Chapter Text
Sunday noon arrived crisp and bright, the kind of early spring day when the chill lingers just long enough to make the sunlight feel gentle.
Nico checked his reflection one last time in the window of a nearby café. He tugged at the collar of his jacket, brushed a stubborn strand of hair out of place, and exhaled. He had taken longer than usual getting ready that morning, longer than he’d ever admit to anyone. But today wasn’t just any day. Today, he was going to show Hanayo that he could be the perfect gentleman.
In one hand, he held a small bouquet of pale pink roses wrapped neatly with a satin ribbon. In the other, a brown bag that carried a few things , snacks, just in case she got hungry, and a little keychain he’d picked up that reminded him of her.
He spotted her before she noticed him , Hanayo, standing by the station entrance, clutching her purse nervously. She looked adorable, her hair done neatly, a soft pastel scarf looped around her neck.
For a moment, Nico forgot how to breathe.
“Hanayo!” he called, waving.
She turned, eyes widening slightly when she saw him. He swore he saw her blush. He swallowed, walking toward her with the most confident stride he could manage.
“You look beautiful, Hanayo,” he said, voice softer than usual. He extended the bouquet toward her. “These are for you.”
Hanayo blinked, her eyes widening as she accepted the flowers. “F-for me?”
Nico nodded, trying to look cool, but the tips of his ears betrayed him, red as his eyes.
When Hanayo saw it, she giggled, some of the tension in her shoulders easing. “Thank you, Nico-kun… they’re so pretty.”
He scratched the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. “I, uh… wanted to make a good impression.”
Hanayo smiled shyly. “You already have.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The train whirred by in the background, the city alive and moving around them, but in that instant, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.
Nico cleared his throat, gesturing toward the exit. “So… shall we?”
Hanayo nodded, clutching her bouquet close. “Let’s go.”
The town still shimmered with Valentine’s decorations, ribbons fluttered on lampposts, heart-shaped balloons bobbed gently in the wind, and every shop window seemed to glow with pink light. Even the air smelled faintly of chocolate.
For Nico, it felt like the whole world had decided to help him out today.
He strutted a few steps ahead of Hanayo, opening doors with a theatrical flourish and exaggerated bows. “After you~” he said, grinning proudly.
Hanayo blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Y-you really don’t have to do that every time, Nico-kun…”
“Of course I do,” he replied, pretending to look offended. “It’s the least I can do”
She giggled softly, following him inside the café.
They found a seat by the window, sunlight spilling across the table. The waitress brought them two lattes topped with tiny heart-shaped foam art. Nico leaned back, smirking at his cup.
“See that?” he said, tapping the top of his drink. “Even the barista ships us.”
Hanayo almost choked on her sip. “N-Nico-kun!”
“What? I’m just saying! Look, perfect heart.”
She hid her face behind her cup, cheeks glowing red. “You’re impossible sometimes.”
He grinned wider, but inside his chest his heart was thundering. She’s actually smiling. Just keep it together, Nico.
The conversation flowed easily after that, Nico telling stories about practice, how Honoka still couldn’t eat spicy food without crying, how Umi always carried tissues for her “just in case.” Hanayo laughed until her stomach hurt.
It wasn’t the confident idol in front of her anymore, but a boy, a funny, passionate, slightly clumsy boy who was trying his best.
When the bill came, Hanayo reached for her wallet. “Let me pay for my drink at least-”
“Nope!” Nico said, wagging a finger. “This is a proper date, Hanayo. And that means I pay. It’s written in the Gentleman’s Code.”
She raised an eyebrow, smiling. “You made that up, didn’t you?”
He leaned in with a smirk. “Maybe. But are you really gonna argue with a guy this cute?”
Hanayo burst into laughter. “Fine, fine! You win!”
After lunch, they wandered through the shopping district, the winter sunlight fading to a gentle gold. The streets buzzed with chatter and music. When they passed an arcade, Nico’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Hold on,” he said, grabbing her wrist. “We have to go in here.”
Before Hanayo could protest, they were inside, bright lights flashing, game music echoing around them.
Nico stopped in front of a crane machine filled with plushies and pointed dramatically. “That one,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I’m gonna win you that bear.”
Hanayo tilted her head, amused. “You don’t have to do that, Nico-kun. Really.”
“Please,” he said, cracking his knuckles. “This is destiny.”
He fed a coin into the slot, the claw dropped… missed completely.
Hanayo stifled a laugh. “That was… close?”
“Just warming up,” he muttered, already feeding in another coin.
The second attempt missed again. Then the third.
“Nico-kun, it’s okay-”
“No way! Nico Yazawa doesn’t back down from a challenge!” He glared at the machine like it had insulted him personally.
Finally, on the fourth try, the claw caught perfectly, lifting a ginger-colored teddy bear and dropping it into the chute. Nico snatched it up, spinning toward her with a triumphant grin.
“See? I told you! Total skill. No luck involved.”
Hanayo covered her mouth, laughing. “You spent how many coins?”
He held the bear out proudly. “Irrelevant. What matters is that I won this for you.”
Hanayo’s smile softened as she took the plushie. “It’s really cute… thank you, Nico-kun.”
For a moment, he thought she’d never looked sweeter, the way her fingers brushed the bear’s fur, her eyes lighting up in the glow of the arcade lights.
But then her gaze faltered. The plush’s warm orange color reminded her suddenly of Rin, the fur of the bear colored similar to her childhood friend’s hair.
A pang tugged in her chest. Why am I thinking about him now…?
Nico noticed her silence immediately. “Uh… Hanayo?” he said gently. “You don’t like it? I can try for another one, maybe the bunny-”
She snapped out of it quickly, shaking her head. “No! No, this one’s perfect.” Her voice was soft but sincere. “Really, I love it.”
He smiled, relieved, but not entirely convinced. “Good. I was starting to think that the bear was cursed or something.”
She giggled. “You’re so dramatic.”
“Dramatic?” He put a hand to his chest in mock offense. “Hanayo, I’ll have you know this was a heroic act of persistence and skill!”
Hanayo laughed again, this time genuinely, and Nico’s chest relaxed.
“Thank you, Nico-kun,” she said quietly after a moment. “For today. You’ve been… really kind.”
He blinked, then smiled, softer now, genuine. “Hey, that’s what I’m here for.”
As they stepped back into the cool air, the sunset painted the sky a soft orange, almost the same shade as the bear in Hanayo’s arms. She held it close, unsure if it was the warmth of the plush or the ache in her chest she was feeling more strongly.
And Nico, walking beside her, hands tucked in his pockets, tried to pretend he didn’t notice the flicker of sadness in her eyes.
It wasn’t planned; Nico had simply pointed up the hill and said, “The view’s really nice from there.” Hanayo nodded, happy to keep walking.
When they reached the top, the world below shimmered in the fading light, rooftops glowing amber, distant windows flickering on one by one. The shrine bells swayed faintly in the wind.
Hanayo let out a small breath. “It’s beautiful…”
“Yeah,” Nico said, but he wasn’t looking at the view. His gaze flicked toward her, then away again, then back. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, suddenly self-conscious.
He wanted to reach for her hand, it was right there, hanging at her side, fingers twitching just a little. But something in her expression made him hesitate. There was a softness, yes, but also a distance. Like her heart was somewhere else.
“So,” he said, trying to sound casual, “did you have fun today?”
Hanayo turned to him, smiling politely. “I did. It was really nice. Thank you, Nico-kun.”
He laughed nervously. “Don’t thank me like I’m some old man who treated you to lunch.”
She giggled, the sound light and real, but then it faded, replaced by quiet.
Nico shifted his weight, watching her as she walked closer to the torii gate. The wind caught her hair, carrying the faint scent of cocoa and shampoo. His chest tightened.
“Hanayo,” he said suddenly.
She turned, her eyes wide, the sunset catching their gold-green tint.
He opened his mouth, but the words tangled in his throat. He wanted to say, I really like you. Wanted to tell her how hard he’d tried to make today perfect. But he couldn’t. Not when she looked like she was thinking of someone else.
Hanayo looked down, fingers brushing the teddy bear’s fur. In her mind, Rin’s voice echoed faintly, his laughter, his easy warmth. Her heart squeezed painfully. Nico had been wonderful, everything she could ask for… so why did it still hurt to think about Rin?
Nico watched her closely, the faraway look in her eyes, the soft curve of her lips that wasn’t for him, and in that instant, it clicked.
She was thinking about Rin.
The realization stung deeper than he expected. He’d spent the whole day trying , dressing sharp, planning everything, doing his best to make her smile, and still, her heart was somewhere else.
He accepted it quietly. No anger, no scene. Just the quiet ache of defeat.
Without thinking, he stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. Hanayo froze, the teddy bear pressed between them.
“Nico…?” she whispered, her voice small.
He squeezed her tighter, burying his face against her shoulder. She smelled faintly of cocoa and shampoo, a scent he knew he’d remember for a long time.
“I guess… I lost, huh,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hanayo blinked, her breath catching. When he lifted his head, his crimson eyes met hers, and the pain behind his smile made her chest tighten.
“Nico-kun, I…”
Before she could finish, he cupped her face gently, his thumb trembling against her skin. And then he leaned in.
The kiss was soft, hesitant, fleeting, almost like he was afraid to take too much. Hanayo stiffened at first, then felt her shoulders relax. His top lip brushed against hers once, twice, before he pulled back and rested his forehead on her shoulder, his face flushed red.
For a long second, neither spoke. Only the sound of the wind and the faint ringing of the shrine bells filled the space between them.
Then Nico exhaled, forcing a grin. “Well… go ahead.”
Hanayo blinked. “What do-?”
“Reject me properly,” he said, still smiling, though it didn’t reach his eyes.
Hanayo bit her lip. Her first kiss, sweet, gentle, and now tied to a bittersweet ache. She straightened her back and bowed deeply. “I’m sorry, Nico-kun… but I like someone else.”
When she looked up, he was smiling, that same cocky grin he always wore, though this one wavered slightly at the edges.
“Well, you missed the deal of a lifetime,” he said, laughing softly. “You could’ve had the most handsome guy in μ’s as your boyfriend.”
Hanayo laughed weakly through the sting in her chest. She knew he was hiding his pain behind the joke, but she was grateful, grateful that he could still be kind, still be Nico.
As the sky faded from orange to deep purple, Nico tucked his hands into his pockets, looking out toward the horizon.
They walked side by side down the quiet street, the air cooling as twilight settled over the neighborhood. The sky had softened into shades of lavender and deep rose, the sound of cicadas faint in the distance. Neither of them spoke, they didn’t need to.
Hanayo held the teddy bear close, the roses on another hand, her heart still heavy with everything left unsaid. Nico kept his hands tucked in his coat pockets, his usual chatter replaced by silence. Every few steps, their shoulders brushed, and each time, Hanayo felt the guilt rise again.
When they reached her street, the familiar outline of her house came into view. The lights inside were warm, welcoming. Hanayo slowed her pace, not quite ready for the moment to end.
Nico caught her glance and smiled softly , not his usual proud grin, but something quieter, gentler. “Well,” he said, “here we are.”
She turned to him, unsure of what to say. “Thank you… for today. I really had fun.”
He chuckled under his breath. “You better have , I worked hard for that bear.”
Hanayo laughed, clutching it tighter. “You really did.”
Before either could say anything more, her mother’s voice called from the door. “Hanayo? Is that you?”
Hanayo waved, embarrassed. “Yes, Mama!”
Her mom smiled, greeting Nico warmly. He bowed politely, back to his charming, collected self. “Thank you for letting me take Hanayo out, ” he said. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
Hanayo nodded. Her mother commented on what a polite young man he was. Hanayo’s cheeks turned red.
When he finally turned to leave, Hanayo called out softly, “Nico-kun!”
He stopped, glancing over his shoulder.
“...See you tomorrow,” she said, smiling faintly.
Nico grinned, that same easy bravado slipping back into place like armor. “You bet”
And just like that, he walked off into the fading evening, the streetlights casting long shadows across his path.
Hanayo stood in the doorway, watching him go. The teddy bear rested against her chest, its stitched smile reflecting the bittersweet warmth in her own.
The first-year classroom buzzed with its usual chatter as students settled into their seats, but something felt different today. When Hanayo slid her bag onto the desk and greeted Maki with a shy smile, Maki’s eyes immediately caught the new keychain dangling from it, a small, delicate teddy bear. Her lips twitched in curiosity, but before she could ask, Rin breezed in.
“Morning!” he said with his usual cheerful tone, but his eyes flicked to Hanayo, searching for any sign of how the date had gone. His heart raced as he tried to sound casual, but the slight hitch in his voice betrayed him. Maki noticed and raised an eyebrow, sensing the undercurrent of nerves from the usually composed first-year boy.
Before either could push further, the teacher’s voice cut across the room, “Settle down, everyone!” and the moment passed.
Meanwhile, in the third-year classroom, Nico sat at his desk, quiet he kept to himself, his posture was tense, his attention glued to his notebook rather than the lesson. Not that he would normally pay attention, but he was more distracted than usual, the weight of yesterday’s date lingered. His fingers tapped absently against the page as he tried to lose himself in doodles and notes.
Eli, seated a few rows away, couldn’t focus either. Guilt gnawed at him , he knew he should apologize to Nico, that letting his feelings for Nozomi spill out in the worst possible way, made his stomach twist. He wanted to apologize, to make things right, but every time he opened his mouth, the words caught in his throat.
Nozomi, sitting next to Nico, quietly observed him. Her emerald eyes softened as she watched him, the tiniest pang of jealousy mixed with concern. She now knew about his date with Hanayo and couldn’t deny that part of her wanted to see him happy, even if it meant she had to step back. But there was a flicker of worry in her chest too: what if he got hurt?
In stark contrast, the second-year classroom was a bubble of normalcy. Honoka had dozed off over his desk, and Umi scolded him sharply, her voice clipped.
“Honoka! Wake up! You need to focus!”
Kotori leaned over, gently nudging Umi’s arm. “Umi-chan, don’t be so harsh… he just didn’t get enough sleep, that’s all.”
Umi huffed, still glancing at him with exasperation, while Honoka yawned and rubbed his eyes, oblivious to the drama unfolding in the other grades. For now, at least, their corner of the school remained untouched by the love entanglements that were quietly rocking the other classrooms.
It was lunchtime, and Nico didn't want to be anywhere where he knew someone would talk to him, so he sneaked out of the classroom before Nozomi could stop him.
He knew the cafeteria wouldn't work, the courtyard, impossible, maybe the library? He thought but if he found Hanayo there, he knew he would break.
He decided to walk to the music room, if there was anyone he would find there, it would be Maki and he knew she wouldn't press him. All he needed was a moment of quiet. When he entered the room though, he froze for a second, amber eyes met his.
“Umi…” Nico’s voice hesitated.
She straightened immediately. “N-Nico,” she said quietly, “I didn’t think anyone else would come here.”
He bowed lightly, he opened the door again, he was going to leave.
“ You don’t have to leave.”
Nico nodded, he closed the door, and moved to the chairs on the back. He sighed and stared at the ceiling.
His usual confidence was replaced with a rare heaviness. Umi’s gaze lingered on him, and she couldn’t stop herself from noticing how tense his shoulders looked, the faint crease between his brows.
For a long moment, they just sat there, the quiet stretching between them. Umi noticed Nico’s messy hair, the way it reminded her of that day, her eyes subconsciously scanned him, from his face to his shoulders, his stomach and then-
Nico looked up, and noticed her blush, the slight way she averted her eyes. “Umi… are you okay?” he asked, concerned, softening his voice.
She hesitated, taking a slow breath. “I… I’m fine,” she said, but her tone betrayed her uncertainty.
Nico, walked closer, reached out instinctively, resting a hand lightly on her forehead. “You’re red… but not warm... Do you want me to take you to the nurse?”
She shook her head, cheeks flaring even more. “No… I’m fine. Really. I just… sigh…” Her voice caught a mixture of embarrassment and lingering tension.
Nico’s crimson eyes softened as he leaned back, studying her. “You can tell me if something is bothering you,” he said in a serious tone. Moments like this reminded Umi he was older.
Umi’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded, unable to meet his gaze fully.
“I'm sorry,” she muttered, eyes fixed on the floor.
Nico tilted his head, confused. “Why are you apologizing?”
Umi’s blush deepened, and she fidgeted with her hands. “I… I saw you.”
“You saw me?” Nico’s brow furrowed. “I don’t- … what do you mean?”
She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “Th-that day at the showers… I saw you.”
Nico’s eyes widened slightly, and then it clicked. “Oh… I see. I’m sorry about that day. I was upset.”
“No, Nico,” she interrupted quickly, flustered. “I heard the shouting and got worried. So I changed and peeked in on the boys’ lockers to make sure everything was okay. But I…” Her blush turned an even deeper red. “…I saw you walking out… naked, hair wet, water dripping…”
Nico blinked, a little caught off guard, then laughed, shaking his head. “Oh wow, Umi… you’re so funny.”
Umi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Funny?” she asked, confused, she wasn’t called that often.
“It’s not a big deal,” Nico added, his laughter fading into a soft smile. “Actually… I’m sorry about that day too. I was just mad.”
“You’re not upset?” Umi asked shyly, peeking at him from under her lashes.
“Nope. Not at all,” he replied, and a mischievous smile spread across his face. “So… what did you think? Am I not like super handsome?”
Umi immediately closed her eyes, her ears turning redder.
Nico’s laughter only grew louder. “Nico!” she complained, swatting his arm.
“Oh, come on,” he teased, leaning back slightly. “You can tell me. I know I’m well-blessed… at least my height didn’t hold me back.” He winked.
Umi smacked his shoulder again, blushing furiously. “Stop! Nico!”
As the laughter finally settled and Nico caught his breath, he let out a soft sigh.
“Alright… well, let’s go get something to eat,” he said, stretching his back.
Umi tilted her head, confused. “Like… on a date?”
Nico snorted, shaking his head. “No, silly. Well… unless you want it to be. But I mean, I’m kinda hungry now. Come with me to the cafeteria. I think they might still have some onigiri left.”
Umi let out a relieved sigh, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Oh… yeah, yeah, let’s go.”
Nico grinned, offering his arm in a playful gesture, and together they left the music room, the tension from earlier fading into a lighter, more comfortable mood.
Hanayo met Rin and Maki at the courtyard for lunch. Rin waved at her telling her to come closer. “Over here!”
Hanayo smiled back, but her eyes flickered, just for a second, toward Rin.
The memory of yesterday still lingered like a dream she couldn’t shake: Nico’s smile, the way he’d held her hand, the kiss. Her chest fluttered and twisted all at once.
Rin noticed. He’d been trying not to stare, but every time Hanayo looked away, he found himself watching her, searching for a hint, a sign, anything that told him what had happened.
Finally, he leaned forward.
“So…” he began, voice wavering just slightly, “how was your date with Nico-kun?”
Hanayo nearly dropped her chopsticks.
“Eh-?! W-well, um, it was… nice! He was really kind, and um… we had a good time.”
Rin forced a grin, his voice coming out too bright. “That’s great! Nico’s cool like that.”
Maki glanced up briefly. She could feel the tension between them like static in the air. Hanayo kept fidgeting with her hair; Rin laughed too loudly at something Maki said, eyes flicking toward a tree as if it could save him.
They were silent for a moment but Rin caught Hanayo staring at her food without eating.
The day continued. During gym, Hanayo was falling behind, even more than usual, timing was off, Rin kept glancing at her; Hanayo couldn’t meet his eyes. Even Maki noticed, sighing quietly between laps.
By the time classes ended, the sky outside had turned pale orange, the sun dipping low behind the buildings.
“Hanayo,” Rin said suddenly, catching her by the shoe lockers. His voice trembled just enough to give him away. “Can we talk? Alone?”
Hanayo froze, heart pounding. “O-okay.”
They walked to the back of the school, near the empty courtyard. The air was cool, quiet except for the rustle of the wind through the trees. Rin turned to face her, hands shoved nervously in her pockets.
“I…” she started, then stopped, biting her lip. “I don’t wanna make things weird. But I can’t pretend anymore.”
Hanayo looked up, eyes wide. “Rin…?”
Rin exhaled, shoulders trembling. “I like you, Hanayo. Not just as a friend. I’ve liked you for so long, and seeing you with Nico… it hurt. But I thought, if you were happy, that’d be enough.” She laughed softly, tears threatening to spill. “Turns out, I’m really bad at pretending.”
Hanayo felt something crack open inside her.
She stepped closer, voice shaking. “Rin… Nico was so kind to me. He made me feel special. But when I was with him, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. The way you laugh, the way you always cheer for me, I realized it wasn’t fair to anyone.”
Rin’s eyes widened, breath catching. “So you mean…”
“I like you too,” Hanayo whispered. “No… I love you.”
Rin didn’t move at first, then he laughed, a choked, disbelieving sound, and grabbed Hanayo’s hands. “You- you can’t just say that so suddenly, I might cry!”
Hanayo giggled, tears spilling over anyway. “You’re already crying.”
“I am not!” Rin protested, wiping his face quickly, which only made Hanayo laugh more.
Then Rin squeezed her hands, holding them against her chest. “So… we can really be together?”
Hanayo nodded. “Yes.”
For a long, quiet moment, they just stood there, smiling through tears as the evening light bathed them in gold.
Rin leaned forward, resting his forehead against Hanayo’s. “I promise… I’ll make you happy.”
Hanayo’s heart fluttered. “You already do.”
“We should go to the club room,” Rin said, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
Hanayo nodded, cheeks still pink, her heart fluttering in a way that made the world around her feel brighter.
The club room felt lighter than usual — like someone had opened a window after weeks of rain. The tension that had hung over them since Valentine’s Day seemed to dissolve into the golden afternoon light.
Umi leaned over the table, her tablet in hand, her eyes shining. “You know,” she began, smiling, “our Valentine’s video is doing really well! The fans love it.”
Kotori leaned closer, curious. “Really? Let’s see…” She scrolled through the comments, her expression lighting up. “Oh wow — looks like the most popular couple is… NozoEli!”
Eli and Nozomi exchanged a glance, the faintest flicker of amusement passing between them. Eli chuckled softly, and Nozomi smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Neither said anything, but deep down, they both knew the fans’ interpretation couldn’t be further from reality.
Kotori continued cheerfully, “Second most popular is… actually RinPana! Good job, you two.”
Rin’s face lit up like the sun, grinning from ear to ear, while Hanayo’s blush spread down her neck as she fumbled to hide her smile. Their newfound feelings were written all over their faces — clear to anyone who looked closely.
Nico noticed.
A dull ache bloomed in his chest. He knew something had changed — maybe he’d known it from the moment Hanayo walked into class that morning — but he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. Still, he forced a small smile, took a steadying breath, and slipped back into the role he knew best.
“Third place…” Kotori started, scrolling down the list.
“It’s alright, no need,” Nico cut in quickly, waving a hand with that familiar, confident flair. “We already know who the fan favorites are.” He gave a smirk — just convincing enough to fool most of them. “We just need to do better next time so we don’t fall behind.”
His crimson eyes gleamed with that trademark determination, but there was a softness in them too — a quiet hurt that only a few could sense.
Honoka clapped her hands together. “That’s the spirit! Even though we don’t need to meet anymore, we’ve still got songs we haven’t shared with the fans yet.”
“Exactly,” Umi said, nodding. “So let’s keep practicing in our subunits today. One last push before we’re all too busy.”
The group began to gather their things, splitting into familiar formations. Rin and Hanayo exchanged a shy smile before heading to their side of the room, while Nico lingered for a moment longer, glancing at them before turning away.
For the first time, the room didn’t feel quite as bright to him.
Still, he squared his shoulders, straightened his bow, and smiled. If nothing else, he’d keep shining, even if it was from a little further away this time.
Nico stretched lazily, leaning back against the railing with his arms crossed behind his head, his trademark smirk firmly in place.
“So, Miss Sonoda,” he called out, voice light but teasing, “looks like even the fans can’t get enough of your perfectly precise moves.”
Umi froze mid-step, her clipboard nearly slipping from her grasp. “N-Nico! Stop teasing me!” she snapped, cheeks turning crimson.
Nico pushed off the railing, chuckling. “Hey, come on, Umi, I’m praising you~. You should be flattered.”
Umi swatted at him with her clipboard, flustered. “You have a strange way of showing it!”
Honoka blinked from the other side of the rooftop, looking between them. “Uh… since when did you two start talking like that?” he asked, tilting his head. “Did I miss something?”
Nico flashed a mischievous grin. “Guess you’ve just been too busy being student council president, Honoka~. Some of us are expanding our social circles.”
That earned a chorus of giggles — even Umi couldn’t hide a small smile, though she tried to mask it by turning away.
Hanayo exhaled softly, the tension in her chest easing just a little. She was grateful to see Nico laughing again. A part of her still felt guilty — guilty for hurting him, for choosing Rin — but at least he wasn’t drowning in that quiet sadness anymore.
Rin, on the other hand, couldn’t stop glancing at her. He was practically glowing, though he tried to act normal. When Hanayo met his gaze and smiled, he immediately looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
Maki sat on the edge of the rooftop bench, notebook in hand, pencil tapping nervously against the paper. Her eyes darted anywhere but toward Eli. Ever since her confession, she’d avoided him. Just seeing him made her stomach twist — not with regret, but with the fear of what his silence meant.
Eli, standing near the edge of the roof, kept his arms folded as he watched the others. His face was unreadable, calm as always… but his eyes betrayed him. Every so often, they flickered toward Maki — a half-second too long, just enough for Nozomi to notice.
She tilted her head toward him with a small, knowing smile.
“Eli-chi,” she said gently, her voice barely above the wind, “you’re awfully quiet today.”
Eli’s jaw tightened. “Just thinking,” he said simply, not meeting her gaze.
“About?” Nozomi asked, her tone playful but her eyes sharp.
He hesitated. “Things,” he muttered. “The group. Graduation. That kind of stuff.”
Nozomi smiled knowingly, her hands clasping behind her back. “Mmm, sure~. Must be a very red-haired kind of thought, huh?”
Eli shot her a warning look, but she only giggled softly, turning away to stretch. She didn’t push further — not yet.
Kotori, sensing the lull, clapped her hands together. “Alright, everyone! Let’s focus! Subunits, get into position!”
Umi let out a quiet sigh of relief, glad to have an excuse to step away from Nico’s relentless teasing. Rin jogged over to join her and Nozomi, still wearing that soft, goofy smile. On the other side of the rooftop, Honoka, Kotori, and Hanayo gathered their notes, chatting softly as they organized lyrics.
Maki exhaled, adjusting her sheet music. “Okay,” she whispered to herself, “focus.”
But the air between her, Eli, and Nico felt heavier than ever. Nico stood a few feet away, arms crossed, humming a few bars under his breath as if he couldn’t care less — but his eyes were distant, following Hanayo’s laugh. On her other side, Eli’s silence was so thick it was almost audible.
Maki clenched her pencil tighter, her heart pounding. This is the worst possible setup, she thought grimly.
Nozomi glanced back at them from across the roof, sensing the storm brewing among the three. Her smile faltered for just a moment before she turned back to Rin and Umi.
The sun hung lower in the sky, painting them all in warm light — the glow of one chapter ending, and another quietly, painfully beginning.