Some distances are never created by footsteps.
But by shortening glances… and a heart that no longer looks for anyone's eyes.
Monday morning.
No rain.
But the sky hung heavy—like a reflection of an emotion too vague to name.
Acxell Ayasaka leaned against the second-floor corridor wall, hands in his pockets.
The school moved like usual.
But inside his chest, something refused to stay still.
[Bond Analysis: Yuriko Hanekawa]
[Resonance: Weakening]
[Emotional Sync: Slipping]
[Alert: External Interference Suspected]
[System Lock Active — No Source Identified]
He knew.
It wasn't paranoia.
It wasn't aimless dread.
Even the system confirmed it—
Yuriko was slipping away.
And the worst part?
He didn't know why.
Footsteps approached from behind.
A cheerful voice chimed in:
"Morning, Acxell‑kun!"
Selena Hoshigaki.
Loose uniform.
Hair half‑tied.
That ever‑bright expression.
Same as always.
But right now… Acxell couldn't focus on her.
He gave a faint smile—just polite.
"Yo."
"You okay? You look kinda… pale?"
Acxell didn't answer right away.
He turned to glance at Class 2‑B — the sliding door half open.
Through the gap, he saw Yuriko.
Sitting in her usual seat.
But…
Her face was turned toward the window.
Not him.
Not anyone.
A single earphone in her left ear.
The right one left dangling.
A signal: she still wanted space…
but maybe didn't know what she wanted anymore.
"Acxell‑kun?" Selena repeated.
"I'm fine."
He pushed himself off the wall and walked into the classroom.
Selena followed—her steps slower.
Inside the classroom.
Everything looked the same.
But other students quickly avoided eye contact as Acxell entered.
They were used to his presence.
But today… his aura felt different.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Just—
empty.
[Lilith System: Passive Aura Leak – Detected]
[Reason: Emotional Conflict Suppressed]
[Warning: You are leaking SYSTEM PRESENCE unconsciously]
"...Hmph."
He sat down.
Eyes fixed on Yuriko — two rows ahead, one seat to the right.
She didn't turn.
Didn't speak.
It wasn't until lunch break that something finally shifted.
Yuriko stood, grabbed her bento box.
But she didn't walk toward Acxell like usual.
She…
...walked straight out.
Acxell stood by reflex.
But before he could say anything—
"Eh… Hanekawa‑san?"
"You're not eating with us today?"
The voice wasn't his.
Shiro.
He appeared from the back.
Polite.
Soft‑footed.
Wearing that sympathetic face that, in silence, made Acxell's fists curl.
Yuriko stopped.
"Ah… Shiro‑kun."
She smiled.
Not too friendly.
But not rejecting.
"Mind keeping me company for a bit?" Shiro asked, gently.
Yuriko paused.
Her eyes didn't even glance toward Acxell.
> "...Sure."
And they walked off together.
[Bond: Yuriko – Sharp Dip]
[Status: Fragment Stress Detected]
[Potential Disruption – High]
Acxell sat back down—slowly.
Inside, his system began to hum—
a soft systemic warning.
But more painful than that…
Was the weight on his tongue.
Because no words seemed sharp enough
to fight a loss that hadn't even become a loss yet.
At her desk, Selena sat silently.
Head lowered slightly.
No smile.
No voice.
"I don't know why she's not mad."
"Maybe she thinks this isn't her battle…"
[Lilith System: Trigger Sync – Suppressed]
[Player Status: PASSIVE MODE]
[Internal Suggestion: Seek Manual Quest from System]
"Lilith… help me.
I don't understand what's happening."
But Lilith didn't answer.
Because Lilith…
was still watching.
And hadn't yet decided
when it was time
to step back in.