Think, Haru, think—what could I even say back?
I still feel awful.
Awful for making Mina pay.
Awful for forgetting my wallet.
Awful for basically being… me.
My fingers hover over the keyboard.
I type:
"Hey… do you want to go to the arcade with me?"
My heart slams against my ribs like it's trying to escape my chest.
What if she says no? What if she laughs? What if she blocks me?
God, that would be horrifying.
I hover over send.
Come on. Just do it.
I tap.
Message sent.
Instant regret.
I smack my phone face-down on the bed and bury my head in the pillow.
She saw it. She actually saw it.
"Seen."
Shit. Shit. SHIT.
Okay—breathe.
Be normal.
Act normal.
Pretend you're not dying inside.
I peel my face out of the pillow and pick my phone back up.
Bzzzt.
The vibration shoots straight through my chest.
She answered.
But… I can't look.
I stare at the black screen like it's going to explode.
Five seconds. Feels like five minutes.
Screw it.
I unlock it, open LINE, heart racing like my life depends on it.
Her message pops up:
"Yes… I'll go with you. But don't forget—it's your treat 😉😂"
I blink.
Once. Twice.
Then twenty times, because—
Holy shit.
She actually agreed.
I stand up slowly, stunned, like a new player discovering a legendary loot drop.
Then suddenly—
"YESS!!!"
I punch the air, jumping like a maniac.
I start breakdancing.
Breakdancing.
My inner crowd cheers:
"GO HARU!! GO HARU!!"
Then—
Thud. Thud. Heavy footsteps.
Crap.
Mom.
The doorknob twists—
"What the hell are you doing, Haru?" she asks, staring at me mid-spin." Are you… dancing?"
Heat rushes up my neck.
This is it.
I'm dying.
"Uh—I—there was a bug!" I blurt." A big one. I was, uh… killing it."
The worst lie ever.
But Mom hates bugs. She instantly scans the floor in fear.
"Well—just don't make so much noise," she mutters, closing the door quickly as if the imaginary bug might chase her.
Victory.
I collapse on my bed, cheeks burning.
I need sleep. Tomorrow's going to be huge.
I faceplant into my pillow.
Mina.
Her smile flashes behind my eyelids—bright, soft, warm.
She's so… beautiful.
But…
Why did she want to jump?
The rooftop scene hits me again, harder than before.
If I hadn't been there…Would she—
No.
Not thinking about that.
The future matters.
Tomorrow matters.
I drift.
My breathing slows.
Sleep takes me.
Sunlight fills my room.
Morning already.
Routine mode: on.
Phone. Wash face. Brush teeth. Uniform. Toast. Shoes.
Out the door.
The weather is perfect today—clear sky, cool breeze.
A good day.
I walk to school, feeling… lighter.
The gate approaches. Students flood in from every direction.
I climb the steps to my classroom—alone, as always.
Mina's in first year, so… yeah. Probably won't see her.
Sucks.
I slide the door open.
There it is.
My seat.
The perfect place to sleep through another useless day.
I sit down, drop my bag, lay my head on my desk—
But the moment I close my eyes—
Mina's face flickers behind my eyelids.
Damn it
.I can't sleep now.
I lift my head, staring blankly at the board.
Heavy steps approach the door.
Slide—!
The door slams open.
Everyone looks up.
Including me.
Black hair.
Yellow eyes.
Oh crap.
It's her.
The girl from the auditorium.
The café.
The coldest human alive.
She walks straight toward me—
Closer… closer…
And sits.
Right next to me.
What.
WHAT?
Perfect. Just perfect.
"What? Can't stop staring at me, creep?" she says, folding her arms without even glancing at me.
My soul leaves my body.
"I—I wasn't— I didn't know you sat here," I mumble.
She's terrifying. She could ask for my wallet and I'd hand it over with a bow.
No. Be a man, Haru.
"Tch," she mutters, looking forward.
Great.
The teacher walks in.
"Class rep, take attendance."
Some blond pretty boy stands up.
Girls stare at him with sparkly eyes.
Of course.
He calls names.
"Haru Morisaki."
"That's me," I raise my hand weakly.
"Rika Kurozawa."
"Here," she answers beside me.
So her name is Kurozawa.
Cool.
Scary, but cool.
"Open your math books," the teacher says.
Ugh.
Math.
I drag my book out, pencil in hand.
"Weirdo," she whispers.
I turn slowly.
She's staring at me again.
"You're sharing your book," she says ."I forgot mine."
Not a request.
A command.
"S-sure," I say immediately, sliding my desk next to hers.
God, I'm weak.
She smells like cherries.
Why cherries?
Why does she smell so good?
Focus, Haru.
"Problem four. Morisaki," the teacher calls.
I freeze.
Me?
No.
No no no no—
I drag myself to the front like a prisoner walking to execution.
The problem on the board looks like alien language.
I swallow, grab the chalk, think—
What number feels right…?
Twenty-six.
I write:
= 26
I turn around.
Dead silence.
Kurozawa is shaking—trying not to laugh.
Her hands cover her mouth.
Her eyes are watery.
She's dying.
Of laughter.
I am dying too.
Of humiliation.
I trudge back to my seat.
"Morisaki," the teacher sighs, "please pay attention."
"Yes, ma'am…"
Kurozawa whispers, "Twenty-six? Seriously?" She giggles.
I die inside, again.
The bell rings.
Lunch.
I pack my stuff fast and head out. Roof. Food. Silence. Maybe Mina.
The cafeteria line is long.
Students loud.
I finally get curry and walk out.
Then—
Tap.
I turn.
Kurozawa.
Holding an onigiri.
"For you," she mutters." For sharing your book, weirdo."
She thrusts it into my hands before I can refuse.
"Thank you," I say, bowing slightly.
"Yeah, whatever," she mutters, walking away to join two delinquent-looking girls.
Okay… maybe she's not pure evil.
I walk up the stairs to the rooftop.
Push the door open—
Wind brushes my face.
And there she is.
Mina.
(End of Chapter 3)