🌿 Garden Scene — Three Days Later
Three days passed.
The school garden was quiet that afternoon, bathed in soft sunlight.
Yagami sat casually on a tree branch, one leg hanging freely as he watched something in the distance, relaxed and carefree.
Below the tree, Saino lay flat on the grass.
His eyes were closed.
A thin blade of grass rested between his lips, and one hand was tucked behind his head, as if the earth itself was his pillow.
Beside him, Rue sat on the ground, his back straight, posture composed—so different from the other two.
In just a few days, their friendship had grown naturally.
Yagami broke the silence.
"Hey, Saino," he said lazily from above.
"Do you think you'll still come first in the exams this time too?"
Saino didn't answer with words.
He simply opened one eye slightly—just enough to glance upward.
That look alone was enough.
Yagami laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it."
Then he turned his head toward Rue.
"What about you, Rue? How are you in studies?"
Rue adjusted his glasses slightly.
"I'm definitely good at studying," he replied calmly.
"And this time… I think I might break Saino's record."
He said it with a soft smile—confident, but not arrogant.
Saino kept staring at the sky, the grass leaf still between his lips, completely calm.
"Wow," Yagami whistled.
"Looks like we'll see a real competition between you two."
Rue smiled faintly.
"Thank you for the appreciation."
Then Yagami stretched his arms behind his head.
"But I'm not joining you two," he added cheerfully.
"I'm already satisfied with my marks."
The breeze rustled through the leaves.
Saino slowly closed his eyes again.
✉️ The Letter — Yesterday
A memory surfaced in Saino's mind.
Yesterday.
When he had entered the classroom, a small letter lay quietly on his desk.
No name.
Just a single line written neatly:
I want to meet you alone after school.
For a brief moment, Saino had stared at it.
Is this a prank?
Or… something else?
🏢 Rooftop Meeting
After school, Saino stood on the top floor of the school building.
From above, he watched students leaving—laughing, talking, unaware.
The wind brushed past him.
So it wasn't a joke… he thought.
Footsteps.
Before the sound even fully reached him, Saino sensed it.
Someone was approaching from behind.
He turned his head calmly.
"Hello… Saino."
A girl stood there.
She was the same shy, blushing girl from before—the one who had walked past the group of girls surrounding Yagami.
Her face was red.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Saino's eyes widened just a little.
So it really wasn't a prank…
The girl hesitated.
She didn't know how to begin.
📖 Her Thoughts (Flashback)
A memory played in her mind.
She was reading a book titled:
"How to Propose to Someone"
Step one: Start with simple conversation.
Step two: Confess your feelings directly.
Another option: Ask for a date first.
🎭 Present — The Question
She gathered her courage.
"S-Saino-kun…"
"Why do you keep your hair long?"
The moment she asked—
Saino froze.
His calm expression shattered.
🕯️ Saino's Memory
Darkness.
Complete darkness.
A five-year-old Saino stood beside a bed, smiling innocently.
A shadowy figure lay there, barely visible.
A soft hand reached out and gently touched the child's hair.
🔙 Back to the Rooftop
Saino inhaled sharply.
His eyes widened with worry—but only for a moment.
He controlled himself.
The calm mask returned.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"I don't think I can tell you that."
He turned away and began walking.
"W-Wait!" the girl said with surprising "
"I want to tell you something!"
Without stopping, Saino spoke coldly—
"Right now, I'm not in the mood to talk."
Then, softer:
"You can talk to me… some other time."
And he left.
The girl remained there, her face pale—confused, frustrated, and hurt.
🌿 Back to the Garden — Present
Saino opened his eyes slowly.
The sky above him was clear.
Should I apologize to her…? he thought.
This situation became more tragic than I expected.
I always try to forget my past…
But I failed.
The blade of grass shifted slightly between his lips as the wind passed.
While in the corridor
students chatting loudly, dragging chairs, packing bags, arguing about weekend plans.
Some rushed toward the school gate, others lingered in groups.
Nothing had changed in the crowd.
Except one thing.
This time, two people walked toward Saino instead of one.
Yagami and Rue approached him with casual familiarity.
"Yo, Saino," Yagami said with a grin.
"Let's go."
Saino simply nodded, picking up his bag.
The three walked together through the hallway, past the noisy students, and stepped out of the school gate side by side.
A sign of how close they had become.
---
⭐ Weekend Plans
Once they were outside, Yagami nudged Saino lightly.
"Hey Saino, you remember, right?
Tomorrow is Sunday.
Are you ready to go to that old library?"
Saino answered without looking up.
"Yes. I'll come."
"Nice!"
Yagami then turned toward Rue.
"Hey Rue, why don't you come with us?
It'll be fun."
Rue gave an apologetic smile and shook his head.
"Sorry… I'm busy tomorrow.
I have to visit my college house for some work."
"Ohh…" Yagami exhaled.
"So you're not coming."
Rue nodded.
"Yeah, not this time. But enjoy yourselves I will try to come next event
."
Their conversation flowed naturally—
proving how much the three had grown closer.
---
⭐ Separate Paths
After walking together for a few moments rue went to his own direction path to go home
He waved his hand politely and told by frnd see you on Monday.
Then after a few moments
Yagami raised a hand.
"Alright! See you tomorrow, Saino!
Saino simply wave his hand to up. .
"…Goodbye."