Morning light filtered through the classroom windows, carrying a faint smell of chalk and disinfectant. Tetsuo sat at his desk, his pencil resting against the page without moving.
His eyes remained directed forward, but they did not follow the writing on the board. His breathing stayed slow and even as his thoughts returned to Tomoe, lingering on the memory of her expression from earlier.
Around him, papers shifted and voices murmured, their sounds dull and indistinct as they faded into the background.
"Tetsuo, are you feeling alright?"
Hayami moved down the aisle toward his desk, the sharp clicks of her heels tapping against the floor in steady rhythm. She stopped beside him, her shadow falling across the edge of his notebook as she leaned slightly forward.
"Kawaguchi, are you hearing me?"
There was a brief pause. Tetsuo blinked once, then turned his head slightly toward her.
"Oh… yes. I must have dozed off for a moment."
His voice stayed flat and even.
"Alright, if that's the case. Make sure you're getting enough rest."
Hayami straightened, the fabric of her jacket shifting softly as she drew back a step.
"Yes. I'm sleeping well."
Tetsuo turned his head forward again, his expression unchanged as his eyes settled on the board.
Sachiko, seated nearby, kept her attention on him. A faint crease formed between her brows, and her lips pressed together. When he looked outside the window, her eyes remained on him for a moment longer, the concern staying with her without being voiced.
The bell rang sharply. The scraping of chairs and chatter filled the room. Tetsuo stood, moving to the door with quick, measured steps.
He slowed as he drew closer to Rie who was on her way to the hallway. "Matsuoka." His voice remained low and even, his gaze steady as it rested on her back.
Rie slowed and came to a stop. She turned halfway, her fingers closing around her elbow as her gaze dropped to the floor. "O… oh, you're Kawa—guchi." Her shoulders drew in slightly. "Um… is there something you need?"
Tetsuo stopped a short distance from her. His posture remained straight, his hands still at his sides. "Do you read often?"
His gaze stayed level. "I notice you sometimes have a book during break."
Rie blinked once. Her fingers tightened against the edge of her sleeve.Y—yes. Her voice stayed low, almost unsteady.
"There is a Literature Club." His voice stayed even. "If you are interested… you can join."
Rie's posture stiffened. Her eyes shifted briefly toward the doorway before lowering to the floor. …I didn't know it was… still accepting members. The words left her softly, almost contained.
A brief silence settled between them. Rie gave a small nod, her movement restrained. "I am busy with the newspaper club… and my duties as class representative."
Her voice stayed quiet. "But… I will think about it."
Tetsuo inclined his head slightly. "Alright." He turned toward the doorway.
Behind him, the scrape of a chair echoed against the floor, followed by quick footsteps. Noboru's shoulders stiffened, and his eyes narrowed as he kept pace.
"Come on… again with this crap? Where are you running off to?"
His voice rose slightly, carrying over the faint murmur of students in the hallway. Tetsuo paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on Noboru. His expression remained calm and unreadable.
After a brief stillness, he turned and walked away, his steps quiet against the floor.
"At least answer me!"
Noboru stepped forward, his fingers curling slightly at his sides, eyes narrowing as he followed Tetsuo's retreat.
"Stop."
Makoto stretched one arm, a slow yawn escaping him. He leaned back slightly in his chair, eyes half-lidded, the other hand holding a curry bread.
"Give him some space. He's been… off since yesterday. And… staying close to someone like you must be annoying."
He shifted his posture, taking a bite of his bread without looking up. Noboru turned sharply, his fists tightening at his sides. His jaw shifted slightly, and his eyes fixed on Makoto.
"What… did you say?"
Makoto finally lifted his eyes, his gaze calm but cool.
"Take your nonsense somewhere else. Can't you see I am… eating."
Naomi released a quiet breath and shook her head once, her ponytail shifting lightly against her shoulder. Her eyes slid toward Noboru, unimpressed.
"Honestly, Noboru… you provoke everyone."
She crossed her arms loosely, her weight settling onto one hip. "One day, someone will teach you a lesson."
Sachiko kept her gaze on Tetsuo as he walked away, her fingers lightly resting on the edge of her desk.
"Naomi…is it just me or today, Tetsuo… is he acting strange?"
Her voice stayed low, careful, as she tilted her head slightly. Naomi raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk appearing at the corner of her lips.
"Not really. But… you seem worried. Could it be… you like him?"
Her tone carried a teasing lift, but her posture remained relaxed, arms loose at her sides.
"That's not it."
Sachiko's looks down on her desk. "He just… seems more distant than usual."
Tetsuo's steps remained steady as he moved through the corridors, his breathing calm and controlled. He reached the literature clubroom and slid the door open, the hinges giving a light creak.
The room was empty. The shelves stood bare, and the faint smell of old paper was no longer there.
I expected this.
The words left him quietly, without any change in his expression or tone. He turned and headed toward Class 2-O.
When he stepped inside, students were gathered in small clusters. Some leaned close to one another, voices lowered. Others paused and looked up as he passed. Their gazes followed him, lingering with quiet interest.
"Poor guy."
A boy bent closer to his friend, his mouth barely moving as his eyes flicked toward Tetsuo.
"He doesn't realize… she has him under control."
A girl seated nearby let her lips curve slightly, her chin lifting as she leaned back against her chair. Her fingers tapped once against her desk, slow and deliberate.
"To trap someone from the basketball team…"
Her eyes slid sideways, lingering. "And the shooting guard, at that."
She drew in a quiet breath through her nose before continuing, her voice lowered. "She even destroyed her brother's future."
A faint pause followed. "That girl… is cursed."
Tetsuo's eyes moved across the room once, steady and unreactive, passing over the clusters of desks and lowered voices. Tomoe wasn't there.
Near the far side of the room, he noticed Liam standing beside a desk, his posture relaxed as he leaned slightly closer to a girl. Liam's expression was open and bright, his movements easy. His fingers brushed lightly along the girl's arm, the contact brief and unhurried.
"Your skin is very smooth," his voice carried a cheerful warmth. He tilted his head, eyes widening a little as he looked at her more closely. "What do you use? It smells really nice."
"Stay away from me."
The girl yanked her arm back, her chair scraping as she stepped away. Her hand swung up as she slapped his hand aside.
Another girl nearby shifted in her seat, a small breath leaving her nose as her shoulders lifted slightly. The corners of her mouth curved as she glanced between them, her tone light despite the situation.
"Relax a little, Ume."
She lifted one hand in a small, dismissive motion. "He's only being kind. Where he comes from… it isn't something unusual."
Ume leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Liam.
"I don't care."
Her voice stayed sharp, clipped. "It's still…weird."
Liam leaned slightly forward, his height towering over her. His lips curved into a broad, easy smile.
"Come on… tell me your secrets."
The girl stepped back, her body stiffening, eyes widening as she tried to keep her balance beneath his presence.
"Liam,"
The word left Tetsuo quietly, flat, without any change in expression or tone. Liam turned, surprise flickering for a moment before his usual grin returned.
"Oh, Tetsuo! What's up? What are you doing here?"
Tetsuo's gaze swept the room briefly, settling on the empty seats. His hands remained at his sides, his body still, posture straight.
"I'm looking for Tomoe Yukimura… is she here today?"
His voice was low, measured, carrying neither urgency nor emotion. Liam nodded once, his curls bouncing slightly with the motion.
"Yes."
His smile stayed easy as he tilted his head, eyes turning toward the hallway. "I think she is in the library now. I saw her walking there with some books."
Tetsuo inclined his head in a shallow bow, then turned toward the doorway. As he took his first step, a voice reached him from nearby. Hayato straightened slightly where he stood, his eyes following Tetsuo.
"I didn't know… you knew Tomoe."
Tetsuo stopped. His head turned slightly, his eyes settling on Hayato.
"Do you know her… personally?"
Hayato shook his head slightly, his shoulders shifting as he exhaled.
"Not really. I haven't spoken with her much."
His gaze drifted briefly to the floor before lifting again. "After I got injured...I missed a lot. I knew her older brother… Hiroki Yukimura. He was on the basketball team."
"I see."
Without another word, Tetsuo walked out.
The library smelled faintly of polished wood and paper. A thin layer of dust caught the light near the windows. The room was quiet except for the soft shuffle of pages.
Students at nearby tables watched him enter, their whispers low but sharp. Tetsuo's lips parted slightly, his breath steady.
"Yukimura."
Tomoe's shoulders stiffened for a moment. Her eyes flicked up, then returned to the pages.
"Oh… it's you, Kawaguchi."
Her gaze stayed on the book, avoiding his eyes. Tetsuo's eyes lingered on the quiet rows of books. His posture remained still, shoulders relaxed.
"Why is the club vacant? I thought you wanted to revive it."
A quiet stillness hung in the library.
"Well… you see…"
Her fingers moved to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, steadying slightly as her voice carried a faint hesitation. Her shoulders shifted slightly, fingers brushing the edge of a shelf.
"I… voluntarily disbanded the club."
A brief pause followed, her hands resting lightly against the table.
"There was no point… no one would join."
Her eyes lowered to the neatly arranged shelves.
"So… my books are all here."
Her fingers tapped one lightly.
"…so I can come here whenever I please."
Her lips pressed together as she adjusted her glasses. "…to read… in silence."
Her fingers pressed lightly against the edges of her book, held firmly.
"That's what I thought. However… the stares from those students…"
Her shoulders shifted slightly, posture controlled. "…make me feel uncomfortable."
"Then… if you do not feel comfortable here," Tetsuo paused, shoulders relaxed. "…why not come to the basketball court instead? You could read there… during lunch or after school."
A brief tilt of his head. "…and… watch us play as well."
He remained still, eyes level and unchanging.
"I cannot promise that no one will bother you."
A pause, shoulders relaxed.
"But...they are good people."
Her shoulders shifted, relaxing just a little.
"You're right…maybe I will come after school… to read."
A small, controlled lift of her lips, almost a smile, lingered briefly.
The final bell echoed through the hallway. Students packed their bags and slung straps over their shoulders.
Noboru straightened, arms stretching above his head. A short exhale escaped him.
"…Finally. I thought class would never end."
He shifted his weight, fingers brushing the straps of his bag. "…Time to shoot some hoops."
Shino stepped after him, footsteps light and measured. A small curve touched his lips.
"…Yes. I am looking forward to training."
Makoto stretched his arms slowly, a yawn escaping. He slung his bag over one shoulder, shoulders sagging slightly.
"…Nanaho's training will be intense. I may need to skip class to recover."
Noboru leaned back slightly, a self-satisfied tilt to his chin.
"…You should be smart like me…I stayed awake the entire class. Take your studies seriously, you slug."
Makoto gave him a bored look. "Says the guy who can't remember a single formula."
Noboru stiffened. "Say that again!"
Shino stepped between them. "He's not wrong, Noboru. Don't get so worked up."
"What? Shut up, amateur. I wasn't talking to you." Noboru's voice turned sharp.
"Hey, didn't you stop calling me that?"
"Wait—where's Tetsuo?" Noboru glanced around. "He already left? Is he that eager for training?"
"Or maybe he just wants to get away from the noise you're making," Makoto muttered.
"Don't make me strangle you," Noboru growled.
Meanwhile, in her classroom, Tomoe sat rigid as whispers filled the room. The sharp glances and quiet laughter pressed on her. She lowered her head to the desk, hiding her face.
Then the door slid open. Tetsuo walked in. He didn't speak. He simply took her hand and guided her out.
Near the basketball court, Tetsuo stopped. His footsteps ceased, posture steady.
"Yukimura."
His gaze remained level. "…Do not let what they say reach you."
A brief pause. "…We know it is not true."
"Yes," she whispered. "I'll… try to stay strong."
Nanaho clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone's here." She glanced around. "Wait—where's Tetsuo? Has anyone seen him?"
"He left before us," Noboru replied.
Yukio shifted his weight, arms folding loosely.
"…Then we will start without him."
His gaze lifted, fixing on the court entrance. "…Oh. There he is."
Hayato's eyes widened slightly. "…And he is with Yukimura."
Tetsuo guided Tomoe toward the bench, stopping beside it. His hand lifted briefly, indicating the seat.
"…You can sit here."
Tomoe lowered herself onto the bench, smoothing her skirt.
"…Thank you."
Her eyes moved across the court, following the familiar lines on the floor and the hoops. The sounds of shoes against wood and distant voices settled into place.
This place… has not changed much.
Her gaze lingered, memories surfacing quietly—standing off to the side, watching her brother train, the rhythm of practice repeating itself just as it had back then.
Noboru stopped short, eyes narrowing as he looked between them.
"…Where have you been?"
His brow creased. "…We have been waiting ten minutes."
His gaze shifted to Tomoe, lingering a moment. "…And who is that girl?"
Nanaho turned slightly, her voice even.
"…That is Tomoe Yukimura."
A brief pause. "…Hiroki's younger sister."
Tetsuo's gaze remained forward, his posture unchanged.
"…I thought so."
A brief pause. "…Then you know the rumors as well."
Nanaho inclined her head once, her expression settling into something firm.
"…Yes."
Her lips pressed together slightly. "…It is one of the main topics among the older students."
She exhaled quietly. "…But they are lies. They were spread to damage her reputation."
Noboru's brow furrowed, his mouth pulling to one side.
"…I don't get it."
Nanaho turned toward him, her gaze firm.
"…Do not involve yourself in matters that are not yours."
Tetsuo kept his eyes forward, shoulders still.
"…She will stay here after school to read."
His voice did not rise or fall.
"…She will not distract anyone."
Nanaho watched him for a moment, then her shoulders eased. The tightness in her brow loosened, and a small curve formed at her lips.
"…That is fine."
She gave a short nod.
"…She is welcome here anytime."
Liam walked over, curiosity in his eyes. "Wow, she's really cute now that I can see her up close." He reached out and touched her cheek.
Tomoe froze. Her fingers stiffened around the edges of her book, the paper crinkling slightly under her grip. A faint tremor ran through her shoulders as her breathing grew shallow. Her gaze flicked away, unfocused, landing somewhere on the floor as if searching for an escape.
For an instant, her mind flickered to a memory she didn't want—a hand reaching toward her face, a voice she once trusted twisting into something threatening, the weight of realization that she wasn't safe. Her stomach tightened.
Tetsuo spoke without raising his voice.
"Liam."
His eyes settled on him.
"…Don't do that."
Liam blinked and pulled his hand back. His lips curved slightly. "Ah… sorry."
Tomoe's grip on the book tightened further, her knuckles paling. A cold sweat prickled the back of her neck, and her shoulders hunched inward as though she wanted to make herself smaller, less noticeable. Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out—just a soft exhale that trembled with unease.