The classroom felt louder than usual.
Maybe it wasn't.
Maybe it was just…
More noticeable.
Kai was talking again.
Of course he was.
"…I'm telling you, that name is good," he said.
"It's not," Ren replied.
"It is."
"It's not."
Airi sat beside him, phone on her desk.
Screen still on.
The group chat open.
She wasn't typing.
Just… looking at it.
"You're both wrong," she said.
Kai froze.
Ren looked at her.
"…What."
"The name is bad," she said. "But it's funny."
Kai pointed at her. "Exactly."
"That's not what she said."
"It basically is."
"It's not."
Airi didn't argue.
She just tapped her screen.
Ren's phone buzzed.
He didn't check it.
Then it buzzed again.
And again.
Kai grinned. "Check it."
"No."
"Check it."
"No."
Airi glanced at him.
"…You're getting messages."
"I know."
"Then check it."
"I will later."
Kai leaned forward.
"You're actually ignoring her."
"I'm not ignoring anyone."
"You are."
Ren let out a quiet breath and picked up his phone.
Three messages.
All from Airi.
Airi: is this how it worksAiri: do we just typeAiri: or talk here
Ren stared at the screen.
Then typed.
Ren: both
A second later—
Airi: okay
Pause.
Then—
Airi: this is strange
Ren looked at the message.
Then glanced at her.
"…You're sitting right next to me."
"I know."
"Then why are you texting."
"…Testing it."
Kai lost it.
"That's insane."
"It's not," Airi said.
"It is," Kai said.
Ren put his phone down.
"…You could just ask me."
"I did."
"…On your phone."
"Yes."
Kai leaned back, shaking his head.
"I can't do this."
"You started it," Ren said.
"Yeah but I didn't expect this."
Airi looked at her phone again.
Then typed.
Ren's phone buzzed.
Airi: this is easier
Ren stared at it.
"…Easier than talking?"
"Yes."
"…You're right next to me."
"I know."
Small pause.
Ren looked at the message again.
Then typed.
Ren: still weird
Her reply came instantly.
Airi: yeah
Kai pointed between them.
"You two are actually broken."
"No we're not," Ren said.
"Yes you are."
Airi didn't respond.
But she didn't deny it either.
The teacher started writing on the board.
The class slowly quieted.
Pens moved again.
But Ren's phone buzzed one more time.
He looked down.
Airi: don't ignore me
He paused.
Then typed.
Ren: i wasn't
A second later—
Airi: okay
Ren locked his phone.
Set it down.
And for some reason…
The room didn't feel as loud anymore.