The next morning, I walked back to school at the same pace as usual—calm, constantly, without rushing. However, the feeling in my chest was no longer the same. There was something hanging down, like a fine thread that was knitting, making me realize that my daily life would no longer be truly lonely.

I arrived at the school gate when noisy noises were already heard. Some students gathered in groups while chuckling, and the topic... Of course, it's still a matter of "us."

"Eh, I heard, Sakura-san came home with Sumire-san yesterday!"
          "Time? Serious? Who is looking?"
          "My friend in class 3-B said he had seen them on the footpath near the station."

I closed my eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath. Apparently gossip can spread faster than my own footsteps.

As soon as I entered class, the first sight I saw was of course no longer surprising: long silver hair reflecting the morning light from the window. Sakura was already sitting in her chair—the seat that used to be empty next to me. He turned his head as soon as he saw me, as if he was waiting for me.

"Good morning, Akari." His smile was the same as yesterday, light but deeply ingrained.

“… Morning." I answered shortly, putting the bag on the table.

"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked casually, as if we were close enough to talk like that.

I turned my head shortly, looking into his eyes. "Why should you care?"

He chuckled, his chin resting on the palm. "Because I want to know more about you. If I don't ask the little things, when will I know the big things?"

I immediately turned to the blackboard, trying to ignore it. However, the whispers of the class had already begun to crowd.

"They talked again! It's crazy, every morning there's always interaction."
          "If this continues, the rumors of rivalry could turn into other rumors."
          "Eh, don't worry... Are they really close?"

I tapped the tip of the pen on the table. That small sound was a little soothing, but it wasn't enough to erase the fact that I was—once again—a spectacle.

The first hour of the lesson was slow. Mathematics. I wrote notes carefully, while Sakura sometimes shifted her chair a little closer. Whether intentionally or not, I don't know, but the distance has always made me aware of its existence.

In the middle of the long question that the teacher wrote on the board, I felt a gaze from the side. Again.

“… "Sakura," I whispered quietly without turning my head. "Stop staring at me."

"Why?" his voice sounded light. "If I look at you, you look more serious than usual. It's interesting."

I lowered my head deeper. “… You're annoying."

He chuckled, but didn't object.

The lunch break came sooner than I thought. I opened my lunch in the hope that I could eat in peace. But of course, that hope is only an illusion.

"Akari!" Haruna appeared with her big smile, dragging the chair to sit in front of me. "You know the gossip today?"

I sighed. “… I can already guess."

"But this is different!" Haruna leaned forward, her eyes shining. "He said, the student council teachers are considering making the two of you a model for a cultural festival poster later. It's crazy, isn't it?"

I looked at him flatly. “… Poster?"

"Yes! The main poster is pasted throughout the school."

I closed the lunch for a moment, massaging my temples. "Why do all things have to do with us?"

Haruna chuckled. "Because the two of you look attractive when you're together."

Before I had time to respond, another voice came in smoothly." Agreed."

I turned my head quickly. Sakura was already next to me, opening her lunch as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

“… Why do you always eat here?" I asked flatly.

"Because this place is comfortable. And there you are here." The answer came without a pause.

I didn't reply. Haruna actually looks more enthusiastic. "Oh my gosh, I'm not strong! It's like watching my favorite live-action manga!"

I put the chopsticks down a little hard. “… Haruna, please don't get more excited."

She just laughed, while Sakura glanced at me with a faint smile. "You know, Akari... The more you try to dodge, the more I feel like chasing you."

I paused for a moment, staring at him sharply. “… Sakura."

"What?" He smiled wider, his eyes like they were holding something I couldn't guess.

“… Don't talk weird things."

But even though I said that, I knew my face was already hot.

After school, I walked faster than usual. The corridor was crowded with other disciples, but I just wanted to get out as quickly as possible.

However, as you might have guessed, a familiar voice called back." Akari, wait!"

I stopped. Sakura ran a little over, her silver hair reflecting the afternoon light.

“… Why else?" I asked coldly.

"I want to go home again. Okay?"

I immediately stepped forward without answering. But he caught up easily, his pace light as usual.

"Why do you always bother following me?"

"Because if I walk alone, it feels lonely. If there is you, it feels different."

I turned my head briefly, trying to find a gap to reply. “… You can't keep bothering me like this."

She smiled, as if my words meant nothing. "If it makes you feel like I'm a nuisance, then I'll continue to harass. Until you get used to it."

I paused for a moment, looking at him. “… You're really weird."

"If that means I can be by your side, I don't mind being called weird."

I didn't reply. Just stepped back, trying to cover my face which was heated by the afternoon wind.

That night, I sat at my study desk again. The textbook was open, but the pen in my hand didn't move. My mind turned back to Sakura's words.

"If I look at you, you look more serious. It's interesting."
          "The more you dodge, the more I want to chase you."
          "If I could be by your side, I wouldn't mind being called weird."

I closed the book loudly, again with a long sigh.

"What exactly does he want from me..." I hummed softly.

But deep down, I already knew the answer—or at least, I was afraid to find out. Because if I admit it, then I have to face the fact that my rivalry with Sakura Airi is no longer just a rivalry in the eyes of others. It had already turned into something deeper. Something that even I myself didn't know if I was ready to accept or not.