The sound of the school bell echoed softly, marking the end of the last lesson of the day. Usually, moments like this are the most anticipated moments: the time to clear out the book, put all the notes away, and then take a light walk home to the station. But this time, I just sat quietly in my chair.

The books were neatly arranged in the bag, but I didn't stand up right away. My fingers traced the surface of the table, drawing an obscure pattern. My gaze was fixed out of the window, towards the afternoon sky that was starting to change color.

Today... Just like yesterday. Just like the last few weeks since the sports festival. Or maybe, not. Because I know one thing: the quiet days that I used to find boring, now really can't come back.

"Scarf."

The sound sounded soft, but it was enough to make me reflexively turn my head. Sakura stood beside the table, her bag already slung over her shoulder. Her silver hair glistened in the afternoon light, her violet eyes stared at me with a serenity that contrasted too much with my restless heart.

“… What else?" I asked coldly.

"Going home together?" he asked briefly, as if it were a natural thing.

I took a deep breath. “… You're never bored, huh."

He chuckled a little. "I told you, didn't I? I won't stop."

I stood up, picked up my bag, and walked out of the classroom without waiting. Still, those light footsteps were still heard behind me, following at just the right distance—not too close, not too far.

The afternoon corridor always has a different atmosphere. An orange light illuminated the tiles, the shadow of a passing pupil stretched across the floor. The sound of laughter and conversation mixed with the creaking of the classroom doors that were closed one by one. And in the midst of the crowd, I remained aware of one thing: Sakura Airi was walking beside me.

I speed up my pace. He adjusted the speed without saying much. I paused on the shoe rack. He also stopped. I changed my shoes, sighing. He did the same, while glancing at me with a faint smile.

"Why do you always follow me?" I asked finally, unable to hold back any longer.

Sakura turned her head, her smile not fading. "Because I want to be by your side."

That simple sentence sounded too heavy in my ears. I hurriedly lowered my head, tidying up my shoelaces. “… I don't need anyone else by my side."

"Really?" he asked quietly, as if he was testing. "Then why don't you actually expel them?"

I was silent. Those words pierced more than I expected. Because... He wasn't wrong.

We walked side by side to the station. The street this afternoon was crowded, filled with students from various schools. Some laughed loudly, some walked while dragging tired steps, and some were busy with their phones.

I stared straight ahead, trying not to care. However, every time we walked in unison, I felt a tense chest.

"Akari," Sakura opened her voice after a few minutes of silence.
          “… What else?"
          "If I have the chance, I'd like to know your favorite place around here."

I glanced quickly. "What is it for?"

"No special reason," he replied casually. "I just want to know the parts of your world that you don't usually show others."

I paused for a moment, then took another step. “… I don't have a favorite place."

"You're lying." He smiled. "Everyone has a place like that. It's just that you don't want to tell me."

I bit my lip, holding back the answer. He was too good at reading the gaps in my words.

On the train, we stood next to each other because the seats were full. The metal handle felt cold in my hand, while the carriage shook slowly. I could feel his presence on the left side, too close to ignore. He didn't say much, just turned his head every now and then. But even in silence, I still felt surrounded by his aura.

Why should it always be me?
          Why didn't he choose someone else to be bullied?
          Those questions swirled in my head, but they were never spoken.

That night, in my room, I stared at my study desk full of books. The pen in my hand doesn't move. The notes for next week's exam are wide open, but my mind drifts elsewhere.

Sakura Airi.
          Her silver hair.
          Her violet smile.
          His simple sentences are always piercing.

I closed the book hard, laying my head on the table.

“… Why should I think about it this far?" I muttered softly.

There are no answers, of course. Just the sound of the seconds of the wall clock felt too loud in the ears.

I reminisced about the days before the festival. When I was only known as "Sumire Akari"—a cold figure who was untouchable, with a stern gaze to keep my distance from others. When I can walk down the corridor without having to hear whispers about "golden couple" or "sweet rivalry."

But now? My every step felt heavy, as if Sakura's shadow was always attached to my back. And the most annoying thing is—even though I'm upset, I don't really hate it.

The following days went on the same pattern. In the morning, as soon as I entered class, he was already in his chair. During recess, he appeared out of nowhere, always finding a way to sit next to me. After school, his footsteps always equate with mine.

People around us are getting more and more used to seeing "Sumire Akari and Sakura Airi" as complete packages.
          "Look, they're coming home together again!"
          "The two queens of the school are inseparable."
          "If it's a manga, there must be a special arc between the two of them."

I never answered those gossip. I just lowered my head, stared at the ends of my shoes, pretending not to hear. But deep down, I knew something was changing.

In the afternoon, I tried to run away. Instead of going straight home, I turned towards a small park near the station. The place was not visited by many students, there were only a few wooden benches and cherry trees whose leaves were almost gone.

I sat down, opening the book I had deliberately brought. The afternoon breeze blew softly, calming down for the first time in a long time.

“… Finally calmed down," I muttered.

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

"Scarf."

I closed my eyes, holding back a long sigh. “… You again."

Sakura stood in front of me, carrying two cans of drinks. He sat down without permission, handing me a can. "I'm passing by here and seeing you. So I thought, why don't you all accompany me?"

I received the can without staring. “… You don't have to bother."

"No hassle at all." He smiled, taking a sip of his drink. "After all, I'd rather sit here with you than go home alone."

I looked down, staring at the can in my hand. The sound of my heartbeat sounded too clear.

“… Why do you keep doing this?" I asked finally.

"Because I want to get to know you better," he replied without hesitation. "Because I want to be by your side, not just as a rival."

I was silent. Those words echoed, crashing into the defensive wall that I had worked so hard to build. I want to deny it. I want to say he was wrong. But my tongue finds it hard to pronounce it.

That day, when I finally came home alone —because Sakura was called by the teacher for the student council meeting—I found my footsteps felt strange. The road to the house that I usually thought was dull... Now it feels quieter than usual. I stopped at the intersection, staring at the twilight sky.

“… Stupid," I whispered.

I'm used to his presence. Too fast, too deep. My days have changed. I can't go back to the time before all this started. And the scariest part is... A part of me didn't really want to go back.

That night, before going to bed, I looked at my reflection in the window. My blonde hair fell on my shoulders, my cold eyes reflected the light of the room light.

"I just want to live a quiet life..." I said quietly.

But the reality is different. Sakura Airi is always on my mind. And although I wanted to think of him as a rival, something more complicated began to grow. Something that even I myself didn't dare to name.