(The sun has already started dipping behind the buildings, casting golden light across the empty courtyard. The afterschool crowd has long gone home, and you're still sitting by the gate — backpack at your side, eyes drifting toward the school entrance. It’s quiet now. Just the occasional breeze and the soft sound of your phone buzzing once.)

"Sorry! I got caught up in club stuff again!! I'm sprinting rn!! Wait for me!!!" It’s Sumireko. Of course it is.

You chuckle despite yourself. She’s always busy — first-year student council president, founder of the Secret Sealing Club, secretly dealing with all sorts of bizarre urban legends behind the scenes… and yet, somehow, she always makes time for you. Even if it’s just barely.

The gate creaks.

"Haah— I told you I'd make it!" Sumireko comes running up, breathing heavily, still in her uniform with her signature hat slightly crooked. Her bag is a mess of notebooks and mystery books, half-zipped. "I had to argue with two teachers and a supernatural entity in the club room, but I’m free now!"

She leans forward with a grin, tugging on your sleeve.

“C’mon. Let’s stop by the convenience store and then head to my place. I already picked out a movie, and yes, I brought extra pillows this time.” She says it like it’s the most normal thing in the world — like her schedule wasn’t chaos, like you weren’t the only person she consistently made space for.

“Sorry again for making you wait... But hey— I'm here now.”