Chapter 3 — Whispers of a New Beginning
The morning air was crisp and clear, sunlight spilling through the windows of the Yamazaki household.
Birds chirped from somewhere beyond the small garden, their songs rising above the soft clinking of dishes in the kitchen. At the breakfast table, Kaito Yamazaki sat quietly, stirring his miso soup.
"You're leaving earlier these days," his mother remarked with a raised brow.
Kaito shrugged, the corner of his lips tilting up slightly. "Just making sure everything's in order before class."
"Is that what they call it now?" his father teased, lowering the morning paper. "Or is it because of those twin girls you've been walking with?"
Kaito blinked. "It's not like that. They're just... different. They needed someone."
His mother exchanged a knowing glance with his father, but said nothing more. Kaito finished his breakfast quickly, slung his bag over his shoulder, and stepped into the gentle embrace of the morning.
Meanwhile, across town, Elena and Elira were nearly ready. Elira fussed with her ribbon in front of the mirror while Elena packed their books into matching navy schoolbags.
"I think I'm going to sign up for the Writer's Circle," Elira said, eyes fixed on her reflection.
Elena paused. "You should. I might try the Art Club."
There was a quiet moment where both girls shared a glance through the mirror. A year ago, neither of them would've dared.
"Do you think… it'll last?" Elira asked, fiddling with her sleeve.
Elena's voice was quiet but firm. "It's already different."
When they stepped out onto the sidewalk, Kaito was already there, hands in his pockets, leaning casually against the gate.
"Morning," he greeted, voice light.
"Good morning," the girls echoed in near unison, and the three of them walked off together under a sky painted with soft blue.
...
Class that day passed in a blur. Kaito found himself glancing over at the twins more often than he meant to.
Elena sat with that same stoic grace, her pencil gliding across paper with practiced ease. Elira, meanwhile, looked more animated than usual, her lips occasionally twitching into small, thoughtful smiles.
During the break, he approached her desk.
"Did you sign up yet?"
Elira nodded. "Lunch break. Room 3-F."
"I'll walk you there, if that's alright."
She blinked. "You don't have to."
"I know," he said with a smile. "But I want to."
Elira's ears turned pink.
Meanwhile, Elena lingered near the back of the class, quietly watching the exchange. She didn't say anything, but there was something unreadable in her gaze.
Lunch came, and true to his word, Kaito walked Elira to Room 3-F. It was tucked away near the end of the west wing, a quiet corridor few students used. When they reached the door, soft voices floated from within.
Elira hesitated.
Kaito placed a hand on the door. "Want me to introduce you?"
She shook her head. "I can do it."
Kaito stepped back, and Elira opened the door.
Inside were four students seated around a cluster of desks. A girl with glasses looked up first. "Ah, you must be Elira, right? I'm Mei, the club president."
Elira bowed slightly. "Yes. I… I'd like to join."
"Wonderful! Come in, make yourself at home."
Kaito lingered just long enough to catch Elira's grateful glance before turning away.
Back in Class 2-B, Elena was flipping through a pamphlet about the Art Club when a girl approached her.
"You're Elena, right?"
She nodded.
"I saw your sketch yesterday. That was amazing. Are you thinking of joining the Art Club?"
"I am."
The girl smiled. "Great! I'm Aoi, the vice president. We'd love to have you."
Elena hesitated. "Are you sure? I'm not… easy to talk to."
Aoi tilted her head. "That's okay. Some of the best artists don't speak much. Let your work speak instead."
Elena blinked, then nodded.
After school, both clubs had short introductory meetings. Elira found herself surrounded by worn books and half-filled notebooks. The Writer's Circle had a quiet, cozy vibe—less about competition, more about expression.
She read a short paragraph from one of her stories. It was a scene about a lonely mage who lived in a forest of silence. When she finished, there was a beat of silence before someone clapped.
"That was amazing," Mei said. "You've got such a vivid imagination."
Elira smiled shyly. For once, she didn't feel embarrassed.
Elena's Art Club meeting was a more lively affair. The room smelled faintly of ink and paint, and students were already setting up easels and canvases.
Aoi introduced her to a quiet corner by the window. "This space is yours, if you want it."
Elena sat and pulled out her sketchbook. By the end of the hour, she had drawn the reflection of the sky against the window panes.
Aoi peered over her shoulder and murmured, "That's stunning."
Elena didn't reply, but the faintest flicker of pride crossed her face.
Outside the gates, Kaito waited.
Elira came out first, followed by Elena. Both wore subtle but undeniable expressions of change—lighter shoulders, brighter eyes.
"So? How was it?" he asked.
"I liked it," Elira said.
Elena added, "It wasn't bad."
"That's practically high praise," Kaito teased, and Elira giggled softly.
They walked home together again, the same path, yet already it felt different.
People still stared. Some whispered. But there was a growing gap between the world and the three of them—as if their small circle was impervious to those things now.
When they reached the fork where they'd part ways, Kaito turned to them.
"I'm glad you're finding something here. You deserve it."
Elira's voice was gentle. "You made it easier."
Kaito smiled. "That's what friends do, right?"
Elena looked at him for a moment. "Friends."
The word seemed to linger in the air between them, strange but comforting.
...
That night, the twins sat side by side in their bedroom. Elira was writing again, but this time, her words flowed with purpose. Elena sketched a scene of three silhouettes walking beneath falling sakura petals.
The petals were soft and weightless.
Much like the feeling blooming slowly inside their chests.
A whisper of something new.
A beginning.
To be continued...