The following morning sun cast a warm glow over the school grounds as students chattered and laughed, eager to start the day. As always, Ayaka and Riku walked into Class A together, exchanging greetings with their classmates. Their presence was magnetic—Ayaka's bright energy and Riku's calm demeanor made them well-liked among their peers.
Daiki, however, stepped into Class B alone, his gaze flickering toward the neighboring classroom where his two best friends were. With a sigh, he made his way to his seat by the window. The view of the school field outside was almost mocking—expansive, free, yet he felt confined within the walls of his own thoughts.
"Looks like someone's sulking," a playful voice pulled him out of his trance. Daiki turned to find a girl with soft brown hair and sharp, observant eyes leaning against his desk. Suzume. She was known for being perceptive, and apparently, today was no exception.
"I'm not sulking," Daiki muttered, turning his gaze back to the window.
Suzume smirked. "Right. Because staring dramatically outside like you're the protagonist of a tragic novel totally screams 'I'm fine.'"
Daiki huffed. "Why are you here?"
"Because I find you interesting," she said, sliding into the empty seat beside him. "You always have this distant look, like your mind is somewhere else. Let me guess—your friends?"
Daiki's silence was enough of an answer.
Meanwhile, in Class A, Ayaka and Riku were caught up in conversation with their classmates. Ayaka was effortlessly social, laughing at a joke one of the boys made. Riku, on the other hand, found himself distracted. His eyes kept lingering on Ayaka a little too long, his chest tightening whenever she smiled at someone else.
"Riku, are you listening?" Ayaka's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Huh? Oh—yeah, sorry," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ayaka giggled. "You're acting weird today."
Before Riku could respond, another classmate chimed in, pulling Ayaka into another conversation. Riku clenched his fist under his desk. Why did this feeling of unease keep growing?
—
Lunch Break
Daiki had resigned himself to eating alone on the rooftop when a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Mind if I join?"
He turned to see Suzume standing there, holding her lunchbox with an expectant smile.
"Do I have a choice?" Daiki muttered, but moved over nonetheless.
Suzume sat beside him, opening her lunch. "So, what's so special about them?"
Daiki frowned. "What?"
"Your friends. The way you look at them—like you're afraid of something."
Daiki sighed, stabbing at his food. "They're my best friends. We promised we'd always be together."
Suzume hummed. "And yet, here you are, sitting alone."
Daiki froze. He never really thought about it like that. After a moment of silence, he turned to her. "What about you? Don't you have any friends?"
Suzume blinked, clearly not expecting the question. Then she smiled faintly. "I do. But I don't stick to one group. I like observing people more than being part of the chaos."
Daiki raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… lonely."
"Not really," she said, unwrapping her rice ball. "It lets me see things that others don't. Like you, for example."
Daiki scoffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Suzume grinned. "You act like you're indifferent, but deep down, you're afraid of being left behind."
Daiki's grip on his chopsticks tightened. "…You sure talk a lot for someone who just 'observes.'"
"Someone has to say it."
Daiki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're annoying."
Suzume laughed. "You'll get used to it."
—
After School
As the final bell rang, students poured out of the classrooms, ready to head home. Daiki waited outside for Riku and Ayaka, but they were still caught up with their classmates. Ayaka was laughing at something a boy had said, and Riku, for the first time, didn't seem amused. He turned away, his grip tightening around the straps of his bag.
After what felt like forever, Riku finally walked out, but Ayaka stayed behind, still chatting.
"Looks like it's just us," Daiki muttered, falling into step beside him.
Riku didn't respond immediately. He was deep in thought, his expression unreadable.
"Something wrong?" Daiki asked.
"…Nothing," Riku said, though his voice lacked conviction.
Just then, Ayaka's voice called out from behind them. "Wait up, you two!"
Daiki and Riku turned as Ayaka jogged up, slightly out of breath. "Sorry, sorry! I got caught up talking."
Daiki crossed his arms. "Oh? Abandoning your best friends for some random classmates?"
Riku smirked. "Took you long enough."
Ayaka pouted. "Hey! You two could've at least waited for me."
Daiki chuckled. "We did. But apparently, you had better company."
Ayaka huffed, falling into step between them. "You guys are the worst."
They laughed as they walked home together, teasing and playfully nudging each other like they always did. For now, everything felt normal again. But beneath the surface, changes were already beginning to take root, whether they realized it or not.