The morning air was crisp outside the school gates.
Kasumi held her bag tightly, as if trying to hide her racing heartbeat.
A light voice came from behind.
"Good morning."
Kasumi turned.
Yeamori stood there, smiling softly as always.
"Good morning, Yeamori."
Without hesitation, Yeamori placed a hand on her shoulder.
"So? Tell me. What did you do the last three days?"
Kasumi's eyes flickered with hesitation, suddenly thought echo his mind.
How do I tell her… that I went hiking with Shion?
I haven't even told her I like him yet.
Her mind replayed that moment—the train ride, when Shion's head rested against her shoulder. Her heart thumped harder.
"N-Nothing much," Kasumi said quickly, looking away. "I just… visited my parents."
Yeamori's sharp eyes caught the blush spreading on her cheeks.
"Really? Then why's your face turning red again?"
Kasumi groaned in frustration.
"Ughhh…" She stormed ahead toward the classroom.
Yeamori watched her go, puzzled.
This girl only acts like that around Shion… but he's not even here right now. Then why is she—?
Classroom
Kasumi pushed the door open with hurried steps. Her eyes immediately found him—
Shion, sitting by the window in the last row, watching birds outside.
For a moment, the world seemed to still.
Her stress melted away.
But the calm atmosphere shifted when Ren leaned over Shion's desk.
"Hey, Shion. I gotta ask you something."
"Go on," Shion replied, voice flat as always.
"During the fight… your reflexes were crazy fast. Think you could teach me?"
Shion didn't explain much.
"Just train your eyes. Rotate them in four directions. Your vision will sharpen."
Ren's eyes lit up.
"Ohh… okay, thanks bro."
Kasumi quietly slipped into her seat, heart lighter just from watching.
For her, simply seeing him there was enough comfort.
When the final bell rang…
Evening – School Gate
Kasumi stood near the gate, eyes flicking toward the entrance again and again. She was clearly waiting for someone.
Yeamori noticed from inside, but Kasumi didn't realize.
Ren walked up.
"Yo, Yeamori. What's up? Waiting for your ex or something?"
"Shut up, idiot. Get over here."
Both crouched quietly near the gate, watching Kasumi.
Ren blinked.
"Wait… that's Kasumi? Not an ex."
Yeamori's mind was already spinning.
Kasumi's been waiting like this for days. Who could it be?
Just then, Souta appeared behind them.
"What are you two plotting?"
They jumped.
"Geez, President! Don't sneak up like a ghost!" Ren complained.
Yeamori quickly explained the situation. Souta thought for a moment, then gave an order.
"Stay quiet. Take positions. Let's see who she's waiting for."
Soon, all of them were watching in secret—Ren, Souta, Yeamori, and even Youri, who had suddenly appeared.
Ren nearly choked.
"Wait—when did Youri get here?!"
Souta replied flatly.
"That's not the question, Egret."
At the school gates, the air buzzed with the chatter of students leaving for the day.
Just inside the gate, Souta stood with Ren, Yeamori, and Youri. Their voices were casual, but their eyes weren't — each one stealing glances toward the outside.
Because just beyond the gate, Kasumi Hoshino waited.
Her fingers fidgeted nervously with the strap of her bag, her eyes drifting now and then to the entrance. She tried to appear calm, but the hope in her expression was impossible to hide.
From inside, Souta's squad quietly observed her. Their gazes followed every move she made, as if on silent watch.
And then—
Shion Amano walked out.
Kasumi's eyes lit up.
"Shion!"
He stopped.
"Kasumi… you?"
She hesitated. "I just…—"
But Shion cut her off.
"You don't have to wait for me like this."
Kasumi's lips curved into a small smile.
"But I like it… being with you."
Behind the gate, the hidden group strained to hear.
"Damn it, I can't hear a thing," Ren whispered.
"Same here," Souta admitted.
Yeamori glared at them.
"Are you two stupid? They're speaking softly, of course you can't hear."
Ren smirked.
"Well, I don't know about me, but Souta-senpai's definitely slow."
Smack! Souta's fist landed on his head.
"Good one, junior."
Before Ren or Youri could respond, Kasumi and Shion walked off together.
"Let's follow them!" Ren urged.
Souta shook his head.
"No. Leave them alone."
And the others obeyed.
Next Morning – Classroom
The teacher's say sharply.
"Final exams start Monday. Subject-wise breakdown has already been sent to your groups. Be prepared."
The classroom exploded with whispers. Students flipped pages frantically, some panicking.
Ren wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Exams are literally the one thing that ruins my life."
"Shut up, he's watching you," his friend whispered.
The teacher's glare snapped to him.
"Ren. If you don't rank well this time, I'll personally send a complaint to your father."
Ren forced a stiff smile, standing.
"O-Okay sir… I'll aim for Top 10."
The teacher's face softened slightly.
"Good. That's the spirit, Ren Fujimiya."
As soon as he left, the class burst into laughter.
"Did you hear that? Ren said Top 10!"
"Way out of his league!"
Ren made a silly face.
"Hey, what can I say… sometimes you gotta act."
The laughter grew louder.
Library – Afternoon
The library air was quiet, filled only with the sound of turning pages.
Shion sat at a corner desk, notes perfectly aligned. Four highlighters arranged neatly in a row.
Kasumi approached softly, sitting across from him.
"Hey… you're revising your notes?"
He lifted his eyes briefly.
"Yeah."
"Do you… already remember everything?"
"Four days ago."
Kasumi let out a small laugh.
"Figures. You're just…" She trailed off.
Silence lingered for a moment. Only the shuffle of papers.
Finally, she asked shyly,
"Will you… teach me a bit? It might help."
Shion slid a notebook toward her without hesitation.
"Here. Read this. It'll help."
Her cheeks warmed.
"Thanks, Shion."
---Chapter 17 end---