A soft breeze drifted through the open window of the Fujimura estate, stirring the silk curtains of Aoi's bedroom. Morning sunlight spilled across the cream-colored carpet, climbing the edge of her desk and illuminating the neatly arranged textbooks.
Aoi stood in front of her tall mirror, adjusting the cuffs of her white school blouse. Her light pink hair, brushed to smooth perfection, cascaded down her shoulders. She smoothed out her skirt and reached for her bag when a knock came at her door.
"Come in," she said softly.
The door opened, revealing a tall, sharply dressed man in a black suit and silver tie—her father, Masaki Fujimura, CEO of a major financial company.
"Good morning, Aoi," he said with a warm but reserved smile.
"Good morning, Father," she replied, standing still, hands folded in front of her.
Masaki stepped inside, glancing around her room with casual pride. "How are you finding Shinsei High so far?"
Aoi considered her answer for a moment, then nodded. "It's... nice."
"Nice?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. The classes are interesting, and the students seem kind."
He smiled again, more amused this time. "That's good. I'm glad you're adapting."
He turned to leave, but paused at the doorway. Before she could stop herself, Aoi spoke.
"Father... I think I might be hosting a party. For my birthday."
He turned back to her, slightly surprised. "A party? So soon? Have you already made friends?"
Aoi looked down at her hands. "I think so."
There was a brief silence before Masaki gave a small nod. "Alright then. Let me know what you need."
"Thank you," she said, almost in a whisper.
He left, the door clicking gently shut behind him. Aoi let out a quiet sigh, her composure softening. She walked to her bed and picked up her phone from the blanket. The screen lit up.
Message from Haruki Sakamoto: 'Hey, I finished the slides. Check them out when you're free.'
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I forgot to reply..." she murmured.
She stared at the timestamp. Last night.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
"I'm sorry, I slept off last night. You were fast. I'll meet you during lunch time."
She hit send, then grabbed her bag and left the room.
---
The school bell rang loud and clear as students flooded into Shinsei High. The courtyard buzzed with morning chatter and footsteps rushing to avoid tardiness.
Haruki stood at his locker, carefully switching out his textbooks. He wore the same relaxed expression, though his eyes were just a bit heavier than usual.
"Yo!" Kenta called, trotting toward him. "Sorry I couldn't come by this morning. My mom made me carry like four shopping bags to the bus station she's leaving town to her sister's."
Haruki chuckled. "Sounds like a drag."
"You know how mothers are."
"Yeah. Plus daddies, right?"
Kenta hesitated, but nodded. "True."
Haruki's smile faded slightly. "Can't relate. I don't have a dad."
The words hung between them, heavy and honest.
"sorry, man about that day."
"No need. It's normal now."
They walked toward class together.
"Anyway," Haruki said, trying to lift the mood, "I don't think I'll be so free anymore. Soccer practice is kinda rough."
"Ohhh shut it," Kenta grinned. "Then I'll join too."
Haruki laughed. "Please, like they'd even pick you."
They reached Class 1-A, sliding open the door. Students were already inside chatting and preparing for the day.
As Haruki stepped in, his gaze instinctively swept the room. First, his eyes landed on Aoi, already seated, calm and elegant.
But then, across the room, he saw Miyuki Hoshino, the girl he walked home with yesterday. She smiled brightly at him.
He returned the smile before walking to his seat with Kenta.
As he sat down, Haruki felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw the message.
Aoi: "I'm sorry, I slept off last night. You were fast. I'll meet you during lunch time."
He looked up.
Aoi was looking his way.
Their eyes met briefly.
She didn't smile, but the acknowledgment was there. A silent thread of connection.
---
Lunch came quickly. The cafeteria buzzed with students forming their usual circles, lining up for food, or grabbing snacks to take outside.
Haruki and Kenta moved toward the courtyard where Aoi was already seated at a shaded table, a small bento box in front of her.
Haruki felt a wave of nerves. "She said to meet during lunch."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Kenta said.
They approached the table just as Miyuki arrived from the other side.
"Hey!" she smiled, looking at all three.
Haruki greeted her with a polite nod, then turned to Aoi.
"Hi. Sorry to bother you."
Aoi shook her head softly. "No. I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier."
"It's okay. I'm not mad," Haruki said with a slight laugh.
Kenta grinned. "Mind if we join?"
"Not at all," Aoi replied.
They sat, and the four of them began to chat casually.
"I didn't know you were so fast," Aoi said to Haruki, opening her lunch. "I thought I'd have to wait until the weekend to finish the slides."
"Well, you looked like you were carrying the whole class in every other subject," Haruki said, scratching his neck. "I had to do something right."
She smiled, faint but genuine. "It was well-organized. I liked it."
"Thanks."
As they ate, Ren Kurosawa approached. Tall and graceful as always, he smiled casually at the group.
"Yo," he greeted, lightly dap-tapping Haruki and Kenta on the shoulders. "You guys good?"
"Yeah," Haruki and Kenta replied almost in sync.
He turned to Aoi. "Today, right?"
Aoi nodded. "Yes. I haven't forgotten."
Ren smiled and walked off, waving slightly as he rejoined his upperclassmen friends.
Haruki blinked. "Today?"
Aoi turned to him. "Oh. That reminds me. I wanted to invite you guys. I'm hanging out with some people after school. We're checking out a café Ren knows near Aoyama. You should come too."
Miyuki lit up. "Sounds fun!"
Haruki hesitated. The thought of sitting with second-years and Aoi's other social circle made him anxious.
"I—"
"That would be great!" Kenta cut in before he could finish. "We're definitely in."
Aoi looked pleased. "Thank you."
Haruki gave Kenta a look. Kenta just shrugged with a mischievous grin.
"It'll be fun," Miyuki added, eyes twinkling.
Haruki sighed, defeated. "Alright. I guess we're going."
Aoi looked at him again, and for the first time, Haruki saw something in her gaze that wasn't cold or distant.
It was warm.
Like maybe she was glad he said yes.