The last bell had long rung, but I wasn't moving.
Kai and Aki were already gone, the classroom half-empty with only a few stragglers packing up. The chatter outside the window faded as clubs called their members, sneakers squeaked down the hall, doors slammed shut.
But me? I stayed in my seat, eyes locked on her.
Saki Hoshino.
The woman who had died in my arms. The girl who had promised to "be back."
And now here she was flesh, blood, curves, and all stacking books like she hadn't just flipped my whole world upside down.
She didn't glance my way. Not once. Not even a flicker. Like I was just another student in the room, not the guy who'd seen her vanish into thin air.
My fists curled under the desk. My heartbeat was hammering in my ears, louder than the damn cicadas outside.
The last student left, the door sliding shut behind him.
Silence.
It was just me and her now.
And I wasn't letting her walk away.
"Oi."
My voice cut the silence like a blade.
