Morning – Tenkaichi Elite Academy, Rooftop Garden
Aeron stood by the rail, drinking from a bottle of water. The garden was mostly empty—just the wind brushing across the ivy-covered pergola and the low hum of distant chatter below.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
He didn't need to turn.
> "Ayaka."
She walked over with two bento boxes in hand, smiling sweetly. "I brought lunch."
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to."
She sat beside him, too close. Her thigh brushed his. He shifted slightly, but she leaned closer.
"Did you like the dinner Mom made last night?" she asked.
"It was fine."
She tilted her head. "And Mirei?"
"She talked too much."
Ayaka let out a breathy laugh, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
> "Then again, she talks more when she wants something."
Aeron looked at her now. "Is something bothering you?"
Her eyes widened. "No! I just…"
She looked down at her bento. "I just want to be with you. That's all."
---
Midday – Classroom 1-B
Festival planning was chaos.
Arisa Minato had arrived again, clipboard in hand, delegating tasks with militant precision.
Aeron was assigned logistics. Yume volunteered for refreshments. Tatsuki somehow ended up in the haunted house group and was now covered in fake blood.
But all Aeron noticed was that Ayaka, though in another class, kept finding excuses to visit.
"Delivery from Class 2-A," she'd say. "Oh, you needed help moving chairs?"
Every time, she was watching.
Especially when Yume got too close.
---
Girls' Restroom – Side Hallway
Ayaka stood in front of the mirror, gripping the sink.
Her reflection stared back with flushed cheeks and wild, confused eyes.
> "He's mine. Mine. We kissed. I touched him. I know what his back feels like..."
She bit her lip and laughed softly.
Then froze.
> "But why is she always near him?" "And that new girl, Arisa... what does she want?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I won't lose. I'll make him notice me. Even if I have to break the rules."
---
After School – Club Building Stairs
Aeron leaned against the railing, watching clouds drift.
Yume arrived, holding a box of pastries. "Want some?"
"Did you make these?"
"No. I bought them."
He took one anyway.
They sat in silence.
Yume looked over. "Are you okay?"
Aeron shrugged. "I've been worse."
She didn't ask more.
> But from the shadow behind the hallway door, someone watched them again.
---
Side Story – Mirei's Penthouse
Mirei was on her private balcony, sipping wine in her uniform.
Her assistant approached. "Madam President, the school festival budget's been approved."
She nodded. "Good. Forward all performance slot details to me. Especially anything Class 1-B is doing."
"Understood."
She turned to face the skyline.
> "Let's see what they're all planning. Especially Ayaka…"