A month passes. Rei goes through a lot—his parents' strictness, Yuzuki's truth, and, most painfully, Miharu.
Since Rei has to repeat the year, they now share the same classroom. Inside the classroom, the atmosphere is quiet and studious.
Yamada-sensei delivers a lecture while most students diligently take notes. Rei sits in the first row near the window, staring ahead, lost in thought.
It's been a month… and I haven't made any progress with Miharu.
At this rate, she's going to lose interest in me.
In the same row, just ahead of Rei, Miharu scribbles notes, occasionally glancing back at him.
I think he's too down to even try. I know he's focusing on his studies, but still…
Rei looks down, closing his eyes. He clenches his jaw.
Maybe Yuzuki was right. After I failed, maybe Miharu really was disappointed.
Feels like everything I did… just vanished into dust.
Miharu smiles faintly, then pauses, her expression softening.
Now he's in my class… but for him, this must feel like a nightmare…
Rei continues taking notes, his pen moving in quick, rough strokes.
Exams are in a month. I should just focus on studying… for now.
Miharu blushes slightly and smiles to herself.
Maybe I should ask him to study with me? Yeah… that could work.
Miharu secretly takes a cream biscuit from her bag and munches on it behind the teacher's back. Rei notices and raises an eyebrow.
Is she… eating in class? I know she's a foodie, but still—
Yamada-sensei suddenly turns around and throws a piece of chalk. It bounces off Miharu's head.
"Ouch!! What was that for?!"
Miharu holds her head as the students look at her. Her behavior irritates Yamada-sensei.
"You're eating in class again, Miharu."
"No, there's nothing in my mouth! See?"
Miharu opens her mouth innocently. Yamada-sensei snatches her notebook and points at the blank pages.
"Then tell me why there aren't any notes written?"
Rei shifts in his seat, concerned. Just then, the boy behind him, Ken, taps his shoulder.
"Hey."
Ken offers Rei a juice box. Rei looks at him, confused.
"Huh?"
Ken grins and presses the juice into his hand, then leans closer to explain.
"Don' t worry, this happens every day. Once they start arguing, you can do anything. They won't even notice. Watch."
Rei glances around. A few students in the back are playing Ludo on their phones.
Wait… what?
"And see those guys in hoodies?"
Ken whispers, pointing discreetly toward the back row.
"They're betting money on the Ludo matches."
Rei sips the juice while giving them a quiet stare. He looks around and realizes just how chaotic the class actually is—some students are openly eating snacks, one girl has fallen asleep with her head on the desk, and a few others are casually applying makeup under their desks.
"I thought my class was weird… makeup? For whom?"
Ken chuckles, pulling his chair closer to sit beside Rei.
"This? It's nothing. Stand-up comedy is about to start."
Ken turns toward Yamada-sensei and Miharu, who are in the middle of an argument.
Miharu, furious, slams her hands on the desk.
"What did you say?! Take that attitude back to your village!
Oh wait—that's right, they kicked you out!"
Rei goes wide-eyed, speechless. A faint blush creeps onto his cheeks.
Damn… she's savage.
Honestly… perfect. She could probably take down Yuzuki for me.
Yamada-sensei, flustered, takes a breath and shifts his tone.
"With that mouth of yours, even if you do get a husband, you'll kill the poor guy with your arguments!"
Miharu snaps, crossing her arms, brows furrowed but confident.
"If a man can't win an argument, I won't marry him in the first place. There's a reason you're still single!"
Rei freezes mid-sip, then straightens his shoulders.
Can I even win an argument with her...?
…Nope. No chance.
They continue to argue until the end of class. Just like Ken said, it was like a stand-up comedy. Both thought they had won the argument, but the real winners were the other students.
Rei walks home alone after school, his bag slung over one shoulder, eyes hollow, face downcast. The streetlights cast long shadows, and his thoughts echo in his head.
I don't know what to do anymore...
Miharu... now that I'm in your class, I see you differently.
You're someone with ambition… with purpose.
You work hard. You never compromise.
And me?
I don't even know what I want.
Why would someone like you ever...
Rei opens the door to his house. He enters and sees Yuzuki's shoes neatly placed to the side. The living room is dim.
A small cake flickers with candlelight, casting a soft glow. Yuzuki stands alone, holding the cake, her expression nervous and vulnerable.
Rei walks in and sees her. Yuzuki smiles softly, attempting to hide her nervousness.
"Your birthday's tomorrow, but… I thought I'd surprise you."
Without a word, Rei heads straight for the stairs, his silence stinging. Yuzuki steps forward, her voice shaking.
"Wait, Rei—please, just listen. I wanted to—"
Rei spins around, his eyes blazing. He storms toward her. The cake topples from her hands and hits the floor—candles extinguished, and with them, her fragile hope.
He pins her lightly but firmly against the wall, his voice low but furious. Rei grits his teeth, barely holding back.
"What excuse do you have... for ruining my life?"
Yuzuki freezes, eyes wide with fear, trembling. Rei looks down and continues.
"Whatever it is… I don't want to hear it."
Yuzuki breaks down, tearful, her voice cracking.
"Rei… please. I'm begging you…"
He releases her, taking a shaky step back and looking away. Rei appears hollow, distant.
"You need to go. I'm afraid of what I might do if you stay."
Rei turns and slowly walks away. Yuzuki, desperate, her eyes losing hope.
"Rei! You need to hear this—!"
She steps forward too fast, trips on the edge of the carpet. Crashes down. Her knees hit the floor hard.
She watches helplessly as Rei disappears up the stairs. Alone now, she curls up beside the cake, her tears falling freely. The room is silent except for her soft, aching sobs.