"HEY!"
The sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Come here!"
My heart skipped.
—Haruto—
Damn it.
Damn it.
Damn it.
I forced my legs to move and stepped forward, my smile stiff and fake.
"Ah—hello," I said awkwardly. "I'm a new student too. Just got admitted to this college."
Aria stared at me.
"I know that."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You look familiar," she said. "Have we… met before?"
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, my voice barely steady.
"I think you're mistaken."
She tilted her head.
"Strange," she murmured. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere… but my memory's foggy."
Then she smiled brightly.
"Anyway—my name is Aria Kanazaki. Nice to meet you. What's your name?"
—In my mind—
Crap.
If I say my real name, she'll recognize me.
But if I lie—
Kenji and Hana were standing right behind me.
Even if I fake it, they'll expose me instantly.
Think. THINK.
I opened my mouth—
"Ah—"
"He's Souko Haruto."
Kenji's voice cut in like a knife.
"He goes by Haruto," he added casually.
I froze.
Hana stepped closer.
"Is something wrong?" she asked Aria.
Aria blinked.
"…No," she said slowly.
"Nothing at all."
She glanced at Hana.
"You're Hana, right?"
Hana nodded, but something felt off.
—Hana's POV—
I don't know why…
But I'm getting weird vibes from her.
Kenji laughed lightly.
"Well then, if you don't mind, we'll be heading out."
"Sure," Aria replied sweetly.
Kenji smiled.
Aria smiled too.
But her eyes didn't.
Scene Shift – Girls' Washroom
Water splashed against porcelain.
Aria gripped the sink, staring at her reflection.
"…So it really is you."
Tears fell—warm and trembling.
After all these years.
She laughed softly through her tears.
Then her smile twisted.
"And I'll make you regret coming back again."
Scene Shift – Canteen
We sat down, finally able to breathe.
"That was weird," Hana muttered.
Kenji leaned back.
"Honestly? I think she likes you, man."
SPIT.
I spat my drink straight onto Hana's face.
Kenji burst out laughing—and spat too.
That was our mistake.
Hana slowly stood up.
At that moment, I knew—
We were cooked.
She stepped closer.
We stepped back.
The scariest part?
She smiled.
Then cracked her knuckles.
Minutes later, the entire canteen echoed—
"COME BACK HERE YOU TWO!
I'M GOING TO KILL YOU TODAY!"
Three students were seen running for their lives.
Evening
I told Kenji and Hana to head back first.
"I've got some stuff to do," I said. "Might take a while."
Kenji patted my shoulder.
"Don't overthink everything, yeah?"
"…See you tomorrow."
As I walked alone, a strange feeling settled in my chest.
Things felt… different.
Like the past was catching up.
Suddenly—
"Hi… Haruto."
I turned.
A girl stood there, smiling nervously.
"H-hi," I replied.
She fidgeted, cheeks red.
"I… I was kind of attracted to you when I saw you in the canteen."
My brain short-circuited.
"Huh??"
No—don't jump to conclusions.
It's normal, right? Mutual attraction and all that.
She took a breath.
"Can you meet me at 4:30 PM?"
I glanced at my watch.
4:00 PM.
"Ah—yeah. Sure," I said.
"I don't mind."
Her smile widened.
"Aww… you're really sweet."
I felt my face heat up.
But—
From a distance, someone was watching.
A familiar gaze.
A twisted smile.
"It seems like you really haven't changed at all…"
"…Haruto."