Mina spent the rest of the day feeling like she was in a dream.

Ren Takahashi had sat beside her. Spoken to her. Eaten his lunch without asking her for advice on what to do next. And most strange of all: there hadn’t been a single flicker of an aura from him. Not even the usual pulse of muted colour that came with someone trying to hide their feelings.

It was unsettling. But also… comforting.

Mina didn’t know what she was expecting when she’d first looked up and saw him standing there, but she hadn’t imagined this. Someone who sat quietly and simply… was. No chaos. No overstimulation. It was like she was finally allowed to breathe.

She would’ve liked to go back to that garden and sit there again tomorrow. Alone. With her tea. But when the bell rang at the end of the day, Saki Hoshino was waiting for her by the gate.

“Hey, Mina!” Saki grinned like she’d just won the lottery. “You looked all cozy out there today. What was that about?”

Mina’s stomach sank. She rubbed the back of her neck nervously, avoiding Saki’s piercing gaze. “I, I wasn’t doing anything. Just… just drinking tea.”

“Oh really? You and the new boy?” Saki’s eyebrows shot up like twin rockets. “You know he’s like a huge deal around here, right?”

Mina’s heartbeat faster. “What do you mean?”

Saki snorted. “Don’t act innocent. Everyone’s talking about him. The Ren Takahashi—the city transfer. The mysterious new kid who doesn’t talk to anyone. He’s like a walking mystery.”

Mina frowned. She didn’t care about Ren’s reputation. She just wanted to know why he had no aura.

“I don’t think he’s that interesting,” Mina mumbled.

“Ha! Says the girl who’s definitely spending her lunch with him tomorrow,” Saki teased. “But seriously, Mina—don’t you want to know more? You’re always so quiet about everything. Don’t you want to find out what’s up with him?”

Mina’s heart raced. She hadn’t expected Saki to dig so deep, especially when Mina barely knew anything about Ren herself. But it was true… she was curious. More than curious. She had to know why Ren was different.

Later that evening, after Saki had left, Mina found herself back in the garden. It was getting late, and the sky was painted with dark purple clouds. The breeze was cool against her face, and she found herself staring at the spot where Ren had sat.

Tomorrow, she thought. I’ll bring tea again. Maybe he’ll sit with me. Maybe we’ll talk more. I’ll figure it out.

But as she stood up, the faintest thought drifted into her mind.

He’s coming.

Mina’s breath hitched. She turned around, half-expecting to see Ren standing behind her. But the garden was empty. She closed her eyes and tried to focus. Nothing. The thought was gone.

Was it just a feeling? Or had it been Ren?