Kai's room was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of the morning light slipping through the curtains. His head rested sideways on the pillow, hair slightly tousled from sleep, chest rising and falling in steady, peaceful rhythm.
He didn't stir. Not a twitch. Not a sound.
A gentle knock echoed at his door.
"Kai…?"
Nothing.
Another soft knock.
"Kai! Come on… don't make me drag you outta bed!"
Ayaka's voice carried a mix of teasing and impatience. Her hand hovered on the doorknob, then she pushed it open slightly.
The moment her eyes landed on him, her heart skipped a beat—again. The sight of him sleeping, hair falling messily across his forehead, eyelashes brushing lightly against his cheeks, chest rising and falling calmly… it made her chest tighten unexpectedly.
She quietly stepped inside, careful not to disturb him. The floorboards creaked faintly under her feet, and she froze for a second, afraid he might wake.
Kai's lips parted slightly as he murmured something unintelligible in his sleep, his hand twitching a little. She blinked, trying to look away, but her gaze kept drifting back.
How can someone look this… peaceful…?
Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly looked down, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. She had to pull herself together.
Clearing her throat softly, she took a step closer to his bed, then whispered,
"Kai… it's morning. You really need to get up…"
A small yawn escaped him, the only sign he was stirring. His hand stretched lazily across the bed, brushing the blanket, hair shifting as he rolled slightly onto his side.
Ayaka couldn't help but take a small step back, heart racing. Even this casual, sleepy stretch made him seem… unignorable.
She turned, pretending to adjust something on the shelf near the window, though every few seconds her eyes flicked back toward him. He remained quiet, almost like a painting, lost in the calm of the morning.
Finally, he stirred fully, blinking a few times as his sharp, half-lidded sleepy eyes met hers. His gaze softened unconsciously, still caught in that sleepy haze, making Ayaka's chest flutter.
Kai murmured,
"…Morning…"
His voice was rough, low, and just enough to make her cheeks burn hotter. She quickly looked away, whispering,
"Mom's calling you for breakfast…"
The bathroom tiles were cool beneath Kai's feet as he stepped in, the morning light streaming faintly through the frosted window. He turned the tap, letting water run over his hands before stepping into the shower. The warmth of the water cascaded over him, washing away sleep, clearing his mind, but something still lingered in the back of his thoughts—the photo from last night.
He tried to push it away as he washed, letting the familiar routine take over. After drying off, he ran a comb through his slightly damp hair, then changed into his usual school uniform: a crisp white shirt, neatly ironed, and dark slacks. Something about the uniform felt comforting yet grounding, a start of a normal day he desperately wanted to hold onto.
Downstairs, the smell of breakfast greeted him. The table was neatly set, Ayaka already seated, and Mr. Ishida reading the morning paper. The sunlight caught the silver cutlery, reflecting softly onto the plates of steaming rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and freshly sliced vegetables.
"Morning," Kai murmured, sliding into the seat beside Ayaka.
"Morning," she replied, glancing at him briefly before picking up her chopsticks.
Mrs. Ishida appeared shortly after, carrying additional dishes with a gentle smile, then sat down herself. "I hope you're hungry," she said softly.
The meal began. Chopsticks clinked lightly against bowls, murmurs of conversation filled the room, and for a while, everything felt normal. Kai ate steadily, though his mind occasionally drifted to the photograph, the badge, the faint name—Tenjou Auto Works.
"Everything alright, Kai? You seem… different today," Mrs. Ishida asked, tilting her head slightly.
Kai looked up briefly, catching her concerned eyes. He smiled faintly, brushing it off.
"Nothing happened. Just… tired, that's all."
She studied him for a moment longer but didn't press. The breakfast continued, warm and satisfying. Kai complimented the meal, just as he always did, and Ayaka echoed him, the simple joy of a home-cooked breakfast wrapping them in normalcy.
Soon, Mr. Ishida stood, collecting his briefcase.
"Got to head to the office. You two behave at school."
"Sure, Dad," Ayaka replied, helping him with the door.
Kai finished his last bite, sliding his plate aside. Together, he and Ayaka returned to their rooms to change into the full school uniform, the one with the blazer and school tie. It felt strange returning to it after the short break, but also familiar, grounding.
Once ready, they stepped out of the house together. The air carried the faint scent of morning blossoms, and the walk to school was quiet at first, the two moving side by side. Occasionally, their shoulders brushed, sending little jolts of warmth through both.
By the time they reached the school gates, the grounds were bustling. Students chattered in clusters, some sprinting late to their classes, others waving at friends.
Ayaka and Kai entered together. Despite their different schooling timelines—Ayaka having taken a year late, Kai a year early—they were in the same class this year, something that felt both odd and familiar.
"AYAKA! KAI!"
Voices shouted their names, and several friends, both girls and boys, rushed toward them. Everyone looked genuinely happy to see them back.
Some of the girls who always simped for Kai tried a little too hard. Their voices rose in exaggerated sweetness.
"Kai-kun! You're back! We missed you so much!"
Kai's face flushed. Words stumbled out, awkward stutters, small nervous chuckles.
"Y-yeah, th-thanks, um… good to see… y-you all…" 😅
Ayaka's gaze narrowed sharply. Her eyes snapped to those overly enthusiastic girls. In that moment, she wore a look so sharp, so psychopathic, that it could have frozen anyone in place. It was as if her eyes were saying: "Step away from him, now."
The girls' smiles faltered. Slowly, their exaggerated cheer faltered into a hurried, almost embarrassed "okay-okay!" They backed away, quick steps echoing across the corridor, faces flushed, glancing nervously at Ayaka's intense stare.
Kai blinked at Ayaka, slightly stunned.
Ayaka simply turned, adjusting her bag, walking into the classroom. Kai followed.
They took their seats beside each other, the familiar comfort of proximity making the start of the day feel less overwhelming. Their classmates whispered and giggled, a few still glancing curiously at the two.
The class teacher entered. A tall woman with glasses and a composed demeanor. She called the class to order, and soon the lecture began. Kai tried to focus, though fragments of the photograph, Tenjou Auto Works, and yesterday's events tugged at the edges of his mind.
Ayaka took notes diligently beside him, occasionally glancing at his face with that subtle mixture of curiosity and quiet protectiveness that she always carried around him.
For a while, the class proceeded as usual. Simple arithmetic, literature notes, history snippets—things that allowed the room to settle into routine. The chatter dimmed, pencils moved across paper, and the sunlight through the windows shifted slowly across the desks.
Kai's mind wandered occasionally, trying to push thoughts of the photograph away, focusing instead on the teacher's words. But every so often, he found himself stealing a glance at Ayaka, and she would catch it, just for a moment, before returning her attention to her notes.
The morning carried on like this. Familiar, ordinary, yet underneath it, a quiet tension lingered—Kai's unease at the photograph, Ayaka's watchful, protective instincts, and the subtle, unspoken bond that connected the two of them.
The bell for lunch break rang after some continuous lectures, echoing through the corridors of the school. Students flooded out of classrooms, chattering and laughing, carrying trays and backpacks. Kai followed the stream of students, Ayaka walking beside him, her hair slightly messy from the morning but still perfectly framing her flushed face.
The cafeteria smelled of warm rice, grilled fish, and the faint sweetness of puddings being served. Students jostled for tables, some already laughing over shared jokes. Kai grabbed a tray, careful to avoid bumping into anyone, and Ayaka sat beside him, placing her tray neatly in front of her.
Kai's mind, however, was somewhere else. The photo he had found last night kept flickering in his thoughts. He tried to focus on the food, but the numbers, formulas, and clues from yesterday clung stubbornly to his brain.
A small, timid voice broke through his distraction.
"Kai… um… could you help me with this math problem?"
He blinked and looked up. A girl he recognized from the class, simple and sweet-looking, held out her notebook. She leaned a little closer, brushing against his arm as she pointed at a problem.
Kai cleared his throat awkwardly, cheeks warming slightly. "…Uh… sure, let's see."
He leaned over the notebook, scribbling a solution quickly. "And… done. That should work. Check it now."
The girl smiled, her eyes shining. "Wow, thanks, Kai! You're amazing at this!" She leaned a little closer again, her shoulder brushing against him. "Can you… maybe explain the next one too?"
Kai's words stumbled in his mouth. "I… I guess… we can—uh, do it—later maybe—😅"
From the corner of his eye, he felt a sudden glare.
Bam!
Ayaka slammed her hand on the table so hard that the metal tray rattled. The cafeteria noise dimmed slightly as heads turned toward her.
"Kai!" she barked, voice low but commanding. "Go. Get me a soda. Now."
Kai froze, caught between confusion and fear. "…Huh? A soda?"
"Yes!" Ayaka's sharp gaze bore into him. "From the vending machine, hurry up!"
He nodded, muttering under his breath, and excused himself, leaving the girl with the notebook still open.
Ayaka watched him go, jaw tight, eyes practically burning. Her friends at the table snickered quietly, trying not to laugh openly.
Claire, her friend, who was sitting beside her, pulled back quickly, suppressing a laugh. "Oooohhh, someone's reacting!" she teased, still grinning.
Ayaka slammed her hand on the table again as her cheeks flamed a deep shade of red, knocking it lightly. Her breath came in sharp little huffs as she tried to maintain composure, face burning so much she could feel it in her ears.
By the time Kai returned with the soda, she had regained a tiny shred of dignity and snatched it from his hands.
"Here."
She took a careful sip, her chest still tight, cheeks still impossibly red.
Kai gave a small, nervous smile. "…Here you go."
Ayaka shot him a glare that could probably melt steel, then muttered under her breath, "Don't look at me like that…"
Kai only nodded,absolutely scared by Ayaka, quickly excusing himself to the washroom to let her cool off.
By the time he returned, the small crowd of teasing girls had already drifted to another table, muttering among themselves, and Ayaka had calmed slightly, although her cheeks remained pink.
The rest of lunch passed with quieter conversations, students chatting, exchanging notes, and laughing over small jokes. Ayaka kept a careful watch over Kai, her possessiveness subtle but ever-present, while he tried to focus on eating and keeping his thoughts from wandering back to the photo he had found last night.
Lunch break wasn't over yet—but for Ayaka, it might as well have been.
The moment the last bite of food disappeared and chatter began to settle, her mood darkened like a sudden cloud rolling over a clear sky.
She had seen it.
That girl.
The way she leaned in.
The way her fingers brushed Kai's arm for far longer than necessary.
The way her voice softened unnaturally when she spoke to him.
Ayaka's grip tightened around her chopsticks.
Unbelievable…
Kai, completely unaware, had simply solved the math problem like it was nothing. Calm. Polite. Oblivious. He even explained it twice to make sure the girl understood—earning him a bright smile and a little giggle in return.
That was the last straw.
By the time lunch ended (they finished their lunch, lunch break didn't ended) and everyone started drifting back into the classroom, Ayaka's jealousy had fermented into something sharp and explosive.
The classroom buzzed as students returned to their seats, chairs scraping softly against the floor. Kai had just settled down, opening his notebook—
SLAM.
Ayaka brought her notebook down hard on his desk, the sound snapping through the room like a whip.
Kai flinched.
"H-Huh…?"
He looked up.
Ayaka stood there, eyes narrowed, lips curved into a dangerously sweet smile that did not reach her eyes. A faint shadow fell across her face, and her presence alone made the air feel heavier.
"You help everyone so nicely," she said, her tone syrupy—but underneath it, irritation simmered.
"Now it's my turn, dear little brother~"
Kai froze.
"Eh—?! N-Now…?"
She slid into the seat beside him without waiting for permission, already opening her notebook and flipping it toward him. Her handwriting was neat, but the page trembled just slightly.
"This one," she said quickly. "Explain it. Properly."
Her eyes flicked up to his face.
Then stayed there.
Kai blinked once… twice.
"O-Okay," he said, clearing his throat. "This problem's not that hard, actually. You just have to—uh—"
He leaned closer to point at the equation.
That was a mistake.
Ayaka's heart skipped violently.
He was too close.
Way too close.
His side profile filled her vision—focused eyes, calm expression, lips moving steadily as he explained each step. His voice was low, even, gentle in that way that always messed with her head.
She tried to look at the numbers.
She really did.
But her gaze kept drifting back to his face.
Focus. Focus, Ayaka.
It's just math. Just math—
Her cheeks warmed.
Then heated.
Then burned.
Kai continued, completely serious, writing down the solution step by step. "So if you substitute this value here, it cancels out. See?"
He looked at her.
"Did you get it?"
Ayaka snapped back to reality.
"Ah—! Y-Yes! I did!"
She nodded far too quickly, nearly headbutting the desk. Her face was already glowing red, heat creeping all the way to her ears.
"I—I understood! Totally! Thanks!"
She grabbed her notebook and pen almost defensively and shoved them back into her bag, avoiding his eyes at all costs.
Kai tilted his head slightly, unconvinced—but before he could question her—
RIIIIINGGGG.
The bell echoed through the classroom, sharp and final.
Students groaned softly and hurried back to their seats. The teacher entered moments later, placing their materials on the desk and beginning the lecture without delay.
Ayaka sat stiffly beside Kai, heart still racing, cheeks refusing to cool down.
She stared straight ahead at the blackboard.
But every now and then—
Her eyes flicked sideways.
Just for a second.
Toward him.
The classroom slowly settled as the teacher stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Conversations died down, chairs scraped into place, and notebooks were pulled out.
"Alright everyone, take your seats," she said, adjusting her glasses. "We'll be continuing from where we left off before lunch."
Kai straightened in his seat, placing his hands neatly on the desk. Ayaka sat beside him, her notebook already open, though her mind was anything but focused. Her cheeks still felt warm from earlier, and she kept her gaze fixed forward, refusing to look in his direction.
The chalk hit the board with a sharp tap.
Equations began to fill the black surface, one after another.
Kai followed along automatically, writing as the teacher explained. His hand moved on its own, muscle memory doing most of the work, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. Every now and then, his eyes flicked toward the window, where the afternoon light filtered in lazily.
Ayaka noticed.
She glanced sideways, just once.
Kai's expression was calm, but distant—like he was somewhere far away despite sitting right beside her.
She pressed her lips together.
You're doing it again…
The lecture continued.
"Ten minutes," the teacher said after a while. "Solve the next problem on your own."
The room filled with the sound of pages turning and pens scratching.
Ayaka stared at the question in front of her.
Numbers. Symbols. Letters.
Normally, she would've understood it easily—especially after Kai had just helped her—but her focus refused to cooperate. Her eyes drifted, betraying her, sliding back toward his face.
Kai was already working, brows slightly furrowed, pen moving steadily.
Her heart skipped.
She quickly looked back down, gripping her pen tighter.
Stop staring.
She forced herself to work through the problem step by step. Slowly, carefully.
A few minutes later, the teacher began walking between rows, checking answers.
Kai finished early and leaned back slightly, eyes lifting once more toward the window. Outside, clouds drifted lazily across the sky, indifferent to the quiet tension inside his chest.
Tenjou Auto Works…
The name echoed faintly in his mind.
He shook his head, returning his focus to the classroom just as the teacher stopped beside their desks.
"Good," she said after a brief glance at his notebook. "Correct."
She moved on.
Ayaka let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding when the teacher checked her work as well.
"…This is right too," the teacher said. "Good job."
Ayaka nodded quickly. "Thank you."
The rest of the period passed without incident.
Soon enough, the final bell rang, its sound sharp and decisive.
Students immediately relaxed, energy flooding back into the room. Bags were zipped, chairs pushed back, voices rising again.
Kai stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Ayaka followed a second later.
They walked out of the classroom together, merging into the flow of students filling the corridors.
Sunlight poured through the windows, painting the hallway in warm tones.
"…You were quiet," Ayaka said suddenly.
Kai blinked and looked at her. "Huh?"
"During class," she added. "You usually say something. Even if it's pointless."
He gave a small, awkward smile. "Is that how you see me?"
"Yes."
"…That's harsh."
She huffed softly, but her expression turned more serious.
"Something's bothering you," she said. "I can tell."
Kai hesitated, his steps slowing just a little.
"…It's nothing," he said again. "Just tired, I guess."
Ayaka stared at him, unconvinced.
"…If you say so."
They exited the school gates together, the noise gradually fading as they walked farther away. The sky was beginning to shift into evening colors, orange bleeding into pale violet.
The walk home was quieter than usual.
Kai's thoughts stayed heavy, pulled inward by something he couldn't quite name.
Ayaka stayed close, her pace matching his without effort.
When they reached home, the familiar comfort of the house wrapped around them. Shoes were left at the entrance, bags set aside.
After some hours, dinner preparations filled the air with soft clattering sounds and warm aromas.
They ate together, just like always.
The food tasted the same—good, comforting—but Kai barely noticed.
"You're eating less," his mother remarked gently.
Kai paused mid-bite. "Ah… sorry. I'll eat properly."
Ayaka watched him closely but said nothing.
After dinner, Kai retreated to his room.
He closed the door quietly behind him and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling.
The room felt smaller tonight.
He walked to his desk and sat down, staring at the drawer beneath it.
After a brief pause, he opened it.
The photograph lay exactly where he had left it.
He picked it up.
The image felt heavier than it should have.
The man's face.
The workshop.
The badge.
TENJOU AUTO WORKS
His fingers tightened around the edges.
"…Why do I feel like I've seen this before?"
He pulled out his phone and typed the name into the search bar.
Results loaded slowly.
A location appeared on the map.
Not far.
His heartbeat picked up.
"…I'll check it later," he muttered, locking his phone and placing the photo back into the drawer.
He lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling as the room darkened.
Sleep didn't come easily.
In the next room, Ayaka sat curled up on her bed, hugging the plushy Kai gifted her on her 18th birthday, to her chest. Her phone lay forgotten beside her.
Her mind replayed the day over and over.
Lunch.
The girls.
Kai's distant expression.
"…You're really annoying," she whispered softly, though the words lacked any real bite.
She thought of Kai's face for one last time
"...But still...you're mine"
Her cheeks flared bright red after she realised what she had just said
In a swift motion, she lay down, turning off the light.
Under the same roof, night settled quietly.
And with it, the feeling that something long buried had finally begun to stir.