The sky burned in shades of orange and gold as the final bell faded into memory.
Students poured out of the school gates in small groups—laughing, chatting, complaining about homework—but I walked past them all without a word.
Just like always.
…Except today, I wasn't alone.
"…It's been a while since we walked home together."
Kazuha's voice broke through the quiet.
I glanced at her briefly.
Her brown hair swayed gently with each step, tied neatly in her usual ponytail. The warm light of the setting sun reflected faintly in her red eyes, softening their usual sharpness.
"…Yeah," I replied.
Short. Simple. Distant.
Silence followed.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Just… unfamiliar.
We walked side by side along the quiet street, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. A gentle breeze passed through, carrying the faint scent of summer and distant chatter from other students heading home.
Kazuha didn't seem bothered by the silence.
If anything, she seemed… thoughtful.
"…You've changed."
Her voice came again, quieter this time.
I frowned slightly. "…What's that supposed to mean?"
She didn't answer right away.
Instead, her gaze drifted forward, watching the road ahead as if searching for the right words.
"You used to avoid everything," she said slowly. "Clubs. People. Conversations."
A small pause.
"…Especially girls."
I clicked my tongue lightly.
"…Can you blame me?"
"…No," she admitted.
That single word carried more weight than I expected.
It wasn't judgment.
It wasn't teasing.
Just understanding.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The only sound was the soft rustling of leaves overhead.
"But that's why I don't understand," Kazuha continued, turning her head slightly toward me.
Her expression was calm—but her eyes were searching.
"You've always kept your distance. You never got involved in anything."
She paused.
"…So why now?"
My steps slowed.
There it was.
The question I didn't want to answer.
Why did I go to the club?
Why did I sit down?
Why did I play again?
Mitsuru.
My chest tightened slightly.
My grip clenched at my side.
"…It's nothing," I muttered.
Kazuha raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"
I looked away.
"…Just a selfish reason."
That was all I said.
And all I intended to say.
For a moment, I thought she would press further.
Ask more.
Dig deeper.
But she didn't.
Instead—
She smiled.
"…Thank you."
I stopped.
"…What?"
Kazuha looked ahead again, her expression softer than before.
"I know the others were a bit harsh," she said. "Especially after what happened earlier…"
Sera.
The image of her walking out of the clubroom flashed briefly in my mind.
"…Losing a member like that isn't easy," Kazuha continued quietly. "We've been under pressure for a while now."
Her voice carried a weight I hadn't noticed before.
Not just frustration.
Responsibility.
"So you showing up… and saying you'll help…"
She hesitated, then glanced at me.
"I appreciate it. I really do."
I didn't know what to say.
Didn't know how to respond to something that… genuine.
"The Ruko everyone in class knows," she continued, "would never do something like this."
A small pause.
"…You're starting to show your old self again."
That made me laugh.
A short, dry sound.
"Don't get the wrong idea," I said, shaking my head slightly.
I turned to look at her, a faint smirk forming.
"Just because we're childhood friends doesn't mean you know me well."
She blinked once.
"Know your place, 3D girl."
A beat of silence.
"2D is the land of paradise."
For a second—
She just stared at me.
Then—
She laughed.
Not forced.
Not polite.
But real.
"I guess you're right," she said, smiling.
The tension between us eased.
Just a little.
We continued walking.
The sky dimmed further, the golden light slowly fading into soft hues of evening.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then—
"Hey…"
Kazuha slowed her steps.
"…Could I make a selfish request?"
I sighed. "That depends. Is it annoying?"
"…Probably."
"…Go on."
She stopped walking.
So I did too.
When I turned to face her—
Something had changed.
The softness was gone.
Replaced with something firmer.
Something serious.
Determination.
"Ruko…"
She took a small breath.
As if steadying herself.
"…Can you also be our coach?"
Time seemed to pause.
"…What?"
"The esports team," she clarified. "We need someone who can guide us. Someone who understands the game at a high level."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Not even slightly.
"You're better than all of us."
I frowned. "…You're overestimating me."
"No," she said immediately.
Firm. Certain.
"I'm not."
Silence fell between us.
"I'm asking you," she continued, her voice softer now, "not just as a classmate…"
A small pause.
"…but as someone who knows what you're capable of. I've seen you play before remember"
My chest tightened.
Coach?
Me?
I had just come back.
Barely.
And now—
She wanted me to lead them?
"…You do realize I hate this game, right?" I muttered.
Kazuha smiled faintly.
"…And yet, you still played."
I clicked my tongue.
Mitsuru.
That name echoed in my mind again.
If I stayed…
If I got involved…
If I became their coach—
I'd be closer.
Closer to the truth.
Closer to her.
I let out a slow breath.
"…This is a pain."
Kazuha didn't interrupt.
Didn't rush me.
She just waited.
"…Fine," I said at last.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"But don't get the wrong idea," I added quickly, turning away. "I'm not doing this for you."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"…I know."
I started walking again.
"…I'll think about it properly later."
"…Thank you, Ruko."
I didn't respond.
But as we continued down the quiet street—
Under the fading light of day—
I realized something.
This wasn't just about a game anymore.
This was the beginning of something I couldn't walk away from.
Because now—
I wasn't just searching for Mitsuru.
I was stepping back into her world.