Lunch had ended a few minutes ago, but the warm atmosphere still lingered throughout the Sakamoto household.
The gentle smell of freshly cooked rice and miso soup still floated through the air, mixed with the sweet aroma of the tea Yukiko had carefully prepared.
The four girls sat around the low table together.
Yukiko ate with her usual calm elegance while quietly watching the girls chat. There was something about that youthful energy that always brought a silent smile to her face.
—I used to like swimming… and theater, back in my day — she commented casually.
Mio immediately raised an eyebrow.
—Theater? Ah… so that's why you joined the drama club, Aoi?
Aoi brought her chopsticks to her mouth thoughtfully.
—Actually… I only joined to try it out… — she replied softly, looking away. — But I really like it now.
Hina smiled warmly.
—That's great, Aoi! Did you already get a role in the play?
Aoi smiled shyly.
—Yeah… but I'm mostly just following the upperclassmen around for now.
Yukiko silently watched her daughter for a few seconds.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
After they finished eating, the four moved to the living room sofa.
Mio stretched her legs out comfortably.
—So then, Mrs. Sakamoto… what kind of work do you do?
Yukiko crossed her legs calmly.
—I work in an office.
Mio tilted her head.
—Really? You don't look like it. You look pretty fit…
Yukiko laughed softly.
—That's because I go to the gym to relieve stress too.
—Aah… now it makes sense — Mio replied.
Hina suddenly looked up, remembering something.
—I remember seeing you at the beach once.
Yukiko blinked a few times, trying to recall it.
—Ah… right. I don't usually go to places like that very often.
At that moment—
DING DONG
The doorbell echoed through the house.
Aoi quickly stood up.
—I'll get it.
She walked to the front door.
And when she opened it—
—Hellooo, Aoi!
Hanae appeared, waving energetically.
Before Aoi could even react, Hanae pulled her into a tight hug.
Aoi froze completely for a second.
—C-calm down, class rep… hehe…
Hanae pulled away laughing.
—I brought souvenirs! Ah, hello everyone!
She peeked inside the house.
—And you must be Mrs. Sakamoto! I'm Hanae, the representative of Class 2-B!
Yukiko stood slightly from the sofa.
—Nice to meet you.
Behind Hanae, Souma stood quietly.
He raised his hand slightly.
—Hi… Aoi.
Aoi placed her hands behind her back and gently swayed side to side.
—O-oh, Souma… h-how are you?
Souma smiled faintly.
As Hanae excitedly began chatting with the others, Yukiko silently observed the entrance.
Her gaze shifted between Souma… and Aoi.
"Hmm… interesting."
Aoi then stepped slightly aside.
—You can come in, Souma.
—Ah… sorry for intruding.
He stepped inside.
But Aoi didn't move away immediately.
For a brief second…
The two stood face to face.
In silence.
Until Yukiko broke the moment.
—Hello again, boy. You again.
Hanae turned quickly.
—Ah! You know Souma, ma'am?
Souma gave a small bow.
—W-we met at the beach.
Yukiko thought for a moment.
—Yamamoto… ah, right! I forgot your name, sorry.
Souma smiled awkwardly.
—It's okay… don't worry about it.
Aoi pointed toward the sofa.
—You can sit down, Souma-kun.
Hina then commented:
—We're still missing four people, right?
Yukiko widened her eyes slightly.
—W-wait… four more? Ah… I should prepare a little more food.
She quickly disappeared into the kitchen.
Mio pulled a notebook from her bag.
—Should we wait for them?
Everyone exchanged glances.
DING DONG
The doorbell rang again.
Aoi opened the door.
Misaki.
Yamada.
Matsuda.
And Takumi, adjusting his glasses as usual.
—Good afternoon, Sakamoto. Are we late? — Takumi asked.
—N-no, not at all. You just got here.
—Hello, Aoi! — Yamada greeted.
—Sorry for the intrusion — Matsuda said.
—Good afternoon, Aoi — Misaki added quietly.
—Come in… let's start studying.
Everyone began settling around the living room.
At that moment, Yukiko appeared carrying a tray.
—Hello to our new visitors!
Takumi immediately stood and gave a small bow.
—You must be Mrs. Sakamoto. I'm Takumi, the class representative alongside Hanae.
—I'm Yamada Riku, nice to meet you — Yamada said quickly.
Mio immediately raised her hand.
—He's Hina's boyfriend!
Yukiko covered her mouth.
—Aah, really?
—M-Mio?! — Hina panicked.
Takumi adjusted his glasses.
—Ah… so that explains why you two were always together.
Matsuda let out a small laugh.
—I'm Matsuda Ren. Nice to meet you.
—I'm Misaki Arai… sorry for bothering you — Misaki said politely.
Yukiko quietly observed everyone for a few seconds.
Then she smiled gently.
—Enjoy your studies. I'm Yukiko Sakamoto… and thank you for taking care of my daughter.
She returned to the kitchen.
Takumi then casually asked:
—Is your father working today, Sakamoto?
The entire room froze.
Aoi's expression instantly turned serious.
Mio panicked immediately.
—T-Takumi! Aoi's father… he—
Aoi calmly interrupted her.
—He's no longer with us.
Silence.
She slowly began taking her study materials out of her bag.
Takumi lowered his head.
—I-I'm sorry… I didn't know.
—It's okay, Takumi-kun.
Souma silently watched Aoi.
The small smile on his face slowly disappeared.
His eyes lowered toward the floor.
"Aoi… I need to tell you."
Two hours later…
The living room was covered with papers, pencils, notebooks, and scattered notes.
Mio threw herself backward dramatically.
—Aaaah! I don't get this! I start the equation correctly… but then I get completely lost!
—Let me see — Hanae said.
She calmly moved closer.
Matsuda looked over the notebook.
—Math has never been my strong point… thank goodness we have you, Hanae.
He then turned toward Misaki.
—So, Misaki… do you need help with anything too?
Misaki glanced at him.
—I don't think you can help me. You couldn't solve the problem either.
Matsuda sighed quietly.
"Calm down… I still have time…"
Takumi commented naturally:
—Hanae has the best grades in mathematics and chemistry in the class. She's an excellent academic example.
Hanae froze for a moment.
Her pencil stopped midair.
She stared directly at Takumi.
—I-I didn't think you'd actually say something like that…
—I simply acknowledge people's value — he replied calmly.
Aoi then asked curiously:
—Do you have friends, Takumi-kun?
—As a student council member… I have difficulty organizing time for leisure activities.
Hanae smiled softly.
—Well… you're with us now.
Takumi adjusted his glasses again.
—Precisely.
Matsuda then commented:
—We should go to karaoke after exams.
—I still have club activities — Hina said.
—I have the play performance too — Aoi added.
Takumi looked at her.
—Very perceptive of you to mention that. I would like to attend.
Beside them…
Souma and Aoi folded their notebooks at the same time.
Their fingers touched.
A small jolt ran through both of them.
They stared at each other silently.
Mio discreetly nudged Hina.
Hina smiled knowingly.
Souma looked away first.
—Aoi… can I use the bathroom?
—Y-yes… hallway to the right.
He entered.
Closed the door.
Splashed water on his face.
Took a deep breath.
Then stared at his own reflection in the mirror.
—I've been trying to say this for months…
He gripped the edge of the sink tightly.
—So why can't I do it?
He took another deep breath.
And returned to the living room.
He noticed Misaki ignoring Matsuda's conversation.
"Hasn't he noticed she's just scrolling through LINE?"
Matsuda continued talking anyway.
—We really need to enjoy our vacation, because after this it'll just be exams nonstop.
Hina quietly watched Matsuda trying to get closer to Misaki… while Misaki slowly distanced herself.
Two more hours later…
Takumi looked at the clock.
—Seventeen hundred hours. We started below average… but we've now exceeded sixty percent efficiency.
—WOOOO! — Mio shouted, jumping from the sofa.
Hanae started packing her materials.
—I need to go home… are you coming too, Takumi-kun?
—Precisely.
At that moment, Yukiko appeared carrying a coconut pie.
—Enjoy! Eat before you leave!
Everyone thanked her.
Yukiko looked genuinely happy seeing the house so full of life.
After the snack…
One by one, everyone started heading home.
Until only three people remained:
Aoi.
Souma.
And Mio.
Outside the house…
Hina crossed her fingers anxiously.
—Well? They're still inside, right?
—Yeah — Mio replied.
She looked toward the house and smiled.
—So… are you finally going to open up, Aoi?
Inside the living room…
Souma nervously fidgeted with his fingers.
—Aoi… can I talk to you?
Mio's eyes widened instantly.
—I-I'm leaving now! See you Monday!
She practically fled the room.
Silence.
Aoi looked at Souma.
—Did you want to tell me something?
At that moment, Yukiko appeared.
—Why are you the only one left? Don't tell me…
A mischievous smile spread across her face.
—You're about to confess?
Souma instantly panicked.
—A-ah?! N-no! I mean… Aoi is a really wonderful person! No, wait, that's not—
Yukiko burst into laughter.
—Hahaha! Being young really is wonderful!
Souma turned completely red.
—I-I should get going now!
He quickly rushed toward the door.
—Ah, mom! — Aoi complained.
Yukiko crossed her arms with an amused expression.
—I was right, wasn't I?
Aoi quickly opened the door again.
—Souma-kun!
He stopped walking.
Without turning around.
—You don't need to worry about me, Aoi.
She took a deep breath.
—There's something I wanted to tell you!
Souma lowered his gaze.
—I wanted to tell you something too… but it's hard…
The wind softly passed between them.
Aoi tightly clasped her hands in front of her body.
Then—
—I like you.
The world seemed to stop.
The wind crossed the silent street.
Souma stood completely still.
Aoi's face was bright red.
Her hands tightly intertwined in front of her.
—I-I didn't want to say it like this… but…
Souma trembled slightly.
He swallowed hard.
—I feel safe with you… you're kind…
He shut his eyes tightly.
His fists trembled.
—Aoi…
Silence.
Then finally—
—I can't return your feelings.
Her heart seemed to stop.
Aoi's eyes slowly widened.
Her lips parted slightly.
—You… what?
Souma still couldn't look at her.
And the wind continued to pass quietly between them.
As if the entire world had fallen silent.