5:00 PM.

Shion woke, wiping tears from his eyes.

"…Why am I crying?"

He glanced at the clock.

"Maybe I should go outside."

Downstairs, by the gate, Kasumi was hiding behind a pillar.

"Please, Shion… Yeamori's around. Don't tell her I'm here," she whispered nervously.

"…Okay," Shion replied in his usual flat tone.

Kasumi smiled faintly. "Thanks."

A moment later, Yeamori walked up.

"Shion, did you see Kasumi anywhere?"

"…No."

"Alright, thanks!" Yeamori hurried off.

Kasumi's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Shion! You saved me!"

"Hm." His blank reply, and he began to walk away.

But then—

Kasumi suddenly hugged him from behind.

Shion froze. "Wh-What are you doing, Kasumi?" His voice trembled, startled.

Her face burned red. She whispered softly, "N-Nothing… it's just… you came first in the exams again..... Please… don't turn around."

For a full minute, neither moved.

The between them felt heavier than words.

Finally, Kasumi let go.

"Bye, Shion," she murmured, stepping back.

Shion glanced over his shoulder, his expression unreadable.

I'll never understand her… he thought quietly.

---

The world remained just as strange.

But for the first time, someone hadn't misunderstood his feel.

Flashback: first talk

The evening sky glowed golden–orange. Shadows stretched long across the ground.

By the school gate, Kasumi Hoshino sat alone on the pavement.

Beside her lay a tennis racket case and her school bag and a bandage wrapped her right hand and lag. She had fallen during practice. It wasn't serious, but the pain and exhaustion showed clearly on her face.

She tried to lift both bags at once.

"Ughh… not again…" she hissed softly as pain shot through her hand.

Awkwardly, she tried dragging them instead. Her posture looked strained.

That's when a familiar figure walked past.

Shion Amano. Earbuds in his ears, his face as calm as ever.

Kasumi froze for a moment he thought.

That boy… the one who never talks to anyone.

Shion's eyes flicked toward her. He instantly took in the scene — the bandaged hand, the awkward posture, the heavy bags. Without a word, he pulled out his earbuds.

Kasumi's heart skipped.

"Uh… I can't really lift my bag… my hand is—" she muttered nervously, forcing a smile.

Shion's voice was calm.

"Which hand is injured?"

Kasumi blinked. "My right hand… but it's fine, I can manage—"

Before she could finish, Shion simply picked up both bags and started walking.

No hesitation. No wasted words.

Kasumi hurried alongside him. Their footsteps echoed on the road. The silence between them felt heavy… but not uncomfortable.

She sneaked a glance at him. His face was still expressionless, but his walking pace matched hers perfectly.

Her chest tightened and thought.

This boy… the loneliest one in school… is helping me without even asking.

"…Thank you, Shion," she whispered.

"Next time… hold your grip tighter," he said casually.

Kasumi gasped.he thought.

W-Wait… he saw my match?

"…Did you… watch me play?" she asked cautiously.

"…Yeah. I did."

Her cheeks turned crimson nad thought again.

H-He was watching me?!

Why is my face so hot…?!

She quickly shook her head, trying to calm herself.

No no no… don't overthink, Kasumi!

The walk continued in two. But for Kasumi, it wasn't empty silence anymore.

For the first time, she felt the weight of Shion's quietness… and the soft corner hidden inside it.

---

The memory blurred, fading like an old photograph… and then the present returned."

Kasumi looked up the stairs of her building, and softly, almost too softly, she whispered…:

"Maybe… that's when I first started noticing him."

---Episodes 3 End--