POV: RenLocation: School – Morning
The sheets were cold beside me when I woke.
Astraea had left sometime before dawn—or perhaps I had. I didn't remember leaving her warmth. Only the weight of her breath against my throat. Her tears drying against my skin.
I stood slowly, dressed without sound, and slid on the school uniform like armor.
The mask followed easily.
By the time I walked into the kitchen, my steps were quiet. Calculated. Polite.
"Good morning," I said softly to the woman who believed she was my mother.
Astraea sat across the table, sipping tea in her gentle-girl disguise—hair tied in a ribbon, face pure, presence warm.
She looked up. Met my eyes for just a second too long.
And smiled.
She said nothing.
Neither did I.
School moved like clockwork. Timetables. Greetings. Desks.
My classroom was already humming when I arrived. Airi turned toward me instantly, her smile bright, her hands folded in her lap.
"Ren," she said, soft and happy.
I nodded, taking my seat beside her.
She leaned in slightly. Inhaled like she always did—like she loved the way I smelled.
And then she froze.
Only for a moment.
Almost imperceptible.
Then she blinked it away and reached for my hand beneath the desk. Her fingers were warm. Steady. Trusting.
She still believed in the mask.
Still believed in the shy, quiet boy who wouldn't even know how to lie.
And maybe that's why it ached a little.
Because her belief wasn't wrong.
It was just pointed at someone who didn't exist.
Between classes, I caught sight of Astraea.
She leaned against the hallway wall near the lockers, pretending to scroll through her phone.
She didn't look at me directly.
But her smile returned when she felt my gaze.
Possessive.
Satisfied.
Like something important had happened—and only she knew it.
At lunch, Minako approached again. Not too eager. Not too shy. A perfect balance of curiosity and calm.
"Hey, top student," she said with a grin, sliding into the seat beside mine at the outdoor tables.
"You're early," I replied.
She shrugged. "You're always late. This way I win."
I didn't respond.
She pulled out a folded worksheet—Chemistry again.
"Can you help me with this one? I tried the formulas you showed me, but something's still wrong."
I took the paper from her hand and scanned it.
She was clever. Careful. And watching me with a focus sharper than her words let on.
I corrected the equation with a pencil stroke, keeping my expression mild.
"No one else could've caught that," she said, pretending to pout. "Are you sure you're not secretly a genius?"
I smiled faintly. "Just decent with numbers."
She studied me a moment longer.
"You're hard to read, Ren-kun."
"You're reading too much."
"Maybe."
But her eyes said otherwise.
Later, as I walked back to class with Airi, her hand slipped into mine again.
She leaned closer than usual. Head against my shoulder for just a second.
"You smell different today," she whispered.
My steps slowed.
But only a fraction.
"...Soap?" I offered.
Her voice was quiet.
"Hm. Maybe."
She didn't ask again.
Because the version of me she loved would never cheat.
Would never lie.
Would never touch another girl at night and walk beside her like nothing had happened.
So she squeezed my hand tighter.
And smiled again.
Too sweet.
Too trusting.
Too perfect.
Behind us, in the shadows of the upper floor balcony, Astraea watched.
Her eyes were calm. Her smile soft.
But the curve of her fingers against the railing was white-knuckled.
POV: RenLocation: School — Morning Homeroom
School had always been a rhythm I controlled.My desk. My silence. My mask.
I wore it like second skin—gentle smiles, quiet nods, polite words. It was a role I played so well, even I sometimes forgot it was all an illusion.
Airi sat to my right, her presence familiar and warm. She whispered something sweet under her breath—about a new bakery opening downtown, and how we should go after school. I nodded, the corners of my lips tugging up just enough to make her happy.
Then, I felt the eyes on me.
Two rows behind.
Minako.
She wasn't obvious about it, but I noticed. Her gaze, the way she watched from the edge of her notebook, pretending to take notes. Her interest was quiet, curious. Not flirtatious. Not reckless.
Just… observant.
She caught my glance once and smiled softly.
I looked away.
Not because I was flustered. But because I knew how these things worked. Too much kindness drew attention. Too little raised suspicion.
I stayed in the middle.
Balanced. Unassuming. Invisible.
Lunch Break – Courtyard
Airi had packed extra today. She always did on Wednesdays. I sat beside her on the stone bench near the garden, listening to her hum while she unwrapped rice balls and sliced fruit.
She offered them to me like always. And like always, I thanked her with soft words and took only one.
"You really don't eat enough," she pouted.
"I do," I replied, almost shyly. "Just… slowly."
She giggled. "You're so strange, Ren. But I like that."
Her words were like candy—too sweet, but never cloying. It was the kind of love that wrapped around you like a warm blanket. Gentle. All-encompassing.
I didn't speak much.
I never did.
But Airi didn't mind. She filled the silence with her laughter, her small stories about class gossip, weekend plans, and her dreams of traveling one day.
Minako walked by once, her lunch in hand. Our eyes met briefly. She didn't smile this time. Just studied us from afar and kept walking.
I didn't linger.
Because right now, Airi held my hand.
After School – Locker Hall
Minako approached as I was changing my shoes. Her voice was soft, not pushy.
"Hey. If you're not busy later… would you mind helping me review chemistry again?"
I hesitated for the briefest moment. Airi was nearby, but she wasn't listening.
"…Sure," I said. "After club hours."
Minako smiled lightly. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
Just that. No drama. No hidden tones.I kept my mask intact.
Walking Home – With Airi
The breeze was cool. Her fingers laced with mine.
"I like walking like this," she murmured, leaning against my shoulder. "It makes me feel like we're the only ones left in the world."
I didn't answer right away.
But I glanced at her and nodded slowly.
That was enough.
She smiled at that. And somewhere, two steps behind us, I felt Minako's quiet eyes still watching.