Kai stared at Saito, still clutching his handkerchief like it was a life vest.
Saito tilted her head slightly, her long black hair swaying.
"You seem funny, Takeda," she said, smiling.
Funny?
Was that good? Bad?
Kai's brain went into full panic mode.
Before he could even stammer out a response, Saito turned casually and started walking down the hallway.
"Come on," she said over her shoulder. "Walk with me."
For a second, Kai couldn't move. His legs felt like they had turned to stone.
But somehow, he forced himself forward, following her through the crowded hallway.
The other students stared — some whispering, some outright gaping.
Why is Saito Hoshina walking with him?
Kai could barely hear anything over the pounding of his heart.
They walked side by side — close enough for him to catch the soft scent of her shampoo — until they reached the vending machines near the entrance.
Saito stopped and glanced at him.
"Buy me a drink?" she said, smiling again — like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kai fumbled for his wallet, nearly dropping it.
"Y-Yeah, sure! Anything you want!"
Saito laughed, covering her mouth politely.
Kai managed to buy her a bottled iced tea, still shaking a little.
As he handed it over, their fingers brushed — just for a second.
A tiny spark ran up his arm.
Saito accepted the drink with a small nod.
"Thanks, Takeda."
Kai was about to say something — anything — when he noticed something strange.
A group of second-years nearby were watching them.
Their expressions weren't surprised.
They were... tense.
Uncomfortable.
Like they knew something he didn't.
Kai shifted awkwardly, but Saito seemed not to notice.
She took a slow sip of her tea, then looked at him with those strange, violet eyes.
"Let's talk again soon, okay?"
And just like that, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Leaving Kai standing there, frozen.
Holding nothing but his empty wallet...
and a feeling deep in his gut that something wasn't normal about this at all.