The rooftop had become their place. Their sanctuary. Their space to talk about things that mattered.
Today, it was where three friends discussed the fourth.
"She's definitely hiding something," Riko said, her voice careful. "Yuki, I mean."
Hikari nodded. "For days now."
Kaito leaned against the fence, his gaze distant. "She disappears at lunch. She's quieter at other times. Her smile doesn't always reach her eyes."
Riko looked at him. "You've noticed too."
"I notice everything." A pause. "Usually."
Hikari shifted. "Should we confront her?"
Silence.
Then Kaito spoke, his voice softer than usual. "No."
Riko and Hikari looked at him.
"She'll tell us when she's ready," he continued. "Whatever it is... it might be something she's not ready to share. Pushing won't help."
Riko considered this. "You think it's personal?"
"I think it's hers." Kaito met their eyes. "When the time is right, she'll tell us. Maybe now just isn't the right time for her."
Hikari nodded slowly. "We wait."
Riko sighed. "I hate waiting."
"Me too." Kaito's lips almost curved. "But some things can't be rushed."
They sat with that for a moment. Trusting their friend. Giving her space. Hoping she'd come to them when she could.
---
The festival preparation swept through Class 2-B like a storm.
Ms. Kobayashi stood at the front, beaming. "Alright, everyone! We need to decide on our class activity. Suggestions?"
Voices erupted. Cafe. Haunted house. Play. Dance performance.
Then Riko stood, her presence commanding attention. "What about a music show?"
The room quieted.
She continued, her voice smooth and persuasive. "We have talent in this class. Tanaka-san plays violin beautifully—we all saw that at the Culture Festival last year. Sato-senpai is excellent at writing—lyrics would come naturally to him. And I..." She paused, a rare flicker of self-consciousness. "I sing. Classically trained."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Kenji's hand shot up. "Piano! I take lessons! Have for years!"
More murmurs. Excited ones.
Riko nodded. "Kenji-kun on piano. Tanaka-san on violin. Sato-senpai writing lyrics. Me singing. The rest of you can handle staging, lighting, props—everyone contributes."
Ms. Kobayashi clapped. "It's a wonderful idea! Does anyone object?"
No one did.
Hikari blinked from her seat, clearly surprised at being volunteered. But she didn't argue. Didn't refuse.
Kaito glanced at her. Then at Riko. Then nodded once.
The plan was set.
---
Rehearsals began immediately.
Kenji at the piano, surprisingly skilled. Hikari with her violin, transforming from sleepy rebel to focused artist. Riko's voice filling the room with unexpected warmth. Kaito with a notebook, scribbling lyrics in his precise handwriting.
Others moved in the background—setting up chairs, testing lights, organizing schedules.
The group coordinator, surprisingly, was Kaito. He organized practice times, tracked progress, solved problems with quiet efficiency. No one questioned his authority. No one needed to.
But through it all, one person remained... off.
Yuki helped. She did her tasks. She smiled when needed. But her usual chaos was muted. Her laughter didn't echo as brightly. Her eyes wandered during practice.
Riko noticed. Hikari noticed. Kaito noticed.
But they didn't push. They waited.
Because when the time was right, she would tell them.
They trusted that.
(End of Chapter 82)