Ring!—Ring!—Ring!
The bell shrieked across the courtyard.Students flooded the hallways in laughing packs, shoes squeaking against the floor, conversations bursting like fireworks.
Then came Yuri.He paused at the entrance, exhaling sharply. His brows furrowed.
Yuri (thinking):What's going on? Hiro hasn't come back for almost a week now… Did I really upset him that much?
He stood there, lost in thought—until a warm hand landed on his shoulder.He turned, instincts flaring. For a split second, the air around him shifted—before he caught himself.
Eithen stood there, calm as ever, the faintest smile resting on his face.
Eithen: "Hey. You alright?"His tone was even, yet threaded with quiet concern.
Eithen: "You seem worried. Standing here all by yourself."Yuri: "Oh—no, it's fine. Just… lost in thought, that's all."Eithen: "C'mon. I'll walk you to class. Maybe a little company will help."
Yuri hesitated, then nodded."Right."
They walked side by side through the bustling hall. For a while, only the hum of students filled the air. Then Eithen spoke again.
Eithen: "So… whatever's bothering you—want to talk about it? I've been told I'm a good listener."Yuri: "Thanks, but… no. It's nothing serious. I'm sure it'll sort itself out."Eithen: "Hmm."He looked ahead, voice soft."Why were you so opposed to our group, then? You seemed… against it. Like it hit something deeper."Yuri: "No—it's not that. I just don't want anyone getting hurt..."
Eithen glanced down at him for a moment...
Eithen: "…Caring for your friends huh. That's real honorable."
Yuri: "Friends—"
Before he could finish, they reached the classroom.
Eithen: "Guess I'll see you later, then."He offered a half-smile and walked off.
Yuri lingered for a moment, staring after him. Then he gathered his thoughts and stepped inside.
The usual chatter greeted him: cliques of boys arguing, girls giggling at the back of the room.At the front, Sarah was wiping the board. When she noticed Yuri, she dropped the eraser immediately.
Sarah: "Hey! Yuri! Good morning!"Yuri: "Right—good morning, class rep. Uh, Sarah."Sarah: "Yeah, hi. I didn't see you at the party the other night. Everyone was there, so I was wondering."Yuri: "Oh, yeah. I'm not really the party type. I'd rather stay home. Hope you had fun, though."Sarah: "Yeah… I guess. But…"
She hesitated, twirling her fingers.
Sarah: "It would've been better if you were there, you know."Yuri: "Uh—huh?"Sarah: "I know we don't talk much, but… I really appreciate your presence."
Yuri: "Uh… thanks. That… means a lot."
The class erupted in a chorus of teasing "Oooouuu~!"Sarah's face turned scarlet. She spun around and started furiously wiping the already spotless board.
Yuri blinked, completely lost.
Ring!—Ring!—Ring!
The final bell.Students bolted from the building like it was on fire.
Yuri, as always, waited for the storm to pass. When the classroom finally emptied, he slung his worn backpack over his shoulder and stepped out.
"Last one to leave as always, huh?"
The voice came from behind him—soft, playful, feminine.Yuri froze. How did I not sense anyone there? His heart skipped.
He turned slowly.
Xalani.
Tall, radiant, skin glowing like warm bronze. Her hair—a wild halo of curls—framed her face in soft defiance. Her dark caramel eyes glittered with mischief, and her grin was the kind that could pull gravity itself off course.
Yuri: "Excuse me?"Xalani: "You heard me. Yuri Saint."Yuri: "Uh… am I missing something?"Xalani: "You sure are. It's called a sense of humor—heard of it?"
Yuri: "Right… sorry, but I'm running late. I need to get home—"Xalani: "Perfect. We'll walk together. Let's go."
Before he could protest, she grabbed his hand firmly and tugged him along.
Yuri (thinking):W-what's happening right now!?
She glanced back with a cheeky smile—like a spoiled kid who just got her way.He could tell, though, there was no harm in her; just energy, too much of it.
Yuri: "H-hey, where are we going? This isn't the way to my house."Xalani: "Ugh, you're such a bore. We're not going to your house, dummy."
Yuri blinked. Dummy?
She dragged the baffled boy to a neon-lit ice cream shop called "The Ice-U-Miii." It was the weekend hotspot for students, full of chatter, bright colors, and laughter.
Moments later, Xalani handed Yuri a chocolate cone and motioned for him to sit.He obeyed, still completely lost.
Xalani: "Didn't know what flavor you liked, so I got chocolate. You seem like the bland, broody-edgy type."Her grin widened. "Do you like it?"
Yuri: "I'm… not really into sweets. But look—I'm confused. Do we know each other or something? This feels… strange."Xalani:(sighs) "Maybe we do. Maybe we don't. I've been watching you for a while, Saint."Her tone softened, curiosity slipping through the playfulness."You walk like someone half here, half somewhere else. So distant. So detached from the living world. Even the way you breathe—it's like you're just… visiting."
Yuri: "Is that so."
Xalani: "Yeah. It feels like you've… been there.Like you've always been there."
Her voice trailed off. She turned toward the window, eyes distant, the reflection of the sky painting her face in pale light.
Xalani (whispering): "What am I even saying…"
Yuri: "There?"
She blinked, snapping out of it. Abruptly, she stood, scarfed down her melting ice cream, and grabbed her bag.
Xalani: "Anyway! Gotta run. Meet me here tomorrow, okay?"
And just like that, she was gone—waving from outside, hair bouncing as she sprinted away.
Yuri sat there, half-eaten cone in hand, confusion etched across his face.
Yuri: "Uh… what's up with her?"
He looked out the window where she'd vanished.For the first time in a long while, the corner of his mouth twitched—something close to a smile