The door slid open with a quiet clack as they stepped into the classroom. Aya's heart beat a little faster, her eyes widening with a spark of wonder yet a smile bloomed on her lips.

  Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a soft golden glow across rows of polished desks. The scent of sakura lingered in the air, carried in by petals drifting gently through the open window. The moment felt almost romantic, like a scene from a storybook. It was the unmistakable scent of a new school year.

  Students were already chatting, some gathered in clusters, others sitting by the windows, gazing out at the sakura trees just beyond the glass. Laughter echoed lightly from the back of the room, warm and familiar.

  Aya stood by the doorway, quietly taking it all in, mesmerized by the scene before her—until a voice pulled her back.

  “Over here!” Shiori called, waving with a bright smile. “There are three empty seats, we can sit here!”

  Aya turned and saw her by the third row, near the windows.

  Shiori glanced at the class and, realizing all eyes were on her, then she gave a polite bow.

  “Good morning, everyone. I'm Aira Shiori. I’ll be in your care this year,” she said cheerfully, lifting her head again with a dazzling smile.

  There was a brief pause—then the class erupted in soft laughter and smiles, the tension melting as they returned to their conversations.

  Aya stepped inside. With every step she took, it felt as though the floor shimmered beneath her feet, glowing faintly like a path made just for her.

  Then, just as she was about to turn toward the desk Shiori pointed out, her body froze.

  Her eyes widened. Her mouth parted slightly in silent shock.

  The sounds around her dulled fading into a soft hush, and the light in the room seemed to blur at the edges—like the world itself was holding its breath.

  There, at the very back of the classroom, by the window, sat someone she instantly recognized.

  The person from the train, her knight in shining armor.

  The one who had saved her from being molested.

  He was seated with his elbow resting on the desk while wearing a headset, his gaze somewhere outside the window—until he turned, noticing her.

  Their eyes met.

  For a moment, neither of them moved. Time seemed to stop.

  A strong gust of wind swept through the open window, sending a swirl of sakura petals dancing between them. The petals floated through the air like pieces of a dream, catching the sunlight as they drifted—soft, weightless, impossibly beautiful.

  Aya’s heart skipped a beat.

  His gaze on her still remains as he puts his headset down with a faint smile on his face. “I guess… we’re classmates.” he said, his voice was soft and warm.

  Aya couldn’t hide her reaction—her face instantly flushed as red as a tomato. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she flailed slightly, her eyes darting away while her mouth stayed awkwardly open. Then, without thinking, she bowed deeply.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  It caught him off guard. He blinked, then stood up slowly.

  "What’s wrong?" he asked, leaving the headset on the table.

  “T-T-Thank you for saving me earlier,” she stammered, lifting her head to meet his eyes. “I didn’t get to properly thank you back then…”

  His hair caught the breeze as he let out a small laugh, brushing a hand through it before sitting on the table of his desk.

  “Ah… you’re welcome,” he said, then cleared his throat and added with a hint of embarrassment, “But… you didn’t have to bow like that. Especially not in front of everyone.”

  Aya blinked.

  “Everyone?” she said quietly.

  She slowly raised her head, and the moment her gaze swept across the classroom, it hit her—half of the class were watching them. Whispers floated through the air, hushed voices and stolen glances. She froze in place, her face flushing deeper by the second.

  Her heart thudded in her chest. Her hands fidgeted at her sides. Her eyes darted toward the floor, then back at him, then away again.

  She wanted to disappear. Aya’s inner voice was screaming. Why did I bow?! In front of everyone?! Her face burned as she heard footsteps approaching behind her.

  “What are you doing, Aya?” Shiori’s voice was light, teasing.

  Aya turned her head slightly, still half-bent, her cheeks red as cherries. “Shiori…” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Shiori stepped beside her and looked at the boy in front of Aya. Her eyes widened in mild surprise. “Oh, Hajime,” she said, like she just realized something obvious.

  Hajime gave her a small wave and a grin. “Good morning, Shiori. Looks like we’re classmates.”

  “Yeah, good to see you,” she replied with a friendly smile before turning back to Aya, tilting her head. “But… why were you bowing to him like that?”

  Aya slowly straightened, still flustered. She took a breath, pointed at her with a shy thumb, and said, “I was expressing my gratitude to my savior.”

  Just then, Natsumi came up beside them, catching the last part. Her eyes lit up. “Savior?” she asked curiously, then offered a little wave to Hajime. “Good morning!”

  “W-Well… you know…” Aya fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes darting anywhere but at their faces. “I was… m-molested. On the train. On my way here.” Her voice grew quieter with every word, until it nearly disappeared. She clutched her hands tightly.

  “MOLESTED?!”

  Natsumi and Shiori’s voices burst out in perfect sync, loud enough to silence the classroom. Every head turned toward them.

  Shiori immediately grabbed Aya’s hand, her face full of concern.

  “A-Are you okay?!” She scanned Aya from head to toe, her gaze sharp with worry. “Where did that bastard touch you?!” Her voice turned colder, her fists clenched, and for a moment, it was like a fiery aura sparked around her. “I swear, if I ever see him, I’m gonna punch him straight in the teeth.”

  “If you’re looking for that guy,” Hajime said from his seat, resting his arm on the desk, “he ran off as soon as the train stopped.”

  Shiori’s gaze lingered on Hajime for a moment longer, her expression thoughtful. Without saying another word, she grabbed Aya’s hand and led her toward their seats.

  “I see, thank you,” Shiori murmured, her tone still steady as she gave a quick nod in Hajime’s direction.

  Natsumi trailed behind them, her footsteps light and casual.

  They took their seats in the classroom: Aya in the middle, Shiori at the front, and Natsumi at the back. Aya placed her bag on the table and glanced over at Shiori, a sudden thought crossing her mind.

  “Now that I think about it… you know his name, don’t you, Shiori?” she asked, her voice a little hesitant but curious.

  Shiori looked over at her and nodded in agreement. “You mean Hajime?” she repeated his name as though it was an easy, familiar thought.

  Aya nodded, a slight flush creeping up her neck. “Y-Yes.”

  Natsumi, who had been sitting quietly in her chair, leaned forward with a slight smile. “We were at the same school in middle school,” she began, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk as she spoke. “But despite being in the same year, we never ended up in the same class.” She leaned back a little, letting out a heavy sigh. “Funny, isn’t it?”

  Aya’s lips curved into a small smile, her eyes softening as she looked at her friends. “I guess so,” she murmured. “What a small world, right?”