Saki Aoki had transferred to Sendai High School because of a decision whose reason she could no longer clearly remember.
It was a decision made more by feeling than logic.
As if she was meant to be here.
It was lunchtime.
When she opened the classroom door, there was no one inside.
Not even the sounds from the hallway reached the room.
Empty desks, wind drifting in through the open window, and the echo of her footsteps on the floor…
The silence carried a strange weight.
She paused for a moment.
She took a deep breath.
The sunlight hitting the desk by the window caught her attention.
It looked warmer, calmer than the others.
She placed her bag there and looked outside through the glass.
Just then, she noticed someone standing by the window.
A male student…
His golden hair almost shimmered in the light.
His gaze was curious, but not unsettling.
Saki's heart began to race involuntarily.
"Who is he…?" she murmured.
The boy turned his gaze toward her and smiled faintly.
"Hey. You're the new transfer student, right? I'm Hiroki Tanaka."
Saki flinched.
"Y-yes… I'm the new one."
Why is he talking to me…?
She felt her cheeks warm.
Hiroki took a few steps closer.
With each step, the silence in the classroom became more pronounced.
"You're sitting in front of my desk," he said in a calm voice.
"I-I just sat there because it was empty—"
"It's fine," Hiroki said.
"Actually… I like it."
Saki didn't know what to say.
She tried to look away, but couldn't.
"Don't stare like that," Hiroki said lightly.
"It makes me feel awkward."
Saki immediately lowered her gaze.
"I-I'm sorry…"
Hiroki smiled, but didn't pursue the topic.
He picked up the guitar resting beside his desk.
"A guitar… at school?" Saki asked without thinking.
"Yeah," Hiroki replied.
"It belongs to the music club. But sometimes I bring it here."
A short, gentle sound rose from the strings.
Saki's heart raced again.
"Do you like music?" Hiroki asked.
"Especially calm ones."
"I do," Saki said.
"But I don't know much about it."
"You don't have to."
Hiroki looked at her.
"Sometimes, a piece is played just for the right person."