Haruto Aoyama knew his place in the classroom.
It was the seat by the window in **Class 2–B**, third row from the back. Close enough to see the sky, far enough that no one ever bothered him.
"Hey, Aoyama."
Haruto stiffened.
Three desks away, **Kenta Moriyama** leaned back in his chair, a crooked grin on his face. His friends—Ryo and Daichi—snickered beside him.
"What?" Haruto asked quietly, keeping his eyes on his notebook.
Kenta stood up and walked over, placing a hand on Haruto's desk.
"You bring my homework yet?"
"I— I told you yesterday I wouldn't—"
Before Haruto could finish, Kenta flicked his forehead.
"Don't talk back."
The class laughed.
Ryo chimed in, "Man, Aoyama, you really like getting picked on, huh?"
Daichi added, "Maybe he enjoys it."
Haruto clenched his pencil. His hands trembled, but he said nothing.
*If I stay quiet, it'll end faster.*
"Aoyama-kun."
The laughter stopped.
A soft but firm voice cut through the room.
Everyone turned.
Standing near the door was **Aoi Tachibana**.
Long black hair tied neatly behind her, perfect posture, calm eyes—**the most popular girl in school**. The kind of girl teachers trusted, students admired, and rumors followed wherever she went.
Kenta frowned. "What do you want, Tachibana?"
She looked directly at him.
"Give him his desk back."
"…Huh?"
"You're blocking the aisle," she continued evenly. "And you're being loud. Sensei will be here any moment."
Ryo whispered, "She's scary when she's serious…"
Kenta scoffed. "Tch. Whatever."
He stepped away, shoving Haruto's desk slightly as he passed.
As Aoi walked toward her seat, she paused next to Haruto.
"…Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
Haruto froze.
"I— y-yeah."
She nodded once. "Good."
And then she walked away.
Haruto stared at his notebook, heart pounding.
*Why… did she talk to me?*
---
### **Chapter 2 — An Accidental Encounter**
The rain started after club activities.
Haruto held his bag over his head as he ran toward the school gate.
"Ah—!"
He turned a corner too fast and collided with someone.
"Ow—!"
Both of them fell.
"I'm sorry!" Haruto blurted out, bowing instinctively.
"…Aoyama-kun?"
He looked up.
Aoi Tachibana sat on the ground, her umbrella rolling away. Her cheeks were red—whether from embarrassment or the cold, Haruto couldn't tell.
"I— I didn't see you," she said quickly, standing up.
"I should be the one apologizing," Haruto said. "I wasn't watching where I was going."
They stood there awkwardly as rain poured down.
"…Um," Aoi began. "You're not heading home yet, are you?"
"I am," Haruto replied.
She hesitated, then said, "My umbrella broke."
Haruto looked at his own umbrella. Old. Bent. But usable.
"…We can share," he said before thinking.
Silence.
They both froze.
Aoi's eyes widened slightly.
"S-share…?"
Haruto realized what he'd said.
"I— I mean— only if you want—! I didn't mean it like—!"
Aoi laughed.
It was quiet, soft, and genuine.
"…Okay," she said. "Let's share."
They walked side by side under the umbrella, shoulders barely touching.
"This is… kind of awkward," Aoi admitted.
"Y-yeah."
She glanced at him. "But not bad."
Haruto felt his face heat up.
"…Thank you," she added.
"For what?"
"For earlier. You didn't run away."
He blinked. "You noticed?"
She smiled faintly. "I notice more than people think."
---
### **Chapter 3 — When She Chose Him**
Lunch break.
Haruto ate alone on the rooftop, as usual.
"Aoyama."
His heart skipped.
Aoi stood there with a lunch box.
"May I sit?" she asked.
"…Here?" he said dumbly.
"Yes."
Before he could respond, she sat down.
Below them, students stared through the windows.
"Is that Tachibana?"
"With *him*?"
"No way…"
Kenta's voice echoed from the stairwell.
"Tachibana! Why are you hanging out with *that guy*?"
She turned calmly.
"Because I want to."
Kenta laughed. "Don't joke around."
"I'm not," she said firmly. "You bullying him— it's ugly."
The air went still.
"He's just a nobody," Kenta snapped.
Aoi stood up.
"He's kind. He's quiet. And he never hurts anyone."
She looked straight at Haruto.
"And that's more than I can say for you."
The rooftop was silent.
Kenta clicked his tongue and left.
Haruto stared at her.
"…Why?" he asked. "Why me?"
She sat back down.
"Because someone once ignored me when I needed help," she said softly.
"I don't want to be that person."
Haruto's chest tightened.
"…Aoi-san."
She looked surprised.
"…Can I keep calling you that?"
She smiled warmly.
"…Only if you keep sitting with me."
And for the first time, Haruto felt like he wasn't invisible.
---