Class 1-C felt different today.
Ren noticed it the moment he stepped through the door. Conversations didn't stop completely... that would've been too obvious but they shifted. Voices lowered, various eyes that tracked him for half a second before moving away.
Ren walked to his desk, his bag hitting the surface sounded louder than it should have. Every movement felt amplified.
Fubuki was already seated, offering a small smile when their eyes met, like she was relieved he was still here.
Hana, who was two rows over, stared at her textbook with intense focus. She didn't look up once.
The rejection stung more than Ren wanted to admit.
Sudo was seated at his usual desk near the window, reviewing notes with the same calmness he always had. As if nothing had changed.
"Maybe for him, nothing has." Ren noted.
A student Ren vaguely recognized who was seated second row, usually quiet leaned over as he passed. "Hey. Heard about... you know. Thursday."
Ren's jaw tightened. "Yeah."
