The weather turned warm again by Monday, but the breeze carried a subtle tension—like the way air feels just before thunder.
Sora sat in the library, her usual sanctuary. Open books surrounded her, but her eyes kept drifting to her phone.
Leo hadn't messaged her all weekend.
Not that he owed her anything. But after their rooftop moment, she'd assumed… something.
Her thumb hovered over the message draft:
> "Hey. Busy?"
She stared.
Then deleted it.
Again.
---
In the hallway, Yuki leaned against the vending machine, tapping her foot impatiently. She'd been waiting for Leo to pass by.
He usually showed up after third period. On schedule.
But today, he didn't.
She caught a junior walking by and asked, "You seen Leo?"
The girl blinked. "Oh—he's in the gym. I think he's helping prep the track again."
Yuki's smile flickered.
"…With Hana?"
The girl shrugged. "Think so."
Yuki didn't respond.
She just turned, drink forgotten.
And walked.
---
In the gym, Leo was adjusting hurdles while Hana tested the spacing. She looked annoyingly fresh despite the heat.
"Move that one three centimeters left," she called.
Leo did.
She nodded. "Perfect. You're getting better at this."
He smirked. "Should I be flattered?"
"Extremely."
From the gym entrance, a voice echoed.
"Leo~!"
Both turned.
Yuki stood there, her usual cheerful energy dimmed slightly.
"Hey," Leo said. "Didn't expect you here."
"I figured I'd see what all the fuss was about. You've been… busy lately."
Hana raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet.
Leo scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah. The prep's been nonstop."
Yuki walked closer. Her eyes scanned the equipment, then settled on Hana. "Looks like you two make a good team."
Hana smiled politely. "We manage."
Yuki's lips curved upward, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Leo, can I borrow you for a second?"
Hana gave him a look—your call.
Leo hesitated. "Uh… sure."
They stepped out into the shaded corridor.
Yuki didn't speak right away.
When she did, her voice was soft.
"I just wanted to check in. You've been kind of… distant."
Leo blinked. "Sorry. It wasn't on purpose."
She looked at him. "You know I don't expect you to reply to every message. But it's weird, not hearing from you at all. After everything."
He nodded. "I know. Things just piled up."
Yuki leaned against the wall. "I saw you smiling earlier. With her."
Leo froze.
She added quickly, "I'm not mad. Just… it's hard, you know? Pretending everything's okay when I keep wondering where I stand."
Leo opened his mouth, then closed it.
Yuki smiled, small and sad. "Don't worry. I'm not asking for answers right now."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small bottle of melon soda.
"Took three stores to find this," she said, handing it to him. "You mentioned it once."
Leo stared at it.
Then at her.
"…Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," she said, turning away. "You've still got three girls to confuse."
And she walked off, ponytail swaying.
---
That evening, Sora sat alone on the rooftop.
Wind tugged at her sleeves.
She'd watched Leo and Hana from the second-floor window. Seen the quiet smiles, the way Hana lightly pushed his shoulder. The way he didn't pull back.
Sora wasn't angry.
But something in her chest ached.
And for the first time, she wondered:
> Maybe it's not about being brave. Maybe I was just… too late.
---
Meanwhile, in his room, Leo stared at the soda bottle on his desk.
Beside it, a sticky note from Hana:
> "Track layout's done. Thanks for the help, teammate."
And in his phone, a half-typed message to Sora:
> "Are you free tomorrow?"
He didn't send it.
Not yet.
He wasn't sure if he was ready for what came next.
But ready or not, it was coming.