I heard the front door open.

“Is Kaname-kun doing okay?”

My heart gave a little jump when I heard that voice.

“He’s fine now. The medicine’s working, and he’s stable. Do you want to see him?”

That was Mom.

Apparently, Senpai had come to check on me after hearing that I hadn’t gone to school today.

“Ah, then... if I wouldn’t be bothering him.”

I heard footsteps coming down the hall toward my room.

“I’ll get you something to drink, so go ahead to Kaname’s room. His door’s open. If he’s asleep, you can just go in.”

Mom’s footsteps faded away toward the kitchen.

Listening to their conversation suddenly made me worry about yesterday.

—I wasn’t acting too weird yesterday... was I?

I quickly sat up and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make myself look a little more presentable.

Then I grabbed the book I’d left on my nightstand and pretended to read as if I’d been doing that all along.

The closer Senpai’s footsteps came, the harder my heart pounded.

“Hey, Kaname-kun. How are you feeling?”

Senpai poked his head around the doorway with a big smile and gave me a little wave.

The moment I saw his face, I suddenly felt like I might cry.

And at the same time, I realized just how relieved I was to see him.

Trying my best not to let any of that show, I kept my voice calm.

“Come in.”

“I was really surprised when Aoki-kun told me you were absent from school today.”

Senpai walked over to my bed and sat down on the edge.

“I’m sorry. I think my heat... started. It was my first time, so I guess my body just couldn’t handle it very well...”

“Yeah, I figured that might be it. You were acting a little strange at the park yesterday, so I wondered. I could faintly smell it, too.”

“...Smell?”

“Yeah. So that’s what an Omega smells like during heat. I’d never smelled anything like it before, so it was a first for me.”

Senpai laughed lightly.

“Did it smell strange? I didn’t cause you any trouble, did I?”

“No, not at all. It was kind of sweet, and it wasn’t that strong. It just... made my heart beat a little faster, I guess.”

Senpai smiled, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I honestly never expected my heat to affect me this badly. It really surprised me. I’m just glad it didn’t happen at school or somewhere crowded. I guess I seriously underestimated what an Omega’s heat could be like.”

When I admitted that, Senpai’s expression became a little more serious.

“Yeah. When you think about what could’ve happened if there’d been an Alpha there... if someone had dragged you somewhere out of sight when no one else was around... it’s terrifying. I’m really glad you’re safe.”

“...Yeah.”

For some reason, those words sank deep into my chest.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t go to school today.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

Senpai looked genuinely puzzled.

“Everyone has days when they don’t feel well. Feeling sick because of your heat is no different. There’s nothing unusual about needing to stay home when your body isn’t doing well.”

“...But I said I’d bring my art club application today.”

My shoulders slumped.

Senpai smiled gently.

“Don’t worry. The art club isn’t going anywhere. Just bring it when you come back to school.”

His words finally brought a small smile back to my face.

“Knock, knock! Tea—and yesterday’s leftovers, but here’s some of the cake Yano-kun brought us.”

Mom came into my room carrying tea and cake.

“Thank you very much. Is your husband working today?”

“Yeah. Since Kaname’s like this, he kept whining, ‘I don’t wanna go to work!’ But his manager practically dragged him away. I skipped practice today, though.”

Mom giggled.

“Hahaha. I can totally picture that.”

Senpai laughed too.

“Are you okay missing art club today, Yano-kun?”

“Yes. Everyone’s working on their own pieces for the competition right now.”

“What about you? Don’t you need to work on yours?”

“Oh, I already finished mine and turned it in.”

“Wow. You really are talented, Yano-kun.”

“No, I just have too much free time.”

Senpai brushed off the compliment modestly.

“Oh, that reminds me.”

Mom looked over at me as though he’d just remembered something.

“Kaname told me you’re the one who painted that picture he loves so much.”

“Hahaha. I wouldn’t call it anything that impressive, but... apparently so.”

“Oh, you should’ve seen Kaname when he first found out!”

Mom kept glancing at me with an amused smile.

“Because I really wanted that painting!”

I pouted.

“When that painting was on display, it was unbelievable. He kept saying, ‘I want it! I really want it!’ We contacted the museum, the school, everyone we could think of, but nobody would give us a positive answer. Kaname got so upset he wouldn’t speak to me for an entire week.”

“Mom! Don’t tell Senpai about my dark past!”

I puffed out my cheeks and pretended to be angry.

Senpai burst out laughing as he watched us.

“But I had no idea anyone wanted that painting that badly. The school never told me. Nobody said anything.”

“Exactly. Even when we asked them to put us in touch with the person who painted it, all they would say was, ‘It isn’t for sale.’ Since it was painted by a high school student, I suppose there were privacy issues involved too.”

“Still, the school could’ve at least told me someone liked it that much.”

Senpai looked at me.

“If I’d known I had such a devoted fan, it might’ve motivated me to paint even more afterward... right?”

Then he winked at me.

“......”

I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I scratched my head to hide my embarrassment.

“Oh! That reminds me!”

Senpai suddenly exclaimed.

“Your homeroom teacher gave me something to bring you. I’d better give it to you before I forget!”

He reached into his bag and pulled something out—

Thud.

A huge stack of homework landed on my bed.

“......”

I stared at the pile.

Then I looked at Senpai.

“...Senpai!”

“Hmm?”

“You really didn’t have to come visit me! Why did you have to come here?!”

I jokingly grumbled at him.

“Hahaha! Looks like Yano-kun got you good, Kaname.”

Mom laughed.

Senpai laughed too.

And before I knew it, I was laughing with them.

—But then...

For just a moment, the laughter faded.

Senpai was looking at Mom.

It probably lasted only a second.

His expression was as gentle and calm as always.

And yet—

There was something different in his eyes.

When Mom smiled casually as he gathered up the tea things, Senpai quietly watched him.

As though he were looking at something he had missed for a very long time.

As though he were looking at something almost too bright to touch.

And when I saw that expression—

I realized.

I realized what Senpai felt when he looked at my mother.