Chapter 26 - No Pera - 26 [She came on her own today...?]

It's a sunny afternoon. After class, everyone's gathered under the small tree behind the school.

Safia: Ayan, you're late again as always! 😤Ayan: I'm not late, just keeping the tradition alive 😎Me: One day this "tradition" is going to get you banned from the canteen. 😅

(Amid the laughter, Virgil suddenly goes quiet and stares into the distance.)Virgil: Hey hey hey... look who's coming... 👀

Everyone turns their heads.Ohona is slowly walking—towards them. Her pace is calm, her eyes hold the same quiet seriousness as always.

Tanid is startled. He squints—Is she really coming here...?

Ohona stops near them. She hands Tanid his umbrella and quietly says—Ohona: May I sit here?

Before Tanid can say anything, Ayan stands up and makes space.Ayan: Of course! Welcome to the madhouse 😁Safia: I never imagined you'd actually come to us! 😮Ohona: I just felt like sitting here today. (She lowers her eyes) 🌿

There's a brief silence.Then, slowly, everyone starts chatting again like before.Only now, Ohona sometimes listens... and smiles a little—just to herself. 😊

Tanid, from the side, keeps thinking—"Even just showing up like this... means a lot."

At the end of the day, as everyone starts to leave—Ohona softly says to Tanid:Ohona: You all are... sort of colorful.

Me (from the side): (laughs) Colorful? Sounds like we're a crayon box 🤣Ohona: No... I mean colorful in a good way. Like the kind of color that feels alive. 🎨

Everyone goes quiet for a moment.Some words never turn into stories—they just stay in the heart.(To be continued...)