Saki entered the classroom that morning with slower steps than usual. Her heartbeat was slightly quicker—not from excitement, but from suspicion.
The door slid open, and the chatter inside paused for a moment before resuming. When Saki lifted her head, she saw Miyuki already there, sitting at her desk and smiling softly at something on her phone. Her shiny hair fell over her shoulders, catching the morning light.
Normally, Saki wouldn't care. But today… everything felt a little off.
She's just smiling… but why does something inside me feel uneasy?
As she walked toward her seat, she glanced at Miyuki from the corner of her eye. Miyuki lifted her head; their eyes met.
"Good morning, Saki!" Miyuki said with her usual warm, sweet voice.
Saki froze for half a second.
"Morning…" she replied, but the hesitation in her voice was impossible to hide.
Miyuki frowned softly.
"You sound tired. Did something happen?"
"No… just didn't sleep well," Saki replied quickly.
She sat down, but her mind refused to settle.
Who messaged Hiroki yesterday? Why did Miyuki smile like that earlier? Am I overthinking? No proof… but still… why does my chest feel weird?
Even during class, Saki found herself glancing at Miyuki again and again.
Every time, Miyuki simply behaved normally—too normally.
And that only deepened Saki's unease.
Lunch Break – Saki's Adorably Suspicious Behavior
When the lunch bell rang, Saki let out a quiet sigh. Normally lunch was the most relaxing part of her day, but today… it felt like walking into a battlefield.
Miyuki came over with a cheerful smile.
"Let's go to the cafeteria together?"
Saki tried to smile back.
"Sure…"
In the crowded cafeteria, they grabbed their trays. Miyuki's eyes sparkled when she noticed the dessert section.
"They have pudding today! You like pudding, right?"
Saki stiffened.
Hiroki also mentioned I like pudding yesterday… How does Miyuki know? Or does she always remember? Or is this—
"Yeah… I like it," Saki answered, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Miyuki narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Saki… you're acting strange. Are you mad at me? Did I do something?"
Saki panicked and waved her hands.
"No! Of course not!"
"Then why do you keep giving me that suspicious look?" Miyuki leaned forward, face close.
"Are you… jealous of me~?"
"Wh– what?! No way!" Saki yelped.
Her voice got a bit too loud; a few students at nearby tables giggled.
Miyuki burst into laughter.
"Okay okay, I'm kidding."
But Saki's heart was pounding hard—way harder than it should have.
Throughout lunch, Miyuki happily talked about club activities, teacher gossip, and upcoming music events.
But Saki… kept analyzing every word, every movement, every smile.
And nothing.
Not a single clue about Hiroki.
That only made the uncertainty grow warmer, almost sweet… but still painful.
---
After School – Getting Closer to the Truth
When the final bell rang, students quickly flooded the hallways. Saki packed her bag, letting out a long breath.
I need to talk to Hiroki. I won't feel better until I hear the truth from him.
As she walked down the hallway, she spotted him outside the school entrance.
Hiroki was waiting, guitar case in hand. When he saw her, his expression brightened.
"Saki. You were a bit distracted today… are you okay?"
She slowed her steps. Behind her, Miyuki was still near the classroom, watching them for a brief moment.
Saki noticed that.
Why is Miyuki watching like that? What is happening between us?
Hiroki stepped closer.
"If you want to talk—"
Before he could finish, a loud voice echoed from behind:
"Saki! Don't forget the club meeting!"
Saki flinched. Their moment shattered instantly as other students rushed past, filling the hallway with noise and chaos.
Hiroki smiled softly.
"Looks like they're calling you. We can talk later if you want."
Saki hesitated.
"Hiroki… I… I was going to ask you something."
He tilted his head gently.
"Go ahead. What is it?"
Saki opened her mouth.
But no words came out.
Can I really ask him right now? Something about Miyuki? What if I'm imagining everything? What if I'm wrong? What if… I ruin everything?
Her uncertainty flickered in her eyes like a trembling flame.
Hiroki tried again—
but the club bell rang loudly, announcing the start of after-school meetings.
Saki stepped back.
"U-um… can we talk later?"
Hiroki blinked, then smiled with quiet understanding.
"Of course. Anytime."
Saki turned and walked down the hallway, but she couldn't help looking back.
Hiroki was still there.
Watching her leave with a worried, gentle expression.
And the chapter ends there.
Before anything is said.
Before anything is revealed.
But everyone—somehow—moves one step closer to the truth.