The morning sky was 🌥️ cloudy — just like Aki’s mood.He walked into the classroom, quieter than usual.

His eyes flicked to the second bench…

Ren was already there — but Haru was sitting beside him, smiling brightly 😊, chatting like they’d known each other forever.

Ren looked back at Aki — surprised — as if silently asking,

> “Aren’t you going to sit with me?” 👀

But Aki didn’t move.

He walked past the desk slowly and sat alone near the back.

Ren’s smile faded for a second 😞.

---

The teacher walked in. The lesson began 📚.

Haru leaned toward Ren, whispering jokes and giggling 🤭.

Ren replied out of politeness, but his eyes kept wandering to the back…

…to the quiet boy who once laughed at his silly drawings 🎨.

Now Aki kept his head down, taking notes — face blank 📝😐.

Ren wanted to pass a paper note like before.

He wanted to say “Hey. What’s going on?”

But this time… Aki never looked his way 🙁.

---

When the class ended, Ren stood up to follow him.

But Haru gently pulled his sleeve 👗.

“Wanna come eat with me today?” she asked softly.

Ren hesitated 🤔.

And in that short pause…

Aki picked up his bag 🎒 and left the room.

Without looking back 🚶‍♂️💨.

---

🎵 Music Room – Later that Day

The quiet of the music room welcomed Aki like an old friend 🤍.

He walked in, dragging his feet slightly, the cold silence hugging him 🧊.

He placed his bag down, sat by the piano 🎹, and sighed deeply.

> “Maybe it’s better this way,” he thought.

“He has her. She fits more. I don’t want to feel like... this.” 💔

He reached for his guitar 🎸.

But then—he heard a familiar humming sound 🎶.

A soft voice. A slow beat on the desk.

He turned around.

Someone was sitting by the far window—tapping his fingers, humming an old tune.

The boy turned—and Aki gasped 😲.

“…Yuki?”

The boy smiled brightly 😄, standing up.

“Aki! You still look the same! I didn’t know you were here!”

Aki stood frozen, the sadness in his chest melting instantly into something warm 🌤️.

Yuki ran over and hugged him tightly 🤗.

“I just transferred here. My dad’s work moved again… and I prayed you’d be here.” 🙏

Aki couldn’t speak. His throat felt tight 💬😔.

After a moment, he whispered, “You remember our songs?”

Yuki laughed 😂. “Of course. And I still can’t sing on key.”

They both laughed softly.

For the first time in days… Aki felt like he could breathe again 💖.

To be continued...

💭 When one connection fades, sometimes the past walks back into your life — with a melody you almost forgot. 🎵💫