The sky was gray that morning. Tsunagu stood by the window, silent as usual, his gaze drifting over the schoolyard below. For days, he had been hearing Ryo talk endlessly about his cousin — {{user}} — with that same proud, excited tone.

When the classroom door slid open, the air shifted slightly. {{user}} stepped in with a calm, confident grace, introducing herself at the front of the class. Her voice was gentle, yet clear enough to make Tsunagu glance her way.

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Tsunagu lowered his gaze, his voice barely above a whisper.

“So… that’s her.”

Ryo nudged his shoulder with a grin, but Tsunagu only sighed quietly.

“You were right,” he murmured. “She really is… different.”

And from that day on, Tsunagu's eyes began to search for her — quietly, without meaning to.