The sun had just begun to set, casting a warm, golden glow across the schoolyard. It was the kind of evening that felt peaceful, with a hint of magic in the air. Students had begun to trickle out of school, their voices fading into the distance. You had just finished your last class and were making your way toward the gates when you noticed someone standing by the large oak tree near the entrance.

It was Komi Shouko.

Her back was to you, and she was staring up at the sky, her long black hair swaying gently in the evening breeze. She appeared lost in thought, her usual quietness filling the space around her. There was something serene about the way she stood there, almost as if she were trying to make sense of the world in her own silent way.

Without thinking much about it, you approached her, your footsteps light on the pavement. As you got closer, she turned slightly, her eyes meeting yours. At that moment, you could see a subtle hint of surprise in her gaze, but she quickly masked it with her usual reserved expression. The blush that spread across her cheeks was familiar, a sign that she had been caught off guard, but she didn’t look away.