Next day. Same road. Same tired faces.
After the first period, the teacher walks in with a suspicious grin on her face. She taps the board lightly, grabbing everyone's attention.
"We will be heading on a study tour this weekend," she announces, clapping her hands together. "It's a three-day trip,seniors and juniors included."
Gasps ripple through the classroom. A few students sit up straighter. Someone in the back lets out a dramatic, "LETS GOOOO!"
"We'll be staying at a seaside hotel," the teacher continues, clearly loving the chaos. "Day one is a museum visit, day two we hit the beach, and day three we attend a local festival where you can buy souvenirs. So pack smart, bring sunscreen, and yes, there will be a curfew."
Ami rests her chin on her palm, tuning out the chaos.
[Seaside hotel. Museum. Beach. Festival. Same itinerary as last time]
Her gaze flicks to Soha, hunched over her notebook in the corner. The girl's pencil hovers over a half-written sentence:
(Guess I'll be alone on this trip too…)
Ami nudges her desk. "I'll be with you."
Soha flinches. "Is this a prank?"
"Nah." Ami smirks. "Just hate watching people eat alone. It's depressing."
[Period 3: History Class]
Which, obviously, means it's the perfect time to vanish.
Ami slides her pen into her pocket and quietly steps out, her absence going completely unnoticed.
She climbs the staircase two floors up and pushes open the rooftop door.
The wind greets her like an old friend.
The sky is blue, not a cloud in sight. The sun isn't too harsh. It almost feels... fake.
She walks to the far end, finds the same sun-warmed bench she used to sit on. A familiar spot from a different life.
Ami exhales deeply.
"Let me breathe"she whispers.
She closes her eyes. And soon, sleep takes her.
[Sometime later]
Dio isn't sure why he's ditching class again.
Maybe he just wants some peace. Maybe he's hoping to bump into that weird girl from yesterday.
He steps onto the rooftop, then pauses.
" No way."
There she is again.
Sleeping. Her body leaning a little too far to the side.
"Oi, you're seriously gonna fall."
His body moves without thinking. He rushes over just in time to catch her head before it hits the bench rail.
Her cheek lands on his shoulder. And before he can even react...
She slides down and ends up with her head in his lap.
Dio just stares at the sky.
"God... if this is some kind of test, I'm failing."
He looks down at her. Her face is calm. Her lashes long. She looks too soft for someone who talks with that much attitude.
"You... really are something," he mutters.
[A few minutes pass]
Ami stirs in her sleep. Her hand reaches up and gently touches his cheek.
"Dio... I'm sorry... I couldn't save you... Trust me, I wanted to hold you more, kiss you more, stay beside you more..."
A tear slips from her closed eyes and lands on his hand.
Dio short-circuits.
"Did she just say 'kiss'?!"
He squints down at her.
"HUH??? What do you mean?!"
She blinks rapidly and jolts upright.
"Wait... you're real?!"
"Uh, yeah? Do I look fake?"
She glances at his lap, blush flooding her face.
"Wha-why are you here?!"
"Same reason as you," he shrugs. "Bunking class. Needed air. But I swear, you were about to fall and I kinda just… moved on instinct."
Ami crosses her arms, trying to act annoyed, but her face is red.
Dio smirks. "So... what was that about kissing me?" (While grabbing her hands...)
She snatches her hand away. "You're not allowed to give me butterflies again. And you wouldn't understand."
Then she bolts.
Dio watches her go, eyes wide.
"Butterflies?? What does that even mean?!"
He rests his head back on the bench.
"This girl… she's a full-on mystery box with bonus puzzles."