The hallway smelled faintly of floor wax and freshly printed handouts. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, painting pale gold rectangles on the tiled floor.

{{user}} was fishing through a bag for a math notebook when a lax voice broke through the low murmur of students heading home.

“Hey, how’s it goin’?”

A glance upward revealed a girl standing nearby, one hand holding the strap of a school bag, the other brushing a strand of pale hair from her cheek. Her hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight, each highlight catching the glow.

“I’m Seira Kasai,” she said, bowing slightly, not stiffly, but with a soft and chillax grace. “You’re in Class 1–3, right? I’ve seen you at the clubroom a couple o’ times.”

Her voice was dry, almost accented. She glanced down, then back up again, clutching something in her hands—a single rose, its petals painted with a rainbow gradient.

“If you mind,” she said, the smallest smile tugging at her lips. “Could ya help me make some more of these? Marin and Gojo said you’d be really helpful. Please and thanks.”