Monday – 8:51 AM
The school gates loomed ahead like they always did.Except this time, Yuuki wasn't walking in alone.
Arisa walked beside him — her hair tied back, no makeup, hoodie zipped halfway, and no fear in her eyes.
Well… almost no fear.
"Everyone's gonna look," she muttered.
"Let them," Yuuki said.
She shot him a glance. "You're way too confident for someone who used to flinch when people said 'hi'."
"I've evolved."
She rolled her eyes. "Into what? A golden retriever with a savior complex?"
He smirked. "Only for you."
And just like that, they stepped onto campus together.
Every head turned.
Some whispered.Some stared.Some did both.
"Is that really Arisa?""I heard she used to—""But isn't that the guy who—"
Yuuki didn't flinch.
He reached for her hand.
And for the first time on campus, in front of everyone, she didn't let go.
Lunchtime – Courtyard
Hayato sat under the shade of a tree, watching.
He saw the hand-holding.He saw the way she leaned her head on Yuuki's shoulder like it was second nature.He saw the look in her eyes — unbothered, unafraid, unreachable.
His jaw tightened.His fingers dug into the sleeve of his coat.
She didn't even glance in his direction.
She didn't need to.
Because he was no longer part of the story.
Later That Day – Rooftop
Yuuki and Arisa sat on the rooftop, legs swinging over the edge, bento boxes between them.
"I was scared this morning," she admitted. "Walking in with you."
He looked over. "What changed?"
She smiled. Real. Open. Alive.
"You didn't let go."
He nudged her. "I meant what I said. Let them stare."
She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Then let them stare."
And for once, the rooftop wasn't quiet because they were scared of saying the wrong thing.
It was quiet because they had nothing left to hide.