(Date: Late December, the last week before the winter semester break - Location: School Library, Science Club Room)
A week had passed since Mr. Satoru assigned the science project. The atmosphere in Class 2-A had become slightly more animated as each pair of students began to group up, discuss, and plan their work more seriously before the long New Year's break.
Snow continued to fall intermittently outside the windows of the quiet, hushed library. I discreetly glanced at Lumine Komori, who was frowning slightly as she read a thick physics textbook. Soft light from the desk lamp highlighted her well-defined features and those mysterious dark brown eyes. Deep down, I admitted she was very interesting, both for her precocious intelligence and unique reservedness. But I still chose to hide those feelings beneath my usual indifferent demeanor.
"This part… Schrödinger's equation describing the wave function, isn't it a bit too complicated if we're going to explain it to others in class?" I spoke up softly, breaking the silence. My voice remained flat, but carried a concern for the details of the work.
Lumine looked up, meeting my eyes for a moment. Her ears turned a faint red. "We might need to find an easier analogy or use animation," she replied steadily, trying to control her slight nervousness. "I'll try to do more research during the New Year holidays."
"If there's anything I can help with, just let me know," I replied. "I should have some free time then too."
Lumine nodded slightly. "Thanks, Tsukino-kun." A rare, faint smile appeared before she quickly looked down at her book again.
Meanwhile, in the Science Club room, far removed from tranquility, Zeno and Takumi were "collaborating" in their own style. Zeno enthusiastically proposed building a "miniature matter transporter" using quantum teleportation principles, amidst piles of scrap metal and tangled wires. Takumi, sketching an abstract atom structure, drily suggested Zeno should start by teleporting his overdue homework before teleporting himself to repeat a grade, though an almost invisible smile played on his lips.
In another library corner, Mikase patiently explained "higher dimensions" and "string theory" to Ken, comparing it to how 2D beings couldn't perceive the height of a 3D object. Ken scratched his head, grumbling about wanting to practice basketball, but still sat and listened (even if he didn't understand), not wanting to disappoint the earnest Mikase. As for Iris and Ren, the atmosphere remained tense. Iris firmly rejected Ren's attempts to compare quantum theory to video game plots or anime. "I expect more professionalism, Sakurai-san," her sharp words made Ren hang his head.
(Date: Early January, after the semester reopens - Location: School, Leo's house)
After the long New Year holiday, I came down with a bad flu, leaving me bedridden for almost a week. Ken came to visit with class notes and, surprisingly, a neatly stapled sheaf of papers. "Here, Leo. This is from Komori-san," Ken said, with a knowing smile. "She summarized the project stuff and researched some extra info. Said she saw you were out sick and was afraid you wouldn't catch up."
I took the papers, a strange warmth coursing through me. Lumine's neat handwriting and clear diagrams showed her thoughtfulness. "Hmm... good," I replied flatly, trying not to let Ken notice the developing feeling. "Tell her thanks for me." I carefully placed the notes beside my pillow.
When I returned to school the following week, I intended to thank Lumine properly. But face-to-face, the words stuck in my throat. "Those notes... they were okay. Thanks," was all I managed, looking away.
Lumine, who had seemed secretly relieved to see me back, looked a little disappointed by my coldness but masked it. "Mm. It's nothing," she replied briefly and returned to her work. In her heart, she couldn't help thinking maybe her small gesture meant nothing to him.
The silence between two people harbouring mutual feelings, yet expressing only indifference, was incredibly awkward.
(In the Science Club, Zeno tested a "Low-Frequency Sound Wave Gun to Stimulate Creativity" on Takumi, who deadpanned about hearing cockroaches discuss philosophy. Mikase found comparing science to basketball surprisingly effective in getting Ken to understand electron movement.)
(Date: Mid-February, around Valentine's Day - Location: School)
Valentine's Day arrived, filling the school with a sweet atmosphere. Chocolates appeared on many desks. I sat reading, trying to ignore it, but couldn't help wondering... especially about a certain someone.
Then Lumine actually walked up to my desk, holding a small box tied with a dark blue ribbon. "For... Tsukino-kun," she said briefly, handing it over. Her face was impassive, but her ears were clearly red.
My heart raced. I took the box. "Um… thanks, Komori-san," was all I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but I secretly smiled at her red ears. Giri-choco or honmei-choco?
Lumine quickly returned to her desk, not daring to look at me. All day, I kept glancing at the box. Lumine secretly watched my reaction. Both waited... but neither dared to initiate a conversation about it.
(Himari gave chocolates to many friends, including Iris who accepted with a rare faint smile, and also gave one to Leo. Ren quietly left chocolates on Iris's desk, which she merely glanced at.)
That evening at home, I carefully unwrapped Lumine's chocolates. Inside were homemade chocolates shaped like planets! Saturn with its rings, Jupiter with its storm patterns, a beautiful blue Earth. The taste was rich yet subtly sweet, more delicious than expected, making my heart swell strangely. I ate them slowly, savoring the effort she'd put in.
After that day, conversations between Lumine and me remained brief, focused on work. But I noticed her looking at me more often (quickly looking away when caught). I started finding excuses for small talk (to which she mostly replied "Mm," or "It's fine," or nodded, but I didn't give up).
(Project progress for others: Zeno and Takumi built a "Solar-Powered Mind-Reading Helmet." Ken and Mikase worked better together, with Ken suggesting presenting using cartoons he drew. Iris began acknowledging Ren's programming skills for quantum simulations.)
(Date: Early March, nearing the project submission deadline - Location: Coffee shop near the school)
As the snow melted and early spring warmth spread, the invisible relationship between Lumine and me slowly formed.
One afternoon, working at the familiar coffee shop, Lumine's phone rang. Her expression tensed as she excused herself to take the call in a corner. I discreetly watched her expression shift from impassive to worried, her lips pressed tightly. Her voice, though soft, trembled as she tried to control her emotions.
When she returned, her eyes were noticeably dimmer, her eyelids red as if she'd been crying. An inexplicable concern rose within me.
"Is something wrong, Komori-san?" I finally asked, trying to sound normal and unintrusive.
Lumine flinched, looking up with confused, vulnerable eyes. "No... it's nothing, Tsukino-kun," she answered softly, looking down at her cold chamomile tea. "Just... a little something at home. Don't worry."
"Just a little something, really?" I pressed gently, feeling it wasn't 'just a little something.' "If you're not okay... you can vent. I might not be able to help much, but I can listen."
Lumine was silent, looking out the window before sighing.
"Sometimes... carrying other people's expectations is heavy, isn't it, Tsukino-kun?" she said absently, more to herself. "Especially when that person is someone you don't want to disappoint."
I listened intently, guessing the "important person" was likely family, probably her physicist father.
"And... what are those expectations, if you don't mind telling me?"
Lumine looked up, vulnerability and pain clear in her eyes. Tears welled up.
"They... especially Dad... want me to be the best, especially in science... He wants me to follow in his footsteps, be a famous physicist... like..." She paused, swallowing hard. "...like my mother, who was a rising star researcher, but she passed away when I was very young."
I was stunned. I never knew such a heavy story lay behind her intelligence.
"And you... do you really want to be like that, Komori-san?"
Lumine slowly shook her head, tears streaming down her fair cheeks.
"I don't know... I don't even know what I really want," she choked back a sob, her voice trembling. "I like science, it's fascinating, but sometimes I feel I'm doing it for Dad, for Mom's memory, not for myself... I just... I don't want to disappoint them. But the harder I try, the more I feel like I'm about to break... like I'm not myself anymore."
My heart clenched seeing her tears. I wanted to hold her hand, tell her it would be okay, but my awkwardness held me back. I managed awkwardly, "Maybe... you don't have to carry everything alone, Komori-san. You still have... uh... you still have me here." The last words slipped out unintended.
Lumine quickly wiped her tears, looking at me with surprised, confused eyes.
"I... I need to go to the restroom," she stood abruptly and left, leaving me worried and angry at my inability to offer better comfort.
When Lumine returned, she tried to act normal, but her hands still trembled slightly, her eyes red. The silence was heavier than usual. We barely discussed the project further. I just sat quietly with her.
Before parting, I gathered my courage.
"Komori-san... about earlier... If you ever want to vent, or need someone to listen... whenever... I'm here for you," I said softly, looking away, hoping she sensed my sincerity.
Lumine stopped, turning to look at me, surprised and appreciative. Tears welled again, but this time they seemed tears of relief.
"Thank you... Tsukino-kun," she smiled faintly, a sad yet sincere smile that was very beautiful. "Thank you, really."
Though still awkward, it felt like opening a small door in the walls around our hearts. A faint light shone through, and a small hope began that maybe... we wouldn't have to be alone anymore.
As winter passed and spring warmth crept in, a complex, gentle feeling quietly bloomed between Leo Tsukino and Lumine Komori. Though the path ahead was uncertain, misunderstandings possible, and the shadow in Lumine's heart remained...