Eric felt a tug on his waist and looked over, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.
He saw that Kitagawa was slipping a note under his arm.
"What's this?" he whispered to her as he took the note from her hand, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing attention.
Eric unfolded the paper.
"My trip took longer than expected, but I hurried back as fast as I could."
He read the note but wasn't sure how to respond. Did she want him to reply, or was she just letting him know? Uncertain, he glanced at Kitagawa, hoping for some kind of hint.
Kitagawa feigned obliviousness, scribbling "I see" beneath her message before sliding the note back to her.
Without reply, the class continued, though Kitagawa stole occasional glances at Eric.
The class soon ended, and the teacher left—but unlike usual, when murmurs would erupt instantly, the room remained eerily quiet, students whispering only among themselves.
