In the following weeks, Tenkei's daily life began to change little by little.
Airi started sitting near him during lunch. She always brought extra snacks and quietly placed them on his desk without saying much. At first, he tried to refuse, but she would only smile and insist. Eventually, he accepted them with a shy "thank you."
Miko noticed this change immediately.
"You've been eating more lately," she said one day while watching him open another snack. "Where are these coming from?"
"A-Airi-san gave them to me…"
"Oh?" Miko tilted her head. "She's kind."
Tenkei nodded, though he wasn't sure how he felt about it.
Sometimes, when Miko was busy with her club, Airi would walk home with him. They didn't talk much at first. Most of the time, Tenkei was too nervous to start a conversation, and Airi seemed content with the silence.
But slowly, she began to open up.
"Do you ever feel lonely, Hatsuhinode-kun?" she asked once as they walked past a quiet park.
"…Yes," he admitted softly. "All the time."
Her steps slowed. "Me too."
After that, they started sharing small things. Favorite foods. Childhood memories. Dreams they never told anyone else. Tenkei was surprised by how easy it felt to talk to her. She listened carefully and never laughed at him.
One afternoon, it started raining suddenly. They were stuck under a small shop roof, waiting for the rain to stop.
"I forgot my umbrella…" Tenkei muttered.
"So did I," Airi replied.
Without warning, she moved closer and held his sleeve.
"Is… is this okay?" she asked.
His heart jumped. "Y-Yes…"
They stood close, listening to the rain. He could smell her shampoo. His face felt hot.
At that moment, he thought, Maybe… she likes me?
The idea scared and excited him at the same time.
That evening, he walked home with Miko.
"You seem happier lately," Miko said. "Did something good happen?"
"N-No… not really…"
She smiled. "You're lying."
He looked away.
He couldn't explain the strange feeling in his chest.
Confusion.
Warmth.
Guilt.
And somewhere deep inside, fear.
Airi watched them from across the street, hidden behind a tree. Her expression was calm, but her eyes were burning with emotion.
"He smiled again today…" she whispered.
"And soon… he'll smile only for me."