The morning air carried a different energy.
Usually, Reina's steps toward the school gate were mechanical, steady, and filled with the weight of a dozen unsolved calculations. But today, the streets leading to the academy were buzzing with chatter, lanterns strung up across the walls, and colorful banners swaying gently in the wind.
For once, she wasn't draped in her long white lab coat. Today, Reina wore the plain, crisp lines of her school uniform. Just the standard blouse, ribbon, and skirt—no extra layers, no smell of solder, no pencil tucked behind her ear.
It felt strange. Exposed, almost. But also… refreshing.
Her halo hovered faintly above her head, humming with subtle grace. ANIER pulsed as a small glowing icon in her lens, occasionally flickering when she spoke.
"Observation," ANIER reported calmly, "Subject Reina is experiencing a 31% increase in comfort level without the lab coat. However, mild discomfort detected due to visibility of halo."
Reina sighed. "I didn't ask for a report."
"You're welcome."
Beside her, Himari walked with the same unhurried, gentle steps she always did. Her soft smile contrasted Reina's sharp, calculating eyes. "You look nice, Reina. It suits you."
Reina blinked, then looked away quickly. "…Thanks."
At the entrance, the scene unfolded like something out of one of those school festival anime Reina secretly detested for being too idealized. Stalls lined the courtyard, each bustling with students shouting their menus, the smell of sizzling batter and fried noodles drifting in the air.
Before Reina could decide where to start, Himari gasped softly. "Takoyaki!"
And without hesitation, the usually reserved girl trotted over to the stall, her composure slipping just enough to reveal her excitement.
Reina tilted her head. "…Takoyaki as a starter? That feels too heavy."
"Incorrect," ANIER chimed in immediately. "Takoyaki provides excellent carbohydrate and protein balance for early festival energy. Perfect starter choice."
Before Reina could argue, a voice jumped out from behind.
"Exactly! Takoyaki is king!"
Reina nearly jumped. "Sei?!"
The boy grinned, popping out from the crowd like he'd teleported. His usual messy energy radiated brighter than the festival lanterns.
"Don't sneak up on me," Reina muttered, hand pressed against her chest.
"Aw, don't be so cold! Anyway, I left the festival prep to the underclassmen. They'll be fine. I'd rather hang out with you two."
Reina squinted. "That sounds irresponsible."
"That sounds like freedom."
ANIER's icon pulsed. "Report: Sei's reasoning is statistically flawed but emotionally satisfying."
"See?" Sei said, pointing at the air where only Reina could see ANIER's icon. "Even your AI agrees with me!"
Reina groaned. "You're syncing with her too now? Great."
Still, she didn't stop Himari from buying three trays of takoyaki. She accepted her portion reluctantly, stabbing a steaming ball with a toothpick. Hot, savory, and somehow comforting.
"…Not bad," she admitted softly.
"Told you!" Sei grinned, cheeks full of octopus-filled dough.
The trio strolled deeper into the courtyard, the voices of students calling out their menus creating a warm, chaotic chorus.
"Next target," Sei declared dramatically, wiping his hands, "is obvious: yakisoba. It's not a festival without it!"
ANIER chimed in instantly. "Agreement: Yakisoba is a statistically essential staple of Japanese school festivals. Also, Sei looks 83% happier when discussing food."
"See? ANIER's got good taste."
Reina rubbed her temple. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
Still, she followed.
They didn't have to search long. The smell of fried noodles, sweet and savory, led them straight to a brightly decorated stall. Reina froze when she recognized the faces behind the counter.
"…My class."
Sure enough, Hana, Ayumi, and Kaito were running the yakisoba stand like seasoned professionals. A neat line of customers stretched out in front of them. And on the counter—Reina's eyes widened—was a worn notebook, covered in sticky notes and scrawls.
Her notebook. The one she'd made last year for managing the class café.
Ayumi spotted her first. "Reina! You came!"
The others perked up, smiling. Hana waved. "Look, look, we're still using your plan! It works perfectly!"
Reina stared, then lowered her gaze. A quiet guilt prickled in her chest. "I… I'm sorry I didn't help this year. I was too busy."
Kaito shook his head firmly. "No, don't apologize. You've already done more than enough. We wouldn't even be this efficient if it weren't for your planning."
Reina hesitated, then nodded slowly. "…I see. Then… three yakisoba, please."
Hana beamed. "Coming right up!"
Within minutes, the three of them were sitting at one of the tables set up nearby, plates steaming in front of them. Rei twisted the noodles around her chopsticks, savoring the warmth.
"They even set up tables and chairs," she murmured. "They really went all out."
"They learned from the best," Sei said through a mouthful.
"Report: Hearing positive evaluations of her past work increases Reina's emotional stability by 12%," ANIER teased.
"Mute," Reina muttered.
"Denied."
The day unfolded in a blur of laughter, colors, and tastes. They tried grilled corn dripping with soy glaze, candied apples that stuck to their teeth, and taiyaki filled with sweet red bean paste. Sei insisted on dragging them to every game stall, where he failed spectacularly at ring toss and fishing for prizes. Himari won a small stuffed rabbit on her first try, cradling it quietly with a rare smile of triumph.
And through it all, whispers followed Reina.
"Isn't that Saeki Reina?"
"She's even prettier in person."
"That's the girl with the floating halo, right?"
"Look at her posture… she's so graceful."
Reina's shoulders stiffened more with each passing comment. She wanted to disappear into the crowd, but the halo hovering above her made it impossible.
"Report," ANIER's calm voice entered her ear, "whisper analysis complete. 82% of comments are positive admiration. 14% neutral curiosity. 4% skeptical disbelief. Zero hostility detected."
Reina muttered, "You don't need to catalog every word people say about me."
"Correction: I need to, because you stress about them. So I'll stress for you instead."
Reina blinked, then exhaled softly. "…Idiot."
"Logging: Subject Reina just called me 'idiot' in an affectionate tone. Marking milestone."
Sei noticed her stiff posture and grinned, throwing an arm over her shoulders casually. "Relax, Reina. Everyone's just impressed. You're basically the school's celebrity."
"That's what I don't want to be," she replied flatly.
Himari, walking on her other side, spoke gently. "You don't have to be anything you don't want. Just… enjoy this moment. With us."
Reina glanced between them, then finally let her shoulders loosen. "…Fine."
By evening, lanterns glowed warmly across the school grounds. The air cooled, and the festival lights sparkled like stars. Music drifted faintly from the stage where students performed, laughter echoing through the night.
Reina sat at the edge of the courtyard with Himari and Sei, the last of their festival snacks spread out between them. The halo above her head pulsed faintly in the glow, its soft hum blending into the chatter around them.
For the first time in a long while, she felt… ordinary.
No equations pressing down on her. No expectations clawing at her. Just food, laughter, and the presence of people she trusted.
"Report," ANIER said quietly, almost softer than usual. "Subject Reina's stress levels are at their lowest in three months. Emotional stability at 93%. Happiness… confirmed."
Reina closed her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good. Keep it that way."
And as the festival night went on, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, this was a life worth holding onto.