Homeroom started like any other day, sunlight slipping in through the classroom windows, painting golden patterns on the floor. The usual chatter echoed around me, but I only half-listened. My eyes drifted—almost automatically—to the seat by the window.
She was already there.
Yuki Shirakawa.
White hair tied loosely today. Her fingers gently traced the edge of her desk, eyes gazing outside, lost in thought. She hadn't noticed me yet.
Or… maybe she had. Yuki was always hard to read.
I slid into my seat beside hers and gave a small, almost awkward nod. "Morning."
She blinked, as if just waking from a dream, then turned to me. "Good morning."
There was a slight pause, but… her voice was a little warmer than yesterday.
Our teacher droned on about something—I think it was group assignments—but my mind kept drifting. The space between our desks felt small. Smaller than usual. Every time Yuki reached for her pen or shifted in her seat, I noticed. I couldn't not notice.
At lunch, I stayed behind while most of the class rushed out.
To my surprise, so did she.
"Not eating with anyone?" I asked, pretending to casually open my bento.
She shook her head. "I usually don't."
"…Wanna eat here?"
She looked at me—eyes calm, but curious. Then she gave the tiniest nod.
And that's how we ended up eating lunch together for the first time. No big conversation. Just quiet bites, the occasional glance, and the sound of the wind tapping against the windows.
"I like the view from this seat," she said softly.
"Huh?"
"It's always bright. And peaceful."
I nodded. "Yeah. It's not bad."
Another pause.
"…Also," she added, not looking at me, "you're here."
My heart stumbled over itself.
"What?"
She didn't repeat it. Just kept eating, cheeks faintly pink.
The bell rang not long after.
As I cleaned up my bento, I couldn't help smiling. Maybe this seat really was the best in class.