The rooftop was empty, drenched in the mellow glow of the setting sun. Crimson streaks painted the sky as if even nature was in on whatever drama was about to unfold. I leaned against the railing, pretending to enjoy the breeze. In reality, I was just waiting. For her.
Creeeak—!
The metal door burst open like a scene out of a shoujo manga.
"Ack—! Made it!!" Aira stumbled out, hands on her knees, panting. "I thought you'd leave if I was late…"
"I should've," I said, glancing at my watch. "Three minutes and forty seconds late. Unacceptable."
"Shut up," she grinned, straightening up. "You waited. Admit it."
"Tch."
She walked closer, hiding something behind her back. "Well then, as promised... we duel."
I raised an eyebrow. "With what? Magic? Swords?"
"Nope. With fate."
She pulled out two straws. One long. One short.
"A Duel of the Heart," she said proudly. "Whoever pulls the longer straw gets to ask the other for a wish."
"…You made this up just now, didn't you."
"Yup. But it's legally binding. Spiritually."
I stared at the straws.
This was stupid. Absolutely, monumentally stupid.
And yet... I reached out and picked one.
She grinned and picked the other.
We both stared at our straws. Mine was shorter.
She squealed. "Yes! I win!"
"Cheater," I muttered.
"Nope. Fate decided. And fate… ships us."
I narrowed my eyes. "What's your wish?"
She stepped forward, real serious now.
"Go on a date with me. This Saturday."
My heart paused. For half a second, maybe longer.
She stared at me, her smile slightly faltering. "Only if you want to, I mean—"
"Fine," I said, cutting her off.
Her eyes widened. "Wait, really?"
"But I'm choosing the place," I added, turning away.
She gasped like I just proposed marriage. "You've changed."
"I regret everything already."
"Too late! Fate sealed the deal!"
She did a weird little victory dance on the spot. It was dorky. It was adorable. It was Aira.
I watched her quietly as she danced like an idiot. The wind blew her hair back, and for a second, time slowed down.
Maybe… just maybe…
…I didn't mind losing this duel.
The sun filtered softly through the classroom window, casting a warm glow on Aira's hair. She sat beside Rei, subtly glancing his way, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of her notebook.
Rei didn't say much. He never did. But lately, silence between them had stopped being awkward—it had started to feel… charged.
"So…" Aira finally spoke, barely above a whisper, "You're really not going to the school trip next week?"
"I never said I wasn't," Rei replied, still staring out the window.
Aira blinked. "Wait, then you are going?"
He turned to her slowly. "Would it matter to you if I do?"
Aira's heart skipped. She tried to play it cool, but her voice betrayed her. "W-Well, it's not like I care or anything. I just... I don't want to be stuck with Kentarou the entire time again."
"Kentarou… the guy who calls horror movies 'romantic documentaries'?" Rei raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Aira shivered. "He thinks ghosts are just misunderstood tsunderes."
Rei chuckled—a rare sound that made Aira stare. "Then I'll go. To keep you safe from ghost-possessed idiots."
"W-Wait, are you serious?"
"Dead serious."
Aira looked down. Her hands had moved close to his on the desk—too close. Just a few centimeters more, and they'd touch.
Rei noticed too. His fingers twitched slightly, brushing the edge of hers.
Neither pulled away.
The class bell rang, jolting them apart like lightning.
"Damn it…" Aira muttered.
"Next time," Rei murmured, picking up his bag, "try holding it for real."
Aira froze. Her brain short-circuited. "W-What do you mean next time!?"
He was already gone.
But she was still there, her heart doing somersaults.
"…Did he just flirt with me?"