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[ Wide shot – school gates in the afternoon. Students are walking home. Ishijin Akiru is seen walking alone, earphones in, staring at the ground.]Narration:Another day. Another quiet walk home.
[ Closer shot of Ishijin walking. A breeze rustles the trees. He seems lost in thought.]Narration:But today... something in the air felt off. Like a change in tempo.
[Suddenly, a shout from off-panel.]Voice (off-panel):"Aki-kun!! Wait—!!"
[Ishijin freezes mid-step, one earbud falling out. His eyes widen slightly.]Ishijin (thinking):"That voice… no way..."
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[ Sakare Aibu, the school idol—long flowing hair, radiant smile, and confident stride—rushes toward him, waving, slightly out of breath.]Sakare:"There you are! I thought I missed you."
[Ishijin's face flushes red instantly, eyes slightly averted. A tiny sweat drop near his temple.]Ishijin (thinking):"Sakare Aibu... talking to me?"
[Side-by-side panel – Kuri and Toji spying from behind a bush, both peeking dramatically.]Kuri (whispering):"Yo, is that Sakare Aibu? What's she doing with Ishi?"Toji (deadpan):"Plot twist of the semester."
[Sakare steps closer, holding something in her hand – a small volume-shaped badge.]Sakare:"You dropped this... right after that crazy noise in class."Sakare (smiling):"Are you mixed up in something... interesting?"
[Close-up on Ishijin's stunned expression. His cheeks still glowing, his lips parting just slightly.]Ishijin (thinking):"...She noticed... everything."