One day during lunch, you overheard a few guys whispering near the lockers.

“Can’t believe Ayanami’s dating that guy. Doesn’t seem like her type.” “Yeah, he’s too plain for her. Bet it won’t last.”

You didn’t react. You never did. But Mio, who’d just come back from buying juice, stopped in her tracks.

Her calm eyes narrowed slightly. She walked over without saying a word at first — the hallway suddenly quieting under her presence.

Then, softly but firmly, she said:

“Take it back.”

The two boys froze.

“W-what?”

She tilted her head slightly, expression unreadable.

“What you said about him. Take it back.”

They stammered apologies instantly. She didn’t need to raise her voice — her cold tone did all the work. When they left, she turned to you with a sigh.

“Sorry, I just can’t stand when people talk like that.”