That morning, the air was still cool even though the sun was already high in the sky. I walked at a slow pace on the sidewalk toward the school gate, letting the sound of other students' footsteps blend with the morning chatter. Some ran in a hurry, afraid of being late, while others were busy joking around, their bags slung carelessly over their shoulders.

I just walked as usual—calmly, without haste. Not because I wanted to look graceful. It was just a long-standing habit. As soon as I passed the school gate, the familiar whispers began again. "Ah, Sumire-san is here." "She's so beautiful, as always." "Her hair is in a side braid today, isn't it? She looks so sweet."

I heard those phrases even though they never said them directly to me. A slight smile automatically formed on my face. I responded with a small nod—just a formality to seem polite. I knew they admired me. But to be honest… I never felt comfortable with any of this.

Since I started high school, I've been accustomed to being the center of attention. They said it was because my grades were always good, or maybe because of my "graceful" appearance. But actually, I never intended to stand out.

I just wanted to live a quiet school life. Without a fuss. Without excessive scrutiny.

Yet, the world seemed unwilling to let that happen. I took a slow breath, trying to ignore the gazes that followed me with every step. They might see me as a perfect person, but I never felt that way. I was just... Sumire Akari. An ordinary second-year high school student who just happened to be good at hiding her awkwardness behind a cold smile.

"Akari-senpai! Good morning!"

A cheerful voice greeted me from the side. I turned slightly and saw Rina Takahashi, a junior from the literature club. Her black hair, tied in pigtails, bounced with her half-running steps.

"Morning, Rina." I replied in a polite tone.

She smiled widely, as if my minimal smile was more than enough to make her day. I felt a little guilty... because I could never return that expression with sincerity. For some reason, every time I saw that admiring look, a strange feeling pressed down on my chest. Instead of warmth, it felt... heavy. I looked away toward the classroom window in the distance. The sunlight reflected off the glass, momentarily dazzling my eyes.

Today... will probably be the same as yesterday. Fake smiles, admiring glances, and the endless little whispers.

Yes, it will definitely be the same.

That's what I thought. Until a certain figure appeared and made all my convictions crumble. My steps paused momentarily on the school grounds. Not because someone was blocking my path, but because the figure who had just passed through the gate seemed to change the atmosphere around her.

Her long, silver-white hair immediately caught my attention. The morning light reflected off her strands, making them shimmer as if they were threads of light woven neatly together. Even from this distance, I could feel an aura that was hard to ignore.

Sakura Airi.

I'd heard that name far too often. A teen model, her face plastered on the covers of magazines I often saw on bookstore shelves. A girl who, even before I knew her at school, already lived in the public spotlight. She walked casually, but with full confidence. Shoulders straight, chin slightly raised, with a smile that seemed to say the whole world was in her grasp.

"Ah, Sakura-san is here!" "Look, look, look! Her hair is so beautiful!" "She's really like a star..."

I could hear all those whispers clearly. Compared to me, who only responded with a slight smile or a polite nod, Sakura seemed truly made for the stage. She greeted people back, giving a small wave to those who called her name, without a hint of awkwardness. I just stood still, watching from a safe distance. As if I were a spectator, not a part of the same stage.

However, for some reason... when her violet gaze swept over the crowd, I felt something different. Her eyes only glanced briefly, but to me it felt too long. There was a kind of pressure, like when someone intentionally shines a flashlight in your face. It didn't hurt, but it made you want to look away and pretend you didn't see.

"...Sumire Akari."

Her quiet voice slipped out. Not a shout, not a greeting, but clear enough to reach my ears. My heart beat a little faster.

Why did she say my name? I wasn't even talking to her.

I tried to remain calm. Busying myself by straightening my bag straps, as if I hadn't heard anything. But inside, an uncomfortable feeling slowly crept in. Sakura Airi was different from others. If other students just looked at me with vague admiration, her gaze felt like a test. As if she was saying, "Can you stay composed even though I'm here?"

I hate to admit it, but that look cut far deeper than the other admiring whispers.

"Akari-senpai!"

Rina called me again from the side. Her voice was cheerful, snapping me out of my brief daze. "Oh... yes. Morning," I answered quickly.

I shifted my full attention to Rina, hoping to forget that violet gaze. But it was difficult. I knew very well that Sakura was still behind me, walking with a casual stride that continued to attract dozens of stares.

Rina chattered about something related to the literature club. I nodded occasionally, pretending to pay attention, even though half my mind was still on the girl with the silver hair.

Why? Why should I feel so unsettled? Haven't I gotten used to being the center of attention?

However, unlike the gazes of other students that only lingered for a moment, Sakura's gaze seemed to pierce my chest, leaving a mark that was hard to erase.

I glanced back. A fatal mistake. In that moment, our eyes met. It was only for a fraction of a second. But the slight smile on Sakura's face made my heart pound one beat faster. It wasn't the friendly smile she gave the crowd. It wasn't the professional smile of a model used to being photographed. It was more like a small smile meant specifically for me. I quickly looked away.

"Senpai? Senpai, did you hear me?" Rina asked, leaning closer. "Ah, sorry. I heard you," I replied curtly, covering my awkwardness.

I started walking again, this time a little faster. Rina had to adjust her pace, still with her cheerful chatter. I tried to focus on her words, though most of them were lost to the sound of my own thumping heart. Once I reached my classroom, I let out a long sigh. At least here I could be at peace—or so I thought. But the voices started again. "Wow, the two school queens are in the same class, huh?" "When Sumire-san and Sakura-san are together... it feels like watching a drama." "Who do you think is more popular?"

I closed my eyes for a moment. So many rumors, so much gossip. All I wanted was to sit in my chair, open my book, and start class as usual. But in this world, "as usual" seemed too much of a luxury for me.

I calmly pulled out my chair, trying to ignore everything. But before I could sit down, I felt someone standing behind me.

"I'm not mistaken, am I?"

The voice was clear, low but loud enough for me to hear. It was a little flirtatious, but not artificial. I turned slowly. And there, Sakura Airi stood with the same smile as before—a smile that made me feel like all the spotlights in the room were narrowing down to just the two of us.

Why... of all the people in this school, was she the one I found hardest to ignore? I didn't know the answer. But one thing was certain: today would not be the same as yesterday.

I was still standing frozen, the chair in my hand not yet pushed completely in. Sakura Airi stood behind me, wearing a smile that made the air in the classroom feel tense. The gossiping voices of the other students, which were just whispers before, now sounded clearer.

"Hey, hey, are they really talking?" "Crazy... the two school queens are finally face to face." "This is going to be exciting..."

I gripped the back of the chair tightly, trying to calm myself. I couldn't lose control.

"I wasn't wrong, was I? You glanced my way this morning." Sakura started the conversation without hesitation, her tone light, as if we were old friends.

I turned slightly, looking at her with a flat expression. "...You're too full of yourself."

Sakura chuckled softly, the sound of her laugh was annoying but... for some reason I couldn't ignore it. "Not full of myself. Intuition. And it seems my intuition is rarely wrong."

The whispers of the other students grew louder. Some covered their mouths to hold back laughter, others leaned in to watch. I pulled my chair out, finally sitting down calmly. I tried to end the conversation with my cold action. However, Sakura just pulled her own chair out and sat down next to me. I immediately turned, staring at her. "Why sit here?" "Why not?" she replied quickly, without a hint of guilt. "The seat's empty, isn't it? Besides, it's more interesting to sit next to you than at the front of the class."

I could feel the other students almost holding back their screams.

"She sat next to Sumire-san?!" "Oh, oh, oh... this is going to be gossip for a whole month."

I took a deep breath, trying to stay composed. "If your only goal is to seek attention, I suggest you find another place. I won't get involved."

"Who said I'm seeking attention?" Sakura leaned in slightly, her violet eyes staring straight at me. "I'm just curious about you, Akari."

My heart beat one more time, but my face remained cold. "HAH! Curious? What for?"

Sakura rested her chin in her palm, still with that slight smile. "Because... you're the only person in this school who isn't affected by me."

The words made me silent. Not affected? Is that really true? If only she knew how hard I was trying to hold back from showing any reaction when her gaze locked with mine this morning. I turned to the window, avoiding eye contact. "I have no reason to be affected. You're just another student in this school."

Sakura laughed softly. "'Just another student,' huh? Those words sound funny coming from 'Sumire Akari'." I frowned, turning back to her. "...What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're not an ordinary student either. You realize, don't you, that everyone notices you every day? Same as me. The difference is, you try to avoid it, while I enjoy it."

Her sentence hit sharper than I expected. I looked down for a moment, gripping the notebook on my desk. She was right, but that didn't mean I liked it. I took a slow breath, then answered in a flat tone.

"If you enjoy it, go ahead. But don't involve me."

Sakura smiled, as if enjoying every second of this conversation. "I actually want to involve you. Wouldn't it be more fun if the two most noticed people in school... were on the same side?"

"No." My answer was quick, firm, and cold.

However, deep down, I knew that answer wasn't entirely honest. Because since earlier, I had been caught in the loop of her presence. The bell rang, ending the temporary commotion. The teacher came in, and the atmosphere in the class calmed down a bit. However, I could feel Sakura still occasionally glancing my way, even when she was pretending to write notes. Every time that happened, I bent my head deeper into my book. I couldn't lose. I couldn't waver. But why... did I feel like I was running on shifting sand?

I had just closed my book when Haruna Tachibana—my best friend since middle school—came up to me. "Akari! Are you crazy, not telling me anything about this?" She leaned on my desk, her face full of gossip.

"What do you mean?" I asked flatly.

"Don't pretend! You and Sakura-san just had a conversation the whole class heard, you know!" Haruna tapped my desk gently, her eyes sparkling. "It's crazy, your vibes are like rivals in a school drama."

I closed my eyes for a moment. "Don't be so dramatic, Haruna."

Before I could change the subject, Sakura joined the conversation. "Rivals? That's an interesting word." She just appeared, standing on the other side of my desk, making Haruna instinctively take a half-step back. I looked at her coldly. "...You really like to interfere, don't you?"

Sakura smiled widely. "Not interfering. I'm just interested. If you want to call me a rival, I don't mind."

Haruna almost shrieked with delight. "Oh my God, this is really like a shojo manga!"

I covered my face with my hand, feeling this conversation getting more and more out of control.