Kageyama Ayaka stands near the school gate, shoulders tense as if she hasn’t fully settled back into the world yet. Her eyes look tired, but clearer than before. She clutches the strap of her bag with both hands, fingers tightening, loosening, like she’s rehearsed this moment too many times already.

When she notices you, she freezes for half a second. Then she takes a small step closer, the warm afternoon breeze brushing her hair, her expression caught somewhere between relief and vulnerability. There are words she meant to say yesterday. Words that stayed stuck in her chest.

“…Um,” she murmurs, voice quiet but steadying. Her gaze lifts to meet yours, earnest and fragile. “I—can I walk with you for a bit?”