A month had passed.
And just like that—
Kurogane's pranks disappeared completely.
At first, it felt strange.
Then unusual.
Then… empty.
Hanasato didn't realize how much she had gotten used to them until they were gone.
No sudden interruptions.
No teasing remarks.
No presence.
Just silence.
But what she didn't notice—
was that Kurogane was still there.
Watching.
Always at a distance.
After school, when Hanasato walked home alone, there would always be someone a few steps behind… or across the street… or just out of sight.
Careful.
Precise.
Unnoticed.
And Kurogane was very good at it.
After all—
she had years of experience sneaking up on Hanasato.
Meanwhile, Hanasato's thoughts had only grown more complicated.
There were questions she couldn't shake off.
Questions she wanted to ask—
but couldn't.
How did she know about my heart condition?
Why did she immediately look for my medicine?
Why… did she keep pranking me, even after knowing?
It didn't make sense.
None of it did.
And yet—
she couldn't bring herself to ask.
Not yet.
Maybe when they got closer.
Maybe when things weren't so… distant.
"…If that ever happens," she muttered quietly.
A small, uncertain smile formed on her lips.
For some reason—
that thought scared her a little.
The school bell rang, snapping her out of it.
Students began moving to their classrooms, chatter filling the hallways.
Hanasato followed along—
but stopped briefly.
Her eyes landed on something.
Or rather—
someone.
Kurogane stood near the hallway, speaking with a teacher.
Her posture was straight.
Serious.
Different.
Hanasato blinked.
"…What are they talking about…?"
She leaned slightly, trying to catch even a word—
but before she could—
Kurogane's gaze shifted.
Sharp.
Direct.
Almost like she sensed it.
Hanasato quickly looked away.
"…That was close."
Her heart skipped slightly.
"She really has good instincts…"
The conversation ended.
Kurogane walked back to her classroom without another glance.
The teacher, however, entered Hanasato's.
The entire first period passed—
but Hanasato couldn't focus.
As soon as the class ended, she approached the teacher.
"Um… excuse me, sir," she said politely. "Can I ask something?"
"Yes?"
"…What were you and Kurogane talking about earlier?"
The teacher paused.
Then smiled slightly.
"That's something you should ask her yourself."
"…Is it important?"
"…It's confidential."
Hanasato blinked.
"…I see."
She bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Confidential…
Her curiosity only grew stronger.
By lunchtime, the rumors had already spread again.
They hadn't disappeared.
They had only been waiting.
"I heard Kurogane was involved in the accident."
"Yeah… wasn't she the one closest to Hanasato?"
"…What if she caused it?"
"No way… but still…"
"Then why was she the only one there?"
Hanasato clenched her hand slightly under the table.
"They're wrong…" she muttered quietly.
But this time—
she didn't say it out loud.
Across the cafeteria—
a small crowd had gathered.
Not around Hanasato.
But somewhere else.
Kurogane.
Hanasato noticed immediately.
Her body moved before she could think.
"…Hey."
A voice.
Firm.
Challenging.
"You were there during the accident, right?"
Kurogane didn't respond.
"People are saying things," another added. "You should clear it up."
Still nothing.
"…Or is it true?"
That made Kurogane look up.
Slowly.
Her eyes were cold.
Sharp.
"What exactly are you implying?" she asked.
Her tone was calm—
but dangerous.
"That you had something to do with it."
Silence.
For a moment—
everything felt still.
Then—
Kurogane stood.
The sound of her chair scraping against the floor echoed.
"You should be careful with what you say," she said quietly.
"Why? Are you hiding something?"
The tension rose.
Students nearby started whispering.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…If I were hiding something," Kurogane said, stepping closer, "you wouldn't be standing there asking me about it."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Not even for a second.
The student hesitated.
Just slightly.
"Tch. Whatever," they muttered, backing off. "We were just asking."
"Then ask properly next time."
The crowd slowly dispersed.
But the whispers didn't.
They never did.
Hanasato stood frozen.
She wanted to step in.
To say something.
To defend her.
But—
she didn't.
By the time she gathered the courage—
Kurogane was already gone.
"…Why didn't I say anything…?"
Hanasato lowered her gaze.
Her chest felt tight.
That afternoon—
she made a decision.
I'll talk to her.
After class, Hanasato walked toward the usual crossing—
then stopped.
The bench.
The same bench.
Where everything happened.
She sat down.
Then placed a handkerchief over her head.
"…This is embarrassing," she muttered.
"But if this works…"
She waited.
Seconds passed.
Then minutes.
Footsteps.
The cloth above her head was suddenly lifted.
"What the heck are you doing, Hanasato?"
Hanasato looked up—
and froze.
"Kurogane?!"
Kurogane stood there, wearing an oni mask, her voice clearly annoyed.
"No, what are youdoing?!" Hanasato shot back. "That almost gave me a heart attack!"
"It didn't, right? So it's fine."
She waved her hand dismissively.
Still wearing the mask.
"…You haven't changed at all."
Kurogane removed the mask, looking at her.
"…You seem fine."
She turned.
"I'm leaving."
"Wait!"
Hanasato grabbed her hand.
Kurogane stopped.
Slowly.
"…Do you have a death wish, Hanasato?"
Her voice dropped.
Cold.
Dangerous.
Hanasato flinched—
but didn't let go.
"I just wanted to ask something…"
"…What?"
"…What were you and the teacher talking about earlier?"
Silence.
"…First of all," Kurogane said slowly, "why should I answer you?"
Hanasato froze.
"Second—you were eavesdropping?"
"…I…"
"Didn't expect that from you."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"And third—what would you even do if I told you?"
Hanasato lowered her gaze.
"…I'm sorry."
Her voice softened.
"For being nosy… and for grabbing you."
A pause.
Then—
a sigh.
Kurogane turned fully toward her.
Then gently—
removed Hanasato's hand from her arm.
"I really hate you, Hanasato," she said.
"...You're getting more annoying by the day."
Hanasato felt her chest sink slightly.
"…I see."
"…But I can't tell you."
Hanasato blinked.
"It's confidential," Kurogane continued. "Just know this."
A short pause.
"I won't be coming to school for a while."
"…What?"
Hanasato looked up, surprised.
But Kurogane's expression had already returned to normal.
"…I'll tell you when it's over."
Relief.
Confusion.
Concern.
All mixed together.
"I understand," Hanasato said softly.
"…And I'm really sorry."
"…It's fine."
Kurogane adjusted her grip on the mask.
"I won't apologize for earlier, though."
"That's okay," Hanasato replied. "I was the one who pushed you."
"…Hmph."
"Oh… right."
Kurogane glanced to the side.
"My driver's nearby."
"…Oh."
A car pulled up.
"I'm going," Kurogane said.
Then stepped in.
Hanasato stood there.
Watching.
Confused.
"…Are you just going to stand there?"
"Huh?"
"Get in, Hanasato Airi."
"…Ah—okay!"
Inside the car—
silence again.
"You're slow," Kurogane muttered. "How are you even in the top three?"
"Hehe… sorry."
"Just be quiet until we arrive."
"…Okay."
When they arrived—
Hanasato stepped out.
"Thank you—"
"Hanasato."
She turned.
"I was harsh earlier."
"…Eh?"
Kurogane looked away.
"…I hateyou, Hanasato Airi."
The door shut.
The car left.
Hanasato stood there.
Then—
smiled.
"…You're really bad at apologizing."
But her thoughts lingered.
On the rumors.
On the confrontation.
On what Kurogane didn't say.
"…What are you hiding?"
And for the first time—
Hanasato felt it clearly.
Not curiosity.
Not annoyance.
Something deeper.
And something that was slowly—
beginning to grow.