Two steps beside me
The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual.
"It's weird… feels like something's in the air today. Something… different. Whatever."
I got ready and headed outside, and there she was—Shizuka-chan, waiting at the corner like always.
I tilted my head, hand resting against my cheek.
"Hmm… you're Shizuka-chan, right?"
Her eyes widened, genuinely surprised.
"You… remembered today?"
Before she could say more, I walked up to her with a smirk.
"What are you staring at? Let's get going before we're late."
She was still looking at me strangely. In her mind—though I couldn't hear it—I could tell she was thinking, He remembered me today… but forgot his tiffin. Seriously.
As soon as she gave me that look, I froze in thought.
"Oh no… I definitely forgot something… but what?"
"Naji-kun," she said flatly, "did you bring your tiffin?"
"…Ohh, ye—yes… I brought it… maybe."
"You're hopeless. Here—take it," she said, holding it out.
We started walking to school, the familiar rhythm of our footsteps filling the silence, until—
"Good morning, Naji-kun."
It was Akari. She stepped into view, her glasses catching the morning light. Calm, composed, hiding whatever was going on in her mind.
Shizuka blinked, clearly surprised that I had another female friend.
"Who's… she?"
"Oh, she's Akari," I replied casually.
Akari's eyes flicked toward Shizuka, her tone perfectly polite.
"And who's she, Naji-kun?"
"Oh—she's my childhood friend, Shi… shi—"
"It's Shizuka, Naji-kun," Shizuka said, smiling but with a tiny edge in her voice.
"Yes, yes—Shizuka-chan," I laughed awkwardly.
The two of them exchanged a glance—neither hostile nor warm. Just… evaluating.
They didn't seem particularly interested in each other; it was obvious both of them were more focused on me in their own ways.
Shizuka walked lightly, matching my pace, her every gesture open and playful… yet I knew there were things she'd never actually say aloud.
Akari walked on my other side, quiet, controlled, hiding whatever she truly felt behind a calm smile.
The three of us headed toward the school together, and for the first time, I felt like I was caught in the middle of something I couldn't quite name.
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