Today, the sky was clear with not a drop of rain — the first day of school after a long, seemingly endless summer break.
Our protagonist, Kanzaki Shiki, is now in his first year of high school. Standing before the school gates, he felt this might be a new beginning — especially with the childhood friend he secretly loved.
"Alright! She usually comes early, so she's probably already in class. I should get going!"
Shiki's voice was filled with excitement as he stepped through the school gates.
After a while, he found his classroom — Class 3A. Shiki slid open the door quickly and stepped inside.
"Waaa!"
He was surprised by the bustling crowd of students who had arrived before him.
In the corner of the classroom, there she was — Amami Hikari.
With her long, soft pink hair and sparkling golden eyes that gave off a gentle and bright aura, Shiki's childhood friend was cheerfully chatting with another girl who had shoulder-length emerald hair and matching eyes that gave a calm impression.
—Whatever the case, I should go greet her first.
He thought to himself, then slowly approached her to start a conversation.
But... something felt strange.
She was blushing and looked flustered while talking to that girl — an expression he had never seen on her face before.
—Is that… the face of someone in love?
Shiki froze for a moment, but then forced himself to act normal and walked over.
"Hikariii!"
"Kyaaa... H-huh... Kanzaki-kun?!"
Startled by Shiki's sudden approach, Hikari's face turned bright red.
"Ehh...?"
Shiki was confused. Why was she suddenly calling him by his surname instead of his first name, like she used to when they were kids?
Fragments of memories rushed through his mind — moments with Hikari.
"Shiki-chan! Come play with me!"
She used to call him without hesitation, so casually and directly.
"Yeah, I'm coming, Hikari-chan."
Images of them playing in the sand at the backyard of her house flashed in his mind —
Until reality struck him like a painful slap.
"Kanzaki-kun? Are you okay?"
She looked at him, puzzled, not understanding what was going on with Shiki.
"Ah-ah... Hey, Hikari. I'm fine."
Shiki continued calling her by her first name, hoping she'd remember how close they used to be. But reality was harsh.
"N-no, Kanzaki-kun... Don't call me that anymore... It's embarrassing."
Hikari blushed, avoiding his eyes.
It was as if invisible knives were stabbing into his chest. It hurt — but he forced himself to stay calm and joined the two girls.
"Ah… I see. Got it, Amami-chan."
"That's good then…"
Hikari sighed in relief, glad Shiki seemed to accept the change and wasn't trying to get closer.
"So… who are you, anyway?"
Shiki asked the girl resting her hand on Hikari's desk.
"I'm Hoshino Hanabi. You're a friend of Hikari?"
"Ah, yeah… I'm her friend, Kanzaki Shiki."
"Oh, nice to meet you, Kanzaki-san."
"Um, nice to meet you too, Hoshino-san…"
His reply came out a bit awkward. In his head, he couldn't help wondering why she was calling Hikari so casually by her first name.
"If you're wondering why we call each other that way… well, we're dating."
Hanabi's bluntness caught Shiki completely off guard.
"D-dating!?"
"N-no! It's not like that, Kanzaki-kun!"
Hikari panicked, trying to explain.
"What do you mean, Amami-chan?!"
"Well… um… we met by chance near the end of 9th grade and got close... But we're not dating or anything like that! Don't get the wrong idea, Kanzaki-kun — she was just joking!"
Her face turned redder as she rubbed her index fingers together nervously, eyes avoiding his.
"O-oh, I see…"
"Haha, yeah, that's it, Kanzaki-san. We're just so close we seem like we're dating."
"Mou~ don't say stuff like that, Hanabi-chan. People might get the wrong idea!"
Even though she said that, her expression seemed to say otherwise — at least from Shiki's point of view.
"Oh right, Amami-chan… Do you want to have lunch with me after class?"
Shiki asked, hoping to hear her familiar reply, "Yess! I'd love to, Shiki-chan!"
Maybe a little more reserved than before — but still willing.
Instead… it was worse than he imagined.
"Ah-ah… I'd love to, but I already made plans with Hanabi-chan... Maybe next time?"
The words hit him like a direct blow to the heart. He stood frozen, stunned — but forced a calm smile to hide his disappointment.
"Ah... then I'll just eat alone, I guess..."
"I-I'm really sorry! I'll have lunch with you next time — I promise!"
Amami bowed deeply in apology. Her awkwardness made him feel even worse.
"It's okay… I'm fine. See you later."
He gave her a forced smile, holding back tears as he walked to his assigned seat — by the back corner of the classroom, near the window.
"S-see you later..."
She waved goodbye, face blushing, before turning back to Hanabi.
---
Recess.
On the rooftop, Shiki sat alone with a carefully prepared bento — clearly made for two.
But now, it was only for him.
He let out a sorrowful sigh.
"…Could it be… that Hikari likes girls…?"
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