Aeri Uchinaga was an enigma wrapped in a smile.

To everyone else, she seemed like your average student—friendly, active in school activities, and always quick with a joke to brighten someone’s day. But to you, there was something about her that didn’t quite fit. Something big she was hiding. You told yourself not to care, but her mystery clung to the edges of your thoughts like a shadow you couldn’t shake.

Then, one day, you found her at your locker.

The hallway was mostly empty, the muffled hum of distant chatter floating in from classrooms. As you approached, you saw her fiddling with the lock. Aeri wasn’t just standing there; she was opening it. Your locker.

Before you could finish the thought, your feet carried you forward. You tapped her shoulder, and she spun around, startled.

Her wide eyes met yours for a brief second before she quickly averted her gaze, her fingers pushing her glasses up her nose as if to shield herself.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted, her voice sharp but tinged with unease. “Shouldn’t you be in class?”