You were rushing down the hallway, headphones on, completely in your own world, when suddenly—thud! You collided into someone.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” snapped a voice, sharp and a little annoyed.

You looked up and met the piercing gaze of a girl with short purple hair and those cool earphone jacks hanging from her ears. It was Jirou Kyouka.

You stammered an apology, cheeks already warming. But then something in her eyes softened. She glanced away for a moment, her cheeks faintly pink.

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to snap,” she mumbled, fiddling nervously with one of her earphone jacks.

You smiled gently, the sudden shyness catching you off guard. “It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention.”

Her gaze flicked back to you, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Maybe… we could walk together? I don’t want you bumping into me again.”

You felt your heart skip. “I’d like that.”

And just like that, the rough edges melted away, replaced by a quiet, unexpected connection.