The sky that morning seemed brighter than usual.
Maybe it was just her imagination… or maybe it was the quiet echo of the night before.
After hours spent in the digital world of Eternal Aegis Online, after a victory that had felt almost impossible… Aoi had fallen asleep while watching the game's credits roll.
Among hundreds of names slowly passing across the screen…
one of them.
Her father's name.
She remembered that moment perfectly.
Her eyes had stayed fixed on that single line for several seconds… as if blinking would make it disappear.
And then sleep had taken her.
The next morning, the world was exactly the same.
The cold air of early day.
The distant sound of bicycles passing by.
The soft rustling of trees along the street.
Aoi walked toward school.
But her eyes weren't on the road.
They were fixed on the horizon.
As if her mind was still caught somewhere between the game's credits… and a memory she couldn't quite reach.
Up ahead, Hina and Mio were chatting excitedly, as always.
— That final part was impossible! — Mio said. — And I was just watching!
— I still can't believe we actually did it — Hina replied with a laugh.
But Aoi walked a few steps behind them.
Silent.
Lost in thought.
When they reached the school gates, the building of Hoshimi Municipal Academy stood as it always did—solid, familiar… almost comforting.
Students passed through the gates in small groups.
That's when Aoi finally spoke.
— Hina… after the exams… want to look for another game?
Hina turned, surprised.
— Huh? Oh, yeah… sure! — she said. — You're taking good care of the console, right?
Aoi gave a small smile.
— Yeah. It's fine… don't worry.
Mio crossed her arms as they walked.
— It took you guys a whole month to finish it. Were you seriously studying that much?
Hina scratched her head awkwardly.
— Something like that.
Aoi let out a small sigh.
— I also have theater… on top of the exams.
Then she glanced at Hina.
— How's your manga coming along?
Hina's eyes lit up.
— I expanded it!
She smiled proudly.
— That's why I haven't finished yet. And… I want to show it to all of you.
Mio tilted her head.
— All of us?
— Yep — Hina replied with a mysterious little smile. — You'll see.
Aoi turned to Mio.
— What about you?
Mio adjusted her bag.
— I've started writing a short story.
Silence.
Then, at the same time, Aoi and Hina began lightly clapping.
Mio blinked, confused.
— What?
Aoi grinned.
— Author Mio. I can already see it.
Hina leaned in excitedly.
— Can I adapt your story?
Mio immediately crossed her arms, her cheeks turning slightly red.
— I-I just started writing! Don't get ahead of yourselves!
Aoi and Hina burst out laughing.
— Hahaha!
Mio then looked ahead.
— There's Souma.
He waved calmly at them.
Mio lightly tapped Hina's arm.
And without saying a word, the two of them changed direction, heading down another corridor.
Aoi stopped.
Blinking.
— Huh…? Where'd you guys go?
At that moment, Souma walked up beside her.
— The girls seemed in a hurry.
He adjusted his bag on his shoulder.
— Morning, Aoi-chan.
— Morning, Souma-kun.
They entered the building and changed into their indoor shoes.
As they walked down the hallway, Souma said:
— Last night's match was brutal.
Aoi smiled softly.
— I'm going to miss it.
Souma frowned slightly.
— Miss it?
Aoi looked out the window.
— Yeah… all of us playing together.
Souma watched her for a few seconds.
Then a small smile escaped him.
— We can play something else.
He shrugged.
— But first… exams.
Aoi nodded.
— Yeah. I was just telling the girls that.
They started going up the stairs.
Step by step.
Just before reaching the classroom…
Aoi stopped.
— Souma…
He turned toward her.
— Thank you.
— For what?
She took a breath.
— For always worrying about me.
Souma fell silent.
His eyes stayed on her for a moment.
Then he said:
— Aoi… after the exams… do you want to go out with me?
Aoi's eyes widened.
— Huh?
Souma looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
— I want to show you something.
— What?
He smiled faintly.
— It's a secret.
Aoi's face turned slightly red.
She started swaying a little, hands hidden behind her back.
— Okay… let's go out.
Souma turned even redder.
— R-really…? So… it's a date?
Aoi tilted her head.
— Where are we going?
— You'll see.
She narrowed her eyes.
— You're being way too secretive.
They both smiled.
At that moment, Misaki walked past them into the classroom.
— Morning.
Souma replied quietly:
— Morning…
Aoi answered brightly:
— Good morning!
Misaki simply smiled and went to her seat, resting her chin on her hand.
Then, from the doorway, Mio said:
— Are the lovebirds just going to stand out there?
Aoi rushed inside.
— M-MIO! Keep it down!
Mio stared at her.
For a few seconds.
Saying nothing.
Then a mischievous smile appeared.
— Hmm… so you don't mind being called that?
Aoi turned completely red.
— S-stop it, Mio!
Mio laughed.
— Alright, alright.
Then she leaned forward.
— Aoi, want to study later?
— Huh? Later? In the library?
— Yeah.
Hina raised her hand.
— I need to study too.
Aoi smiled.
— Then let's all go together.
At that moment, Sasaki-sensei entered the classroom.
— Good morning.
He placed some papers on the desk.
— We'll be having a test now. Put your materials away.
Silence filled the room.
Then Hanae lifted her head.
— What?
Takumi added:
— A surprise test?
Sasaki smiled.
— Yes.
A wave of silent despair spread across the class.
Everyone hurried to put their things away.
Mio shot Aoi a desperate look.
Hina did the same.
The tests were handed out.
— You may begin.
The sound of pencils against paper filled the room.
Time passed slowly.
Aoi answered calmly.
Mio made small faces at each difficult question.
Hina glanced at both of them from time to time… smiling softly.
Finally—
— Time's up. Take your papers to the room next door.
Mio collapsed into her chair.
— I think I did terribly… this sucks!
Hina sighed.
— I really need to study…
Aoi scratched her head.
— I knew some of them… but… I need to study more too.
Mio stood up.
— Library after school?
— Yeah — Aoi and Hina answered at the same time.
At lunch, the three of them were already eating their bentos quickly.
Then Souma showed up with his.
— Wow… you guys already started?
Aoi looked up.
— Want to study with us later, Souma?
Mio and Hina exchanged a mischievous glance.
Mio said:
— It's for studying, okay?
Aoi turned.
— MIO!
Souma scratched his head.
— Studying? Sure… I think I did pretty bad on that test.
On the other side of the classroom…
Yamada was talking with Matsuda Ren.
— Dude, I answered seven… guessed the rest.
Ren blinked.
— There were twenty questions… thinking about Hina is messing with your head?
Yamada frowned.
— And what about you, Ren? Still can't get Misaki out of your head?
He was about to continue teasing—
— D-do you want to come with us?
It was Hina.
Yamada and Ren turned.
Yamada's heart started racing.
— S-sure, Hina… did you do bad too?
— I think so… Riku-kun.
Silence.
Everyone looked at her.
Aoi blinked.
— R-Riku-kun?
Ren's eyes widened.
— Hina?
Yamada broke into a nervous sweat, laughing with his eyes closed.
— Ah… well… you know…
He took a breath.
— We're dating now.
Absolute silence.
Mio's chopsticks dropped.
So did Souma's.
And then—
— WHAAAT?!
Hina took a small step back.
— W-what is it, everyone?
Mio grabbed her shoulders.
— Is that true?!
Aoi leaned closer.
— Since when?!
Hina answered softly:
— Since the cosplay event…
The two of them kept staring at Hina…when Hanae and Misaki appeared.
Hanae smiled lightly.
— You know… even a simple event can turn romantic, huh?
Misaki added, with a faint sigh:
— At least someone ended up happy.
Aoi looked at her.
— Misaki?
Misaki shook her head.
— It's nothing… just thinking out loud. You guys are going to study later, right? Can I come too?
Aoi nodded.
— Yeah, of course you can.
Mio crossed her arms, still looking at Hina.
— You have to tell us these things, Hina!
Hina looked a little embarrassed.
— I-I didn't think it was that important…
Mio suddenly stood up—Aoi right after her.
— Let's go to the bathroom!
The two of them grabbed Hina and started dragging her away.
Hanae watched with a soft smile.
— I think I'll go too… hehe.
Misaki waved lazily.
— I'll just stay here.
She sat down with Yamada, Matsuda, and Souma.
Souma looked around.
— Guess that means we've got a study group.
Yamada nodded.
— Looks like it.
Just then, Takeo and Shinohara appeared at the door of Class 2-B.
Takeo called out:
— Hellooo, is Aoi here?
Misaki blinked.
The senpai…?
Souma answered:
— She went to the bathroom.
Shinohara smiled.
— I'll go get her.
Takeo shrugged with a grin.
— Alright, sure.
Souma looked at him for a moment.
— Senpai… can I talk to you?
Takeo raised an eyebrow, still smiling.
— Sure. What's up?
Souma stood up and walked over.
— Outside, please.
Takeo chuckled.
— Why so serious, man?
Out in the hallway, Souma spoke first.
— Senpai… you've known Aoi for a long time, right?
Takeo nodded.
— Yeah. My dad and her dad were best friends, so we grew up seeing each other a lot.
Souma hesitated for a second… then asked:
— Why can't Aoi cry?
Takeo's expression changed.
— Ah… Souma… that's a delicate topic.
Souma didn't back down.
— Is it because of her father?
Takeo let out a slow breath and leaned against the wall.
— It's not exactly something you can just ask her, right?
Souma nodded.
— Yeah…
Takeo tapped his foot lightly, thinking.
— Still… it's good to see you care about her this much. I've got a girlfriend now, but I still try to stay involved, you know?
He raised his fist slightly.
— I'm counting on you.
Souma bumped his fist against his.
— But senpai… I'm not being completely honest with Aoi.
Takeo exhaled and patted his back.
— Then be honest. Aoi's already holding herself back in a lot of ways… she doesn't need more confusion.
Souma looked at him.
— Why are you trusting me with this? I don't think I'm that good with her.
Takeo smiled faintly.
— You know… it's rare to see Aoi talk that naturally with another guy.
Souma's eyes widened.
Takeo turned and waved.
— I'll wait near the bathroom. See you, Souma.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom…
Mio leaned in close to Hina.
— So you just… started dating at the event?! Explain that properly!
Aoi had a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Hina tried to explain:
— L-look, Riku-kun and I went out a few times and—
Aoi immediately cut in.
— You went out together?
Mio followed up instantly:
— When?!
Hina snapped.
— Let me talk! This is exactly why I didn't tell you guys anything!
Aoi laughed awkwardly.
— S-sorry, Hina… hehe.
Hanae stepped in, crossing her arms confidently.
— Well, it looks like my love advice worked.
Silence.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Hina blinked.
— But… you didn't give me any advice.
Hanae didn't break her pose.
— Of course I did. I tapped your shoulder and said, "Good luck at the event," remember?
Hina tilted her head.
— I thought that was about posing well for photos.
Hanae stayed firm… but a bead of sweat formed.
— W-well… that too!
Hina let out a small laugh.
— Okay, Hanae-chan… hehe.
Aoi and Mio both struggled to hold back their laughter.
At that moment—
The bathroom door opened.
— Aoi?
Shinohara stood there.
Everyone turned at once.
— S-Shinohara-senpai?!
Hanae straightened up immediately.
— S-senpai?!
Shinohara smiled warmly.
— Ah, hello girls. I'm glad Aoi has such good friends… but can I borrow her for a few minutes?
Aoi looked at her.
— Is it something important, senpai?
Shinohara turned slightly.
— Let's go. You'll see.
Chapter updated.