[School ]
Leisure time had already begun.
Era went to Section A to look for Hira, but she wasn't there. She walked over to Hira's desk. Her bag and phone lay neatly, untouched—but Hira herself was missing.
She climbed to the third floor, where the Class 12th students usually stayed. Seniors filled the corridor. Era stepped into Section C —Toha's classroom—and stood outside the door, scanning the room.
One of Toha's classmates noticed her and asked,
"Are you looking for someone?"
Era hesitated for a second, then softly said,
"Toha.."
"Oh—Toha! But you're… not Hira?" His eyes narrowed, curiosity pulling him closer.
"Where is he?" Era asked.
"He's in the playground. There's a match coming up."
"Oh… okay. Thanks." Era turned to leave.
The classmate called after her,
"Who are you?"
Without looking back, Era replied,
"I'm Hira's friend."
---
Toha was alone on the playground.
He kept throwing the ball toward the basket, missing again and again. Still, he didn't stop. His movements were mechanical, his mind elsewhere—as if fighting thoughts heavier than the ball in his hands.
Era stepped onto the basketball court.
The moment Toha noticed her, his focus shattered. The ball slipped, missing the hoop once more.
"Era—"
His voice broke halfway. His eyes stayed fixed on her, unreadable yet heavy. The sound of the basketball hitting the ground echoed sharply, cutting through the silence.
Era stepped closer.
"Do you know where Hira is?" she asked.
Toha looked away, jaw tightening. He lowered his head, staring somewhere else.
"No."
Era didn't push. She gave a small, silent nod and began to walk away.
As Toha bent to pick up the ball, he spoke again, voice low, almost reluctant.
"Maybe… she had another fight with Geone."
Era paused. She didn't turn back, and then walked on.
Toha remained standing, ball in hand. The playground felt emptier than before. In the corner of his eyes, a thin layer of unshed tears shimmered quietly—never falling, yet refusing to disappear.
————
Minase and Suga were eating in the canteen.
Suga poked at his food.
"Ugh, Geone isn't here today. The place feels boring."
Minase replied casually,
"I think his fight with Hira has gotten worse lately."
Suga laughed, stuffing rice into his mouth.
"Geone's always short-tempered. But lately? His mood's been extra bad."
Minase nodded thoughtfully.
"Hm… I was thinking—what if all of us friends went to the beach together?"
Suga's eyes lit up.
"Oh! Minase, finally talking about something fun! Our old Minase is back—wooooh!"
Before Suga could finish, Minase laughed and cut him off.
"Shut up, Suga. Summer vacation is coming anyway."
Suddenly, Suga jumped on the chair, announcing loudly,
"Attention everyone!! We're going on vacation! Oooohhoooh..!"
The entire canteen burst into laughter at his antics. Minase, completely embarrassed, kept pulling at his sleeve.
"Get down! Suga, get down!"
Just then, Era walked into the canteen.
Minase noticed her immediately and went over.
"Era… in the canteen—"
Then he grabbed Era's hand teasingly.
"Missing your boyfriend, huh?"
Era smiled, slipping an arm around Minase's shoulder.
"Yeah. A lot."
Suga finally climbed down and said dramatically,
"Ooohhh—hey, slow down, slow down! We're here too,can you see ."
Era raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I could already tell—seeing someone standing on a chair."
Suga grinned proudly.
"What can I say? I'm soo.. handsome. Everyone notices me."
Minase clapped sarcastically.
"Wow. Truly. Great joke."
"Joke! Now it will be joke..he..he..."
Suga suddenly pulled out his phone.
"Hey!! Look at the camera guys..I am recording ... I'll show it to Geone and Hira—'Two enemies. Best friends. Lovers.' Breaking news of the day."
Before he could react, Minase snatched the phone.
"Say one more word and I'll throw this in water."
Suga quickly grabbed it back, laughing.
"Hey, dude—stop. I was just kidding. You know Suga..."
---
Lily had been waiting in the library shop when Charlie finally arrived, walking in slowly.
"I'm sorry," he said, slightly out of breath. "I got late."
Lily smiled softly.
"It's okay. Anything for you."
Charlie hesitated, then nodded awkwardly.
𝘖𝘩… 𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦, Lily thought.
Charlie glanced around the shelves.
"So… what kind of book do you want?"
"A romantic novel," Lily replied.
Charlie looked surprised.
"Huh?"
Lily looked away shyly, then back with a small smile.
"Yeah. I like romantic novels."
"I thought you'd pick a guidebook or something," Charlie said honestly.
"I don't really have experience with these."
"No problem," Lily said, flipping through a few books.
"You just choose one or two. I'll buy whatever you pick."
Charlie blinked, confused.
"Huh?"
"Choose. Come on—choose," Lily encouraged.
Charlie randomly picked a book and held it up.
"This one?"
"That's sci-fi," Lily said.
"Oh!" Charlie exhaled.
He picked another.
"What about this?"
Lily read the title.
"Rebellion. That's paranormal. I need a romantic one, Charlie."
Charlie frowned.
"But how do I know which is romantic?"
Lily smiled knowingly.
"Come, I'll show you."
She pulled out a romantic novel.
"See the cover? Doesn't it look… hot?"
Charlie immediately looked away, embarrassed, and nodded slightly.
"See?" Lily teased.
"Judge a book by its cover."
"That's… interesting," Charlie admitted.
"Yeah. You get it now," Lily laughed.
After that, Charlie started pulling out book after book.
"This one… this one… or this?"
Some Lily had already read. Others she didn't like.
After nearly sixty books, Lily sighed dramatically.
"Wow. Not a single one feels right."
Charlie rubbed his neck, exhausted.
"Then maybe try something new."
"Like?" Lily asked.
Charlie met her gaze, tired and honest.
"I've got nothing left."
In the end, Lily picked a paranormal novel anyway.
She checked the time.
"Charlie, it's already 8 o'clock. I'm starving. Let's go eat something."
Charlie shook his head.
"No, Lily. You go ahead. I've got some work. Bye."
He turned to leave.
"Charlie—wait!" Lily ran after him.
She stopped in front of him and gently touched his hair.
Charlie immediately stepped back, surprised.
"There was a bit of dust in your hair," Lily said innocently.
"Oh… okay," Charlie replied.
"Bye."
He walked away.
Lily stood frozen for a moment.
𝘐 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮… 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
Her heart felt like it might explode.
"Oh, Charlie," she closed her eyes, smiling wildly.
"You're just like me…"
Continues....