The classroom buzzed with whispers and stolen glances. Ai sat rigidly at her desk, eyes fixed on the chalkboard, though her mind was elsewhere. Beside her, Aoi exuded his usual charisma, effortlessly engaging with classmates who eagerly sought his attention.
During lunch, Ai retreated to her usual spot beneath the cherry blossom tree. The petals fluttered around her, a stark contrast to the turmoil within. She opened her bento box, but the food remained untouched.
"Mind if I join you?" Aoi's voice broke the silence.
Ai looked up, surprised. "It's a free country," she replied coolly.
He sat beside her, the space between them charged with unspoken words.
"Why transfer here?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Aoi shrugged. "Felt like a change."
Ai scoffed. "You always did like stirring the pot."
He leaned back, gazing at the sky. "And you always liked pretending nothing affected you."
Their conversation was interrupted by Yuki, who approached hesitantly. "Hey, Ai. I was wondering if you'd like to join the student council. They're looking for new members, and I think you'd be a great fit."
Ai considered it. "I'll think about it."
Yuki nodded, sensing the tension, and left.
Aoi raised an eyebrow. "Student council? That's new."
Ai smirked. "Maybe I'm trying something different."
He chuckled. "Just don't forget who you are."
She met his gaze. "I haven't. Have you?"
Flashback — Three Years Ago
The auditorium buzzed with anticipation. Students filled the rows, their chatter echoing off the high ceilings. At the center of the stage stood Ai Tsubasa, her hands clenched tightly around a microphone. Beside her, Aoi adjusted his tie, his usual confidence replaced by a rare hint of nervousness.
They were about to perform a duet for the school's annual talent show—a piece they had composed together. Music had always been their shared sanctuary, a place where words weren't necessary.
As the spotlight illuminated them, Ai took a deep breath, her voice steady as she began to sing. Aoi joined in, their harmonies intertwining seamlessly. The audience was captivated, the room silent except for their voices.
But as the final note lingered, applause erupted, and Ai's gaze met Aoi's. In that moment, something shifted. The bond they shared through music felt strained, as if the stage had become a battleground rather than a haven.
Backstage, Aoi broke the silence.
"You took the spotlight," he said, his tone accusatory.
Ai frowned. "It was our performance."
"But they only saw you."
The words hung between them, heavy with unspoken resentment. That night marked the beginning of their estrangement, a rift that would widen over the years.
Back in the present, Ai sat beneath the cherry blossom tree, the memory still vivid. The petals drifted around her, a gentle reminder of times past. She clenched her fists, determination hardening her resolve.
"I won't lose this time," she whispered.
From a distance, Aoi watched her, his expression unreadable. The past had shaped them, but the future was theirs to define.