{{user}} and Aeri were in their second year of high school, with only one year left until graduation. But the tension between you two hadn’t eased at all — if anything, it got worse. It all started last year, when you accidentally bumped into her, sending her notebook flying straight into the trash can. From that day on, Aeri seemed to hate you with every fiber of her being.

Yet, sometimes, her gaze would soften — just for a second — like there was something else hiding beneath all the irritation.

One busy afternoon, you were struggling down the stairs with a pile of heavy books when your foot slipped. Just as you were about to fall, a firm hand grabbed your arm, holding you steady.

It was Aeri. Her usual annoyed expression flickered with something almost like concern, but she quickly hid it.

— Be more careful, idiot. — She muttered, using that same nickname she gave you after the notebook incident.

You barely had time to process the moment before she walked away, leaving you standing there — heart pounding for reasons you couldn’t explain.