The evening air felt heavier than usual.
Yamabuki walked home alone, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded like always—
But his mind wasn't calm.
Not after today.
"…You might hate me."
"…I can't."
"…You're already involved."
"Tch… what the hell is wrong with her…"
He clicked his tongue, kicking a small stone on the road.
It bounced twice…
Then disappeared into the darkness.
And that's when—
He felt it.
A presence.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
But—
There.
Yamabuki stopped walking.
"…Who's there?"
Silence.
The street behind him was empty.
Streetlights flickering faintly.
Wind brushing past like nothing was wrong.
"…Tch. Creepy."
He turned again—
And kept walking.
But—
The feeling didn't go away.
It followed him.
Step by step.
Meanwhile…
Far away.
Hidden between shadows.
A figure stood quietly on a rooftop.
Watching.
Their gaze locked on Yamabuki.
Unblinking.
"…So it's him."
A low voice.
Cold.
"…Naya really chose someone like this?"
The figure tilted their head slightly.
Almost amused.
"…How disappointing."
Their fingers tightened on the railing.
"…But if he gets in the way…"
A pause.
"…then I'll remove him."
Back to Yamabuki
He reached home.
But even inside—
That strange feeling stayed.
"…This is annoying."
He threw his bag aside and dropped onto his bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
"…Naya…"
For some reason—
He couldn't relax.
"…What are you hiding…"
His eyes slowly closed.
But outside—
On the street below—
A shadow passed under the dim light.
Stopping right in front of his house.
Looking up.
"…Found you."
Next Day
School.
Normal.
Too normal.
Yamabuki entered the classroom—
And immediately noticed—
Naya was already there.
Sitting quietly.
Like nothing happened.
"…Oi."
She looked up.
Smiled.
"Good morning."
…That smile again.
Too perfect.
"Tch… don't act normal." 💢
"I am normal."
"No, you're not."
"…You're overthinking."
"…You're hiding something."
Their eyes locked.
Silence stretched.
Then—
Naya leaned slightly forward.
"…What if I am?"
"…Then I'll find out."
"…And if you don't like it?"
Yamabuki didn't hesitate.
"…Too bad."
For a split second—
Naya's expression broke.
Not fear.
Not sadness.
Something else.
"…You really don't give up, do you…"
"Tch… annoying, right?"
"…Very."
But this time—
She smiled for real.
End Scene
From the classroom window—
Someone was watching.
Hidden behind the trees.
Eyes fixed on them.
"…This is getting troublesome."
A faint smirk appeared.
"…Looks like I'll have to step in soon."
