The crowd's noise had long faded into the distance.
Only the soft rustle of petals filled the air now — pink flakes drifting lazily down, painting the bench under the cherry blossom tree in spring's gentle hue.
Akatsuki slumped onto the bench, breathing like he'd just finished a marathon.
"Man… I think I need CPR… Haha…"
He leaned back, eyes closed, trying to pull air into his lungs.
Across from him, Yuki stood frozen — her face still a soft shade of pink, the sunlight glinting off her dark hair.
"Does he really… want… CPR?" she murmured under her breath, barely louder than a sigh.
Akatsuki blinked, cracking one eye open.
"Hmm? You said something?"
Her eyes widened like she'd been caught committing a crime.
"W-well! Um, no, nothing at all! I was just—uh—thanking you… for helping me get away from them."
She straightened her posture instantly, her voice switching from flustered to elegant — like flipping a royal switch.
"I am Yuki Shibata, a freshman. What might be your humble name?"
Akatsuki let out a light laugh, scratching his cheek.
"Don't be sooooooo distant. Anyways, I'm Akatsuki. Also a freshman."
Yuki blinked at him. "Oh… I see."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward — more like… peaceful.
The kind of quiet that felt new to both of them.
A soft breeze danced between them, carrying the faint scent of sakura.
Akatsuki finally stood up, stretching his arms with a lazy grin.
"Well, seems like it's time for that sucker of a speech. I'll be going then."
He started walking away, then turned slightly, flashing her a playful smile.
"Oh, and uh—don't get caught in a chicken swarm again, yeah?"
"Eh—?"
Before she could respond, he was already heading toward the auditorium, hands in pockets, humming some random tune like nothing happened.
Yuki stood there for a moment, her hand clutching the hem of her uniform.
The corner of her lips curved up just a little.
"He's funny… maybe also dependable…" she whispered.
The petals kept falling.
And for a brief second — the angel smiled, not for the world, not for appearances… but for herself.