Tuesday Morning – Tenkaichi Elite Academy, Class 1-B
Aeron leaned his chin on one hand, eyes fixed out the window.
The clouds were thick today. Soft gray. Kind of like smoke that never burned.
In front of him, Tatsuki was turned halfway around in his seat.
"Yo, you spacing out again?" Tatsuki whispered. "Is this what deep thinkers do, or are you just mentally asleep?"
Aeron didn't respond right away.
Then: "What do you want?"
"Lunch," Tatsuki grinned. "We're eating together again, yeah?"
Aeron stared at him, then gave the smallest of nods.
"Cool!" Tatsuki said, spinning back around with way too much energy for a Tuesday.
Aeron blinked.
And realized... he didn't mind it anymore.
---
Lunchtime – School Rooftop
The wind was cold and crisp as Tatsuki unwrapped his bento box like it was a treasure chest.
"I swear, if my sister packed me boiled eggs again—"
He paused mid-sentence as Aeron sat beside him, biting into a rice sandwich in silence.
"Wait, you're actually eating today?" Tatsuki said. "Not vanishing like some mysterious café ghost?"
"I promised," Aeron replied.
Tatsuki grinned. "Aww, you remembered."
Aeron didn't say anything, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
A half-smile.
And Tatsuki saw it.
Didn't call it out.
But quietly appreciated it.
---
Meanwhile – Ayaka's Perspective
Ayaka walked by the vending machines, clutching a neatly packed snack she'd made herself.
Chocolate chip bread rolls.
She wasn't proud of checking the rooftop earlier and seeing Aeron eating lunch with Tatsuki. But she had — and now she stood there with a warm bag and cold nerves.
> He's laughing. With him.
But he won't even sit with me.
She spotted him on the stairs later and marched straight toward him.
"You," she said flatly, holding the bag out. "Catch."
Aeron caught it one-handed, blinking down at the bag.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Bread."
He stared at her.
"Homemade."
"Why?"
She looked away. "No reason. Just... eat it or throw it out. I don't care."
"I'll eat it."
She glanced back quickly. "Really?"
He nodded.
"...Fine," she muttered, cheeks turning faint pink.
Then walked off before she could say anything embarrassing.
---
Evening – Grandparents' Cake Shop
The bell above the door rang softly.
Yume stepped inside with a familiar wave and walked straight to the counter.
Aeron was piping fresh cream onto a shortcake, focused as always.
She leaned over slightly.
"You never mess up," she said softly.
"I do," he replied. "I just don't show anyone."
Yume laughed. "Still the same as when I was ten."
"I didn't know you were ten."
"You ignored me a lot."
"I ignore everyone."
She smiled. "Not me lately."
He looked up.
Their eyes met for a second too long.
Then he turned back to his cake.
"Want to try decorating next time?" he asked.
Her face lit up. "Yes."
---
Side Story – Asagiri Global HQ, Late Night
The assistant to Mirei Asagiri sat alone in the glass-paneled office.
Her boss hadn't shown up in three days.
The only message she left was short:
> "Handle everything. I'll return when I'm done thinking."
A document sat open on the computer screen.
It was a transfer contract for Tenkaichi Elite Academy shares — with Mirei's signature already stamped.
At the top corner, a file was labeled:
"Aeron Kael – Subject of Interest"
The assistant sighed.
Whatever this boy had done…
He'd made Mirei Asagiri disappear.