As he cast me a brief glance, his expression unreadable, he simply stood up, stretched slightly, and without a word, turned to leave.
I remained rooted in place, watching as he walked away. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the now-empty classroom, each step pulling him further into the dimly lit hallway. And then—he was gone.
For the first time since entering, I realized how eerily quiet the room had become. I was alone again, but strangely, it didn't feel like before. Something about his presence lingered, a quiet mystery left behind.
"Such a weird guy," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
Just then, a familiar voice called from behind me.
"Who was that?"
I turned to see Nami standing by the doorway, her curious eyes scanning the room.
I sighed and picked up my book. "It was Arin… from our class. That guy is so strange." I pouted, recalling his aloof behavior.
Nami chuckled as we walked out together. "Strange? Not really. He just doesn't talk much, that's all."
I frowned, deep in thought. "That's exactly what I mean. Look at his group—all of them are our friends. But him?" I trailed off, struggling to put my thoughts into words.
Nami suddenly smirked. "Maybe he's gay."
I nearly tripped over my own feet. "Huh!? Seriously!?" I gasped, staring at her with wide eyes.
She burst into laughter. "How would I know? I was just joking!" She shot me a look—the kind you give someone who completely misses the joke.
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Yeah, yeah… I knew that." I huffed, pretending to be unfazed, but my mind still lingered on Arin's odd behavior.
As the evening settled in, I finally reached home, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders.
"Mumma, give me food!" I called out the moment I stepped inside, hastily kicking off my shoes and starting to unbutton my uniform.
From the kitchen, my mom's voice rang out, sharp and reprimanding. "At least put your uniform in its place, Aira!"
I groaned. "Mumma, I'm so tired." Without a second thought, I collapsed onto my bed, spreading my arms and legs like a starfish, sighing dramatically.
A few moments later, my mom appeared at the doorway, a plate in her hand. "Here, eat."
I sat up lazily, peering at the food. My face instantly fell. "Ugh, the same sabzi again? I don't want to eat this." I pouted, making a face like a stubborn child.
She simply shrugged. "Then don't." Her tone was indifferent as if she couldn't care less.
I gasped at her nonchalant response. "You're so mean!" I huffed, but my hunger won over my tantrum, and I quietly pulled the plate towards me, taking the first bite.
As I ate, my fingers absentmindedly reached for my phone. Unlocking the screen, my thoughts suddenly drifted to Rei.
Memories flooded back—the way he used to tease me, annoy me relentlessly, how he'd always find some way to get under my skin. His smirk, his laugh, the mischief in his eyes… It all played in my mind like a scene from a long-lost story.
A strange feeling settled in my chest. Something between nostalgia and something… else.