The classroom was almost empty. The final bell had rung fifteen minutes ago, but the three of them hadn't moved.
Junpei was leaning back in his chair, balanced just enough to not fall. Ryota sat on a desk near the window, watching clouds drift slowly by. Sota remained in his seat, tapping a pencil against his notebook.
None of them said anything at first.
Eventually, Junpei broke the silence. "You ever notice how the classroom feels different after everyone leaves?"
"Quieter," Sota said.
Ryota nodded. "Feels like we borrowed time we weren't supposed to have."
They sat with that thought for a while. The wind outside was barely strong enough to make the windows creak.
"Math test was rough," Junpei added. "I think I wrote the same equation three times just to fill space."
"Better than leaving it blank," Ryota said.
"I didn't say it made sense."
Sota looked down at the corner of his desk, where someone had scratched a tiny drawing of a cat. It had been there since last year. Nobody ever mentioned it. He thought about how it would probably still be there long after they were gone.
"Are we doing anything after this?" Ryota asked.
"No plans," Sota replied.
"I could go for some fries," Junpei said.
"Didn't you just complain about having no money?" Ryota pointed out.
"I didn't say I was the one buying."
Sota stood up, slowly gathering his things. "Let's go, then. Before you start begging strangers outside the store."
They left the classroom together, walking the same hall they always did, past the shoe lockers, through the front gate. Nothing about it was special.
But as the sun hit their backs and the noise of the street took over, none of them were in a rush.
Sometimes, just staying a little longer was enough.