Saki had thought at least one class would get canceled.
But it didn't.
The moment Principal Takeshi stepped out of the classroom—just as the door was about to close—the bell rang.
That's it…? Saki thought.
Still wondering who the project had come from, she felt an unsettling gaze settle between her shoulders. Instinctively, she looked up.
Yusuke.
He was staring straight at her as he left the room. Hana walked beside him. As they moved down the hallway side by side, Yusuke's eyes never once left Saki.
Why…?
Trying to make sense of that strange look, Saki watched as the classroom slowly emptied. She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed toward her next class.
---
When she entered, Hiroki and Miyuki were whispering about something. The teacher had already arrived.
Before sitting down, Saki bowed slightly to both of them.
"Thank you…"
Her voice was barely audible.
They heard it—but neither understood why she was saying it. They exchanged a brief glance.
What is she talking about?
The moment Saki sat down, the pressure in her chest eased, replaced by a quiet happiness.
She was excited.
She fiddled with her pen, watched the hour and minute hands crawl across the clock, counting every passing second. A small smile appeared on her face without her noticing.
The class ended.
The teacher assigned homework, the bell rang, and everyone began to leave.
Miyuki immediately went over to Hiroki. He had opened his notebook and was silently reading something.
Saki crossed her arms and watched them.
When Hiroki finished reading, Miyuki couldn't hold it in.
"Woooow… This is really good, Hiroki. Even I'm impressed."
She was supposed to say it quietly—but failed miserably.
Saki's eyebrows furrowed instantly.
I wasn't going to get mad just because of the project… she thought. But this… this is too much.
She took a deep breath.
Let it go, Saki…
Forcing herself to calm down, she walked over to them.
Gratitude was written all over her face.
"You're in a really good mood today, Saki," Miyuki said. "Honestly, I thought you'd be angry at me."
"Why would I be angry at you?" Saki asked, confused.
Miyuki gestured toward Hiroki with her eyes.
"You know… about yesterday's project."
Saki froze.
"Didn't you put that project under my desk?"
"What project?" Saki asked. Her voice hung in the air.
She frowned. Her mind was racing, but nothing fit together.
"Are you seriously telling me you submitted that terrible project for the presidency?"
Hiroki stepped in.
"What are you two talking about?"
"Then… who put a completed project under my desk?"
Miyuki laughed.
"I think you're starting to lose it, Saki."
"What project are you talking about?"
"Saki's project."
Hiroki's curiosity deepened.
"Are you going to explain what happened yesterday?"
Saki knew exactly what Miyuki was about to say.
Please… don't.
But it was too late.
"She called me at eleven last night," Miyuki said. "She forgot about the project and asked for help. But honestly… we couldn't come up with anything great. When it didn't work out, she got a little emotional."
Hiroki chuckled softly.
"Then how did you end up submitting a project, Saki?"
Saki's shoulders slumped.
"I don't know."
"That's strange… Did you submit someone else's by mistake?"
"No. There was no name on it."
"Just because there's no name doesn't mean it doesn't belong to someone."
Miyuki laughed again.
"You thought it was ours, didn't you?"
Saki's cheeks flushed.
"By the way," she said, changing the subject, "Hiroki… you were writing something in your notebook. What was it?"
Miyuki cut in.
"Don't worry, Saki. You'll find out soon enough."
Just then, the bell rang again.
"I don't get it, but…" Saki muttered.
Miyuki returned to her seat without another word. Hiroki began packing up his books.
For now, Saki decided to let it go and sat back down.
---
This class dragged on endlessly.
The unknown weighed heavily on Saki's chest.
Did I accidentally submit someone else's project?
Then why was it under my desk?
When the bell rang and everyone stood up, Saki was still copying notes from the board.
Miyuki and Hiroki came over.
Hiroki, hands in his pockets, smiled.
"We're going to talk to the music teacher. Want to come?"
"I'm sorry," Saki said. "I'm still writing this down. I can't."
"Alright," Miyuki said. "Let's go."
They left the classroom together.
After they were gone, someone unexpected approached Saki.
They stood beside her desk, as if waiting for her to finish writing.
Saki noticed—but pretended not to.
When she placed her pen in the middle of her notebook, she looked up.
Her heart skipped.
Yusuke.
"Did you like it, Saki?"
"…Like what?"
"The thing you found under your desk."
Everything clicked into place.
"Don't tell me… you're the one who made that project?"
"Yes. I did."
"Did I submit it by mistake?"
"No. Don't you remember? I promised I'd help you."
Saki's voice hardened.
"I didn't need your help."
"I knew you couldn't do it without me. Hiroki wouldn't help you."
"How would you know that? I never asked you for help."
"I just kept my promise. Or maybe I was afraid you'd fail to become president and leave the club."
"If I had known it was yours, I wouldn't have submitted it."
"Then give up the presidency. Let Hana take it."
"Will you leave me alone, Yusuke?"
After a brief pause, he replied,
"Fine. I was expecting a thank you, but…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He turned away and walked back to Hana.
Saki sank into her seat, biting her nails.
Her mind was overflowing with questions.
Why did Yusuke do this?
What if there was a mistake in the project?
What had Hiroki been writing in his notebook?
The unknown slowly closed in around her.
And Saki could feel it—
the answers were drawing near.