The morning sunlight streamed into Class 2-B, golden and warm. The soft hum of students chatting filled the room like usual.
Laughter, pencils tapping, the rustle of bags. Another ordinary school day.
Ren sat by the window, leaning on one elbow. His mind wandered as he looked outside, watching the trees sway in the breeze.
Behind him, a few boys were whispering about video games. In front, a group of girls were fussing over some silly trend. Airi's voice occasionally rose above the others — light and playful as she teased one of her friends.
He glanced at her.
Airi was smiling about something, holding her bag tight to her chest. That childlike energy of hers made it hard not to look. Even now, even at this age, her body was already developing a little more than the other girls — her chest, though not like in the future, was still… noticeable.
Ren quickly looked away.
Ren (thinking): Ah—don't think about that. Focus, focus.
The classroom door slid open.
"All right, everyone," a calm but clear voice rang out. "Take your seats."
The class settled as a young woman stepped inside. She was their homeroom teacher — mid-30s, sharp eyes behind glasses, and a composed expression. Her tone was always relaxed, but she had that air of someone who didn't let things slip.
"We have a new student joining us today," she announced, standing in front of the blackboard. "Be polite."
She turned slightly. "Come in, please."
A boy stepped into the classroom.
Black hair, neatly cut. Clean posture. A composed face with a small, respectful smile. His schoolbag was slung carefully over one shoulder, uniform perfectly pressed.
"Whoa, transfer student?"
"He looks serious."
"Kind of cool though…"
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said.
The boy gave a brief bow.
"I'm Hayato Kurose. I just moved here this week. I'm looking forward to studying with all of you."
Ren blinked.
Ren (thinking): Kurose… Hayato?
The name hit harder than expected.
Ren (thinking): Yeah… I remember now.
He wasn't just some classmate — he was the guy Airi had dated. Friendly, outgoing, always surrounded by people. The type who made friends easily, especially with girls. Ren never liked how natural it came to him.
Ren (thinking): We weren't close or anything… but I saw him a lot. Heard his name enough. The kind of guy who knew how to smile and say all the right things.
Ren (thinking): Back then, I thought he was a decent guy…
He looked at Hayato now, standing in front of the class, grinning like nothing in the world could bother him.
Ren (thinking): ...but I guess I didn't really know him at all.
"Please take that empty seat in the back," the teacher pointed.
Hayato nodded, made his way to his desk — just a few rows behind Ren.
Some girls were already whispering. Airi gave him one glance, curious, then smiled as one of her friends whispered something into her ear. She didn't seem that interested.
Ren leaned slightly back in his seat, arms crossed.
Ren (thinking): So he's here again. Didn't expect to see someone from back then this early.
Still, there was nothing weird about him. Just a transfer student. Just like before.
A ripple passed through the classroom, but it barely stirred the surface.
Everything felt the same… for now.Absolutely, Playranx. Continuing the story directly from where we left off — after Hayato has just entered the classroom and taken his seat — we'll expand with some subtle interactions and foreshadowing, layering in character dynamics while keeping the pacing tight and emotional.
---
Chapter 8: The Ripples Beneath
Hayato sat down in the back row, not far from Ren. The chair scraped lightly against the floor, but somehow even that sound didn't feel out of place. As if he belonged here already.
"Yo," Hayato said casually, giving a little nod to the guy sitting next to him.
That guy blinked, surprised. "Uh… hey."
Ren turned slightly in his seat, eyes trailing back. He could already hear the buzz. Whispers, laughter. Light-hearted and shallow, but fast.
"Hey, Hayato-kun, where were you before?" one of the girls in front leaned back, already flashing a smile.
Hayato chuckled. "Osaka. But don't worry, I brought the good vibes with me."
The girl laughed, nudging her friend. "He's funny."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
Airi wasn't looking back, but her friends were. The girl beside her leaned in, whispering something while sneaking a glance over her shoulder. Airi smiled politely, but didn't engage.
Ren noticed that.
Ren (thinking): Already fitting in like he's been here for weeks. Same as before… Maybe even smoother this time.
The teacher resumed the lesson, and chatter died down. For a while, it was just the tapping of chalk on board and the hum of the fan overhead. But Ren's mind wasn't quiet.
He watched as Hayato, even during the lecture, leaned slightly toward the girl next to him and made a comment. She covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. He was clearly not shy.
Not at all.
Ren (thinking): That's right… he was like this. Friendly. Outgoing. Got along with everyone. That's how it started.
He looked down at his notebook, turning a page even though he hadn't written a single word.
Ren (thinking): He got close to people fast. And when I finally noticed him around Airi… it was already too late. She was smiling more back then. Laughing. I thought she was happy.
And maybe she was.
For a while.
The bell rang, snapping Ren out of it. As everyone stood, Hayato stretched his arms with a loud sigh.
"Man, same boring stuff no matter where you go," he said with a grin.
"Wanna check out the roof during break?" one guy offered.
"Eh? Already inviting me on dates?" Hayato smirked, throwing a playful jab at his shoulder. "Fine, lead the way."
Laughter followed him as he left with a few guys and a pair of girls tagging along behind.
Ren remained in his seat.
Airi stood too, slinging her bag over her shoulder and walking toward the hallway with her friends. She hadn't even glanced at Hayato again. Not yet.
Ren (thinking): Just like last time… it won't start right away. But it will start.
He pushed up slowly from his seat.
He didn't want to think about it—about how it all ended. The memory of Airi's distant face… the way she had stood at the edge of that road like she was already gone…
Ren clenched his jaw.
Ren (thinking): I have time. This time, I have time.
---
Later that day — Lunchtime
The cafeteria was louder than usual.
Ren sat at his usual spot with a small bento his mom had packed. It was warm. The kind of simple comfort he hadn't appreciated before. Now, every bite felt like a reminder: he was back. He had another shot.
He scanned the room. Hayato sat two tables away, surrounded again. Laughing. Talking. One of the girls even fed him a bite from her lunch.
Ren chewed slowly.
Then, something odd.
Hayato's expression shifted just for a second. Barely noticeable. The way he glanced toward another guy at the table. Eyes narrowed. Not quite a glare… but calculating. Sharp.
Then, it was gone. Replaced by another easy grin.
Ren (thinking): ...Was that—
"Ren~!" Airi plopped down beside him, holding her tray. "You're zoning out again. You always do that after class."
He blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Do I?"
She smirked. "Yep. Ever since we were kids. It's like your brain takes field trips without you."
He chuckled. "Maybe it just gets bored."
Airi started eating her salad, occasionally glancing at the buzzing table where Hayato was.
"New guy's popular already, huh?" she said casually.
Ren nodded. "Yeah. Seems like he knows how to work a crowd."
She smiled faintly. "Seems that way."
But then she didn't say anything more. Just kept eating.
Ren noticed that too.
---
After School — Hallway
Ren was walking toward the shoe lockers when he spotted it.
Hayato was standing at the corner near the stairs. Talking to a girl.
Not just talking.
She looked nervous. Clutching her book. Laughing awkwardly.
Hayato was leaning in a little too close. Smiling, but not playfully. Something in the air around him had changed—just a bit.
Ren (thinking): ...Why does this feel different?
Then, he backed away, said something with a wink, and turned to leave.
The girl stayed behind for a moment. Her smile faded slowly.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
---
That Night — At Home
Ren sat at his desk, flipping through an old notebook but not reading any of it.
His thoughts were heavy. The day had felt long.
He could still see that faint hesitation in Airi's eyes at lunch. Still feel that chill when Hayato had looked at that girl in the hall.
Ren (thinking): He was charming. He was friendly. Everyone liked him. But there was always something… something behind it.
He looked out the window, the dark sky stretching endlessly above.
He smiled, charming and relaxed, the way that drew people in without them realizing.
Ren watched quietly.
Hayato was already talking with the girls at his desk. One leaned in to ask his name again. Another giggled. He was already fitting in.
Just like last time.
Ren (thinking): How many of them will fall for him this time?
He looked toward Airi.
She wasn't watching Hayato at all now, but her friends were. One of them was whispering something in her ear again, and this time, Airi laughed.
But Ren didn't miss it—her eyes flicked toward Hayato for just a second.
Not with interest. Not with attraction.
More like… something else.
Curiosity? A passing memory?
Or something deeper… a thread that hadn't been pulled yet in this timeline.
Ren leaned back, arms still folded.
Ren (thinking): I don't know when things started between them before. All I remember… is the ending.
He remembered her face that day. Those lifeless eyes.
And Hayato was a part of it.
Somehow.
Even if Airi didn't know it yet.
Even if he didn't know it yet.
Ren (thinking): This time… I'll make sure I understand everything before it's too late.
It was more than that.
Much more.
Ren clenched his fist.
Somewhere Else — Same Night
Hayato scrolled through his phone, sitting alone in a quiet room.
He paused on a picture. Airi, smiling in the background of someone else's post. His gaze lingered.
Then he smiled faintly.
Not kindly.
Just… interested.