The birds chirped in short, uneven bursts, their notes carrying through the quiet morning air.
A cold wind moved along the path, brushing against Rie's cheeks and stirring the bare branches overhead. The dry rustle of the trees reached her ears as she shivered and pulled her blazer closer, trying to hold in the little warmth she had left.
"It's cold… I should have brought my scarf…" Her words slipped out in a small voice as she rubbed the side of her neck, her chilled fingers tightening slightly against her skin.
Her shoulders lowered a little. That is what happens when I think about the club first…
A sudden sneeze forced its way out of her, her body jerking forward. "Ah… great…" Her breath wavered faintly as she straightened.
She stepped through the school gate, her posture tightening as she gave the security guard a small, nervous nod. He lifted his hand in a short wave, and she lowered her eyes while passing him.
Her shoes made a faint, clean squeak against the recently wiped tiles as she walked down the corridor toward her classroom, each step careful and quiet.
After tweaking the class duty sheet to avoid cleanup days… it is somehow my turn again. Great…
A quiet breath slipped from her as she unlocked the window. The cold breeze moved into the room at once, touching her skin and sending a small shiver through her body.
The long bang covering her right eye lifted slightly with the draft. Still… it is better to finish it now. I do not want it to take time away from the newspaper club.
The classroom was empty and quiet, each of her footsteps returning softly from the walls.
She moved toward the windows and began sweeping, her grip tightening on the broom as the cold made her fingers stiff.
When she finished the floor, she stepped to the chalkboard and lifted the eraser brush, her movements small and careful as she worked across the surface.
When she finished, she moved back toward the window and tapped the erasers together. A cloud of chalk dust rose quickly, brushing against her face.
She blinked rapidly, shoulders tightening as the fine powder settled on her skin.
"Ah… ahhh—choo!" Her body jerked slightly as she stepped back, blinking rapidly. Fine chalk dust clung to her eyelashes and the tip of her nose.
She raised her sleeve to wipe at her face, shoulders hunching a little, unaware of the mop handle sticking out behind her.
She stumbled over it.
"W-Whoa!" Her voice pitched softly as she tilted backward, arms flailing. Her body jerked as she closed her eyes.
But instead of hitting the floor, she felt a soft thud against her back. Hands fumbled briefly before wrapping around her midsection, steadying her.
Her back pressed against someone's chest, warm against her cold body.
A soft voice pressed against her ears, careful and gentle. "Are you… okay, Rie?"
Her eyes opened quickly, blinking against the morning light. She tilted her head slightly and saw Shino. His brown eyes were fixed on her, steady and full of concern.
"I—uh—wha—" Her voice trembled, caught between panic and disbelief. She jerked backward, nearly tipping the broom over as she scrambled away.
Her back pressed against the wall, shoulders rising as she held her hands up, waving them quickly. Her cheeks burned, warm against the cold morning.
"S-Sorry! Th-thank you! I… I didn't mean to fall!" Her breath came in short, uneven gasps, and her bangs shifted over her eye as she avoided looking directly at him.
Shino tilted his head slightly and straightened, his shoulders easing as he looked down at her. "Are you alright? That mop… almost hit you." His voice was low and soft.
"I'm fine! C-Completely fine! Th-thank you for saving me!" Her cheeks flared hot, and a prickling warmth spread to her ears.
She struggled to keep her gaze on him, eyes flicking away repeatedly. "B-But… what are you doing here so early? School… hasn't even started yet…" Her voice wavered, small and hurried.
Shino straightened, shifting the gym bag on his shoulder so she could see it. "Morning training." His voice was calm, steady. "Coach says we are behind on conditioning… so… here I am."
"Oh! R-Right… you're on the basketball team. I… I forgot…" She brushed her long bangs behind her ear, fingers trembling slightly.
Shino's gaze shifted lightly toward her, voice calm. "And you?"
"Class duty," she murmured, eyes fixed on the floor. "I thought I'd clean up now… instead of waiting until after school."
Shino's shoulders eased slightly, a small smile lifting his lips. He stepped toward his locker, opening it and pulling out his training gear. "Anyway… I should get going. See you later in class, Rie." He lifted his hand in a soft wave.
The door clicked softly behind him.
Rie let out a long breath and sank onto a desk, shoulders sagging.
In his arms… I was literally in his arms… She pressed her hands to her burning cheeks. I… I didn't freak out too much, right? At least… we can talk normally now. That… that is something.
Rie… A soft voice called her name.
Who… is that…? Her voice barely rose as she looked around, eyes widening slightly.
Rie… wake up. A sharp thwack touched her forehead. "O-owie!" She flinched, a small tear forming as she opened her eyes and saw Kanae holding a book above her.
What… am I doing here…? Wasn't I in the classroom… with Shino…? Her voice was drowsy, fingers brushing at her eyes as she tried to clear the sleepiness.
"You fell asleep again… honestly." Kanae's voice was gentle but firm as she turned toward the pile of articles, hands moving to straighten them. "And your sleep talking… it is a little annoying."
What… do you mean? Rie's voice wavered slightly, eyes blinking as she tilted her head.
"Um… Rie, you have a little something on your cheek." Airi's voice was light, cheerful, and warm, a small smile lifting her lips.
Rie's eyes widened as she noticed the drool. Her fingers moved quickly to wipe it away, cheeks burning. "I… I am… so sorry…" Her voice trembled, small and hurried.
Kanae's eyes flicked toward Rie for a moment before her hand snapped slightly toward the stack of articles. "D-Don't smear it on the paper."
Yuri leaned back slightly, one hand resting on the desk, voice slow and easy. "Go easy on her, prez… she must be really tired." She yawned quietly, lips curving into a smile. "She has the club, she is class rep… and she has her younger siblings to look after…"
Yuri's gaze shifted to Rie, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Hey… were you talking about Shino in your dreams… out loud?" Her tone was light, teasing, voice carrying just enough to make Rie freeze.
Rie's cheeks flared red instantly. She shook her head quickly, hands tightening in her lap. "N-No… I… I wasn't…" Her voice came out small, stammering, barely above a whisper.
So… that was… just a dream… Her eyes dropped, disappointment settling on her features as she pressed her hands lightly against the desk.
The hallway leading to the first-year classrooms grew louder as more students arrived. Footsteps shuffled past the door, some light, some heavy. Sachiko moved down the corridor, her shoes clicking evenly against the tile. Her student council armband stayed neatly in place, and her uniform remained crisp and tidy as she walked.
She exhaled slowly, shoulders dropping slightly under the weight of fatigue. Being vice president is not easy… but I like it. Her fingers brushed lightly along her uniform as she walked. Helping people… making sure their voices are heard… it is worth the effort.
She pushed the door open, and her eyes immediately found Tetsuo, already seated at his desk, flipping through his notebook. Sunlight spilled through the windows, brushing lightly across the floor and warming her hands as she stepped inside.
She walked carefully through the row of desks and set her bag down at her own. Her head tilted slightly as she looked toward him. "Good morning, Tetsuo." Her voice was soft, a gentle smile lifting her lips.
Tetsuo lifted his eyes briefly toward her. "Morning, Sachiko." His gaze dropped back to his notebook, fingers shifting lightly over the pages as he resumed reading.
That simple response made her chest tighten slightly, a warm flutter spreading through her. He had not ignored me. No cold, blank stare. No heavy silence pressing down.
She stepped closer to his desk, eyes lowering to follow the pages of his notebook. "Did you sleep okay?" Her voice was quiet, careful. "Ah… this is the work from yesterday… I stayed up all night trying to figure out Hamada-sensei's math assignment."
Tetsuo stretched lightly, shoulders rising and falling slowly. "I had no trouble with it." His voice was low, steady, and his expression remained unreadable. "And… I slept okay."
"Wow… impressive." She let out a soft chuckle, fingers clasped lightly in front of her. "Well… I'll talk to you later then." She lifted her hand in a small wave before returning to her desk, sliding into her seat with a slow, deep breath.
Before she could fully settle, a group of girls gathered around her desk, Naomi at the forefront.
"Um… Naomi… can I help you?" Her voice wavered slightly, eyes blinking as she looked up, confused.
Naomi's hand hit the desk with a soft thud, her eyes wide in genuine surprise. "Sachiko! Spill it! What is going on with you and Tetsuo?" She leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity, body tilting slightly as she waited for an answer.
"W-What… are you talking about?" Her eyes blinked rapidly, shoulders tensing slightly as she looked at Naomi.
"D-Don't play dumb!" Naomi's hand tapped the desk lightly, eyes sparkling. "He… actually talked to you. Full sentences… and you are on a first-name basis now too!" Her voice rose slightly with excitement, leaning closer as she grinned.
"You… you must have made some serious progress," one of the girls murmured, eyes widening slightly.
"Are you two… dating?" another voice followed, soft but eager, leaning just a little closer to see Sachiko's reaction.
"Something… juicy definitely happened!" Naomi leaned forward, eyes sparkling, a wide grin lifting her lips. "And you are not getting away until you tell me everything."
"Yeah… tell us, vice president," another girl added, voice soft but eager.
What's their deal… is it strange to see me and him… talking? Sachiko's cheeks warmed with a faint red.
They didn't even try to be more careful… why ask me this when...he is here? Her eyes moved to Tetsuo. Her chest felt tight. Her fingers gripped the edge of her chair.
How should I even respond…?
Before she could form an answer, a group of boys entered the classroom, their shoes clicking lightly against the tile.
"The class is loud today." Shino's eyes shifted around the room anxiously, shoulders tense, fingers fidgeting with the strap of his bag.
"If it is not important… can you all quiet down?" Makoto yawned, his body slumping slightly as he dragged his feet toward his seat. His shoulders sagged, and a faint ache ran through his legs.
"Oh… it is just Naomi causing drama again… nothing new." Noboru slouched into his chair, shoulders sinking. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk as he leaned back.
Naomi spun around, eyes narrowing, hands tightening slightly at her sides. "I heard that, you half-sized runt!"
Noboru slouched in his chair, shoulders rising slightly as he straightened, fists clenching. "Half-sized…? I'm taller than you, genius. What does that make you?"
Naomi folded her arms, shoulders rising slightly. "Far better than you."
Noboru pushed himself up from the chair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "In your dreams...Miss Nakamura."
Makoto let out a low groan, lifting his head slightly from the desk, eyes half-closed. He waved a hand lazily in front of them. "Can you two love birds go argue somewhere else?"
Naomi spun sharply toward Makoto, eyes wide, finger jabbed forward. "As if! I'd never date this gremlin!"
A few classmates near them chuckled softly, shoulders shaking slightly.
Noboru's eyebrows drew together sharply, jaw tightening, and his cheeks heated slightly. He jabbed a finger toward Naomi. "I would never date you, Miss Muscles!"
Both of them glared at each other, shoulders stiff, eyes locked for a moment before they turned their heads away.
Sachiko lifted her notebook slowly, pressing it lightly against her face, fingers gripping the edges as her cheeks warmed.
They forgot to ask me more… thank goodness. She let out a soft breath, shoulders relaxing slightly. My thoughts drifted back to the night in the storage room with Tetsuo. That memory is too precious. I don't want it misunderstood…
The door banged open.
Hayami-sensei stepped in, papers stacked firmly in her hands, shoulders straight, eyes scanning the room behind her glasses. "Alright, take your seats!"
She pressed her lips together, fingers tapping lightly on the top sheet. "As you all know, your assessment tests are coming up."
Noboru's eyes widened, body leaning forward slightly. "Wait… what tests?"
Hayami-sensei's gaze swept over him, expression calm, shoulders steady. "The ones that show how well you're absorbing the material. Fail, and you'll have after-school classes. Every day. Until your grades improve."
Makoto's forehead pressed against the desk with a soft thud. He let out a low sigh, eyes closing slowly. Finally… quiet… I can nap…
A sharp voice sounded behind him, making his shoulders tense. "Oh… I see you, Mr. Kurai."
He turned his head slowly, flinching. Hayami-sensei stood there, arms folded, gaze fixed on him. A faint smile tugged at her lips, but her tone felt sharp.
"Oh… crap," Makoto muttered, fingers curling slightly against the edge of the desk.
"Is my lecture that boring? Or does my voice make you sleepy?"
Makoto's chest rose quickly, eyes darting downward. He tilted his head away, a cold sweat on his temple. "N-No, Sensei… I'm just… not feeling well."
"How unfortunate. Maybe some light exercise will help you stay awake."
Moments later, Makoto balanced on one leg at the front of the class, hands gripping two heavy water buckets. Sweat dampened his hair, shoulders trembling under the weight.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, teeth clenched, jaw tight.
Hayami-sensei's eyes narrowed slightly, arms crossed, gaze steady. "Drop your leg, and you'll get a second round."
Hang in there… Makoto, Shino thought, shoulders tensing slightly as he pressed a hand over his mouth to hide a laugh. His cheeks warmed noticeably.
Noboru let out a short snort, shoulders rising slightly, eyes narrowing with amusement.
Makoto's eyes narrowed sharply, shoulders trembling as he balanced on one leg, fingers gripping the heavy buckets tightly. Hands shaking slightly, he forced his gaze at Noboru. "Shut it, punk."
Hayami-sensei stepped slightly closer, head tilting, fingers tapping lightly against her papers. "Mr. Takemoto. Something funny?"
Noboru straightened immediately, back stiff, chest rising rapidly. "N-No, ma'am! I'm super focused!"
Across the room, Rie leaned slightly forward in her seat, eyes fixed on Shino. His soft chuckle escaped as Noboru got caught, and her chest rose a little faster. Her cheek warmed faintly, coloring lightly as she watched him.
He really… has changed. Rie's lips curved slightly, shoulders relaxing as she thought about him. Back when I first met him, he never smiled like this. I think… I like this version of him more.
Even if we're just friends… A soft warmth settled in her chest. I'm happy we've come this far.