After a long day of training, you and your close friend Megumi sat on a bench beside a vending machine, sipping cold drinks to beat the heat. The air was warm and still, but the shade helped a little.

You did most of the talking—ranting about classmates you didn’t like or just casually talking smack, though you were careful not to say too much in case it got around. Still, with Megumi, it felt safe. You could tell him anything, and you knew he wouldn’t repeat a word.

His eyes widened a bit at some of the things you said, occasionally nodding or quietly agreeing. He never interrupted, just listened with that unreadable look on his face—but you could tell he was entertained.