Tenkei noticed it on a Tuesday afternoon.
At first, he thought it was just his imagination.
He was standing near the shoe lockers after school, tying his laces slowly as usual. Students rushed past him, laughing and talking about clubs and homework. Miko had gone ahead to talk with her friends, telling him she would meet him at the gate later.
So, for a few minutes, he was alone.
That was when he felt it.
A strange feeling.
Like someone was watching him.
He slowly lifted his head and looked around.
Nothing.
Only students.
Only noise.
Only normal life.
"…Must be nothing," he whispered to himself.
He picked up his bag and started walking toward the school gate.
But the feeling didn't disappear.
From behind a pillar near the stairs, a girl watched him quietly.
Her name was Airi Kurose.
She was in the same grade.
Same school.
Same building.
Yet Tenkei had never really noticed her before.
She had long black hair, pale skin, and sharp eyes that always seemed calm on the surface. Most students thought she was quiet and serious. Some thought she was strange. She rarely talked to anyone.
And she never smiled.
Except when she looked at him.
Her fingers tightened around her phone as she watched Tenkei walk.
"Tenkei-kun…" she whispered.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"He walked with her again today…"
Her eyes followed him until he disappeared outside.
At the school gate, Miko was waiting.
"Sorry! Took longer than I thought," she said.
"I-It's okay," Tenkei replied.
They started walking home together.
The street was filled with the sound of cars and evening voices. The sky was slowly turning orange.
Miko talked about her club activities and an upcoming test. Tenkei listened carefully, nodding from time to time.
But his mind was restless.
"Um… Onee-chan…" he said softly.
"Hm?"
"Do you ever feel like… someone is watching you?"
Miko blinked. "Watching you?"
He nodded. "L-Like… when you're alone…"
She laughed lightly. "You've been watching too many scary videos."
"Oh… s-sorry…"
She smiled and patted his head. "Don't worry. I'm here, right?"
"Yes…"
That was enough to calm him.
For now.
That night, Airi sat on her bed, staring at her phone.
On the screen were dozens of photos.
Photos of Tenkei.
Walking to school.
Sitting in class.
Reading alone.
Waiting at the corner.
Smiling shyly beside Miko.
She scrolled slowly.
Her breathing became shallow.
"He's always with her…"
"She touches him…"
"She talks to him…"
Her hands shook.
"I'm the one who understands you… Tenkei-kun…"
She hugged her pillow tightly.
"I've been watching you for so long…"
"You're weak… just like me…"
"And weak people need someone strong to protect them…"
Her lips curved into a small smile.
"…I'll be that person."
The next day at school, Tenkei felt uneasy again.
During class, he kept glancing toward the back.
Someone was there.
He was sure of it.
When he turned, he saw Airi sitting quietly, looking down at her notebook.
Normal.
Too normal.
He looked away.
Maybe Miko is right… I'm just imagining things…
During lunch, he went to buy juice from the vending machine. Miko stayed in the classroom to finish homework.
The hallway was quiet.
As he bent down to pick up his drink, a voice suddenly spoke.
"Um… Hatsuhinode-kun…"
He froze.
"S-Sorry!"
He turned quickly.
Airi was standing behind him.
Up close, she looked even paler.
Her eyes were dark.
Deep.
"Yes?" he asked nervously.
"I… I just wanted to say…" She hesitated. "Your notebook… yesterday… you dropped it."
She held it out.
His notebook.
He stared at it in surprise.
"Oh… th-thank you…"
Their fingers touched for a moment.
He quickly pulled back.
"S-Sorry…"
"It's okay," she said softly.
She smiled.
For the first time.
It was a beautiful smile.
But somehow…
It made his heart feel cold.
From that day on, Airi started appearing more.
In the hallway.
Near the classroom.
At the vending machines.
At the library.
Always quietly.
Always close.
Tenkei tried to ignore it.
But every time he felt lonely…
Every time he felt weak…
He felt those eyes again.
Watching.
Waiting.
Planning.
And far away, without knowing it…
Miko smiled happily beside him.
Unaware.
That someone had already decided to take him away.