The next morning, I arrived at school earlier than usual. The air was fresh, the corridors weren't too crowded, and the morning sunlight pierced through the long window panes in the classroom hallway. I hope coming early will give me some peace of mind before the class starts getting rowdy again. However, of course, my hopes only lasted for a while.

When I entered the room, someone was already sitting sweetly in his chair—the chair right next to my desk. The long silver hair shone brightly in the morning light, making her look more like a character in a magazine ad than a typical high school girl.

“… You came so fast," I muttered softly.

Sakura Airi turned her head, her thin smile appearing in a way that was too natural. "If I don't come soon, who will wait for you, Akari?"

I was silent. My lips moved to answer, but no words came out. I just carefully placed the bag on the table, then sat down without looking back.

"Eh, don't be so cold. I'm really serious, you know?" He rested his chin on the folded arm on the table, looking at me shamelessly.

I sighed, opening a notebook that I didn't even need yet. “… You talk too much in the morning."

He chuckled softly, but didn't stop staring.

The first hour of the lesson is history. The teacher enters while carrying a large map hung on a board, explaining about the Edo period in a monotonous voice. Most of the disciples were lowered over the notes, some began to get sleepy.

I tried to focus, the pen moving on paper in a neat rhythm. However, from the side, I again felt the same gaze.

"If you keep staring at me, you won't understand the content of the lesson," I whispered quickly without looking back.

"When I look at you, I feel refreshed from listening to a lesson."

I refrain from tapping the pen too hard. “… That's the stupidest excuse I've ever heard."

He chuckled a little. "Stupid, but honest."

I glanced over, and as I could have guessed, she was still staring with her shiny violet eyes. There was something in that gaze—a mixture of curiosity, conviction, and temptation that was too hard to ignore.

I hurriedly lowered my head again, pretending to be busy with notes.

During the break, the atmosphere of the class was again crowded with gossip.

"Eh, you know? There are rumors that Sakura-san will be the main model for the cultural festival pamphlets."
          "Time? In that case, Sumire-san should also join! Let it look balanced."
          "Oh my, imagine the two of them on the same poster... This school could be famous!"

I closed the lunch box slowly, trying to ignore it. But Haruna Tachibana had already approached with a face full of excitement.

"Akari! You heard the gossip, right?"

“… Please don't repeat it," I said tiredly.

"But seriously, if you two were to model the pamphlets, it would be really cool!" Haruna almost screamed. "I can imagine you wearing festival uniforms standing side by side. Ah, perfect!"

I massaged my temples. “… Haruna."

Before I could add anything, Sakura chimed in, as usual. "I don't mind, I'm glad it's true."

Haruna almost jumped for joy. "Look?! Sakura-san agreed! Akari, you agree too, don't you?"

I looked at him with a cold look. “… I don't even know if the rumors are true."

"If it's true, you want it, right?" Sakura leaned over, her voice softer. "I want you to be by my side, Akari."

I was choked. His words were too bright, too direct. Haruna closed her mouth holding back the scream, while I chose to look down, stabbing the rice in the lunch with chopsticks as if it was the only thing in the world.

After school, I walked quickly to the literary club room. Today is a meeting schedule, and I want to turn my mind to something else.

Rina, a cheerful classmate, immediately greeted me as soon as I entered. "Senpai! I just read a draft script for a cultural exhibition. Senpai would be perfect if she was the main character in a club drama!"

I sighed. “… I'm not interested in performing."

"But everyone will want to see Senpai on stage..." Rina sulked, then smiled slyly. "Especially if the co-star is Sakura-senpai."

I immediately looked at him sharply. “… Don't joke, Rina."

He chuckled. "Hehe, sorry, Senpai. But seriously, the gossip between the two of you is endless. Even literary clubs are excited."

I didn't answer, just lowered my head to write notes for the meeting. However, in my heart, I knew that Rina's words were true. The gossip about me and Sakura didn't just stop in class—it had already spread throughout the school.

That afternoon, as I walked home from the footpath near the station, I felt a bit relieved. A breeze caresses my face, the dusk sun lowers a soft light. For the first time that day, I felt like I could breathe without a burden.

But of course, that peace didn't last long.

"Akari!"

That voice again. I turned my head reluctantly. Sakura ran a little over, her silver hair fluttering in the orange light.

“… Why do you always show up here?" I asked coldly.

"Because I know you're going this way. I don't want to miss the opportunity to come home with you."

I speed up my pace. “… You're really stubborn."

He equalized the pace, walking by my side. "If that means I can walk with you, I'll continue to be stubborn."

I didn't answer. We just walked side by side, our shoes making an orderly noise on the asphalt.

After a few minutes, Sakura spoke again, this time more quietly. "Akari, I want to be honest."

I glanced briefly. “… What is it about?"

"Since the sports festival, I feel like we're not just rivals." She paused for a moment, looking at me with her calm violet eyes. "I feel... I want to get closer. Not just as a rival, but as someone who is really by your side."

I stopped stepping, my heart beating too fast. His words were too clear, too hard to ignore.

“… You like to play with words."

Sakura smiled smallly. "I'm not messing around."

I hurriedly continued my steps, lowering my head so that my face was not visible. The afternoon wind tried to cover the heat on my cheeks, but it felt in vain.

That day, I chose to spend some rest time in the library. It has always been my escape from junior high school—quiet, full of books, and away from the gossip of students who are too noisy.

Tall shelves stand in rows, the smell of old paper fills the air. I walked slowly, my fingers tracing the back of the thick books that were neatly arranged. There's something soothing about being in the middle of a sea of books, as if the world outside can't touch me.

I pulled out a classic novel, then sat down in a chair by the window. From there, the sunlight came in softly, highlighting the pages I had opened. At least, that's how it was planned.

"See you again."

I looked up. My heart instantly tightened. Of course, who else if not him.

Sakura Airi stood casually before me, her silver hair sparkling in the same light. In his hand was a thin book, as if he had come here indeed to read.

“… Why are you here too?" I asked coldly.

She just smiled, sitting right in the chair next to me without permission. "Because I know you like coming here. I want to know what books you usually read."

I closed the novel in my hand hard. “… Just following me on the way home isn't enough?"

"It's never enough," he replied lightly, as if it were a natural thing.

I let out a long sigh. In this quiet room, her voice sounded clearer, making it hard for me to ignore her. I tried to reopen my novel, hoping he got bored and left. But of course, Sakura Airi is not the type of person who knows when to stop.

"You always choose to sit by the window," he said, leaning over. "Is it because of the light, or because you like to see the scenery?"

I turned my head for a moment. “… Why should you know?"

"Because I want to get to know you better. Isn't that natural for a rival?"

The word "rival" is piercing. The way he said it sounded more like a forced excuse, not just a competition.

I closed the novel again, staring straight at him. "Sakura, if you keep sticking to this, I'll never take you seriously."

She smiled smallly. "In that case, let me stick around until you finally take me seriously."

I was choked. His words were too bold, too honest. The library suddenly felt cramped. I got up quickly, brought a novel, and walked to the shelf as if looking for another book.

But of course, the sound of those light steps followed.

“… You really don't know the meaning of the word surrender, huh."

"No, I know," he replied. "But for you, I don't want to give up."

I stopped in front of the shelf, taking a deep breath. The sound of my heart was beating loudly, louder than the voices of the students who were reading on the other side of the room.

I turned around, looking straight into his eyes. "Why do you keep doing this?"

He didn't blink. Her violet eyes glittered softly. "Because I want to be by your side, Akari. Not just as a rival."

I was silent. Again, his words left me speechless.

The rest of the day I spent avoiding it as much as possible. But as it turns out, avoiding Sakura is like trying to run from your own shadow. The more I tried to move away, the more obvious he was around me.

In the afternoon, I sat on a bench in the schoolyard, under a cherry blossom tree whose leaves were beginning to fall. The afternoon wind blew slowly, bringing the smell of moist soil. I opened the small lunch I had brought, intending to eat while enjoying the tranquility. But, of course, that calm was again undermined.

"Alone here? That's rare for you."

I turned my head. He stood up with a light smile, carrying a drinking bottle in hand.

“… Sakura."

He immediately sat down on the bench next to me, as if the place had indeed been reserved for him. "May I accompany you?"

I looked straight ahead. “… If I say no, will you leave?"

"No," he replied quickly.

I sighed. “… I expected it."

The atmosphere was silent for a while. Only the sound of birds and the rustling of leaves accompany. Surprisingly, even though I was upset, I couldn't actually drive him away either.

"I love this place," he said suddenly. "Quiet, but not quiet. The wind is also mild."

I glanced at my head. “… I came here precisely because I was lonely."

He smiled. "In that case, I'm sorry for ruining it."

I sighed, then looked straight again. “… Why do you keep doing this? Sticking, talking sweetly, makes gossip worse."

Sakura turned her head, her eyes serious this time. "Because I don't want to just be someone you see at a glance. I want to be a part of your world, Akari. No matter how small it is."

My chest tightened. The words were too direct, piercing mercilessly.

“… You know, everyone at school thinks we're a golden couple, a perfect duet, whatever the term is. But I never asked for any of that. I just want to live a quiet life."

He nodded softly. "I know. But are you really calm? Every time I see you, I feel like you're trying hard to look strong, look graceful. It's as if you're carrying a burden that you don't want to show to anyone."

I froze. His words felt too precise, as if he could read my heart.

“… Don't be pretentious."

"I don't know." His smile was thin, his eyes were clear. "I just saw you. And the more I look, the more convinced I am that I don't want to just be your rival."

I lowered my head, staring at the lunch box that had been untouched. The afternoon wind blew my blonde hair to my face, covering an expression that even I myself couldn't understand.

“… Sakura, you're really annoying."

He chuckled, his tone light again. "If that means I can stay by your side, I don't mind being the most annoying person in the world."

I glanced at my head, and for a moment, our eyes met. There's something there—sincerity, conviction, and... a feeling that is difficult for me to digest. I hurriedly averted my eyes, closing my provisions.

“… I'll go first."

I stood up, stepping quickly away from the bench. However, I could feel his gaze on my back. A gaze that is too warm, too close.