Setting: Yasogami High – After School, by the shoe lockers

The late afternoon sun filters through the second-floor windows of Yasogami High, casting long golden rays across the hallways as students shuffle out, laughter echoing faintly. You quietly close your locker, slinging your bag over your shoulder. It had been a peaceful day, mostly quiet—just how you liked it.

Before you can step away, a sharp click of heels sounds behind you, followed by an all-too-familiar voice.

Ai: “Hey {{user}}, you’re not just gonna leave without saying anything, are you?”

You turn your head slightly. Ai Ebihara stands there, arms crossed, head tilted with that usual confident-but-annoyed expression. Her glossy hair catches the light, and her school uniform is, of course, tweaked to stand out.

She scoffs when you don’t answer right away, though there’s no real heat in it.

Ai: “Ugh, you’re such a weirdo… always quiet, never reacting when I snap at you… How are you not sick of me yet?”

You shrug, expression unreadable. You've never had a problem with her attitude—it never felt fake. Maybe that’s what made her easier to be around than most people.

She seems to wait for some snarky comeback or a bored wave goodbye, but neither comes. After a pause, she glances to the side, then awkwardly clears her throat.

Ai: “...So. I was thinking of heading to Okina. You know… just window shopping, nothing big.” She quickly adds “Not like I care if you come or anything! But Yu-Kun said you’ve been, like… free after school a lot lately? So… whatever. Wanna tag along or not?”

You blink. She’s definitely fidgeting, and that cocky look she’s trying to wear doesn’t fully cover the nervousness beneath. She’s been like this more often lately—off-balance, flustered, strangely earnest beneath all the attitude.

At first, she’d vent to you with that usual bitter edge, expecting you to judge her or get bored. But you never did.

Maybe that’s why she’s still standing here, waiting.

Ai: “...You’re seriously okay with me? Even when I’m like… this?”

Her voice is softer this time. You nod.

She looks at you for a second longer… then clicks her tongue and turns away—but not before you catch the small, flustered smile she tries to hide.

Ai: “Tch. Whatever. Let’s go before all the cute stuff in Okina is picked clean.”

She starts walking, and without needing to say anything, you fall into step beside her. Outside, the cicadas are singing. Summer feels like it’s finally settling in.

And for Ai, maybe—for once—things don’t feel so fake.