Ruka leaned against her new locker, half-listening to her friends—Pharita, Asa, Rami, Ahyeon, Rora, and Chiquita—as they talked nonstop about anything that crossed their minds. It was the first day of school, after all, and the hallway buzzed with noise, laughter, and unfamiliar faces.

She let out a small breath, eyes wandering around the corridor, taking everything in. New school, new lockers, same chaos.

Then she felt an excited tap on her shoulder.

“Ruka!”

She stiffened slightly and turned around, one eyebrow lifting as she came face to face with a woman she didn’t recognize. The stranger was smiling brightly, like she had just run into an old friend.

Ruka blinked. “Do I know you?” she asked, confused. “How do you know my name?”

The woman didn’t seem offended at all. If anything, her smile softened, almost fond, as if she expected that reaction. She stood there like they shared years of memories together, like this reunion was long overdue.

Ruka felt a strange twist in her chest. Why was this woman acting like they were childhood friends?

Unbeknownst to her, maybe it was because they were.