A few weeks had passed since the accident.
And things had changed.
Not drastically. Not in a way most people would immediately notice.
But for Hanasato—
it felt different.
Too different.
Kurogane's pranks had become rare.
Almost nonexistent.
At first, Hanasato thought it was just coincidence. Maybe Kurogane had gotten bored. Maybe she had found a new target.
But that wasn't the case.
It was because of an agreement.
A deal made between Kurogane and Hanasato's parents.
After finding out that Kurogane had been pranking for years now, Mr. And Mrs. Hanasato thought of a plan.
For four months after the accident, Kurogane Kaori was not allowed to prank Hanasato Airi in any way that could trigger stress, fear, or discomfort—anything that might remind her of what happened.
Light teasing was permitted.
But no surprises.
No sudden scares.
No calculated mischief.
In exchange, Kurogane's family company would be given access to important investors—connections they had been trying to secure for years.
A perfect deal.
A win-win situation.
At least, that's what everyone thought.
Hanasato didn't feel like she had won anything.
If anything—
she felt… bored.
Lonely.
"…This is weird," she muttered quietly, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at her desk.
She used to spend her days anticipating Kurogane's next prank.
Avoiding it.
Getting annoyed by it.
Arguing because of it.
Now—
there was nothing.
No interruptions.
No teasing.
No reason to even talk.
Their classrooms were still right next to each other.
But the distance between them felt farther than ever.
Earlier, while walking to their classroom
Without realizing it, Hanasato turned her head slightly—
just enough to peek through the window into the next classroom.
Kurogane was there.
Seated by the window.
Calm.
Focused.
She was writing something down, flipping through pages, occasionally pausing as if thinking carefully before continuing.
"…She's actually studying," Hanasato murmured to herself.
There was no smirk.
No mischief.
No sign of the person who used to constantly provoke her.
"…She's quite diligent."
A small, unconscious smile formed on her lips.
Inside their classroom.
"Hey… is she okay?"
Hanasato didn't notice the whispers at first.
Her friends exchanged glanced, their eyes shifting between her and the window.
"She's been quiet lately."
"Yeah… ever since the accident."
"…Or maybe it's because Kurogane stopped coming around?"
That caught their attention.
They all knew.
Hanasato had told them what happened—that it was Kurogane who saved her.
That Kurogane stayed at the hospital.
That Kurogane—
wasn't exactly what they thought she was.
Still…
fear didn't disappear that easily.
Kurogane Kaori was still someone they found difficult to approach.
Unpredictable.
Sharp-tongued.
And a little intimidating.
One of them leaned forward slightly and spoke, just loud enough.
"…It seems like Kurogane won't be coming here anymore."
Silence.
They watched Hanasato carefully.
Waiting.
Observing.
Hanasato slowly lowered her head onto her desk.
"…I see."
That was all she said.
But her tone—
her reaction—
said everything.
The classmates exchanged looks.
Bingo.
They understood now.
It wasn't just the accident.
It wasn't just recovery.
It was Kurogane.
They remembered clearly.
The way Hanasato spoke about her.
Not with anger.
Not anymore.
But something softer.
Confused.
Uncertain.
"…Maybe she wanted to be friends with her?" one of them whispered.
"…But now they can't even talk."
"…Yeah… they only ever talked because of the pranks."
Silence followed.
They didn't know what to do.
Approaching Kurogane wasn't exactly an option.
So instead—
they focused on Hanasato.
"Hey, want to eat together later?"
"Yeah, we can go out after school."
"You've been quiet, you know."
Bit by bit, they pulled her attention back.
And slowly—
Hanasato lifted her head.
"…Yeah," she said softly, offering a small smile. "Let's do that."
From the other side of the window—
Kurogane saw everything.
The way Hanasato looked earlier.
The way her classmates gathered around her.
The way she smiled again.
Kurogane went back in her classroom and leaned back slightly in her chair.
"…Good."
A faint smile crossed her lips—
brief.
Subtle.
And gone in an instant.
After school, Hanasato walked home alone.
Again.
The sky was painted in soft orange hues as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the road.
It should've felt peaceful.
But it didn't.
As she approached the crossing—
she stopped.
Her steps halted without warning.
Her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
And suddenly—
the memories came back.
The sound of the crash.
The force of the push.
The fear.
What if I didn't make it in time…
What if the car hit me…
What if Kurogane wasn't there…
What if—
Her breath hitched.
Her chest tightened.
What if Kurogane got hurt instead…
What if she was the one—
"No…"
Her hands trembled as she clutched her chest.
Her breathing became uneven.
Fast.
Shallow.
"Calm down… take a deep breath."
A familiar voice spoke from behind her.
Steady.
Low.
"…and look at me."
Hanasato turned.
Kurogane stood there.
Closer than she expected.
Watching her carefully.
"Lean on me," Kurogane said, stepping forward without hesitation. "Breathe. One… two… three… repeat."
Hanasato followed, though her body still trembled.
"One… two…"
"…Tch."
Kurogane frowned slightly.
It wasn't enough.
Without another word, she reached into Hanasato's bag, pulling out her medicine and a bottle of water.
"Here. Take it. Now."
Hanasato nodded weakly, taking the medicine.
A few moments passed.
Then—
slowly—
her breathing steadied.
The pain began to fade.
They moved to a nearby bench.
Hanasato leaned slightly forward, one hand still resting near her chest.
Kurogane sat beside her, silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…How are you feeling?" Kurogane asked after a moment. "Do you want me to call your parents?"
Hanasato shook her head lightly.
"I'm okay now… thank you."
Her fingers tightened slightly on her shirt.
"…Again."
Kurogane looked away. "It's nothing. Anyone would've done that."
Hanasato glanced at her.
"…Not everyone would stay."
Kurogane didn't respond.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly upward, looking at the sky.
The silence between them returned—
but it wasn't as tense as before.
A phone rang.
Kurogane answered immediately.
"…Yeah. I know."
Her tone was sharp.
Annoyed.
Hanasato couldn't hear the other side, but she could tell—
it wasn't a pleasant conversation.
"Just handle it. I'll deal with the rest later."
The call ended.
Kurogane exhaled quietly, then turned to Hanasato while dialing another number.
"Hanasato," she said, "I'll take you home."
"…What?"
Before Hanasato could process it—
a car pulled up in front of them.
Kurogane stood and opened the door.
"Get in. It's getting late. I already messaged your parents."
"…You what?"
"So they won't worry."
Hanasato hesitated.
There were questions.
So many questions.
But in the end—
she got in.
The car ride was quiet.
Awkward.
Heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Even if you want to say something, the driver won't hear," Kurogane said suddenly. "There's a divider. It's closed."
Hanasato blinked. "…You noticed?"
"You're easy to read."
"…I am not."
"You are."
Hanasato paused, then spoke more carefully.
"…Did you tell my parents about what happened earlier?"
"No."
Kurogane crossed her arms, closing her eyes.
"I only told them I was with you because of school."
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
"…Thank you."
"…Stop saying that."
They arrived soon after.
Hanasato stepped out of the car, turning back.
"…Still, thank you."
Kurogane narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're really persistent."
"I mean it."
"…Tch."
Kurogane looked away.
"I hate you, Hanasato Airi. So just go inside already."
Hanasato smiled.
"…Okay."
Her parents were already waiting at the entrance.
Relieved.
Grateful.
They thanked Kurogane sincerely.
Kurogane only gave a small nod in response—
then left.
That night—
Hanasato lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her thoughts drifted.
To the accident.
To the silence.
To the space between them.
And to the rumors she overheard earlier that day—
whispers spreading quietly through the school.
"That accident… I heard Kurogane was involved."
"Wasn't it her fault somehow?"
"No, I heard she pushed Hanasato."
"…What if she planned it?"
Hanasato frowned.
Turning to her side, she closed her eyes.
"…They're wrong."
Her voice was soft.
Certain.
"Shesavedme."
But even so—
those rumors continued to spread.
Unseen.
Unstopped.
And neither of them—
had addressed it yet.