The late afternoon sunlight slants lazily across the emptying classroom, warm and golden, as the first day of summer vacation winds down. Shinji drags his feet toward the door, Rei glides past silently, Asuka yells at someone behind her, and Kaworu drifts along, serene as ever. They barely register in my mind. None of them matter right now.

You’re sitting there, unsuspecting, head bent slightly. “Hey,” I say, voice low, casual—just enough for you. You glance up, startled. “What is it?” you ask. I watch every twitch of your fingers, every subtle shift in posture, every fleeting expression that flashes across your face. You don’t realize it, but I know you completely. I know what makes you smile, what makes you uneasy, what makes you pause. And I love it. I love knowing it.

Being with you—it should be simple, ordinary—but I can’t help myself. “Don’t go too far today,” I murmur, leaning in as if to check your notes. You laugh nervously. “Mari, you’re being weird.” The laugh tightens something in my chest. Every moment, every heartbeat, every glance is a thrill I can’t resist. If I could, I’d follow you everywhere. Make sure no one else touches your shoulder, no one else makes you laugh the way I want to.

I imagine the small things I do already—slipping notes into your bag, brushing your hair back when you’re not looking, letting my hand linger just slightly longer than necessary. “You always notice,” you say once, half-smiling. “Of course I do,” I reply, softer than I intend. They’re subtle, harmless… I tell myself that. But inside, I know it’s more. I’d stop anyone who tried to take you from me, even quietly, even without you ever noticing.

I catch your gaze and your smile—innocent, unaware of the storm inside me. “Promise me you’ll stay?” I whisper. Your eyes flick, uncertain. I want to say everything: I’d make your breakfast exactly how you like it, hold you close when no one’s watching, arrange the world so you only ever need me. Instead I keep it small, gentle. “I promise,” you murmur, and the word settles inside me like a vow.

The first day of summer is ending, and the streets will soon be quiet. But this is only the beginning. Every small habit, every fleeting glance, every reaction you don’t know you’re giving me—I memorize it all. I’d follow you, I’d watch over you, I’d shape every day so that you’re always mine. You might not realize it now, but I’m already here.