EXT. SCHOOL GARDEN – DAY
"Wow, I can't believe we're in the same senior high school too!"
It was the first day of school, yet something had been bothering Azure ever since the vacation ended.
Oriel sat beside her on the bench, swinging her legs as she ate her lunch, bright and energetic as always.
"Yeah," Azure replied.
She poked at her food, nudging it around without much interest. There was something she had wanted to say for a long time now—something that sat heavy in her chest every time she thought about it.
I want to tell my best friend, she thought.
But whenever the moment came, her courage slipped away.
"And can you believe DJ goes here too?" Oriel continued casually. "I feel like I'm being watched all the time."
She rolled her eyes.
Azure smiled faintly.
Inside her chest, something stirred—small and uncomfortable. Not anger. Not resentment.
Just a quiet thought she didn't want to look at too closely.
That must be nice.
She didn't hate Oriel. Never. But being protected so naturally by someone kind—someone who always noticed—felt like something out of a story. DJ was always a step behind Oriel when he walked her home, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
A guardian angel, Azure had once joked.
Oriel never seemed to realize how lucky she was.
"Hey, Oriel."
"Hm?" Oriel turned mid-bite.
Azure hesitated.
"Do you… like DJ?"
She added quickly, "Romantically, I mean."
The words came out before she could stop them.
Oriel immediately started coughing.
"Whoa—are you okay?" Azure scrambled, handing her water and patting her back until the coughing finally stopped.
"What did you just say?" Oriel asked, staring at her like she'd heard something absurd.
"I—I mean," Azure said quickly, forcing a laugh, "maybe you like him? Like that?"
"No way!"
The answer came out too fast—too sharp.
"Are you sure?" Azure asked, fiddling with her fingers. "I mean… you're always together."
"I don't like him like that," Oriel said flatly.
"Oh."
Azure nodded, even though her thoughts tangled.
She opened her mouth.
Closed it again.
Oriel watched her.
Then her eyes widened.
"…You don't mean—"
"No!" Azure said quickly, covering her mouth. "I mean—just a little. Don't tease me."
The words slipped out clumsily, half-formed, like they hadn't meant to leave her chest at all.
Oriel stared at her, unreadable.
"What?" Azure rushed on, embarrassed heat flooding her face. "You just don't realize how cute DJ actually is."
Her voice dropped at the end, almost a murmur.
"DJ?" Oriel frowned. "Cute?"
"Stop it," Azure said defensively, crossing her arms. "Don't judge my taste, okay?"
Oriel sighed. "Okay. Okay. I'll… try my best to help you."
"Really?" Azure's eyes lit up.
But Oriel didn't smile. She looked at her for a long moment, like she was waiting for Azure to laugh and say it was all a joke.
"Are you sure?" Oriel asked quietly.
Azure laughed, brushing it off.
"If only I had listened," she would think later.
That same afternoon, DJ waved at them from across the garden, his bright smile easy and familiar.
Azure's heart skipped.
For a moment, she thought the smile was meant for her.
That's what happens when you're young and foolish, she reflected now, letting out a quiet, bitter laugh.