"…And that's how we met," Sayu finished, adjusting her bag higher on her shoulder.
The hallway's fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above them as footsteps echoed all around. Rin, who had been listening with wide eyes, finally broke the silence.
"So... let me get this straight. You paid for his coffee?" she asked, almost whispering like it was forbidden knowledge. "Park Dae Woo's coffee?!"
Sayu gave a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah…"
"And then…" Rin's voice pitched up. "He literally saved your life. From a truck?!"
Kanna raised an eyebrow. "I still can't believe you didn't tell us until now."
Sayu gave a small, awkward laugh, pulling at her sleeve. "I was busy… it just kinda slipped my mind."
Mio gave her a sharp side-eye. "Sayu, you almost died. That's not something you just 'forget'."
Sayu looked down briefly. "I-I didn't mean to hide it… I just didn't want to make it a big deal."
She reached out and grabbed Rin's hands with a pout. "Sorry, girls! I promise I'll tell you next time~ okay?"
Rin frowned for a moment, still clearly processing everything. Then, with a reluctant sigh, she rolled her eyes and gave in. "You better."
Their pace slowed as they turned the corner, sunlight filtering in through the tall windows along the hallway. The floor glistened slightly under the rays, reflecting the familiar path toward the psychology building.
Sayu's steps faltered just a little when her eyes caught someone ahead leaning lazily against a desk on the right side of the lecture hall, arms crossed.
Hayato.
The last time they talked was 4 days ago, when it rained.
'Oh' She remembered, 'I forgot to give him his Jacket... Ehm, I'll try later...' she thought.
He looked effortlessly aloof as always, his eyes distant but focused. And suddenly, their gazes locked for a second.
Sayu instinctively tensed, but then gave a small, polite nod.
He returned it without a word, the corners of his mouth unreadable.
She looked away first and followed her friends up the steps into their seats.
They chose seats in the middle row, right where they could easily hear the lecture but not be picked on.
Just then, the classroom door creaked open again, and their psychology professor entered; slightly disheveled, yet strangely charismatic.
He clapped his hands once, his voice loud and clear. "Morning, everyone. I hope your brains are more awake than your faces."
A few tired chuckles rippled through the class. Several heads were still propped on arms. Someone was already asleep by the window.
"Now, before you all zone out again," he adjusted his glasses dramatically, "I have an announcement to make, we'll be starting your semester assignments today."
Groans echoed from every corner.
Rin mimed stabbing herself with a pen.
"Yes, yes," the professor went on, "the horror of academic responsibility. Shocking."
He pulled out a folder thick with paper.
"To make things a little more dynamic, I've pre-assigned your project groups. Randomized. No switching. And yes, your gonna Present it."
Even louder groans this time. Someone in the back muttered, "This is tyranny."
The professor smirked like he enjoyed their pain.
He began reading names.
"Sakura Kamiya, Mirai Nakano, Lee Min-Ho, Takagi Mori, and Sora Minami."
A few students shuffled together with resigned expressions, dragging their chairs.
...More names followed...
"Ugh! I hope we're together!" Rin turned to Sayu, while the latter agreed with a nod.
Kanna and Mio got called out, Kanna waved at them from across the room. "Guys, we're heading out! Good luck!"
"Good luck!" Mio called out as she walked out.
Sayu and Rin waved them off.
Each group announced slowly, like the ticking of a clock drawing closer to Sayu's turn. Finally:
"Sayu Hayashi, Rin Nakamura, Aoi Kuroda, Hayato Arisaka, and Ichigo Fujimoto."
Sayu blinked. Wait…
"That's us," Rin whispered.
"But… Hayato Arisaka?" she leaned in. "No way…"
Sayu rubbed her forehead. 'Why him of all people...' She thought. "But maybe I can use this chance to give him his Jacket back.'
Before they could react further, Hayato was already standing, hands shoved in his pockets. He walked over at a casual pace, his expression unreadable; but his eyes landed squarely on Sayu.
"Hey," he greeted with a simple nod.
"Hey," Sayu replied, matching his flat tone.
Behind him came a petite girl with dyed blonde tips, headphones draped around her neck. Her gaze was focused but quiet.
"I'm Kuroda Aoi. Third year," she said softly, bowing her head slightly.
Then came a tall, lanky boy, and dressed like he had rolled out of bed. He offered a lazy smile.
"Fujimoto Ichigo. A Second year. Nice to meet you guys."
Sayu and Rin greeted them back.
"Should we figure out a meeting spot?" Ichigo yawned, stretching. "Preferably somewhere that serves caffeine."
"I know a bar," Hayato said, leaning against the desk. "It's not far from campus."
"Bar?" Aoi raised an eyebrow.
"It's a friend's place," Hayato clarified. "It's usually quiet in the afternoons."
Sayu hesitated, her fingers tapping against her pen.
"...That works." Soon the others agreed too.
The professor clapped again at the front, trying to get the attention of loud hall.
"I've posted your assignment topics in the online group. The theme is Abnormal Psychology with case study and comparison. I want clean reports by next week, and don't even think about freeloading. I'll know it."
He pointed at them over his glasses.
"Dismissed."
* * * * *
A short while later…
They arrived at the bar.
The alley was quiet compared to the main street. A small wooden sign with a modern font read: Zeno's. The faint scent of citrus and something roasted drifted out when the door opened.
Ding.
The soft chime of the bell overhead announced their arrival.
Inside, warm amber lighting bathed the place in a golden hue. Potted plants lined the windowsills, and low music played in the background. A few customers sat scattered around, sipping drinks and tapping away on laptops.
Behind the polished counter stood a tall man, sleeves rolled up, his apron hanging loosely over a fitted black shirt.
He looked up and then smiled.
"Welcome—oh?" His eyes lit up when he recognized Hayato. "Well, well. Haven't seen you bring guests before."
Hayato dapped Zeno. "Hey, man. These are my classmates. We've got a group assignment—mind if we stay for a bit?"
Zeno looked over the rest of the group and nodded. "Go ahead, take the corner booth."
"Thanks," Hayato replied.
They all murmured greetings.
As they walked past the counter, Rin slowed slightly, stealing a quick glance at Zeno's sharp jawline and earring. Her cheeks tinged pink.
Sayu gave her a side-eye. "You good? You look flushed."
"I'm fine," Rin replied quickly, eyes straight ahead. "Just warm in here."
Sayu, confused let it go.
They slid into the booth and unpacked their laptops and notes. The smell of ground coffee mixed with faint lemon cleaner gave the place a calming buzz.
"So," Aoi began, flipping through her notes, "we're doing abnormal psychology, right?"
"Yeah," Ichigo mumbled, leaning back with a pen behind his ear. "We need a case study and a comparative framework. Maybe something on personality disorders?"
Sayu nodded. "That sounds manageable."
They were just about to start planning when Hayato's phone buzzed loudly on the table.
He glanced at it—his expression unreadable.
"Sorry," he said, already standing. "I need to take this."
He stepped out, the door swinging shut behind him.
* * *
Outside...
Click.
Hayato pressed the phone to his ear, eyes scanning the empty alley.
"Yes, Mother?"
—"Hayato, honey, you didn't forget, did you? Your meeting with Haru is tomorrow. I've already told the Kanzaki family."
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I get it mom..."
—"She's a lovely girl, dear. All I'm asking is that you show up and be polite."
He exhaled sharply. "I know."
—"Good boy."
Click.
He lowered the phone slowly, staring at the quiet street as a wind stirred the leaves across the pavement.