The next morning came quietly.
The storm had passed, but the sky remained wrapped in a soft gray blanket, drizzle tapping against the lodge windows.
Haruto blinked awake, rubbing his eyes. The faint smell of coffee and pancakes drifted from the dining hall. Most of the class was still asleep — exhausted from ghost stories and rain.
He stretched, slipped on his jacket, and decided to grab an early breakfast.
When he stepped into the dining area, he froze.
Aoi was already there — sitting by the window, chin resting on her hands, watching the rain.
Her hair was tied up messily, a few strands framing her sleepy face. She looked peaceful in a way Haruto had never seen before.
"Morning," he said softly.
She looked up, eyes brightening. "Oh—Haruto-kun! You're up early."
"So are you," he said, walking over. "Couldn't sleep?"
She laughed quietly. "You'd think I'd be tired after all that ghost panic, right? But nope. I woke up at sunrise for some reason."
He chuckled, sitting across from her. "You're weird."
"I prefer mysterious."
---
The dining hall was nearly empty — just the sound of rain and a sleepy kitchen staff preparing breakfast.
Aoi yawned, pouring herself some coffee. "Want some?"
"Sure," he said.
She slid the cup toward him with a teasing smile. "Careful, it's hot. Like me."
He gave her a deadpan look. "You're unbearable in the morning."
"And yet here you are," she said, smirking.
He took a sip, pretending not to smile. "You talk too much before 8 a.m."
"And you act too cool before caffeine."
They both laughed softly, the kind of quiet laughter that felt easy — like they'd done it a hundred times before.
---
After a while, Aoi leaned her cheek against her hand, gazing out the window.
"You know," she said, "I used to hate rainy days."
"Why?"
"They always made me feel stuck. Like time wasn't moving."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah… I get that."
"But this morning," she continued, smiling faintly, "it feels different. Like it's okay for things to slow down once in a while."
Haruto glanced at her — her reflection soft in the fogged-up glass.
"You really are weird," he said quietly.
"Again, mysterious," she corrected, sticking her tongue out.
He shook his head, smiling. "If you say so."
---
The kitchen staff began setting out breakfast trays — warm bread, eggs, and pancakes that filled the air with sweetness.
Aoi perked up instantly. "Food!"
"Now that's the Aoi I know."
They grabbed their plates and sat back down.
Halfway through breakfast, Aoi suddenly laughed.
"What?" Haruto asked.
She smiled. "Remember when we first met? You wouldn't even talk to me unless I cornered you after class."
He groaned. "Don't remind me."
"You were so serious," she said, grinning. "Like a mini old man."
He sighed. "And you were loud. Like a walking megaphone."
"Still am," she said proudly.
He smiled. "Yeah… I noticed."
Their eyes met for a moment — quiet, soft, and just long enough for Aoi to look away, cheeks faintly pink.
---
Then she mumbled, "Hey, Haruto-kun?"
"Yeah?"
"If… if I wasn't loud and annoying all the time, do you think we'd still be friends?"
He blinked. "Why are you asking that?"
"I dunno. Just thinking." She played with her spoon, tracing circles on the table. "You're calm, I'm chaos. Sometimes I wonder if I just… get in your way."
Haruto stared at her for a moment, the rain whispering softly in the background.
Then he said quietly, "You don't get in my way. You make things brighter."
She looked up, eyes wide. "I… do?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling a little. "Without you, school would be boring. I'd probably still be sitting alone, pretending to care about math homework."
She laughed softly, that kind of laugh that came straight from her chest. "Wow. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"I know," he said. "Don't get used to it."
She grinned. "Too late. I'm cherishing it forever."
---
They sat in silence for a while after that — the rain still falling gently, steam rising from their coffee cups.
Then Aoi leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her arms.
"Haruto-kun?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm really glad we're friends."
He smiled. "Yeah… me too."
But inside, his heart whispered something quieter — something he wasn't ready to say out loud yet.
---
Later, when the others finally stumbled into the dining hall, noisy and hungry, Haruto and Aoi were still sitting there, side by side, smiling at nothing in particular.
And though neither said it, both knew this morning — the warmth, the laughter, the sound of rain — would stick with them for a long time.