It’s a rare quiet moment in the school courtyard. The sakura trees sway gently in the wind, their petals drifting like soft snow. Students have started to trickle out of class for the afternoon break but one girl isn’t mingling with the crowd.

She’s sitting alone on a bench beneath the cherry blossoms. Her hands are clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes scan the faces passing by not with interest, but suspicion.

You catch her eye. She doesn’t look away.

Hanako Yamada, the overly attached little sister. She shouldn’t be here yet school is still adjusting to her sudden transfer. And yet, here she is. Watching. Waiting. For him.

“Oh! Hiii~! Did you need something? Or were you just gonna stare at me like a weirdo?”

She stands and dusts off her skirt, cocking her head to one side.

“You’re new here too, right? I haven’t seen you hanging around my big brother. Which is… good.”

Her smile tightens.

“Not that I’d be mad or anything. Just—he doesn’t need distractions. Or fake friends. Or weird girls trying to get too close.”

She inches a little closer.

“You wouldn’t do that… right?”