A soft glow of morning light seeped through the curtains, quietly filling the room with warmth.
Shiori's eyes opened slowly.
For a brief moment, she didn't move. Her thoughts were still half-lost in sleep, her senses gradually returning as the quiet of the room settled around her.
Then she realized—
She wasn't in her room.
Her head rested against something warm. Steady.
Familiar.
Shiori shifted slightly, careful not to make too much noise, and lifted her gaze.
Rei was still asleep.
His posture remained slightly leaned back against the chair, one arm resting loosely at his side. His expression, usually composed and distant, had softened in sleep, free of the quiet tension that had followed him since yesterday.
Shiori watched him in silence.
There was something strangely calm about this moment—something untouched by expectations, untouched by competition.
Just… him.
Her hand moved before she fully thought about it.
Slowly, gently, her fingers brushed against his cheek.
Warm.
Real.
A small, almost unnoticeable giggle slipped past her lips.
"…You look different like this," she murmured softly.
Rei didn't stir.
Shiori's gaze softened just slightly as she continued to watch him.
Then, without hesitation, she leaned in closer
—just a little—and wrapped her arms lightly around him.
Careful.
Gentle.
As if she didn't want to wake him.
"…I love you," she whispered.
The words were quiet.
Simple.
Uncomplicated.
Carried only by the stillness of the morning.
She stayed like that for a few seconds longer, her head resting lightly against him once more.
Then—
Slowly—
She pulled away.
The warmth lingered, but the moment had passed.
Shiori stood up, smoothing her uniform slightly as she glanced at him one last time.
"…You'll be late," she said under her breath, though there was no expectation of a reply.
Turning toward the door, she stepped out of the room.
The soft click of it closing behind her marked the end of something small.
Something quiet.
By the time Rei woke up, the room had already returned to normal.
Or at least—
It looked like it had.
-
The school field buzzed with energy under the clear sky.
Voices carried across the open space as students gathered for physical education, some stretching, others chatting idly while waiting for instructions.
Rei stood among the boys lined up near the track, his expression calm as ever.
"…100-meter sprint," the instructor called out.
"Line up."
A few groans followed, mixed with competitive excitement.
Rei stepped forward, taking his position.
The track stretched ahead—simple, straightforward.
A test of speed.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
He exhaled lightly, adjusting his stance.
Beside him, another student stepped into place.
"Looks like we're up together," the boy said with an easy smile.
Rei glanced at him.
Sata Uzuki.
Student council president.
Well-known. Well-liked.
The kind of person who naturally drew people in without trying too hard.
"…Seems like it," Rei replied.
Uzuki stretched his arms casually. "You're Hayakawa, right?"
"Yeah."
"I've heard about you," he said, still smiling.
"You're pretty fast."
"Is that so?"
"Guess we'll see."
There was no arrogance in his tone.
Just simple, cheerful confidence.
Rei found himself not minding it.
"…Yeah," he said. "We will."
They took their positions.
The world narrowed slightly.
The noise of the field dimmed, replaced by focus.
"Ready—"
Rei leaned forward.
Muscles tensed.
Eyes fixed ahead.
"Go!"
The sound cut through the air—
And they ran.
Rei moved instinctively, his body responding without hesitation.
Each step was precise, controlled, efficient.
The wind rushed past him, the ground striking rhythmically beneath his feet.
Beside him—
Uzuki kept pace.
Close.
Closer than anyone else.
For a brief moment, Rei noticed.
He's fast.
The finish line approached rapidly.
No time to think.
Only movement.
A final push—
And then—
It was over.
Rei slowed to a stop, exhaling lightly as he straightened.
A quick glance to the side.
Uzuki crossed just a fraction behind him.
"…That was close," Uzuki said, catching his breath but still smiling.
Rei nodded. "…Yeah."
"Guess you win this one."
"Guess so."
There was no tension in the exchange.
Just acknowledgment.
Uzuki stretched slightly, glancing at him. "We should race again sometime."
Rei shrugged lightly. "Sure."
Across the field—
The girls' race had already begun.
Shiori stood at the starting line, her expression calm, her posture composed.
Next to her—
Reina Kisaragi adjusted her stance, her gaze steady.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
No words were exchanged.
None were needed.
"Ready—"
"Go!"
Shiori moved immediately.
Fast.
Clean.
No wasted motion.
Her pace was steady from the start, her focus unwavering.
Reina followed closely.
Not far behind.
Matching her rhythm.
The distance between them remained small.
But consistent.
Shiori didn't look back.
Didn't hesitate.
The finish line approached—
And then—
She crossed it.
First.
Reina followed shortly after, slowing to a stop just behind her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
"…You're fast," Reina said.
Shiori turned slightly, her expression unchanged.
"…So are you."