The metallic chime signaling the end of class echoed through the school corridors.
A sharp, familiar sound.
For a brief moment, Class 2-B lingered in that space between the end of lessons and the freedom of the afternoon. Then, as always, the world started moving again.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
Zippers slid shut.
Lively voices filled the room.
Some students rushed off to their clubs. Others left chatting, already planning the rest of their day. The warm glow of sunset streamed through the windows, painting the classroom in soft shades of orange.
Mio was the first to stand. She picked up her bag casually and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I'm going to the restroom. You guys go on ahead."
Souma was already on his feet too, but instead of heading for the front door, he walked toward the back door of the classroom—the one that led to the side corridor.
Mio noticed.
"Yamamoto-kun going off alone?"
Aoi blinked.
"Huh?"
She turned just in time to see Souma pass through the back door, walking alone down the corridor. Quiet steps. Eyes fixed ahead. He soon disappeared from sight.
For a second, Aoi stared at the empty space where he had been.
Yamamoto-kun...
Before her thoughts could linger, Hina gently tapped her shoulder.
"Let's head to our clubs, Aoi."
Aoi blinked a few times, snapping back to reality.
"But our clubs aren't even close to each other, Hina!"
Mio was already leaving the classroom.
"See you later."
Aoi and Hina watched her walk down the corridor.
Hina narrowed her eyes and smirked.
"Hmmm... it's probably that letter."
She giggled.
"She's going to meet her admirer. Haha."
Aoi tilted her head.
"You think?"
She picked up her bag and sighed.
"Well... I have to go to my club. Takeo-kun asked me to help him."
Hina raised her hand.
"I'll walk with you for a bit."
At that moment, Misaki approached them hesitantly, her movements still a little cautious.
"A-Are you heading home?"
Aoi and Hina exchanged a glance.
"I've got theater club," Aoi said.
"And I've got art club," Hina added.
Misaki smiled softly.
"Oh... I see."
She hesitated, then asked:
"But... what about that game?"
Hina immediately pulled out her phone.
"Aah, of course!"
She turned the screen toward Misaki.
"Scan my LINE!"
Misaki took out her phone, and the two devices made a soft confirmation sound.
Hina smiled with satisfaction.
"I'll add you to the group. Ahh, now that dragon's done for!"
Misaki let out a small laugh.
"Well... I'll talk to you later then. Okay?"
"Perfect!" Hina said, giving a thumbs-up.
The three of them left the classroom. The corridor was already quieter now, with only a few students heading toward their clubs.
As they approached the stairs, Aoi noticed someone coming down quickly.
"T-Takeo?"
Takeo turned, slightly out of breath.
"Aoi! Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Ah... sure. What's wrong? Why the rush?"
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly nervous.
"You're the girl I trust the most."
Aoi tilted her head.
"Huh?"
Takeo took a deep breath.
"I'm going to meet someone right now. It'll be quick since I have club... but... how do I look?"
Aoi blinked twice.
Then she laughed.
"Ah... that's it?"
She stepped closer.
"Let me see."
She fixed his hair, straightened his collar, and adjusted his tie.
"Your hair's messy.
Your collar was folded.
And your tie was way too loose."
Takeo stood there, a bit frozen.
"Ah... thanks, Aoi-chan."
Aoi crossed her arms, curious.
"So who's the girl? I've never seen you this nervous."
Takeo smiled mysteriously.
"Ah... it's a surprise."
Aoi sighed.
"Well... you said you'd help me with my lines, right?"
"I will!" he said, already heading down the stairs. "Just wait a bit. And if the teacher's there... tell her I'm in the restroom."
Aoi sighed.
"Okay... go on, Takeo."
He thanked her and disappeared down the stairs.
Aoi stood alone in the corridor.
Then something caught her attention.
In the corner of the inner courtyard, behind a small wall, it looked like someone was hiding.
Aoi narrowed her eyes.
"Hey... who's spying?"
She walked slowly toward the wall.
"I'm getting really close, you know!"
Suddenly, a boy bolted out from behind it, his backpack bouncing as he ran.
"Ah! Who are you?!"
But he was already sprinting down the corridor and disappeared.
Aoi sighed.
"That was weird..."
Behind the school building, Mio walked slowly.
The area was quiet, with a few trees swaying in the afternoon breeze. She stopped and took a small mirror out of her bag.
"I'll fix myself up a bit more..."
She adjusted her bangs, applied a light touch of makeup, and took a deep breath.
Okay...
But her heart was still racing.
Why am I so nervous?
She touched her face, feeling her cheeks warm.
And... what if it's Fujimoto-san?
She shook her head.
"No... stop that."
But then she remembered his smile. And the wink in the classroom.
"It can't be a coincidence..."
She clenched her fists.
"Ah... what do I do?!"
She turned the corner of the building.
And then she saw a male silhouette leaning against the wall.
She stopped.
"Is that... you?"
The boy lifted his head.
"Ah... you came."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Sorry for calling you out here so suddenly—"
But Mio froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You were the one who sent the letter...?"
Silence.
"Yamada?"
Yamada stood before her. His expression serious, but his whole body tense. Cold sweat ran down his face as he didn't know what to do with his hands.
"K-Kanzaki-chan... I... I can't hold it in anymore."
His voice trembled.
"I feel calm... but at the same time, there's this strong feeling here... whenever I look at you."
He pressed his hand against his chest.
"I've felt this way since last year..."
Then he extended his hand and bowed slightly.
"K-Kanzaki-chan... will you—"
"Yamada-kun."
She interrupted him.
He looked up.
Mio sighed.
"We need to go to club."
She glanced toward the school building.
"We have to review the senpais' stories... and they'll review ours."
She started walking.
"Let's go. We're late."
She passed by him.
Yamada remained there, his hand still extended in the air.
Only when she was already far away did he slowly lower his arm and look down at the ground.
Lost in thought.
On the other side of the school, Takeo stood in front of Shinohara Yuri.
"So, Shinohara... what is it?"
He looked at her more closely.
Her cheeks were slightly red, and her breathing was uneven.
Takeo thought:
She's out of breath... could it be what I'm thinking?