The next morning, the atmosphere in the school felt strange and heavy, as if something invisible was pressing down on everyone. Students walked through the corridors in small groups, whispering to each other with curious and excited expressions. Some leaned against lockers, others gathered near the stairs, and many secretly glanced toward Tenkei's classroom. His sudden collapse had become the main topic of the day, spreading through the school faster than anyone expected.
"Did you hear? Tenkei fainted yesterday in the courtyard," one student whispered. "I heard some seniors were picking on him before that happened," another replied quietly. "No way, he's just too weak, that's why he fell," someone else laughed. "Still, Miko was crying when she took him to the nurse's room. It looked serious," a girl added softly. Every rumor was different, but they all had one thing in common—they were talking about him without knowing how much pain he had gone through.
Inside the classroom, Tenkei's seat near the window was empty. The sunlight passed through the glass and fell gently on his desk, making it look even lonelier than usual. Some students glanced at it for a moment before turning away, while others didn't care at all. A few boys at the back of the class laughed quietly, pretending nothing had happened, but even they felt uneasy deep inside. The teacher entered and started the lesson as usual, yet the atmosphere remained tense and uncomfortable, as if everyone was waiting for something.
Miko sat in her seat, staring at Tenkei's empty chair. She hadn't slept properly the night before. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered his pale face, his weak voice, and the way he had clung to her hand in the nurse's room. Her chest felt tight, and her heart hurt every time someone mentioned his name. When she heard students joking about him, she clenched her fists under her desk, trying hard not to stand up and shout at them.
During lunch break, the gossip only became louder. Some students pretended to be worried, while others enjoyed spreading stories that weren't even true. Airi sat with her friends, quietly listening. On the outside, she looked calm and kind as usual, nodding gently and saying things like, "I hope he gets better soon," but inside her mind was full of complicated thoughts. Seeing everyone talk about Tenkei made her feel strange—part jealous, part angry, part excited. For the first time, he was the center of attention, and she didn't know whether she liked it or hated it.
After school, Miko walked alone to the nurse's room. She had skipped club activities and ignored her friends' messages. All she cared about was seeing Tenkei. When she opened the door quietly, she saw him lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. His face was still pale, and his body looked fragile, but his eyes softened when he noticed her.
"You came…" he said softly.
"Of course," she replied, sitting beside him. "Everyone is talking about you. The whole school knows."
He looked away.
"I don't want to be talked about," he whispered. "I just want… things to be normal again."
She took his hand.
"Then let's make it normal together," she said firmly. "I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."
Outside the room, unnoticed by them, Airi stood quietly in the hallway. She had followed Miko there. Watching them through the half-open door, she felt something dark twist inside her chest. Their closeness, their trust, their shared pain—it all made her feel like an outsider.
"No matter what…" she whispered to herself, "I won't lose to her."
And slowly, her resolve began to change into something dangerous.