The classroom door slowly creaked open.
The moment Saki stepped inside, the first thing she heard was the sound of a guitar drifting through the morning sunlight.
The gentle vibration of the strings filled the air, echoing softly within the room as rays of light danced through the window.
Hiroki sat in his usual spot — by the window — eyes closed, completely absorbed in the melody.
His fingers moved gracefully across the strings, as if painting emotions into the air.
Saki held her breath for a moment.
The entire class had gone silent.
No one spoke — they were all listening to that one, fragile tune.
When the song slowly came to an end, Hiroki lifted his head.
His gaze met Saki's.
"Good morning," he said, his lips curving into a soft smile.
It was as if the melody he'd just played had already said everything he couldn't put into words.
Saki's heart skipped.
"G–good morning," she managed to reply, her voice trembling slightly.
As she took her seat, she could feel the heat rising all the way to her cheeks.
Someone whispered, "He's playing guitar again… it's like a scene from a romance movie."
Saki quickly looked down at her desk, pretending not to hear.
But she couldn't hide the warmth blooming inside her chest.
The bell rang. The teacher walked in, and everyone took their seats.
Class began — yet Saki's mind was somewhere else.
Not on the board, not on the lesson, but still lost in the lingering echo of that morning's melody.
After the Bell
When the break bell rang, the classroom slowly emptied.
As Saki packed her notebook, a shadow fell across her desk.
She looked up — Hiroki was standing there.
"When you're done packing up… can we talk for a minute?" he asked.
His tone was gentle, yet there was something serious in it.
Saki nodded. "Sure."
Once the classroom was quiet, Hiroki set his guitar case aside.
He slipped his hands into his pockets, eyes flickering toward the floor for a brief moment before he spoke.
"Uh… there's something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it?"
He took a deep breath.
"Are you… free tonight?"
Saki froze.
"T-tonight?"
"Yeah," he said with a small, nervous laugh. "After class, maybe we could grab something to eat or take a walk.
Remember when I said I'd give you your reward? I thought… maybe today could be that day."
Saki's heart was pounding so hard she could barely think.
Her mind tangled up in words that wouldn't come out properly.
"I… I guess…"
She paused, swallowed, and then smiled shyly.
"Yes, I'm free."
Hiroki's smile widened just a little.
"Great. Then, let's meet after school."
Saki's face burned.
"Okay," she whispered.
Lunchtime
At lunch, Saki sat with Yusuke and Miyuki in the cafeteria.
Three plates of food and a few cartons of milk lay scattered across the table.
Miyuki leaned forward immediately.
"Saki! If someone had taken a picture of your face while Hiroki was playing this morning, there would've been little hearts floating around you!"
Saki grabbed her milk carton in panic.
"W-what are you talking about, Miyuki! I just… liked the music, that's all!"
Yusuke raised an eyebrow.
"The solo wasn't bad, but I don't see what's so special about it."
Miyuki elbowed him.
"You just don't get it! There was feeling in that song. He was totally playing while looking at Saki!"
Saki's face turned crimson.
"It wasn't like that! He just played before class, that's all!"
Yusuke swallowed a bite of rice, smirking.
"Sure, sure. Then why did he ask to talk to you after class?"
Saki froze mid-bite.
"He just… asked something, that's all."
Miyuki leaned closer, eyes sparkling.
"And what did he ask?"
"...He asked if I was free tonight."
Both of them shouted at once: "WHAT?!"
A few students turned to stare. Saki quickly pressed a finger to her lips.
"Shhh! Keep it down!"
Miyuki almost fell off her chair.
"So it is a date! He actually asked you out!"
"It's not like that! We're just… getting food, or walking or something!"
Yusuke crossed his arms.
"Be careful. Hiroki's quiet, but you can never really tell what's going on in his head."
Saki blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"Last week, I saw him alone in the music room, writing a song. I heard him say it was dedicated to someone."
Miyuki's eyes sparkled even more.
"And who do you think that someone might be?!"
Saki waved her hands frantically.
"N-no! Stop it already! You're imagining things!"
But deep down, her heart whispered something she couldn't deny.
A song dedicated to someone…
And if it really was—
After School
When the final bell rang, Saki's heartbeat was as steady as a ticking clock.
She packed her bag while Miyuki leaned close and whispered,
"So, what are you wearing tonight?"
Saki sighed. "It's just a walk, Miyuki. Why would I wear anything special?"
But even her voice betrayed her hesitation.
Miyuki giggled. "Trust me, tonight it won't just be your feet walking—your heart's going too."
Saki rolled her eyes. "Ahh, enough already…"
As she walked down the hallway, she saw Hiroki waiting by the door.
A guitar case on his back, jacket in hand, and that same calm smile.
"Saki," he said softly.
"Ready?"
Saki froze for a split second.
"Y-yeah."
They left the school together.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
"So… is this really a date?" Saki asked shyly.
Hiroki tilted his head, smiling faintly.
"Hmm… if that's what you want to call it, then sure."
Saki's heart skipped again.
"Then maybe… I'll think of it that way."
His eyes sparkled.
"Then it's settled. Our first date."
The breeze brushed gently past them.
Saki tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling.
"Fine then… but don't forget my reward, okay?"
Hiroki stepped a little closer.
His gaze caught hers.
"Forget it? Not a chance."
And in that moment…
As the last rays of sunlight lit their faces,
a quiet new story began between the two of them.