Asahi leaned back in his chair.
The classroom buzzed softly, but the attention on him hadn't faded.
Every glance.
Every whisper.
Every stare.
He could feel it.
Asahi: (Sighing internally.)
(Ahhh… I feel like a celebrity.)
But he wasn't smiling.
All this attention—he didn't want it.
He just wanted to stay in control.
Sensei: (Clearing his throat.)
"Alright, let's start the class."
Asahi clicked his tongue lightly.
Sensei turned toward the board.
And then—
Asahi: (Expression blank.)
(Ahhh… class. The same class. The same lesson.)
He knew every word the teacher would say.
Every line.
Every example.
Every joke.
It was all the same.
He barely paid attention anymore.
Instead, his gaze shifted.
He looked at Anari.
Her shoulders weren't as tense anymore.
Her fingers, which had gripped her desk a little too tightly earlier, had loosened.
Her breathing was steady now.
Asahi: (Softly, in his mind.)
(Mmm… she looks okay now.)
(I think.)
On the other side—
Anari exhaled slowly.
Her heartbeat, which had been erratic minutes ago, was finally calming.
Her mind, which had been a whirlwind of confusion, was slowing down.
Anari: (In her mind, trying to ground herself.)
(I think I should calm down…)
She took a deep breath.
She forced herself to relax.
She pushed the pain away.
And as she did—
Asahi watched her.
Asahi: (Simply observing, unreadable.)
(Good.)
(For now.)
Asahi leaned back in his chair.
The classroom moved at its usual pace.
Students took notes.
Sensei continued the lecture.
But Asahi?
His mind was somewhere else.
Asahi: (Thinking to himself, lost in thought.)
(I always thought… I wanted to be famous.)
(Like an actor. Like a celebrity. Like the most good-looking guy in the room.)
He glanced around the class.
And then—
Asahi: (Smirking slightly.)
(Even now, some girls are looking at me.)
(Not just normal ones—EVEN THE GOOD-LOOKING ONES!)
(Hah… this isn't bad.)
He smiled to himself.
For a brief moment, he let himself indulge.
But then—
Sensei: (Suddenly shouting.)
"ASAHI!"
Asahi flinched.
His mind snapped back to reality.
Asahi: (Eyes widening slightly.)
"Uhh… Sensei!"
Sensei: (Arms crossed, raising an eyebrow.)
"Were you even listening to the class?"
Asahi froze.
A pause.
Then—
Asahi: (Grinning confidently.)
"YES! 100%!"
Sensei narrowed his eyes.
A challenge.
Sensei: (Testing him, smirking slightly.)
"Oh really? Then tell me—what are the ions of NaCl?"
Asahi blinked.
A brief hesitation.
Then, an awkward smile.
Asahi: (Internally panicking.)
(Huh? Ions?)
Anari: (Sighing to herself, rubbing her temples.)
(Ahhh… again.)
The class fell silent.
Eyes turned to Asahi.
Waiting.
Then—
Asahi: (Clearing his throat, smoothly.)
"Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt—"
Sensei: (Pausing, raising an eyebrow.)
"Ahhh?"
Asahi: (Smirking slightly, continuing.)
"—is composed of sodium ions (Na⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻)."
A silence.
Then—
Sensei: (Exhaling, crossing his arms.)
"Hah… so you were listening, huh?"
Anari: (Sighing again.)
"Ahhh…"
Asahi grinned to himself.
Asahi: (Thinking, amused.)
(After all… I've heard this lesson more times than I've seen my own mom.)
The bell rang.
Lunch break.
Asahi let out a slow breath, stretching his arms.
Asahi: (Muttering to himself, rubbing his stomach)
"Finally… I'm starving."
Skipping breakfast was a mistake. Again.
Across the room, Anari glanced at him.
She hesitated for a second, then smiled softly.
(I should eat with him.)
She stepped forward—
Anari: (Casually calling out)
"Hey, Asah—"
She never finished her sentence.
Before she could reach him, a group of four or five girls rushed in.
They surrounded Asahi instantly.
Asahi froze.
Trapped.
Asahi: (Blinking, awkwardly smiling)
"Ahhh…"
(What the hell is this?)
Yuki: (Eyes sparkling, practically beaming)
"Asahi, you've changed so much!"
Akari: (Grinning)
"Yeah, seriously! You look… different."
Akane: (Leaning in, teasingly)
"Are you dating anyone?"
Asahi's brain froze for a second.
He looked around.
These girls—they were all beautiful.
They were talking to him.
Him.
Asahi: (Internally, a dumb grin threatening to form)
(Is this real? Is this happening?)
(They're actually interested in me?!)
Anari stood a few feet away, watching quietly.
Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable.
Akane: (Still smiling, tilting her head)
"Then… can I get your number?"
And just like that—Asahi snapped out of it.
His expression changed.
His heartbeat slowed.
Everything around him faded.
The voices.
The laughter.
The attention.
Instead, a memory rose up from the depths of his mind.
(First day of school.)
(Laughing with friends.)
(Sharing lunch, making stupid jokes, running through the halls like idiots.)
They were always there.
Every morning, they'd call out his name.
Every lunch break, they'd pull him into their conversations.
Every time he was alone, someone would sit next to him.
For a while, he thought—this is it.
This is what it means to have people.
Then… slowly… everything changed.
(People drifted away.)
(Found better friends.)
(Funnier friends.)
(More popular friends.)
(More exciting friends.)
At first, it was subtle.
They still laughed together, but something felt off.
They still talked, but the moments got shorter.
And then one day, he looked around—
And realized he was alone.
Not because of a fight.
Not because something happened.
Just because… they moved on.
And before he knew it—
He was just "someone they used to know."
A ghost in the background.
A leftover.
A hand on his shoulder.
His mind snapped back to the present.
Akane: (Still waiting, looking slightly disappointed)
"Asahi?"
Asahi blinked.
He looked at her.
At the other girls.
Then, finally, at himself.
If this was the old him…
Would they have asked?
Would they have noticed him at all?
Or was this just like before—temporary?
The kind of attention that only sticks around as long as you shine.
He exhaled softly.
Then—without hesitation, his voice quiet but certain.
Asahi:
"No."
The girls froze.
Their smiles faltered.
Akane: (Blinking, slightly hurt)
"Huh? Why?"
Asahi just smiled awkwardly.
Didn't explain.
Didn't justify it.
Just stayed silent.
From the side, Anari continued watching.
Her fingers lightly tapped against her desk.
(Why?)
(He could've just said yes.)
(Why did he refuse?)
Asahi let out a slow breath, then stood up.
He turned toward Anari.
Their eyes met.
For the first time since morning—his smile looked real.
Asahi: (Nudging her playfully, grinning)
"Come on, let's go eat."
Anari blinked, caught off guard.
Asahi: (Smirking)
"I have meat today."
For a moment—Anari didn't say anything.
Then, without even thinking—she smiled back.
Anari: (Shaking her head, laughing lightly)
"Mmm. Let's go."
As they walked away, Anari stole a quick glance at him.
(No matter how much he changes… this part of him is still the same.)
(And that's what I like about him.)
The school felt loud.
Too many voices. Too much noise.
But up here—on the rooftop—it was different.
The wind carried a quiet calmness.
The sky stretched infinitely, clouds drifting like they had all the time in the world.
And yet—
Asahi felt like time was chasing him.
Asahi: (Looking at Anari, smiling faintly.)
(I used to make jokes just to attract people.)
(Because people like to laugh. They like to be entertained.)
(If you're funny, they keep you around.)
(If you're boring… they forget you exist.)
Anari stretched her arms, inhaling deeply.
The fresh air seemed to relax her.
Anari: (Grinning, casually)
"Let's eat here today."
Asahi blinked.
Then sighed, shaking his head with a small smirk.
Asahi: (Muttering to himself)
"Ahhh… you always do what you want, huh?"
They sat down.
Anari opened her lunch, her face lighting up the moment she took a bite.
Anari: (Eyes widening, muffled through her food)
"Mmmm! This meat is soooo good!"
Asahi glanced at her.
And froze.
For a moment—just a brief moment—a memory resurfaced.
A time when the world felt colder.
Back then… he was alone.
Or so he thought.
Asahi: (Internally, his chest tightening.)
(When I was left behind… in that classroom…)
(Only one person ever came near me.)
(And her words… those simple words… made me live again.)
His eyes softened.
He looked at Anari.
And without realizing it—he smiled.
Asahi: (Softly, in his heart)
"Anari… it was you."
—FLASHBACK—A rainy afternoon.
The classroom was silent.
The sky outside was dark, heavy with rain.
Water trickled down the windowpane, blurring the world outside.
The air smelled of damp notebooks and dust.
It should have felt peaceful.
But it didn't.
A boy sat by the window.
Head resting on his palm.
Eyes blank.
Expression empty.
The world outside was gray.
And inside him—was nothing.
Then—footsteps.
Soft. Hesitant.
Stopping right beside him.
Anari: (Pouting slightly, arms crossed.)
"Hey, Asahi."
He didn't turn.
Didn't react.
Didn't care.
Asahi: (Flat, emotionless)
"What?"
Anari huffed.
She puffed out her cheeks, annoyed.
Anari: (Frowning)
"Why aren't you coming home?"
"We always go together, right?"
Asahi didn't answer right away.
His eyes stayed on the rain.
Watching it fall.
Watching it disappear.
Asahi: (Voice dull, lifeless)
"Yeah, yeah. Go alone."
Silence.
Anari didn't leave.
Instead, she studied him.
Then—her expression softened.
Anari: (Quietly, almost hesitant)
"Huh… I wanted to hear your jokes."
For the first time, he looked at her.
And in that moment—
The rain stopped.
A soft beam of sunlight pierced through the clouds, slipping into the room.
A warm glow spilled across the wooden desks.
A gentle breeze stirred the air.
And there—standing in the light—
She smiled.
Beautifully.
Anari: (Cheerfully, without hesitation)
"I love your jokes."
His breath caught.
His heart skipped.
His eyes… widened.
In her gaze, he saw himself.
Not the person he thought he was—a forgotten nobody.
Not the person he feared he had become—a background character in someone else's life.
But someone worth being around.
Someone worth listening to.
He had thought…
No one would ever miss him.
That if he disappeared—it wouldn't matter.
But she had been there.
She noticed.
And that one small sentence—
"I love your jokes."
Had pulled him back from the edge.
—PRESENT—
The rooftop was quiet again.
Anari was still eating, humming softly to herself, unaware of the storm of emotions inside Asahi.
He exhaled slowly.
And for the first time in a long, long while—
He understood.
Asahi: (Internally, realization hitting him like a tidal wave.)
(That's when I found the meaning of life.)
(Not the jokes. Not the attention. Not the fake friendships.)
(But the one person… who didn't leave.)
He looked at her.
And for the first time—
He didn't feel alone.
The rooftop was quiet.
The wind was gentle, carrying the distant sounds of students laughing somewhere below.
For once—there was no time loops.
No battles.
No regrets.
Just this moment.
Just them.
Asahi held up a spoonful of meat, pointing it toward Anari.
Asahi: (Smirking, teasingly)
"Here."
Anari: (Blinking, confused)
"Huh?"
Asahi: (Nudging the spoon closer, voice softer)
"Mmmmm. Eat it."
Anari stiffened.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then, her cheeks turned a soft pink.
Anari: (Flustered, looking away slightly)
"Hmmm…"
But she leaned in.
Slowly.
And took the bite.
The meat was warm. Soft.
The taste melted in her mouth.
And yet—her heart was beating louder than ever.
Asahi: (Grinning, watching her reaction)
"So? How is it?"
Anari took a second to chew.
Then—her face lit up.
Anari: (Smiling beautifully, her voice light)
"Mmm! This is sooo good!"
Asahi just watched her.
And smiled.
Not because of the food.
Not because of the moment.
But because—
She was still here.
The rooftop air was light.
For once, there was no tension.
No fights.
No nightmares.
Just them.
Anari suddenly picked up a spoonful of meat.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
She held it up toward him.
Anari: (Blushing slightly, but determined)
"Hmmm… now here."
Asahi: (Blanching, slightly panicked)
"Uh—?"
Before he could protest—she pushed it toward his mouth.
Anari: (Pouting, voice firm but playful)
"Eat it."
Asahi: (Blinking rapidly, flustered)
"Uhh… yeah."
He took the bite.
Chewed.
Paused.
Asahi: (Internally, his expression shifting)
(Oh no.)
(It's burned.)
Anari: (Eyes sparkling, eager)
"How is it?!"
Asahi hesitated.
He could feel her excitement.
But—
He also felt his tongue dying.
Asahi: (Smiling awkwardly, swallowing hard)
"Uh… it's… burned, I think."
Silence.
Anari froze.
Then—
Her cheeks puffed up, full of frustration.
Anari: (Pouting, eyes narrowing)
"Uhhhh! I made that with my own hands and you—!"
Before he could react—she punched his arm.
It didn't hurt.
But her expression did.
Asahi: (Smiling awkwardly, rubbing his arm)
"Ahhh… my bad?"
Anari huffed, looking away.
Her pout only made her look cuter.
Asahi stared at her for a moment.
Then, without a word—he reached into her lunchbox.
He took a spoonful of her meat.
And ate it.
Anari: (Eyes widening)
"Uhhh…?"
He chewed.
This time—he didn't flinch.
Asahi: (Softly, with a small smirk)
"Mmm… it's good."
Anari froze again.
For a second, she just stared at him.
Then—a laugh bubbled out of her.
Soft. Light.
Real.
The rooftop was quiet again.
Just two people… sharing a moment.
The food was gone.
The warmth of the meal still lingered in the air, but more than that—
The warmth of being together.
Asahi stretched, exhaling.
Asahi: (Casually, with a small smile)
"Huh… Let's go back to class."
Anari looked at him.
For a moment—she didn't say anything.
Just watched him.
And smiled.
Anari: (Softly, nodding)
"Hmmm!"
The last school bell rang.
The classroom was filled with the sound of chairs scraping, students chatting, and books being shoved into bags.
But for Asahi—it all felt the same.
Asahi: (Sighing, stretching slightly)
"Huh… finally… wait. I feel like I say this all the time."
Anari, already beside him, smiled.
Anari: (Cheerfully)
"So, Asahi… let's go home!"
Asahi nodded, grabbing his bag.
Then—a memory surfaced.
Something that hadn't happened yet.
Something… that felt too clear.
Asahi: (Turning to her, voice casual)
"You're alone today, right?"
Anari blinked.
Anari: (Tilting her head, confused)
"Huh…?"
Asahi: (Keeping his expression calm, but his mind racing)
"Your parents are coming home late tonight, right?"
Anari froze.
Her lips parted slightly, eyes narrowing.
Anari: (Slowly, suspiciously)
"Huh… How did you know that?"
For a moment, Asahi hesitated.
He could feel it.
The weight of time.
The loops were stacking up.
Little details—little things that he shouldn't know—were starting to slip through.
He had to cover it up.
Asahi: (Smiling awkwardly, scratching the back of his head)
"Ahhh… I just guessed it."
Anari stared at him.
For just a second too long.
Then—she smiled.
Anari: (Grinning, playfully nudging his shoulder)
"Hmm… I don't believe you, but fine!"
The hallway was filled with students rushing home, their voices blending into a soft hum.
But for Anari… everything else faded.
Her mind was stuck on one thing.
Anari: (Internally, staring at Asahi as they walked)
(How did he know that…?)
(I never told him… and yet—he was so sure.)
(It wasn't just a guess… it felt like he already knew.)
She glanced at him.
Asahi looked normal.
Or at least—he was trying to.
She could see it.
That slight hesitation.
The way his eyes flickered away from hers for just a second too long.
Something was off.
Asahi: (Casually, with a small smile)
"So, want to go to the mall?"
Anari: (Blinking, suddenly flustered)
"Huh?!"
A soft red dusted her cheeks.
Asahi… was inviting her somewhere?
It wasn't like they'd never hung out before—but this felt different.
Asahi: (Noticing her reaction, suddenly blushing too)
"I-It's just—"
He quickly looked away.
His hand reached up, rubbing the back of his neck.
He looked so awkward.
Asahi: (Clearing his throat, forcing a small chuckle)
"It's… just that you're alone, right?! That's… why!"
His voice cracked slightly at the end.
His awkward smile followed immediately after.
And Anari couldn't help it—she laughed.