(Date: Late December, the last week before the winter semester break - Location: School Library, Science Club Room)
A week had passed since Mr. Satoru assigned the science project. The atmosphere in Class 2-A had become slightly more animated as each pair of students began to group up, discuss, and plan their work more seriously before the long New Year's break.
Snow continued to fall intermittently outside the windows of the quiet, hushed library. I discreetly glanced at Lumine Komori, who was frowning slightly as she read a thick physics textbook she had borrowed from her father's library. The soft light from the desk lamp highlighted her well-defined features and those dark brown eyes that looked so mysterious. Deep down, I admitted that she was a very interesting person, both for her precocious intelligence and her unique reservedness. But I still chose to hide those feelings beneath my usual indifferent demeanor.
"This part… Schrödinger's equation used to describe the wave function, isn't it a bit too complicated if we're going to explain it to others in class?" I spoke up softly, breaking the silence between us. My voice remained flat, but it carried a concern for the details of the work we were doing together.
Lumine looked up and met my eyes for a moment. Her heart skipped a beat every time our gazes met unintentionally. She, too, felt that I was someone unique. My stoicism seemed intriguing, and sometimes, my world-weary eyes would flash with unexpected brilliance. But she didn't dare express any feelings, afraid of being seen as weak or foolish.
"We might need to find a way to make an easier analogy or use animation to help," she replied in a steady voice, trying to control the slight nervousness from seeping out. "I'll try to do some more research during the New Year holidays."
"If there's anything I can help with, just let me know," I replied. "I should have some free time then too."
Lumine nodded slightly. "Thanks, Tsukino-kun."
Meanwhile, in the Science Club room, far removed from any semblance of tranquility, Zeno and Takumi were engaged in a lively debate (or at least Zeno was being lively on his own).
"Takumi! I've figured it out! We'll build a 'miniature matter transporter' using the principles of quantum teleportation! We'll teleport your eraser to the disciplinary office!" Zeno gestured enthusiastically, his hands pointing towards a pile of scrap metal and tangled wires.
Takumi, who was sketching an abstract representation of an atom's structure in his sketchbook, spoke without looking up. "I think you should start by teleporting your overdue homework onto the teacher's desk, Zeno, before you get teleported to repeat a grade. Or get sucked into the fourth dimension along with your pile of e-waste." Though he spoke bluntly with a deadpan expression, an almost invisible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
In another corner of the library, Mikase Ozuki was trying her best to explain the principles of "higher dimensions" and "string theory" to Ken Arisawa, which seemed to be a task even more difficult than shooting a basketball into the hoop from mid-court.
"Ken-kun, try to imagine this: if we were two-dimensional beings living on a sheet of paper, we wouldn't be able to see the height of a three-dimensional basketball placed on that paper... It's similar to the higher dimensions that we can't see."
Ken scratched his head, looking at the equations Mikase had written all over the page. "And what does this have to do with our project, Mikase? I just want to get it over with so I can go practice basketball." Even though he grumbled, he continued to sit and listen (even if he didn't understand), because he didn't want to disappoint his earnest teammate, Mikase.
As for Iris Mikazuki and Sakurai Ren, the atmosphere seemed a bit more tense than with the other pairs. They were working at another table in the library. Ren was showing his laptop screen, filled with colorful anime characters, alternating with complex-looking program windows.
"Uh... Mikazuki-san, I think we can compare the branching of parallel universes to the different 'routes' in a visual novel game I like to play. You see... the protagonist in the game can choose different paths, which lead to different endings. It's like how every decision at the quantum level creates a new world..." Ren explained, his voice slightly faltering. His eyes sparkled when he talked about what he liked, but he looked flustered when he had to make eye contact with Iris.
Iris frowned noticeably, her sharp features looking even colder than before. "Sakurai-san," she said in a flat but displeased tone, "our project is about 'Quantum Theory and Parallel Worlds,' not an analysis of a video game's plot. What we need to present are tangible scientific principles, not fanciful imaginations from a two-dimensional world."
Ren's face fell slightly. "But... but I thought it was an easy way to understand... for people unfamiliar with physics..."
"In that case, you should find a more 'scientific' way to explain it, not try to force your personal preferences into a group project we are jointly responsible for," Iris cut him off sharply. Her misty gray eyes assessed Ren. "I expect more professionalism, Sakurai-san. As a student of Class A and my project partner."
Ren hung his head, not daring to meet Iris's eyes again. The atmosphere between them seemed to have entered a state colder than the weather outside. Himari, sitting at a nearby table, discreetly glanced at her best friend and her partner with concern, but didn't dare to intervene.
A cold wind blew in through a window that wasn't tightly closed, bringing a chill, much like the hidden feelings in someone's heart, still waiting for a warmer season to reveal themselves.
(Date: Early January, after the semester reopens - Location: School, Leo's house)
After the long New Year holiday ended, I was hit with a bad flu that left me bedridden at home for almost a week. I lay staring at the ceiling, bored, thinking about the pile of unread books, the project that still needed to be done, and... the impassive face of someone at the library.
One day, Ken came to visit with a stack of class notes and some snacks.
"Here, Leo. This is from Komori-san," Ken said, handing me a neatly stapled sheaf of papers. "She said this is a summary of what we discussed before the break, and some additional information she researched. She said she saw you were out sick for several days and was afraid you wouldn't be able to catch up."
I took the papers. A strange feeling, mixed with warmth, coursed through me. I hadn't thought someone like Lumine would care about such things. Her handwriting was neat and easy to read, with small, illustrative diagrams that were much clearer than in the textbook.
"Hmm... It's good," I replied flatly, trying not to let Ken notice the certain feeling that was developing. "Tell her thanks for me." I carefully placed the notes beside my pillow.
When I was able to return to school the following week, I intended to thank Lumine in person. But when we actually met, the many words I had prepared got stuck in my throat.
"Those notes... they were okay. Thanks," was all I managed to say, looking away, not daring to meet her eyes for long.
Lumine, who had been secretly relieved to see me back at school, felt a little disappointed by my cold demeanor, but she hid it beneath an impassive expression.
"Mm. It's nothing," she replied briefly and went back to her own work. In her heart, she couldn't help but think that maybe he didn't feel anything about her small gesture at all.
The silence between two people who both had good feelings for each other, yet chose to express themselves with indifference, was so incredibly awkward.
In the Science Club room, Zeno and Takumi were experimenting with a "Low-Frequency Sound Wave Gun to Stimulate Creativity" (which was actually an old speaker Zeno had modified and attached to a PVC pipe), with Takumi, who was staring out the window, as the target.
"How is it, Takumi! Do you feel the power of imagination gushing from your brain yet!" Zeno shouted, trying to be heard over the strange "wooo-wooo" sounds coming from the speaker.
Takumi turned to look at him with a deadpan expression. "I think I'm hearing cockroaches in the drainpipe discussing the philosophy of life, Zeno. Or maybe the fifth dimension is calling for you to go back and create your masterpieces there."
As for Mikase, she had begun to discover that comparing scientific principles to Ken's favorite sport was surprisingly effective.
"The movement of electrons in an atom is like dribbling a ball past opponents on the court, Ken-kun. It doesn't move in a perfectly straight line, but there's a 'probability' of it being at different points in an 'orbital,' which is like the area you can move in on the court." Ken started nodding in understanding (or at least pretended to). "Oh! Like when we have to guess which way the opponent will pass the ball!"
(Date: Mid-February, around Valentine's Day - Location: School)
Valentine's Day arrived with a sweet atmosphere pervading the school. Many students' desks had chocolates on them. I sat at my usual desk by the window, reading my favorite book, trying to ignore my surroundings. But in my heart, I couldn't help but wonder if anyone would give me chocolate... especially a certain someone.
Then Lumine actually walked up to my desk. In her hand was a small box of chocolates tied with a dark blue ribbon, the same color as her school necktie.
"For... Tsukino-kun," she said briefly, handing me the box. Her face remained impassive, but the tips of her ears were clearly red.
My heart raced. I took the box. "Um…thanks, Komori-san," was all I replied, trying to keep my voice from trembling. But I couldn't help but glance at her red ears and smile secretly to myself. Was this "giri-choco" (obligatory chocolate) or "honmei-choco" (homemade chocolate from the heart)?
Lumine quickly returned to her own desk as soon as I took the gift. She didn't dare look me in the face, afraid I would see the excitement and embarrassment she was trying so hard to hide. She just hoped I would understand the small feeling she had secretly put into that box of chocolates.
All that day, I kept sneaking glances at the chocolate box on my desk. Lumine, too, secretly watched my reaction from the corner of her desk. Both were waiting... but no one dared to initiate any conversation about it.
I saw Himari giving chocolates to many friends in class, including Iris. Iris accepted the chocolate from Himari with a rare, faint smile, before Himari came over to my desk with another piece.
"Tsukino-kun! This is for you. Happy Valentine's Day!" Himari beamed in her usual style.
"Thanks, Kanzaki-san," I accepted politely.
As for Iris and Ren's pair, the cold atmosphere seemed to persist. Ren quietly placed a small box of chocolates on Iris's desk when she wasn't there and then quickly returned to his seat, burying his face in his laptop as usual. When Iris returned and saw it, she merely glanced at it for a moment and continued with her work, showing no particular reaction.
In the evening, when I got home, I slowly and carefully unwrapped the chocolate box from Lumine. Inside were homemade chocolates shaped like various planets, big and small. There was Saturn with its rings, Jupiter with its storm patterns, and a beautiful blue Earth. The taste was rich yet subtly sweet. It was more delicious than I had expected, and it made my heart swell strangely. I ate it slowly, as if wanting to absorb every feeling embedded in it.
After that day, conversations between Lumine and me remained brief and focused on work. But I noticed Lumine looking at me more often (and quickly looking away when I looked back). As for me, I started finding excuses to chat with her about trivial things occasionally (to which Lumine mostly replied with "Mm," or "It's fine," or a slight nod, but I didn't give up).
The project progressed alongside the complex feelings of each pair. Zeno and Takumi were building a "Solar-Powered Mind-Reading Helmet" (which looked like a helmet with toy solar panels and haphazardly attached wires). Takumi suggested, "If it can really read minds, try using it on Mr. Satoru to see what's on the final exam." Zeno's eyes widened. "That's a brilliant idea, Takumi!"
Ken and Mikase, on the other hand, began to work together much better. When Ken proposed the idea of presenting the project with cartoons he was good at to explain black holes and the distortion of spacetime, Mikase surprisingly agreed. "Well... it's a way that might make it easier for people who don't understand this to visualize," Mikase admitted, though she remained strict about the accuracy of the information.
For Iris and Ren, although they still didn't seem to get along very well, Ren started to show his ability in programming simple quantum simulation scenarios, which made Iris begin to see him in a slightly better light. "Your program... isn't as bad as I thought," Iris admitted softly, causing Ren to look up in disbelief before quickly bowing his head and continuing his work, his ears turning red.
(Date: Early March, nearing the project submission deadline - Location: Coffee shop near the school)
As the snow began to melt and the warm sunlight of early spring started to spread, the atmosphere in school seemed a little brighter, as did the invisible relationship between Lumine and me, which was slowly forming, little by little.
One afternoon, while the two of us were working on our group project at the old, familiar coffee shop, Lumine's phone rang. She glanced at the screen for a moment, her expression tensing slightly, before excusing herself to take the call in a corner of the shop. I discreetly watched her, seeing her expression gradually change from impassive to worried. Her lips pressed together tightly. The voice she used with the person on the other end, though soft, sounded trembling and clearly trying to control her emotions.
When she returned to the table, her eyes looked noticeably dimmer. Her eyelids were red, as if she had just been crying. I felt an inexplicable concern rise within me, but I didn't know how to begin asking.
"Is something wrong, Komori-san?" I finally decided to ask, trying to make my voice sound as normal and unintrusive as possible.
Lumine flinched slightly, looking up at me with confused and vulnerable eyes. "No... it's nothing, Tsukino-kun," she answered softly, looking down at her cup of chamomile tea, which had gone cold. "Just... a little something at home. Don't worry about it."
"Just a little something, really?" I pressed, feeling it definitely wasn't just 'a little something.' "If you're not feeling okay... you can vent to me. I might not be able to help much, but I can be a good listener."
Lumine was silent for a moment, looking out the coffee shop window where people were bustling past each other, before letting out a long sigh.
"Sometimes... carrying other people's expectations is heavy, isn't it, Tsukino-kun?" she said absently, as if talking more to herself than to me. "Especially when that person is someone you don't want to disappoint the most."
I listened intently. I could roughly guess that the "important person" she was referring to was likely someone in her family, especially her father, whom she had mentioned was a physicist.
"And... what are those expectations, if you can tell me?"
Lumine looked up at me again. This time, her eyes clearly showed vulnerability and pain. Tears began to well up at the corners of her eyes.
"They... especially Dad... want me to be the best, the best in everything, especially in science... He wants me to follow in his footsteps, to be a famous physicist... like..." She paused for a moment, swallowing with difficulty. "...like my mother, who was a rising star researcher, but she passed away when I was very young."
I was stunned by what I heard. I never knew that behind her intelligence and interest in science lay such a heavy story.
"And you... do you really want to be like that, Komori-san?"
Lumine slowly shook her head, the tears she had tried to hold back starting to stream down her fair cheeks.
"I don't know... I don't even know what I really want to be," she choked back a sob, her voice trembling. "I like science, it's fascinating and amazing, but sometimes I feel like I'm doing it for Dad, for Mom's memory, not for myself... I just... I don't want to disappoint them. But the harder I try, the more I feel like I'm about to break... like I'm not myself anymore."
My heart clenched seeing her tears. I wanted to reach out and hold her hand tightly, to tell her everything would be okay, that she didn't have to carry everything alone. But my stubbornness and inability to express myself held me back. I could only manage to say awkwardly, "Maybe... you don't have to carry everything alone, Komori-san. You still have... you have me here." The last words slipped out before I could stop them.
Lumine quickly wiped her tears away haphazardly, looking at me with eyes that were both surprised and confused.
"I... I need to go to the restroom," and then she abruptly stood up and left, leaving me sitting with a mix of confusion and worry. I felt angry at myself for just sitting there, unable to say or do anything better.
When Lumine returned, she tried to act as if nothing had happened, attempting to get back to the project, but I noticed her hands were still trembling slightly, and her eyes were still red. The atmosphere between us was filled with a heavier silence than usual. I wanted to say something to break the silence, but I didn't know how to start. Lumine, too, probably didn't want to talk about it anymore.
That day, we barely discussed the project further. I just sat there quietly with her, letting her slowly process her feelings.
Before we parted ways to go home, I gathered all the courage I had and decided to say what was on my mind.
"Komori-san... about earlier... If you ever want to vent, or need someone to listen... whenever... I'm here for you," I said softly, looking away, not daring to meet her eyes directly, but wanting her to sense my sincerity.
Lumine stopped short, turning to look at me with eyes that were surprised and appreciative. Tears welled up again, but this time, they seemed to be tears of relief rather than sorrow.
"Thank you... Tsukino-kun," she smiled faintly, a smile that looked sad yet sincere, and it was very beautiful in my eyes. "Thank you, really."
Even though it was just a short exchange and a still somewhat awkward demeanor, for two such reserved people, it was like opening a small door in the walls around their hearts. A faint light began to shine through, and a small hope started to form that maybe... they wouldn't have to be alone anymore.
As winter was about to pass, and the warmth of spring began to slowly creep in, a complex and gentle feeling was quietly blooming in the hearts of Leo Tsukino and Lumine Komori. Even though the path ahead was still full of uncertainty, and misunderstandings could arise from their inability to express themselves, and the shadow in Lumine's heart remained a mystery waiting to be unraveled...