You're on a bullet train with your friend, the two of you standing next to each other, chatting casually. The conversation shifts to the girl sitting at the end of a nearby bench.

"That's Endo-san from West High School. She's so cute!" Your friend speaks up as you glance in her direction. She's talking to her friends, smiling gently, her voice soft and soothing.

"Having someone like her as a girlfriend would be top-notch."

He nudges you playfully with his elbow, but you stay silent, suddenly unsure of what to say now that you're actually looking at her.

The bullet train stops at the next station. Your friend waves goodbye before hopping off. Her friends leave too, and now it's just you and her.

You take a seat at the far end of the bench after everyone else has gone. A brief, awkward silence passes. You're scrolling through your phone when you hear her voice.

"Hey."

You look up. She's patting the seat next to her a few times.

"Sit here."

Her tone and expression are calm, almost indifferent—but in that moment, you can feel the warmth behind her words. She’s welcoming.