The next day, lunchtime came like usual—loud, crowded, and full of energy.
But in the quiet spot behind the library, Shun and Alice sat together again. Same tree. Same soft silence between them.
Shun was sketching a small branch above them. Alice watched, chin resting on her hand.
"You always draw things no one else notices," she said.
He looked up at her. "Maybe that's why I like them."
She smiled. "That's probably why I like you."
That made Shun freeze. Just for a second.
Alice laughed quietly. "Relax. I'm just saying the truth."
Then, they both heard it—
Footsteps.
Coming closer.
Fast.
Alice quickly moved away from Shun, sitting upright. Shun shut his sketchbook in one smooth motion.
Around the corner came… Kaori, one of the girls from their class.
She froze.
"Oh—sorry," Kaori blinked. "I thought this place was empty. I just needed some quiet."
Alice was the first to speak. Calm, cool.
"Yeah, me too. I come here sometimes."
Kaori glanced at Shun. Her eyes narrowed just slightly, as if she noticed something.
But she didn't say anything. Just smiled a little.
"Okay then," she said. "I'll leave you two to it."
And just like that, she walked away.
Alice and Shun didn't move for a full minute.
Then Alice let out a breath. "That was close."
Shun nodded. "Too close."
Alice glanced at him with a small smirk. "You think she noticed?"
"Maybe."
They both sat there in silence, hearts beating just a little faster than before.
Then Alice leaned toward him and whispered with a grin, "Being a little secret is kind of fun, huh?"
Shun looked at her—eyes calm, but his smile gave it away.
"Yeah. It is."
End of Chapter 13