Monday morning arrived with a strange kind of tension.
The cherry blossoms on campus were starting to fall, layering the walkways in soft pink. Each step Leo took felt like it echoed in a quiet hallway of emotions.
He walked into the school building, still half-lost in the memories of yesterday's conversation with Aira.
But the moment he turned the corner, his thoughts were interrupted—
Yuki was standing there.
She didn't wave. Didn't smile.
Just looked at him… then turned and walked into the classroom without a word.
Leo felt a tight knot form in his chest.
---
After the first period, Leo made up his mind.
He walked over to Yuki's desk and gently tapped the edge of her book.
"Can we talk?"
Yuki glanced up at him, eyes unreadable.
She stood, said nothing, and led him silently to the rooftop.
The wind was brisk, blowing strands of her hair around. She didn't bother fixing it.
"…You met with Aira," she said quietly.
Leo nodded. "I did."
"You didn't tell me."
"I didn't know how to."
She gave a hollow laugh. "That's honest."
Leo shifted uncomfortably. "We talked. She said… she used to like me. But she's letting go now."
Yuki stared at the sky for a moment before whispering, "I thought I was the only one."
Leo frowned. "Yuki—"
"Don't. Just…" she looked at him, eyes shimmering, "I'm not mad. I'm scared. Of being forgotten."
That hit Leo harder than anything she could have shouted.
He reached for her wrist. "I won't forget you."
She didn't pull away. But she didn't answer, either.
They stood together, silent, the wind speaking what they couldn't.
---
At lunch, Hana appeared at the classroom door, her usual sports bag slung over her shoulder and a knowing smile on her face.
"Leo. Come to the field after school. We're doing a fun event. Bring your friends."
Her eyes flicked toward Yuki.
Leo nodded. "I'll be there."
---
The field after school was filled with energy.
Hana had arranged a lighthearted obstacle race: tire jumps, balloon carrying, and triple jump rope at the finish.
It wasn't a real competition. Just a way to unwind.
But Leo quickly realized Hana had a second purpose.
Yuki, Rin, and even Aira had been invited.
Kai volunteered as the referee, of course.
"We're splitting into teams!" Hana grinned.
"Leo and Rin on one side. Yuki and Aira on the other."
Leo muttered, "This is a setup."
Hana winked. "Obviously. More fun that way."
---
The race began with chaos.
Laughter, shouting, playful sabotage.
Rin tripped over the jump rope three times.
Yuki and Aira nearly collided during the balloon pass.
But in the end, no one cared who won. They just laughed.
Leo sat on the edge of the field, out of breath, watching the girls sit together on the grass—talking.
Really talking.
Kai handed him a bottle of water. "So… is this a truce among rivals?"
Leo shook his head, smiling. "More like a ceasefire."
Kai nodded slowly. "You do realize they'll go back to battling sooner or later, right?"
"I know."
"So what are you gonna do?"
Leo looked at the group, the light breeze tugging at their hair.
"…I want to get to know all of them. Not to choose right now. But because they deserve to be known."
Kai blinked. "You, my friend, are either the bravest man alive or the biggest fool."
Leo laughed. "Maybe both."
The sun was starting to set, casting the field in golden light.
And for a moment, everything felt exactly right.