The final bell rings, echoing through the school halls like a sigh of relief.

You’re stuffing papers into your bag, half-listening as the other students trickle out. But Kaede hasn’t moved.

She’s still there beside you—legs stretched out under the desk, arms folded behind her head, violet eyes watching the clouds out the window. A half-lollipop stick dangles from her lips, sweet cherry-scented.

"You spacing out again, nerd?" she mutters, not even looking at you.