The club had finally wrapped up for the day.
The hallway leading to the stairs was full of movement—light footsteps, backpacks being adjusted over shoulders, voices scattered as students talked about tests, games, and forgotten assignments.
The golden light of the late afternoon streamed through the large windows, painting long orange streaks across the polished floor.
Aoi walked slowly down the corridor, already holding her phone.
Typing as she walked.
"Hey, Hina. Takeo wants to join the party. He also plays Eternal."
She sent the message.
It didn't take long.
The typing indicator appeared almost instantly.
Then came the reply:
"SERIOUSLY?? WHAT LEVEL?? WHAT CLASS??"
Aoi let out a small smile.
She answered calmly:
"I don't know. I didn't even ask. But he needs help."
The reply came just as fast:
"SEND ME HIS NUMBER."
Aoi sent Takeo's contact.
She was about to type something else...
When something caught her attention in the courtyard.
She looked up.
Ahead, near the school gate, Mio was walking alone toward the exit.
The afternoon breeze gently swayed her hair.
But right behind her—
Someone was running.
It was Yamada.
He was rushing, a bit clumsy, as if he had only just decided to run.
Aoi blinked.
She slipped her phone into her pocket.
"What's going on...?"
"I'd like to know too."
Aoi flinched slightly.
"R-representative!"
Beside her, Hanae stood with her arms crossed, watching the scene.
She raised an eyebrow.
"We're not in the classroom. You can call me Hanae."
Aoi scratched the back of her head.
"Ah... okay... Hanae-san."
Hanae kept her eyes on the gate.
"That Yamada... he was acting weird today."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Don't you want to see why he's running?"
Aoi looked again.
"He's going after Mio..."
"Then let's go."
The two of them started walking faster down the hallway, heading for the stairs.
At the genkan, they quickly changed their shoes.
The sound of metal lockers slamming echoed through the hall.
Then they stepped outside.
Near the gate, Yamada finally caught up with Mio.
Aoi slowed down.
"This feels weird..."
Hanae replied bluntly:
"Then get closer."
They approached discreetly.
Yamada stopped in front of Mio, out of breath.
"Kanzaki-san!"
Mio stopped and turned around.
For a moment, she narrowed her eyes.
Then lightly rolled them.
"Look, Yamada, I—"
"I'm sorry!"
He interrupted her.
Mio frowned.
Yamada was bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"I... didn't think about you... when I sent that letter..."
Mio blinked.
"Huh?"
Yamada straightened up, still flushed.
"You were already dealing with a lot."
He continued, trying to steady his voice.
"Your mom was in the hospital... you were taking care of her..."
He took a deep breath.
"I was there, remember?"
Mio's expression changed.
It became neutral.
"...I remember."
Yamada lowered his head.
"Even knowing that... I confessed."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"At the worst possible time."
He bowed deeply.
"I was selfish. I'm sorry."
Mio's eyes widened.
"Y-Yamada-kun... you can stand up..."
She gently touched his shoulder.
He slowly straightened.
"But I was—"
"Look..."
Mio spoke calmly.
"I appreciate that you were honest."
She took a breath.
"And I'm sorry for shutting you down like that..."
"That wasn't nice of me."
The wind passed through the gate just then.
Dry leaves slid across the ground.
Mio looked away for a moment.
"But... I don't think it would work."
Yamada blinked.
"W-why?"
Mio answered, without malice:
"Don't take it personally, okay?"
She gave an awkward smile.
"I like taller guys."
Silence.
Yamada muttered:
"So... it's because I'm the same height as you...?"
Mio placed her hand on his shoulder again.
"Don't get me wrong."
She said gently.
"There are lots of girls who would like you."
She paused.
"But... I'm also going through a complicated time at home."
Her eyes softened.
"Thank you for caring about me... really."
She let go of his shoulder.
And turned around.
"You're kind. Don't blame yourself too much."
Yamada stood there.
Staring at the ground.
His lips moved, but no words came out.
Then—
"Excuse me, Yamada-kun!"
Hina ran past him.
"Hey! You didn't even wait for me, Mio!"
"I was going to wait at the corner," Mio replied, laughing.
The two of them walked off together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Gradually disappearing into the distance.
Yamada slowly turned around.
And started walking in the opposite direction.
Without looking back.
By the gate, Aoi and Hanae finally stepped out from where they were.
Hanae sighed.
"That was rough..."
Aoi made a face.
"Poor Yamada-kun..."
Hanae looked at her.
"Taking your friend's side?"
"No..."
Aoi replied, thoughtful.
"But... I don't know..."
She looked away.
"Mio has always liked tall guys."
Hanae let out a soft "ah."
"So it's true."
She shrugged.
"Maybe it's better this way."
Aoi looked at her.
"Why?"
"Living with false hope is worse."
Aoi thought for a moment.
The afternoon wind passed through the courtyard.
"I don't know..."
She murmured.
"Sometimes... that hope is the only thing keeping someone standing."
Hanae fell silent.
Thoughtful.
After a few seconds, she turned away.
"Well... I'm heading out."
She started crossing the street.
"See you tomorrow, Sakamoto-chan."
"See you..."
Aoi replied.
"...representative."
Hanae waved without looking back.
Aoi stood still.
She looked at Yamada, already far away.
Then to the other side.
Mio and Hina were almost gone.
She sighed.
"I need to play today... my head's full."
Later.
Aoi was on the train.
Sitting in her usual seat.
The reflection of the sunset sky slid across the window as the city passed by slowly.
When she reached her station, she got off.
And went home.
At home, she made something simple to eat.
Then she tidied up the living room a bit—nothing major, just small things out of place.
Then she went to take a shower.
The hot water helped ease the weight of the day.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair—
"Hi, Aoi."
It was her mother.
"Hi, Mom."
Yukiko smiled as she took off her coat.
"I got home a bit late today..."
She raised a finger, excited.
"But it's confirmed: our beach day!"
Aoi blinked.
"Oh... right... the beach..."
She thought for a moment.
"Saturday, right?"
"That's right!"
Yukiko beamed.
"Early in the morning!"
Aoi let out a small laugh.
"Wow... it's been a while..."
Yukiko laughed.
"Your dad always ended up falling asleep, even though he planned everything."
Aoi fell silent.
Her gaze drifted.
"Yeah..."
"He always fell asleep..."
She lowered her eyes.
"I remember."
Silence filled the room.
Yukiko stepped closer.
And hugged her.
"Let's make the most of this day, okay?"
"...Okay, Mom."
They sat down to eat.
"And the play?" Yukiko asked.
"I have... three lines."
Yukiko widened her eyes.
"Three?!"
She laughed.
"In my first year I only handled the lights!"
Aoi laughed.
"But I joined in my second year..."
"Oh, right!"
Yukiko tapped her forehead.
"And what are your lines like?"
Aoi moved her chopsticks.
"Kind of hard to explain..."
"I need more practice."
"Takeo-kun is helping me."
Yukiko raised her eyebrows.
"Takeo? Fujimoto's son?"
"Yeah..."
"He's popular... and he's in the club too."
Yukiko smiled.
"You could invite him over sometime."
"You two were always together when you were kids."
Aoi reacted immediately:
"Mom... we're not kids anymore."
"That would be weird."
Yukiko tilted her head.
"Weird?"
A suspicious smile appeared.
"Do you like him?"
Aoi choked.
"M-MOM!!"
"Of course not!"
Cough, cough!
Yukiko laughed.
"Sorry, sorry."
Aoi took a deep breath.
"He already has a girlfriend."
"And I don't see him that way."
She crossed her arms.
"It just... feels different now."
Yukiko raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"So you've grown up, huh?"
Aoi's face turned red.
"Y-yeah..."
"In some ways."
Yukiko leaned closer.
"So it's not him..."
"Is there someone else?"
Aoi stopped chewing.
She looked at her mother.
With her mouth full.
Just staring.
Yukiko burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
"You look like a little hamster!"
"MOOOM!!!"
"Stop it!"
Yukiko kept laughing.
"Sorry, dear..."
Then her voice softened.
"It's just... I barely get to talk to you during the day."
Aoi lowered her gaze.
"...."
After a few seconds:
"I'll wash the dishes."
"You can go take a bath."
Yukiko smiled.
"Alright."
"Good night, Aoi-chan."
"Good night, Mom."
Aoi stayed seated.
In silence.
The empty space at the table caught her attention.
For a moment...
She imagined her father there.
Smiling.
Watching the two of them.
She looked at her plate.
And murmured softly:
"You'd be laughing too... right, Dad?"