Soma steps forward,only for his foot to catch on the edge of an uneven pavement. His balance wavers for a split second before—
Soma: (Eyes widening) Ah—!
Thud!
He crashes forward into someone, the impact sending them both tumbling onto the pavement. A soft gasp escapes the other person as they land beneath him.
Silence.
Soma groans slightly, pushing himself up just enough to process what happened.
Soma: (Grimacing) Damn... sorry about that, I wasn't—
???: (Equally flustered) No, it's okay, I wasn't looking either—
They both freeze.The voice. Familiar.
Soma's eyes snap open wider as he finally takes in the person he's fallen on.
Long, dark hair. Soft brown eyes. A face he knows all too well.
Kiyomi.
The moment stretches endlessly as realization dawns on both of them.
Kiyomi: (Breath hitching, eyes widening) ...Soma?
Soma: (Staring, equally stunned) ...Kiyomi?
The distant sound of students chatting, the breeze rustling through the trees,it all fades. The past and present collide in an instant, completely unplanned, completely unexpected.
Neither of them moves. Neither of them speaks. Just silence.
The present dissolves.
Soma is pulled back into the past as the voices around them fade into a far-off hum, the morning sun's warmth turns into something colder and dimmer, and memories come flooding back.
The world blurred.
Soma's breath caught as his mind yanked him backward, past the school gates, past the present, back to a moment he thought he had buried long ago.
The hallway was nearly empty, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The distant echoes of laughter and chatter faded as students rushed home, eager for vacation to begin. But here, near the stairwell, the air between Soma and Kiyomi was anything but light.
The majority of students had already departed, ready to enjoy their break. But two remained,Soma and Kiyomi,standing near the stairwell, facing each other with an invisible wall between them.
Kiyomi's expression was tense, her frustration barely masked under the concern in her voice.
Kiyomi: (Accusingly, stepping closer) Soma, stop lying to me!
Her voice echoed slightly in the empty hallway.
Soma stood stiff, his hands clenched in his pockets, his eyes downcast.
Soma: (Quietly, but firm) I'm telling the truth.
Kiyomi: (Scoffs, crossing her arms) Then why have you been avoiding me?
She wasn't going to let this go.Soma knew that.But how was he supposed to answer her?
That he was drowning in problems he couldn't even put into words? That his world had started to feel too heavy, too overwhelming, and the only way he knew how to deal with it was to push everyone away?
That every time she smiled at him, every time she asked if he was okay, he felt like a liar?
Since he wasn't feeling well.He also didn't want her to find out.
Kiyomi: (Softly now, brows furrowing) Did I... do something wrong?
That made him flinch.No. Never.
But instead of saying that, instead of telling her the truth-
He took a step back.
Soma: (Looking away, voice strained) It's not you.
Kiyomi: (Still searching his face, hesitating) Then why...?
Soma exhaled sharply.
Soma: (Firmly, forcing the words out) I just need space, okay?
Silence.
Kiyomi stared at him, the hurt in her eyes deepening.
And then,her expression changed.Not just hurt anymore
Disappointment.
Kiyomi: (Voice quiet, but cold) Fine.
Soma blinked.
Soma: What?
Kiyomi: (Stepping back, arms dropping to her sides) If space is what you want, then fine. I won't bother you anymore.
His stomach twisted.That wasn't what he wanted.
But before he could say anything, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Soma just stood there.Watching her go.Not stopping her.
SOMA! SOMA! SOMA!
Soma's eyes snapped open.
The memory shattered, the sounds of the past fading into the crisp morning air.
But something still felt distant,his surroundings blurry, his mind still lingering in the empty hallway of that day, watching Kiyomi walk away.
He barely registered the weight of reality settling back in until-
A hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
Asuna: (Gently, but concerned) Soma...? Are you alright?
Soma flinched at the sudden touch, his body tensing before his mind caught up.
His breath was uneven, his fingers clenched against the pavement. Slowly, he blinked, his surroundings coming back into focus—the bright morning sun, the chatter of students, the school gates just ahead.
He looked up.
Asuna was crouched beside him, watching him with a furrowed brow. Kirigaya stood slightly behind her, hands on his hips, his usual smirk replaced with mild concern.
Soma swallowed hard, his pulse still racing.
Soma: (Low, slightly hoarse) I... yeah. I'm fine.
Asuna didn't look convinced.
Asuna: (Frowning) You spaced out just now. You weren't even responding.
Kirigaya: (Crossing his arms, eyeing him carefully) Yeah, man. You looked like you saw a ghost.
A ghost.
Soma blinked, disoriented. His heart was still pounding from something—no, from someone.
His gaze shifted slightly, and there she was.
Kiyomi.
Sitting up just a few inches away from him, staring back, just as frozen as he was.Soma exhaled slowly, his body still tense from the flashback.Before he could say anything, Asuna's gaze locked onto Kiyomi.And just like that—her eyes widened in recognition.
Kirigaya: (Surprised, blinking rapidly) Wait... Kiyomi?
Kiyomi's lips parted slightly, her expression shifting from shock to something softer.
Kiyomi: (A bit hesitant, but nodding) Asuna...? Kirigaya...?
Kirigaya: (Laughs, stepping forward) No way. Is it really you?
Asuna: (Grinning now, clearly caught off guard but happy) You have got to be kidding me. First day and we're already running into old faces?
Kiyomi let out a small chuckle, brushing dust off her uniform.
Kiyomi: (Smirking slightly) Guess fate works in weird ways.
Soma, still recovering from the shock, just sat there for a second, his mind trying to process everything at once.
Soma: (low mutter) Weird ways, huh...?
Kirigaya: (Grinning, glancing between the three of them) Man, this really is like a time skip in an anime. Our old gang, back together just like that.
Soma clenched his jaw slightly at the words "our old gang".
Because the last time he checked, things hadn't ended that simply.And from the way Kiyomi's gaze flickered toward him, just for a split second—She hadn't forgotten either.Soma adjusted his bag, keeping his gaze forward.Kiyomi did the same.Neither spoke a word.The silence between them wasn't just awkward,it was loud.
Asuna and Kirigaya exchanged glances. They both noticed it. They both knew.This wasn't just two old friends reconnecting.These were two people with unresolved history.Kirigaya sighed dramatically, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kirigaya: (Muttering to Asuna, just loud enough for her to hear) Yeah... they're definitely still weird around each other.
Asuna hummed in agreement, crossing her arms.
Asuna: (Whispering back, amused) What gave it away? The intense silence or the fact that they won't even look at each other?
Kirigaya snorted.
Neither Soma nor Kiyomi reacted, too caught up in their own thoughts.
Kirigaya clapped his hands together loudly, breaking the tension.
Kirigaya: (Grinning, pretending nothing's wrong) Welp! Since we're all standing here like NPCs waiting for a cutscene to start,why don't we actually go inside?
Kiyomi let out a small chuckle, though it was barely there.
Kiyomi: (Nods, keeping her tone light) Yeah, let's go.
Soma remained quiet.
Kirigaya threw an arm around Soma's shoulder, pulling him forward.
Kirigaya: (Teasing, but not pushing too hard) Come on, man, you're quiet even for you. Are you sure you didn't hit your head when you fell?
Soma exhaled through his nose, not in the mood to joke about it.
Soma: (Flatly) I'm fine.
Kirigaya exchanged another glance with Asuna, who simply shrugged.
Then, Asuna clapped her hands together, switching gears.
Asuna: (Casually, but firm) Well, let's move. We don't want to be late for the opening ceremony.
Kirigaya grinned, nodding.
Kirigaya: Ah, right. Can't start the year off as the late kids, huh?
Soma finally sighed and started walking, falling into step with the others.
Kiyomi followed, keeping a slight distance.
As they stepped through the school gates together, the campus opened up before them,new faces, new possibilities, and maybe... old wounds that hadn't quite healed yet.
The awkward silence still lingered between Soma and Kiyomi.But neither of them spoke.Not yet.Not now.Maybe... not ever.The four of them stepped past the school gates, greeted by the lively energy of Raimon Gateway's first day.
Students crowded the courtyard, some chatting excitedly with friends, others checking their schedules on their phones or searching for their classrooms. The air buzzed with excitement.As the group moved further inside, Kiyomi glanced at her phone.
She tapped at the screen a few times, her gaze momentarily distracted as she replied to a message.Soma noticed. He didn't mean to, but his eyes flickered toward her for just a second.
Texting someone...?
He quickly looked away, pushing the thought aside.Meanwhile, Kirigaya, clearly trying to lighten the mood, turned to Soma and Asuna with a playful smirk.
Kirigaya: (Dramatically, sighing) Ah... First day of school. A fresh start. New beginnings. And the same terrible early mornings.
Asuna: (Laughs, shaking her head) You act like you've never been to school before.
Kirigaya: (Grinning) But this is high school! It's different. A whole new chapter in our lives!
Soma raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Soma: (Flatly) You make it sound like we're the protagonists of some anime.
Kirigaya: (Grinning, nudging him) Aren't we, though?
Soma sighed, shaking his head as Asuna giggled beside them.
Asuna: (Playfully) Let's go inside and check where we've been placed.
Kirigaya: (Immediately, with a slightly sad face) I hope I'm in the same class as you, Asuna.
Asuna: (Nods excitedly) Same here! I'd be so happy if we were all together.
Soma, who had been walking slightly behind them, shrugged.
Kirigaya grinned confidently, throwing an arm around Soma's shoulder.
Kirigaya: (Teasing) Why do you look so down, Soma? Don't worry, we'll be in the same class.
Soma rolled his eyes but didn't push him away.
Soma: (Flatly) You're overreacting.
Asuna studied Soma for a moment, noticing something in his tone.
Asuna: (Concerned, tilting her head) You seem off, Soma. Is everything okay?
Soma paused for a second before exhaling.
Soma: (Simply) Just tired. Stayed up late last night.
He wasn't lying. He did stay up late. But it wasn't the real reason for the shift in his mood.There were so many things going in his mind.
Asuna gave him a small, knowing look but didn't push further.
Asuna: (Smiling, motioning ahead) Let's go check our classes then!
With that, the group headed toward the class assignment board, blending into the bustling crowd.And as they walked, Soma cast one last glance toward Kiyomi.She was still looking at her phone, focused on whoever she was texting.
The hallways of Raimon Gateway were filled with excited chatter as students crowded around the bulletin board, eagerly searching for their names among the class lists.
The four of them stopped at the edge of the group, taking in the scene.
Kirigaya: (Sighing dramatically) Man, I can already tell this is going to be a hassle.
Asuna: (Laughs, nudging him) What, too many names for you to read?
Kirigaya: (Grinning, stretching lazily) Exactly! It's way too early for this kind of effort.
Soma looked at the crowd, noticing how packed it was. It would be difficult for all of them to squeeze in at once.
Soma: (Glancing at them, offering casually) I'll check the classes for everyone. It'll be quicker that way.
Asuna blinked, a bit surprised.
Asuna: (Tilting her head) You sure? We can go together—
Soma: (Nods lightly, reassuringly) Yeah, it's fine. You guys wait here.
Kirigaya: (Smirking at Asuna and Kiyomi) And here I thought Soma wasn't the helpful type.
Asuna: (Grinning playfully) Maybe he just wants to impress us on the first day.
Kirigaya: (Feigning offense, hand to his chest) Soma, going soft? I'm touched.
Soma shook his head with a small smile before stepping forward, weaving through the students toward the board.Asuna watched him go, her playful smile lingering for a moment,but something in her expression softened.
She didn't say anything, but she understood why Soma often preferred doing things on his own.She exhaled lightly, brushing the thought aside. Now wasn't the time to bring it up.
Kiyomi remained quiet, watching as Soma made his way through the crowd. Her fingers hovered over her phone screen, still open to her last message.The familiar feeling of distance lingered between them.Kiyomi remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Soma felt a pang of guilt, realizing he hadn't made things any less awkward.Maybe he should have said something—anything—when they ran into each other. But what could he even say?
He shook off the thought and focused on the notice board, scanning the lists for their names.
Nearby, Kiyomi was engrossed in her phone, her fingers moving quickly over the screen as she tried to contact someone. Her brows furrowed slightly as she waited for a reply.
A few steps away, Kirigaya and Asuna stood together, speaking in hushed voices.
Kirigaya: (Whispering, glancing at Soma) He's changed so much since he came back from England. Don't you think?
Asuna hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Soma.
Asuna: (Softly, whispering back) I know... he's been through a lot.
Kirigaya's brow furrowed slightly.
Kirigaya: (Curious, lowering his voice even more) Through a lot? What do you mean? What happened?
Asuna's lips pressed into a thin line.
She had heard things. Pieced things together. But it wasn't her place to say.
Asuna: (Shaking her head, voice quiet but firm) It's not something I can talk about.
Kirigaya raised an eyebrow but didn't push.
Instead, he glanced back at Soma, who was still looking at the board, his posture calm,but there was something in his eyes that hadn't been there before.
Something distant.Something guarded.
Kirigaya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kirigaya: (Muttering) Whatever it is... I just hope he talks to us when he's ready.
Asuna simply nodded.
Some things weren't meant to be forced.
Soma's eyes scanned the notice board, moving through the long list of names.
There.He spotted his name.
Soma Ayanokouji – Class 1C
His gaze naturally moved to the names listed nearby.
And that's when he saw them.
Kiyomi Aoki – Class 1C
Asuna Yuuki – Class 1C
Kazuto Kirigaya – Class 1C
Soma blinked.
All four of them... in the same class.
He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or unsettled.After everything that had happened between them, after all the distance and silence, they were about to be stuck in the same classroom every day.
His fingers curled slightly at his side.
After everything that had happened between them, after all the distance and silence, they were about to be stuck in the same classroom every day.
He wasn't sure how to feel about it.Avoiding her wasn't an option anymore.A part of him felt tense, unsure how to even start a conversation with her again.But another part of him—a deeper, stubborn part—didn't want things to stay this way.They had been close once. He had cared about her. And no matter how much time had passed, he still did.
Maybe... this was his chance to fix things.Soma exhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside for now.Soma turned to speak.
Soma: We're all in—
He paused.
Two more names caught his eye just before he could finish.
Haruto Tanaka
Lucy Mochizuki
Class 1C.
Before he could say anything more—
???: "Well, well, well... if it isn't Soma Ayanokouji. Back from your English adventure, I see."
Soma turned, unsurprised to see the tall figure walking toward them.
Haruto Tanaka.
Same effortless stride. Same confident grin.
Soma: (Flatly) Haruto.
Haruto: (Smirking) Didn't expect that, did you?
Kirigaya: (Arms crossed) Still making dramatic entrances, huh?
Haruto: (Chuckling) Always. But hey—don't get too comfortable just yet. We've got one more surprise.
From behind the crowd, a voice rang out.
???: Surprise? Please, I'm fashionably timed, thank you.
A flash of auburn hair and a burst of energy cut through the sea of students as Lucy Mochizuki appeared—smiling brightly, eyes scanning the group.Without hesitation, she headed straight for Kiyomi and pulled her into a tight hug.
Lucy: (Laughing) Kiyomiiii! I told you I wouldn't leave you to deal with these weirdos alone!
Kiyomi didn't flinch, simply returning the hug with calm familiarity.
Kiyomi: (Softly) I knew you'd come.
Asuna: (Smiling in surprise) Wait—you already knew they'd be here?
Kiyomi nodded.
Kiyomi: Haruto told me weeks ago. Lucy confirmed it last weekend.
Kirigaya: (Shaking his head) And you said nothing?
Kiyomi: (Calmly) You didn't ask.
Lucy: (Teasing) Classic Kiyomi. Always the queen of surprises without saying a word.
Haruto: (Grinning, hands in pockets) To be fair, it was kind of fun watching you all figure it out on your own.
Soma said nothing, quietly observing the group as they exchanged greetings and laughter.
They all looked comfortable. At ease.
Even Kiyomi.
And for a moment, he wondered if he was the only one still trying to catch upLucy pulled away from Kiyomi's hug, still smiling wide—until her gaze landed on the boy standing just a little apart from the group.
Her eyes widened.
Lucy: (Pointing slightly, startled) Wait... is that—
She took a step forward.
Lucy: (Laughing in disbelief) Soma?! I thought we were the surprise, but this—this—is a whole plot twist.
Soma blinked as her energy zeroed in on him.
Soma: (A little reserved, but polite) Hey, Lucy. Been a while.
Lucy: (Hands on her hips, mock offended) Hey, Lucy'—that's all I get after, what, two years? You vanish off the face of the earth, and now you're standing here like a mysterious anime transfer student?
Asuna: (Grinning, crossing her arms) Well, if you two can surprise us, then it's only fair we get a surprise of our own.
Lucy laughed, shaking her head.
Lucy: Okay, fair enough. Honestly, this day just keeps leveling up.
She glanced between Soma and Kiyomi, eyes sharp but playful.
Lucy: (Teasing) Raimon Gateway has no idea what it's in for.
Kirigaya: (Dryly) Yeah, we've got half the old crew already causing minor emotional damage before first period.
Soma: (Murmuring under his breath) That might be generous.
But even as the group shared laughs, the weight of old tensions and unspoken thoughts lingered just beneath the surface.
And Soma couldn't help but wonder—
Just as the surprise and teasing began to settle, Haruto stepped forward, hands still tucked casually in his pockets. Asuna followed, a small, almost shy smile on her face.
Haruto: (Grinning) Alright, I guess it's time to come clean.
Asuna: (Tilting her head, looking at the group) Yeah... this whole reunion wasn't exactly a coincidence.
Soma looked up, surprised. The rest of the group turned toward them with curious expressions.
Haruto: (Gesturing toward Asuna) This mastermind here planned all of it.
Asuna: (Chuckling softly) After I ran into Soma at the supermarket, I realized... if he was really back, it was time.
Kirigaya: (Raising a brow) Time for what?
Asuna: (Sincerely) For all of us to find our way back to each other.
There was a brief silence. Even Kiyomi paused, her expression unreadable.
Asuna: (Glancing at Soma) I reached out to Haruto after that. Told him Soma was back. We both agreed—this couldn't just be left to chance.
Haruto: (Nods) So I reached out to Kiyomi and Lucy. Let them know what was happening.
Lucy: (Blinking) Wait... so you all planned this behind my back too?
Haruto: (Grinning) We needed the whole squad.
Kiyomi: (Quietly, but with a faint smile) So this was your idea... Asuna.
Asuna: (Meeting her gaze, gently) I didn't want us to drift apart forever. We were good together—chaotic, yes—but close. And I thought maybe... we all needed this more than we realized.
Soma stood silent, absorbing it all. Part of him felt blindsided. Another part... felt strangely grateful.
He looked over at the familiar faces—some smiling, some uncertain, all part of a past that had once felt so far away.
Soma: (Softly) You really did all this...?
Asuna: (Smiling, slightly sheepish) Someone had to start the story again.
Just as the group began to settle into the weight of Asuna's reveal, a voice rang out from behind them—smooth, playful, and unmistakably confident.
???: You missed a name, Soma-kun.
Everyone turned.
A girl stood there, arms casually crossed, her expression bright but unreadable. Her long dark brown hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore the Raimon Gateway uniform with just enough rebellious flair to stand out.
Jiyuu.
Soma's eyes narrowed slightly. The air around him tensed.
Jiyuu: (Smiling sweetly, but clearly enjoying the attention) We're classmates again. Isn't that fate... or just really good timing?
Kirigaya: (Whispering to Asuna) Who the hell is that?
Asuna: (Shrugging, equally confused) No idea. But she seems to know Soma.
Lucy: (Eyeing her with interest) This just got more interesting.
Kiyomi said nothing, but her gaze lingered—steady and unreadable.
Soma: (Carefully) Jiyuu...
Jiyuu: (Stepping forward with a playful spin and a grin) Allow me to introduce myself, since you didn't.
She faced the rest of the group.
Jiyuu: I'm Jiyuu. An old friend of Soma's from way back. And—(pauses for dramatic effect) —I'm here to take what's mine.
She turned to Soma, eyes sparkling with bold intent.
Jiyuu: That's you, Soma-kun.
Everyone else: ...What
Haruto: (Raising an eyebrow) Okay, now this is getting out of hand.
Kirigaya: (Leaning toward Asuna again) Please tell me this isn't some kind of love triangle... or square... or—what shape are we at now?
Lucy: (Whispering with a smirk) I'm just here for the drama.
Soma was speechless. Jiyuu's sudden appearance... her words... the look in her eyes—it was all too familiar, too intentional.
He clenched his jaw slightly. This wasn't just coincidence.
Soma: (Quietly) ...What are you doing, Jiyuu?
Jiyuu: (Smiling like it was the easiest thing in the world) "Fixing what I broke. Starting with showing up."
The air grew thick with tension—and curiosity—as Jiyuu's bold declaration hung in the silence. Everyone was still processing her sudden entrance, and Soma's reaction only raised more questions.
Asuna stepped forward, her brows drawn together—not in hostility, but clear confusion.
Asuna: (Trying to be polite) Um... sorry, but—
Jiyuu: (Turning swiftly to her, eyes gleaming) You're Asuna, right?
The sudden attention caught Asuna a little off guard.
Asuna: (Blinking) ...Yeah. I am.
Jiyuu: (Grinning) Knew it. You're the one Soma mentioned when I called him earlier.
Kirigaya: (Muttering under his breath) Wait...what?
Asuna narrowed her eyes slightly, reading into Jiyuu's tone—but keeping her voice neutral.
Asuna: (Carefully) You said you're an old friend of Soma's...?
Jiyuu: (Turning back to her, smile never wavering) Mhm. From England. We go way back. Right, Soma?
Soma didn't answer immediately.
Jiyuu: (Tilting her head toward him) You're being awfully quiet, Soma-kun. Cat got your tongue? Or are you just surprised to see me again?
Soma: (Finally speaking, voice calm but cool) You're not exactly easy to forget.
Jiyuu: (Soft laugh) Flattering as always.
The group exchanged glances—none of them knew quite what to say. The reunion had already been full of unexpected moments... but Jiyuu's arrival was a curveball none of them saw coming.
Even Kiyomi, who had been calm through most of the earlier chaos, seemed a little more still now. Her eyes hadn't left Jiyuu since she arrived.
And Jiyuu noticed.
Jiyuu: (Glancing briefly at Kiyomi, curious) You must be Kiyomi.
Kiyomi: (Evenly) And you must be the trouble.
Lucy: (Breaking the tension with a wide grin) Oh yeah. This year's going to be wild.
Asuna: How do you know our names? Especially Kiyomi's?
Jiyuu: (Turning to her with a playful smirk) You? Easy. You called Soma this morning. Lucky me, I caught your name when he answered without checking the ID.
Asuna blinked. She was listening in?
Jiyuu: (Then turning slightly to Kiyomi, tilting her head) As for Kiyomi... well, back in England, Soma used to talk about her a lot.
Soma's shoulders visibly tensed, but he said nothing.
Jiyuu: (Grinning to herself) He never showed me a picture. But from the way he described her—calm, serious, kind of intimidating when she wants to be—it wasn't hard to put two and two together.
Kiyomi's expression remained unreadable, but her eyes sharpened just a little.
Kiyomi: (Evenly) So you've been doing your research.
Jiyuu: (Shrugging) Call it intuition. I just pay attention to the details that matter.
Kirigaya: (Leaning to Lucy, whispering) She's like a walking drama catalyst.
Lucy: (Whispering back, delighted) And I'm living for it.
Asuna: (Trying to stay neutral, glancing at Soma) You used to talk about her?
Soma looked away, jaw tight.
Soma: (Quietly) It was a long time ago.
Jiyuu: (Mocking a pout) Aww, don't be so cold. I thought it was sweet.
No one said anything for a moment. The energy in the group had shifted—subtle, yet undeniable.
Jiyuu had arrived like a storm, and while her smile stayed bright, her presence had unsettled something in all of them.
And Soma... hadn't looked anyone in the eye since
The group stood in uneasy silence, tension brewing just beneath the surface. Jiyuu's presence had already thrown everything off-balance—but she wasn't done.
Jiyuu: (With a sweet smile, laced in challenge) Honestly, I just came to see the competition.
The words hung in the air like a spark in dry grass.
Jiyuu: (Cheerfully, as if it were casual) You know, to see who I'll have to get past to take back what's mine.
She looked at each of them—Kirigaya, Asuna, Lucy—before her eyes landed firmly on Kiyomi.
Jiyuu: (Boldly) I love Soma. A lot. And he's mine. I'm not letting anyone take him.
Soma's breath caught in his chest.
Jiyuu: (Looking directly at Kiyomi now, her voice smooth but unwavering) Especially not you.
A flicker passed through Kiyomi's eyes—but she didn't respond. She didn't need to. The look she gave Jiyuu was enough to cut through steel.
Soma: (Stepping forward, tense) Jiyuu. That's enough.
Jiyuu: (Smiling without turning around) Don't worry, Soma-kun. We'll talk more... in class.
Then, without waiting for another word, she turned on her heel and walked off toward the auditorium, her skirt fluttering slightly with each step, her confidence echoing behind her like footsteps in silence.
The group was frozen.
Kirigaya: (Low whistle) ...What just happened?
Asuna: (Still processing) Did she just... declare war?
Lucy: (Wide-eyed) That girl's got main antagonist energy and I kind of respect it.
Soma stood there, jaw tight, hands in his pockets. For a moment, no one said anything.
Then he exhaled sharply, muttering just loud enough for them to hear.
Soma: This year's already too much.
Ding-ding-ding!
The sound of the bell echoed through the school grounds, cutting through the tension like a blade.
A moment later, the school's PA system crackled to life.
Voice over speaker: All first-year students are requested to proceed to the auditorium hall for the opening ceremony. Please be seated in your designated sections. Thank you.
The chatter around the courtyard picked up again as students began moving toward the main building.
Kirigaya: (Stretching his arms) Time to officially begin, huh?
Lucy: (Grinning) Hope the speech isn't boring. But then again, drama already kicked off early.
Soma turned, ready to follow the others.
Asuna's hand gently grabbed his wrist.
Asuna: (Quietly, so only he could hear) Soma. Wait.
Soma blinked, caught off guard.
Soma: (Low voice) Yeah?
Asuna: (Eyes steady, voice low) Come with me. Just for a second.
Soma: (Warily) Why?
Asuna: (Soft but serious) Just for a minute. Somewhere no one's watching. I need to talk to you. Alone.
She glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention. The others had already started walking ahead.
Soma paused for a moment—then nodded, following her as she guided him toward a quieter corner of the courtyard, away from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Kiyomi stood still, unmoving among the flow of students passing by.
Jiyuu's words still rang in her ears. Not the drama of them, not the theatrics—
But the confidence.The way she looked directly at her.
"I love Soma. And I'm not letting anyone take him."
Kiyomi exhaled quietly, her expression calm as always. On the outside, nothing had changed.
But on the inside—there was a storm brewing.
With steady steps, Kiyomi walked toward the hall, disappearing into the sea of students.
Jiyuu's voice echoed faintly in her mind.
"He's mine. I won't let anyone take him."
Kiyomi didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. But the words didn't slide off her either.
So she loves him...
And she thinks that's enough.
Her eyes drifted toward where Soma had just been standing—before Asuna pulled him aside.
Another memory, another ripple.
You left too, Soma.
But now you're back... and things aren't the same anymore.
Kiyomi: (Thinking, bitterly) You wanted space, Soma. This is what you wanted.
She exhaled through her nose, not angry... not really. Just tired.
Kiyomi: (Muttering softly to herself as she turned away) Tch... figures.
She took a slow breath.
She slipped her hands into her skirt pockets, lowered her head, and joined the others heading to the auditorium.
To be continued in Chapter 3...