The convenience store door slid open.
A small chime rang out.
It was quiet inside.
Way quieter than school.
Bright lights. Clean shelves. Cold air.
Kai walked in like he owned the place.
"Alright," he said. "Get whatever you want."
"I'm not paying," Ren said.
"I didn't say I was paying either."
"Then why did you say that."
"Motivation."
Ren sighed.
Airi stepped inside slowly, looking around.
Like she was taking it in.
Not amazed.
Just… observing.
Kai grabbed a basket and immediately started throwing things into it.
Snacks. Drinks. More snacks.
"Do you ever stop eating?" Ren asked.
"No."
"Thought so."
Ren walked over to the drinks fridge.
Opened it.
Cold air hit his face.
He grabbed the same drink as always.
Of course he did.
Airi walked up next to him.
Not too close.
Just there.
"You always pick the same thing," she said.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"It's easy."
She nodded.
Then looked at the drinks.
Paused.
"…There's too many choices."
Ren glanced at her.
"Then just pick one."
"I don't know which one."
He stared at the fridge for a second.
Then reached in and grabbed one.
Held it out.
"Try this."
Airi looked at it.
Then took it.
"…Okay."
That was it.
No overthinking.
Kai suddenly appeared behind them.
"Wow."
Ren didn't turn around. "Go away."
"You just picked a drink for her."
"And?"
"That's kinda big."
"It's not."
"It is."
Airi looked at the drink.
"…Is it good?"
"Yeah."
Kai laughed. "Now it definitely matters."
Ren closed the fridge.
"You talk too much."
"I speak facts."
"Shut up."
They walked to the counter.
Someone was already there.
A girl.
Same school uniform.
Long black hair tied into a low ponytail.
She looked bored.
Really bored.
Scrolling on her phone with one hand while the cashier scanned her stuff.
She glanced up for a second.
Her eyes landed on Ren.
Then Kai.
Then Airi.
She paused.
Just for a second.
"…Oh," she said.
Kai leaned in slightly. "You know her?"
"I don't know you," she said.
"Wow. That's cold."
"You look loud."
"I am."
"Thought so."
She picked up her bag.
Then looked at Ren.
"…You're in my class, right?"
Ren nodded. "Yeah."
"You don't talk."
"Yeah."
She looked at Airi.
"…You're new."
Airi nodded. "Yeah."
Small pause.
Then the girl shifted her bag onto her shoulder.
"I'm Sora."
"Ren."
"Airi."
Kai pointed at himself. "Kai."
Sora looked at him.
"…I figured."
Kai smiled. "That hurts."
Sora turned and walked out.
Just like that.
Kai blinked.
"…I like her."
"Of course you do," Ren said.
Airi watched the door for a second.
"…She's blunt."
"Yeah," Ren said.
"Like you," Kai added.
Airi didn't deny it.