The crisp morning air carried the scent of autumn as students streamed into the school, their chatter and laughter filling the hallways. The summer vacation had ended, and with it came the return to the rhythm of daily life.

  Kaito walked into his classroom, greeted by the familiar sight of his classmates chatting and catching up. He took his seat near the window, his thoughts still lingering on the memories of summer.

  Haruto leaned over from his desk, nudging Kaito with a sly grin. “Bet you’re already missing the beach, huh?”

  Kaito smirked faintly. “More like missing the free time.”

  Before Haruto could retort, the door slid open, and Yukina-sensei, their homeroom teacher, walked in. She clapped her hands lightly to get the class’s attention.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Yukina began, her voice calm yet authoritative. “I hope you all had a wonderful summer break. As we start this new term, I have some exciting news for you. We have a new transfer student joining us today.”

  The room erupted into murmurs of curiosity. Kaito glanced at Haruto, who raised an eyebrow.

  “Wonder who it is,” Haruto whispered.

  Yukina gestured toward the door. “Please come in and introduce yourself.”

  The classroom fell silent as the door slid open again. In walked Aoi, her soft smile lighting up the room.

  “Hello, everyone,” Aoi said, bowing politely. “My name is Aoi Yukishiro. I just moved here, and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you.”

  The room buzzed with whispers, but none were more surprised than Kaito, Haruto, Kaguya, and Akari. Kaito’s eyes widened as he stared at Aoi, his mind racing to process what he was seeing.

  “Aoi?” Kaito muttered under his breath, disbelief etched on his face.

  Haruto leaned closer, whispering, “Did you know about this?”

  “No,” Kaito replied, still staring at her.

  Kaguya and Akari exchanged quick glances, their surprise evident but quickly masked by polite smiles.

  “Alright, Aoi-san,” Yukina said, “you can take the empty seat next to Kaito over there.”

  Aoi nodded and made her way to the desk beside Kaito. As she passed, she offered him a small, knowing smile. Kaito, still stunned, managed to return the gesture, albeit awkwardly.

  Once she was seated, Yukina began discussing the class schedule, but Kaito couldn’t focus. His mind was filled with questions. Why hadn’t Aoi mentioned this before? When had she decided to join?

  The class went on, and during a brief break, Haruto wasted no time leaning over to Kaito.

  “Okay, spill. How is she here? Is this some kind of coincidence?”

  “I have no idea,” Kaito admitted, his voice low.

  Kaguya joined the conversation, her tone calm but her eyes betraying her curiosity. “Did she tell you she was transferring?”

  “No,” Kaito said, shaking his head.

  Akari, sitting a few seats away, glanced over with a knowing smirk. “Well, this just got interesting.”

  Before Kaito could respond, Aoi turned to him, her voice soft but teasing. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Kaito blinked, struggling to form a coherent response. “I just… didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Aoi chuckled lightly. “Surprise. I thought it’d be nice to make the move before the new term started.”

  The way she spoke so casually only added to Kaito’s bewilderment. But there was something comforting in her presence, even amidst the shock.

  As the day went on, the initial surprise began to settle, and the class grew accustomed to having Aoi among them. She quickly blended in, her friendly demeanor making it easy for her to connect with her new classmates.

  For Kaito, however, the adjustment would take a little longer. Aoi’s sudden appearance in his school felt like a new chapter unfolding—a chapter he hadn’t anticipated but was curious to explore.

  The school bell rang, signaling the start of lunchtime. Students began gathering in groups, chatting and laughing as they unpacked their bento boxes. Kaito sat at his desk, his thoughts still swirling after Aoi’s unexpected arrival.

  “Kaito, come on, let’s eat outside today,” Haruto said, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

  Kaito barely responded before Aoi appeared beside him, her lunch neatly packed in her hands.

  “Mind if I join you guys?” Aoi asked with a smile, her tone as casual as if they’d planned this all along.

  Haruto grinned. “Of course! The more, the merrier!”

  They headed to the school courtyard, where a shady tree offered the perfect spot to sit. Kaguya and Akari soon joined them, forming a group that drew curious glances from other students.

  “Quite the group we have here,” Akari said, her voice tinged with playful sarcasm.

  Aoi unpacked her lunch, her movements graceful yet efficient. “This spot is so nice. Way better than eating indoors.”

  “Yeah, it’s been our go-to for a while,” Haruto said between bites.

  Kaito, meanwhile, was unusually quiet, his chopsticks idly poking at his food. His mind replayed the moment Aoi walked into the classroom that morning.

  Kaguya noticed his distraction and leaned in slightly. “Kaito, you’ve been awfully quiet. Something on your mind?”

  Kaito snapped out of his thoughts, glancing at her. “No, just… surprised, I guess. Didn’t see this coming.”

  Aoi chuckled softly. “I like keeping people on their toes.”

  “You certainly managed that,” Kaito said, his tone light but his gaze serious.

  Haruto broke the moment with a loud sigh. “Man, it’s only the first day back, and it already feels like we’re being thrown into something big.”

  “Maybe because we are,” Akari said, her eyes glinting with amusement.

  The group continued chatting, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Aoi’s presence felt natural, even as it stirred unspoken feelings within the group.

  After lunch, they returned to class, but the day dragged on for Kaito. When the final bell rang, he was the first to pack up his things, eager to escape the lingering questions in his mind.

  As he stepped out of the classroom, Aoi caught up to him.

  “Kaito,” she called, her voice soft yet firm.

  He turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “What’s up?”

  Aoi hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I know this was sudden, but I hope it’s not too… uncomfortable for you. I didn’t mean to surprise you like this.”

  Kaito shook his head. “It’s not that. I’m just… processing, I guess. It’s not every day someone you know suddenly shows up in your school.”

  Aoi smiled, her eyes meeting his. “I get it. But I’m glad to be here. It feels… right, somehow.”

  Kaito didn’t respond immediately, his thoughts too tangled to untangle in the moment. Finally, he nodded. “Yeah, it’s good to have you here.”

  Their conversation was cut short as Haruto called out from behind them. “Hey, you two coming or what?”

  Kaito and Aoi exchanged a glance before joining the rest of the group, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering in the air.

  As they walked home together, Kaito couldn’t shake the feeling that Aoi’s presence marked the start of something significant—something that would change his life in ways he couldn’t yet understand.

  The following day, the buzz about the new transfer student, Aoi, had already spread across the school. Kaito found himself the center of quiet murmurs and curious glances from classmates.

  “Hey, Kaito, you seem pretty close with the new girl,” one of his classmates remarked during a break.

  Haruto, who was lounging on his desk, smirked. “Oh, they’re seem very close. Childhood friends, right?”

  Kaito shot him a look. “We’re not childhood friends.”

  “Really? Then what are you?” another classmate asked, leaning in.

  Before Kaito could answer, Aoi walked in, her usual composed expression tinged with curiosity as she noticed the gathering around him. “What’s going on here?”

  The group dispersed awkwardly as Aoi approached. Haruto laughed. “Nothing, just Kaito getting grilled about you.”

  “Oh?” Aoi raised an eyebrow and looked at Kaito. “Am I causing trouble already?”

  Kaito sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s fine. They’re just being nosy.”

  Aoi smiled, her presence diffusing the tension. “Well, I’ll try not to make your life too complicated, Kaito.”

  Haruto chuckled. “Too late for that!”

  Later in the day, during gym class, the boys and girls were separated for activities. Kaito was partnered with Haruto for basketball drills.

  “So,” Haruto began, dribbling the ball, “what’s it like having Aoi here now?”

  Kaito caught the ball Haruto passed to him. “What do you mean?”

  Haruto smirked. “You know what I mean. It’s obvious she likes you.”

  Kaito froze for a moment before taking a shot. The ball swished through the hoop. “She’s just being friendly.”

  “Friendly, huh?” Haruto’s tone was laced with skepticism.

  Kaito didn’t respond, focusing instead on the next pass.

  Meanwhile, in the girls’ changing room after gym, Aoi was sitting with Akari and Kaguya.

  “So, how’s the adjustment going?” Akari asked, tying her hair back.

  “It’s been smooth so far,” Aoi replied, her voice steady. “Though I didn’t expect so much attention.”

  Kaguya smirked. “What did you expect, transferring here in the middle of the year? And being close to Kaito doesn’t exactly keep you under the radar.”

  Aoi chuckled. “I suppose not.”

  Akari’s expression softened as she glanced at Aoi. “It must be nice, though, having people you already know here.”

  Aoi met Akari’s gaze, sensing the subtle tension in her words. “It is. But I hope we can all get along, too.”

  Kaguya leaned back, her smirk fading into a thoughtful look. “You’re pretty confident, aren’t you?”

  Aoi’s smile didn’t waver. “I try to be.”

  After school, the group gathered at their usual spot near the park. The mood was light as they shared snacks and talked about upcoming school events.

  “So, there’s a festival coming up,” Haruto said, holding up a flyer. “We should all go together.”

  “That sounds fun,” Aoi said, her enthusiasm genuine.

  Kaguya and Akari exchanged glances, their competitive spirits subtly flaring.

  “Maybe we should pair up,” Akari suggested with a sly smile.

  Haruto raised an eyebrow. “Pair up? Isn’t it more fun as a group?”

  Kaguya crossed her arms. “Depends on the activity.”

  Kaito, sensing the brewing tension, quickly changed the subject. “Let’s decide later. We’ve got plenty of time to plan.”

  Aoi laughed softly. “Always the peacemaker, huh?”

  Kaito shrugged. “Someone has to be.”

  As the sun began to set, the group dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts. For Kaito, the day had been a whirlwind of emotions, and he couldn’t help but feel that his life was becoming increasingly complicated.

  The next morning, the classroom was abuzz with activity as students prepared for the upcoming cultural festival. Teachers had assigned themes to each class, and Kaito’s class was tasked with organizing a café.

  “Cliché, but popular,” Haruto said, leaning on Kaito’s desk.

  “Cliché or not, it’s going to be a lot of work,” Kaito replied, already feeling the weight of the task.

  “I can handle decorations,” Akari said confidently, approaching with a notebook. “I’ve got some great ideas.”

  “Costumes are important too,” Kaguya added, her competitive tone making it clear she intended to be involved.

  “Why don’t we all pitch in?” Aoi suggested, her calm demeanor diffusing the brewing rivalry between the girls.

  Kaito sighed, knowing the festival preparations would likely be another battleground for their attention.

  During lunch, the group gathered to discuss their plans.

  “Let’s split into teams,” Haruto suggested. “One for decorations, one for costumes, and another for setup.”

  “That works,” Akari agreed. “I’ll handle decorations.”

  “I’ll join the costume team,” Kaguya said, her eyes briefly flickering toward Kaito.

  “And I’ll help with the setup,” Aoi added.

  Haruto smirked. “Guess that leaves Kaito with… all three?”

  Everyone laughed, though Kaito could tell the girls were subtly competing to involve him in their tasks.

  After school, Kaito was walking home when Aoi caught up with him.

  “Kaito,” she called, her voice soft but steady.

  He turned, surprised to see her. “Aoi? What’s up?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She hesitated for a moment before smiling. “I just wanted to thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being patient with everything. It must be overwhelming sometimes.”

  Kaito chuckled, scratching the back of his head. “You’re not wrong. But it’s not all bad.”

  They walked in silence for a while, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

  “You know,” Aoi began, “this cultural festival… it’s the first one I’ve been a part of in a long time. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

  Kaito glanced at her, noticing the faint vulnerability in her expression. “We’ll make it a good one.”

  Meanwhile, Kaguya and Akari were walking together, though the mood between them was tense.

  “You’re awfully calm about this,” Kaguya said, her tone sharp.

  Akari glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean. Aoi.”

  Akari shrugged, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We all knew it wouldn’t be easy. But giving up isn’t my style.”

  “Neither is mine,” Kaguya replied, her voice resolute.

  The two girls exchanged a look, their silent agreement both comforting and competitive.

  Later that evening, Kaito found himself on the balcony again, his violin in hand. The soothing notes of a familiar melody filled the air as he played, the music helping him sort through his thoughts.

  Aoi’s words from earlier echoed in his mind. He thought about the festival, the girls’ confessions, and the shifting dynamics in their group.

  “Why is everything so complicated now?” he muttered to himself.

  The sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts. Turning, he saw Haruto stepping onto the balcony.

  “Thought I’d find you here,” Haruto said, leaning against the railing.

  “Needed some air,” Kaito replied, setting the violin down.

  Haruto nodded, his usual teasing demeanor replaced with something more serious. “You’ve got a lot on your plate, don’t you?”

  Kaito sighed. “You have no idea.”

  “Actually, I do,” Haruto said, surprising him. “But hey, you’ve always been the guy who can handle anything. You’ll figure it out.”

  Kaito gave a small smile. “Thanks, Haruto.”

  As the two friends stood in comfortable silence, the night sky stretched endlessly above them, a quiet reminder that some answers would only come with time.

  The first day of cultural festival preparations kicked off with an air of excitement and chaos. Kaito’s class was abuzz with activity as students divided into their respective teams.

  “Alright, everyone!” Yukina, their class representative, clapped her hands to get their attention. “We’ve got three days to make this café a success. Let’s do our best!”

  Kaito sighed inwardly as he looked around. Haruto was enthusiastically organizing the seating layout with a group, while Kaguya and Akari were already sketching costume ideas. Aoi, ever calm, was quietly taking notes on the supply list.

  “You’re on the setup team, right?” Aoi asked, walking up to Kaito with her notebook.

  “Yeah, though it looks like Haruto’s already taken over,” he replied, gesturing toward his friend, who was dramatically arguing about table placements.

  Aoi smiled softly. “Then maybe you can help me check the supply room? We need to make sure we have everything we need.”

  Kaito nodded, grateful for a break from the commotion.

  In the supply room, the two of them began sorting through boxes of decorations, utensils, and other materials.

  “Found anything useful?” Aoi asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Mostly old stuff from last year,” Kaito replied, holding up a box of faded banners. “We’ll probably need to make new ones.”

  Aoi chuckled. “Figures. This school really loves to recycle everything.”

  As they worked, their hands brushed against each other while reaching for the same box. They both froze for a moment, the air between them growing still.

  “Sorry,” Kaito muttered, pulling his hand back.

  “It’s okay,” Aoi said quickly, her cheeks tinged with pink.

  The moment passed, but the warmth lingered, leaving them both slightly flustered.

  Back in the classroom, Kaguya was directing a group of students on how to decorate the walls.

  “Use more of the gold streamers on this side,” she instructed, standing on a chair to hang a banner herself.

  “Careful, Kaguya,” Haruto teased. “Don’t fall and make Kaito worry.”

  Kaguya shot him a glare but lost her balance slightly, causing Akari to step in and steady the chair.

  “Maybe you should listen to him for once,” Akari said with a smirk.

  “Thanks, but I’m fine,” Kaguya replied, regaining her composure.

  Despite her words, her eyes drifted toward the supply room door where Kaito and Aoi had disappeared.

  By the time Kaito and Aoi returned with the supplies, the classroom had started to look like an actual café.

  “Wow, you guys didn’t waste any time,” Kaito said, setting the boxes down.

  “We’re efficient,” Kaguya replied, stepping down from the chair. Her gaze flickered between Kaito and Aoi, but she said nothing.

  “Do you think the decorations are too much?” Akari asked, turning to Kaito with a hint of uncertainty.

  Kaito looked around, taking in the gold and pastel colors that adorned the walls. “No, it looks great. You guys did an awesome job.”

  Akari beamed at the compliment, while Kaguya crossed her arms, her expression softening.

  As the day progressed, the class continued their preparations, laughter and lighthearted banter filling the room. Kaito found himself moving between tasks, helping wherever he was needed.

  At one point, Haruto pulled him aside. “So, how’s it going with the ladies?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows.

  Kaito groaned. “Not you too, Haruto.”

  “Hey, I’m just saying—three beautiful girls clearly into you, and you’re still acting clueless.”

  “I’m not clueless,” Kaito muttered, glancing toward Aoi, who was discussing the menu with some classmates.

  Haruto followed his gaze and smirked. “Ah, so that’s how it is.”

  “Can you just focus on the festival?” Kaito snapped, though his tone lacked any real bite.

  As the day came to an end, Yukina gathered everyone for a quick meeting.

  “Great work today, everyone. We’ve made good progress, but there’s still a lot to do. Let’s keep it up tomorrow!”

  The class dispersed, tired but satisfied with their efforts.

  Kaito lingered behind, helping Aoi clean up some leftover materials.

  “Thanks for today,” Aoi said as they worked.

  “Same to you,” Kaito replied. “You’re pretty good at organizing.”

  Aoi smiled. “I just like helping where I can.”

  Their eyes met briefly, and Kaito felt a strange sense of calm.

  Outside the classroom, Kaguya and Akari watched them from a distance.

  “They really do look good together, don’t they?” Akari said, her tone light but her eyes betraying a hint of sadness.

  Kaguya crossed her arms. “That doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”

  “Neither am I,” Akari replied with a small smile.

  The two girls exchanged a glance, their silent agreement reaffirmed.

  As they walked away, the moonlight streaming through the windows cast long shadows on the hallway floor, hinting at the complicated emotions swirling within their hearts.

  The bustling energy of the day had settled into a quiet evening. The stars glimmered faintly in the sky, casting a serene glow over Takayama. Kaito sat at his desk, his room dimly lit by a small lamp. He was supposed to be working on a sketch for one of the café posters, but his pencil hovered aimlessly over the paper. His thoughts were elsewhere.

  The confessions from Kaguya and Akari still lingered in his mind, mingling with the slow, growing bond he felt with Aoi.

  “Why is everything so complicated now?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

  A soft knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.

  “Kaito, big-bro? Can I come in?” It was Kaori.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  Kaori stepped in, holding two cups of tea. She handed one to Kaito and sat on the edge of his bed.

  “Rough day?” she asked, taking a sip.

  “You could say that,” Kaito replied, leaning back in his chair.

  Kaori studied him for a moment. “You’re thinking about them, aren’t you? Kaguya, Akari, and Aoi.”

  Kaito’s eyes widened slightly. “How do you always know?”

  Kaori smiled knowingly. “You’re my brother. I’ve seen that look on your face a million times.”

  Kaito sighed. “It’s just... I don’t know how to handle all of this. Kaguya and Akari confessed, and Aoi... I don’t even know where we stand. It’s like everything’s happening at once.”

  Kaori set her cup down on the bedside table. “It’s not easy, is it? But you don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just take it one step at a time.”

  “Easier said than done,” Kaito muttered.

  Kaori chuckled. “True. But, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing okay. You’re not the kind of person to hurt anyone on purpose.”

  Kaito looked at her, his expression softening. “Thanks, Kaori. I needed that.”

  Kaori stood up and stretched. “Alright, I’ll leave you to your sketching. Don’t stay up too late.”

  As she left, Kaito felt a small weight lift from his chest.

  The next day, the preparations for the cultural festival continued.

  Kaito arrived early, hoping to avoid any awkward encounters, but to his surprise, Aoi was already there, arranging some decorations on the walls.

  “You’re here early,” Kaito said, walking over.

  Aoi turned and smiled. “I could say the same about you.”

  They worked side by side in comfortable silence for a while.

  “Hey, Kaito,” Aoi said suddenly.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’ve been meaning to thank you,” she said, her voice soft. “For always being so kind to me. Coming here as a transfer student wasn’t easy, but you made it better.”

  Kaito looked at her, caught off guard by her sincerity. “You don’t have to thank me for that. I’m just glad you’re here.”

  Aoi’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t look away. “Still, I wanted you to know.”

  Their moment was interrupted by the arrival of the others, their chatter filling the room.

  As the day went on, Kaito found himself drawn into the preparations, but his mind kept drifting back to his earlier conversation with Aoi. Her words had stirred something in him, something he couldn’t quite put into words.

  Haruto noticed his distracted state and nudged him during a break.

  “Hey, earth to Kaito. You okay?”

  “Yeah, just... thinking,” Kaito replied.

  “Let me guess—girl trouble?” Haruto teased.

  Kaito groaned. “Do you have to make everything sound so dramatic?”

  Haruto laughed. “Come on, man. It’s obvious. You’ve got three girls vying for your attention. Most guys would kill to be in your position.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s not as fun as it sounds,” Kaito muttered.

  Haruto clapped him on the back. “You’ll figure it out. Just don’t overthink it too much.”

  That evening, Kaito found himself once again on the balcony, gazing up at the stars. The cool night air helped clear his head, but the questions in his heart remained.

  As he stood there, he couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for him and the people around him.

  For now, all he could do was take things one day at a time.

  The next morning, the school was abuzz with excitement. The cultural festival was drawing near, and every class was scrambling to complete their projects.

  Kaito arrived at school, still lost in his thoughts from the night before, but he was quickly snapped out of it by the sight of Akari standing at the school gate, waving energetically.

  “Kaito! Over here!” she called.

  He walked over, raising an eyebrow. “What’s up, Akari?”

  “Nothing much, just thought I’d walk in with you,” she said with a bright smile.

  Kaito smiled awkwardly, feeling the stares of other students as they entered the school together. Akari, as usual, seemed completely unfazed by the attention.

  During their first break, Kaguya approached Kaito at his desk, holding a small box.

  “Kaito, I made this for you,” she said, placing it in front of him.

  “What is it?” Kaito asked, opening the box to reveal neatly arranged homemade cookies.

  “I tried a new recipe,” Kaguya explained, fidgeting slightly. “I thought you might like them.”

  Haruto, sitting nearby, snickered. “Wow, Kaito. First Akari walks you to school, now Kaguya’s giving you snacks? Living the dream, huh?”

  Kaito glared at Haruto while muttering, “Thanks, Kaguya. I’ll try them later.”

  Kaguya’s face lit up. “Let me know what you think!”

  As lunchtime rolled around, Aoi invited Kaito to eat with her in the courtyard. The two of them sat under the shade of a large tree, sharing a quiet moment away from the hustle of the festival preparations.

  “Kaito, you’ve been really busy lately,” Aoi said, unwrapping her bento.

  “Yeah, it’s been a lot,” he admitted.

  Aoi hesitated before asking, “Is everything okay? You seem... distracted.”

  Kaito sighed, realizing he couldn’t hide his feelings from her. “It’s just... a lot of things are happening all at once. But I’ll be fine.”

  Aoi gave him a gentle smile. “If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

  Her sincerity made Kaito’s chest tighten, and for a moment, he forgot about all the complications in his life.

  The day continued with more festival prep, and by the end of the school day, everyone was exhausted. As Kaito was packing up to leave, Akari appeared at his side.

  “Kaito, walk home with me?” she asked casually.

  Before he could respond, Kaguya joined them. “Actually, I was going to ask Kaito to walk with me.”

  Kaito blinked, caught between the two of them. Before he could say anything, Aoi approached as well.

  “Kaito, I thought we could go over some ideas for the festival,” she said, unaware of the brewing tension.

  Haruto, watching from a distance, burst out laughing. “Kaito, you’re in trouble now.”

  Kaito groaned inwardly, feeling the weight of their gazes on him. “Uh, how about we all walk together?”

  The girls exchanged glances but reluctantly agreed.

  As they walked home, the atmosphere was a mix of awkwardness and light banter. Akari and Kaguya occasionally threw subtle jabs at each other, while Aoi tried her best to keep the conversation neutral.

  Kaito, meanwhile, felt like he was walking on a tightrope.

  When they reached a crossroad where they had to part ways, Kaguya and Akari lingered for a moment before saying goodbye.

  As Kaito and Aoi continued on alone, she looked at him and said softly, “You’re really popular, aren’t you?”

  Kaito laughed nervously. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

  Aoi smiled, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes—something Kaito couldn’t quite place.

  As they reached her house, she turned to him and said, “Thanks for walking with me, Kaito. See you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, see you,” Kaito replied, watching as she disappeared inside.

  That night, Kaito lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the events of the day, the moments with Aoi, the tension between Akari and Kaguya, and the lingering feelings he couldn’t shake.

  With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes, wondering how long he could keep balancing everything without breaking.

  The next day brought the same chaotic energy to the school as the cultural festival approached. Students bustled around with decorations, costumes, and props, trying to perfect their contributions. Kaito was in charge of helping with the setup for their class’s café theme, but his mind wasn’t fully focused.

  “Kaito, could you hand me that string of lights?” Haruto called from a ladder.

  Kaito snapped out of his thoughts and tossed the lights to Haruto. “Here you go.”

  Haruto smirked, noticing Kaito’s distracted expression. “Still thinking about yesterday, huh? You’ve got quite the fan club, buddy.”

  “Don’t start,” Kaito muttered, shaking his head.

  While working on the decorations, Kaguya approached with a box of supplies. She glanced at Kaito and hesitated before speaking.

  “Kaito, do you have a moment?”

  He nodded, setting down the props he was holding. “What’s up?”

  She looked away, a slight blush on her cheeks. “I was thinking... about yesterday. I wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”

  Kaito blinked, surprised by her sudden change in tone. “Kaguya, you don’t have to apologize. It’s... complicated, but I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “I know,” she said softly, meeting his eyes. “But I just wanted to say that I meant what I said. I’ll keep trying, even if it takes a long time.”

  Kaito opened his mouth to respond, but Kaguya gave him a small, determined smile and walked away before he could say anything.

  Later, during lunch, Kaito found himself sitting with Aoi in the courtyard again. She had been quieter than usual, and Kaito couldn’t help but feel like something was on her mind.

  “Aoi, are you okay?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  She looked up, startled. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  She hesitated before answering. “About us. About how much has changed since I transferred here.”

  Kaito frowned slightly. “Do you regret it?”

  She shook her head quickly. “No, not at all. I’m happy to be here. It’s just... sometimes I wonder if things will ever feel normal again.”

  Kaito tilted his head, trying to understand. “What do you mean?”

  Aoi smiled faintly. “It’s hard to explain. But being here with you, with everyone... it feels like a new chapter of my life. And I just want to make sure I don’t mess it up.”

  Kaito reached out and gently patted her head, catching her off guard. “You’re doing fine, Aoi. Don’t overthink it.”

  She blinked at him, her cheeks turning pink. “Thanks, Kaito.”

  The afternoon passed quickly, and soon it was time to clean up. Akari joined Kaito as he carried a stack of chairs back to the storage room.

  “Kaito, you’ve been spending a lot of time with Aoi lately,” she said, her tone teasing but with a hint of curiosity.

  “We’re just friends,” Kaito replied, not looking at her.

  Akari smirked. “You sure about that? You two seem pretty close.”

  Kaito sighed. “Akari, don’t start.”

  She laughed, shrugging. “Alright, alright. But you know, I’m still in the race, too.”

  Kaito stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her. “Akari—”

  “I’m just saying,” she interrupted, her voice light but her eyes serious. “I’m not giving up either. So don’t forget about me, okay?”

  Before he could respond, she walked ahead, leaving him standing there with a mix of emotions swirling in his chest.

  That evening, Kaito sat on the rooftop of his house, looking up at the stars. The cool breeze brushed against his face as he tried to sort through his thoughts.

  His phone buzzed, and he saw a message from Haruto: “Big day tomorrow. Don’t forget to bring your A-game, Lover Boy.”

  Kaito groaned, tossing his phone aside.

  As he stared at the night sky, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get more complicated from here on out.

  The days leading up to the cultural festival passed quickly, with the school buzzing with excitement. The students were busy preparing their booths, finalizing performances, and finishing the last touches on decorations.

  But Kaito couldn’t shake off the constant swirl of emotions from the past few days—especially with Aoi, Kaguya, and Akari all seeming to get closer to him in different ways.

  As he helped Haruto set up the class booth on the morning of the festival, he couldn’t help but glance around, noticing the way everyone seemed to gravitate toward him.

  Aoi was talking with Yukina by the entrance, Akari was laughing with some of the other students, and Kaguya was setting up decorations with a smile that looked both genuine and distant.

  “Kaito,” Haruto said, nudging him, “what’s going on? You’ve been acting like a zombie all day.”

  Kaito shook his head. “I’m fine.”

  “Don’t lie, man. You’ve got that look—the ‘I’m-about-to-crack’ look,” Haruto teased. “So, who is it? Aoi, Kaguya, or Akari?”

  “Haruto,” Kaito groaned, “I’m not—”

  “Admit it, you’re in over your head, huh? You’ve got a serious harem going on. This is your chance, man. Don’t screw it up,” Haruto continued, grinning.

  “Why do you always make everything so complicated?” Kaito muttered, rubbing his temples.

  Haruto slapped him on the back. “Complicated? Nah, you’re just a clueless idiot. Just figure out who you like and go with it.”

  Before Kaito could respond, he heard his name being called. Aoi was walking toward him, her smile gentle and inviting.

  “Kaito,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his. “I was thinking about what you said the other day. About not overthinking things.”

  He smiled back, though it was strained. “Yeah, don’t overthink it, Aoi. We’re fine, really.”

  She nodded, but there was something behind her eyes that he couldn’t quite read. Aoi turned to leave, but not before giving him one last look, as though she was trying to tell him something.

  Kaito watched her go, his heart feeling heavier than before.

  Later that evening, after the festival had wrapped up and the students began to head home, Kaito found himself walking alone through the now quiet halls. The event had gone off without a hitch, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

  As he passed by the rooftop entrance, he paused. He could hear a faint sound of violin music drifting from above.

  Kaito made his way up the stairs and stepped out onto the rooftop, where he found Kaguya sitting with her violin case beside her, her bow lightly gliding over the strings. She looked up as he approached, surprised but not quite startled.

  “You’re here,” she said softly. “I thought you might be busy.”

  “I was,” Kaito replied, his voice low. “I just needed to get away for a bit. It’s been... a lot lately.”

  Kaguya smiled, her fingers pausing on the strings. “I understand. You’ve been caught up in all the excitement.” She looked at him carefully, then added, “And the confusion, too, I assume?”

  Kaito sighed. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, Kaguya. It’s like everything’s changing so fast. I don’t even know if I’m ready for it.”

  She put down her violin and stood up, walking toward him. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now, Kaito. Sometimes, things just happen, and we have to learn to let them unfold.”

  Kaito turned to face her. “But what if I mess things up? What if I hurt someone?”

  Kaguya placed a hand gently on his shoulder, her expression sincere. “You’re not perfect, Kaito. None of us are. But what matters is how we try, how we make the choice to move forward, even if it’s hard.”

  He met her gaze, unsure of what to say. The weight of her words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, there was an unspoken understanding.

  As Kaito opened his mouth to respond, he felt a hand on his back—Aoi had silently joined them, standing a few steps away. She gave Kaguya a small, understanding smile. “I think what Kaguya’s trying to say is that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. We’re all in this together, right?”

  Kaito nodded, but a sense of unease still lingered. He looked at both of them, his heart conflicted between his growing feelings for Aoi and the bond he shared with Kaguya.

  After a long silence, Aoi added, “Kaito, whatever happens, don’t forget that we’re your friends. And we’ll be here for you.”

  Kaguya’s gaze softened, and she nodded in agreement.

  “Yeah,” Kaito murmured. “I won’t forget.”

  As the night stretched on, Kaito couldn’t help but wonder how his relationships with Aoi and Kaguya and Akari would unfold. Would he be able to sort through his feelings? And, more importantly, would he ever find the courage to choose?

  For now, all he could do was let time pass and let his heart guide him.