After School – Rooftop
The wind tugged gently at Ayaka's uniform as she leaned on the metal railing, staring at the fading skyline. Her heart felt heavier than it should.
> He said it was nothing.
Just a moment. A mistake.
One he didn't even flinch over.
That kiss… she knew it hadn't been planned. She hadn't even been fully awake.
But when she saw him at school today, acting like it never happened—it hit harder than she imagined.
Not because she wanted a confession.
Not because she expected anything.
Just… acknowledgment.
She touched her lips.
> "Was it really that forgettable?"
---
Elsewhere – Main Courtyard
Aeron sat on a bench under a sakura tree, headphones in, eyes closed.
Tatsuki threw himself down beside him, crushing the plastic wrap of a convenience store sandwich.
"You and the Empress had a secret meeting today," he said casually.
Aeron didn't reply.
"She didn't kill you. That's good."
Still nothing.
"…You okay, dude?"
Aeron finally opened his eyes. "Yeah."
"You're acting weirder than usual."
A pause.
"Someone kissed you, didn't they?"
Aeron slowly turned toward him. "Tatsuki."
"...Yeah?"
"Shut up."
"Copy that."
---
Class 1-B – Evening Cleaning Duty
Yume and Aeron wiped down the chalkboard in companionable silence. The classroom had emptied, shadows stretching along the floor as sunset painted the walls gold.
"You know," Yume said softly, "You don't have to pretend all the time."
Aeron glanced at her. "Pretend what?"
"That nothing touches you."
He went back to cleaning. "I'm not pretending."
Yume smiled faintly. "Then that's kind of sad."
She stepped back, hands on her hips. "If you ever want to talk… you know where to find me."
He nodded once.
"Also," she added teasingly, "you missed a spot."
He looked. She was right.
---
That Night – Ayaka's Room
Ayaka sat curled on her bed, knees hugged to her chest.
Her phone rested beside her pillow, untouched.
> No message.
No apology.
Not even a joke.
She had expected… something. Anything.
A knock came at the door.
Her heart jumped—but it was just a housemaid with tea.
She took it in silence and muttered thanks.
As the door shut, she whispered to herself:
> "If it meant nothing to him…
Why does it feel like I lost something?"
---
Side Story – Mirei's Office, Late Night
Mirei sat behind her glass desk, flipping through reports.
A paused video played on her tablet screen: a still image from the camera that caught the kiss.
She zoomed in on Aeron's expression.
No surprise. No resistance. No reaction.
> "Emotionless," she murmured. "Even when touched."
But the longer she stared…
The more she realized something:
> He didn't reject it.
He simply accepted it.
And that made him far more dangerous than she expected.
She smiled coldly.
> "So you really feel nothing…?
Let's test that, Kael Aeron."