It's fine."
"…Do you want to come inside?"
"…Eh?"
"Just think of it as thanks."
Kousaki smiled.
"…Then, if you don't mind."
Inside—
Kousaki noticed a framed photo near the entrance.
"Is this your grandma?"
"…Yeah."
She bowed slightly. "Excuse me."
She looked around.
"…Do you live alone?"
"…Yeah."
"Don't you feel lonely?"
"No."
That was all.
"I'll take a bath," Rai said, walking away.
Left alone, Kousaki wandered.
A room caught her attention.
Inside—
A piano.
Paintings.
Sketches covering the walls.
She can play…?
She pressed a key.
A soft note echoed.
Then another.
"Is that Rai?"
A voice came from outside.
Moments later—
Rai stood at the doorway, fresh from a bath, wearing loose clothes.
"What are you doing?" she asked coldly.
"Ah… do you play this?"
She looks like a boy…
Rai didn't answer.
"Go take a bath. You'll get sick. Wash your clothes."
"Ah—no, it's oka—"
Rai grabbed her sleeve.
"…See?"
"…But I don't have extra clothes."
Rai sighed and returned with a set.
"Use this."
Kousaki took it.
"Are you sure?"
No reply.
Rai had already laid down.
"…Then… thank you."
After bathing—
"…It's big," Kousaki muttered, adjusting the loose clothes.
She returned to the living room.
Rai was watching TV.
She just stood there.
"…Are you a statue?" Rai said. "Sit."
Kousaki sat beside her.
"…Tell your parents," Rai added.
"Ah—right."
She called.
"Mom, I'm at a friend's house… I'll be home late. Yeah, bye."
"They said it's okay," Kousaki said after ending the call.
She scrolled through her phone, replying to comments.
"No good places nearby…"