"When everyone plays by the rules, those who understand them best quietly rewrite them."
—Unknown.
~ ~ ~
The morning sun poured softly through the classroom windows, casting a gentle glow across the quiet space. Outside, the campus, as usual, was scattered with students hanging out or minding their own business.
I was standing beside the door, hidden from view, looking at my watch. The details about my physical and mental state were written there. The chatter of my classmates could be heard from inside—it was more lively than usual, since everyone was getting along.
I took a deep breath and stepped in. Some looked at me as I walked inside.
As usual, Reika was already sitting in her seat, reading her book. Her long hair was neatly tied back, making her face visible. Though it was blank as ever, it was still charming.
As I passed by her, I greeted her.
"Good morning. They're noisy, aren't they?" I said, setting my bag on the desk before sitting down.
Reika didn't respond immediately—she kept reading. I was about to look away when she finally spoke.
"What do you plan for this exam?" she asked, her tone flat as usual, her eyes still on the book.
I turned toward her.
"Me? Hmm... I'm just going to study on my own," I said, then looked back out the window.
She didn't respond right away. After a few seconds, she spoke again.
"Wanna form a study group?"
Her tone softened a bit as she turned to me.
Her voice was softer... now I wonder—was she planning something? Or just acting different for a reason I don't know?
I looked back at her.
"Just the two of us?" I asked.
That sounded blunt. But honestly, I didn't know who we were supposed to help. Everyone else seemed to have plans already. Somehow, it felt like the two of us were being left behind.
She looked at her book and closed it with a soft thud.
"Tch. Of course not," she said, her tone sharp with feigned irritation.
"We'll make a plan."
"Okay… what do you plan?" I asked, closing my eyes and resting my jaw on my palm, considering her.
"I—"
Before Reika could speak, a familiar, steady yet firm voice cut in.
"Hey."
Both Reika and I turned to look. It was Tsugumi. Her expression seemed annoyed, her eyebrows tight with tension.
Neither of us spoke.
Tsugumi seemed to sense it and got straight to the point.
"Do you two have a plan for this exam?" she asked, narrowing her eyes between us.
Hmm.
This might be my chance to form a connection with Tsugumi. But for now—it's up to Reika.
I stayed where I was, eyes closed, resting.
Reika saw me doing nothing and understood—it was her turn to answer.
"No, we don't have a plan. Yet," Reika replied plainly.
Tsugumi's expression softened. She leaned down, resting her hands on Reika's desk.
Reika didn't flinch as Tsugumi spoke.
"Wanna form a study group?" she suggested.
Reika glanced at me, then back to Tsugumi.
Say yes, Reika. You should say YES.
"Sure," Reika hummed.
A moment of silence lingered over the three of us.
Then, Tsugumi composed herself—straightening her posture and placing her hands on her hips.
"So, how about we start off at the café?" she asked, her tone softer, more inviting.
Café?
She's inviting us to a café… But the school hasn't distributed credits yet.
The first credit payout for the month only comes after this exam, right?
Maybe… she works there.
I didn't move. And once again, Reika glanced at me.
Is it okay with him?—I could tell that's what she was thinking.
Reika then looked back to Tsugumi.
"Ask him," she said plainly.
Tsugumi turned to me with a slight tilt of her head, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"Your friend seems quiet," she said to Reika.
Reika looked between us silently.
Right.
That's how they see me. Quiet. Unoffering.
Tsugumi then gently patted my shoulder.
"Is it okay with you?" she asked—her tone steadier now.
I finally opened my eyes and gave a small nod.
"Yeah," I murmured.
Tsugumi clapped her hands together, a bright grin forming on her face—like she'd just scored a win.
"So, it's set."
~ ~ ~
Few Minutes Later...
~ ~ ~
The café was lively.
The morning sun poured in dimly through its large windows, casting a mellow light across the space. It felt more dramatic here—quieter, softer than the school. The cushions and desks were sleek, smooth, almost luxurious.
The school really put effort into funding its environment. That much was clear.
The three of us satted around a corner booth, notebooks spread open on the table alongside our coffees. Reika was teaching Tsugumi. Tsugumi, in turn, was diligently jotting down everything Reika said.
For the first time, Reika's expression looked soft. She smiled—she even giggled—as I watched them from across the table.
Tsugumi nodded along, eyes focused, completely absorbed in the lesson.
The loner… seems like she just found her first friend.
I wonder if she ever considered me one.
~ ~ ~
2 Hours Later
~ ~ ~
The morning sun grew heavier through the café, the window blind of window beside us was closed now, making our spot more dimmer.
I was resting, as usual—jaw on my palm, eyes closed in quiet meditation.
It was more peaceful here.
Just their soft chatter in the background…
Meditating in this kind of environment actually worked.
They kept talking, calmly discussing the lesson—until eventually…
Tsugumi stood up with a small smile.
"Thanks," she said softly, glancing at both of us.
Reika returned a faint smile.
"Yeah. I'll be going now."
She looked toward me and then Tsugumi.
"What about you, Hoshi?" she asked, pausing mid-pack.
"I'll be going after you both," I said as I opened my eyes.
Tsugumi straightened her posture and turned to Reika.
"As a thank you to both of you, I'll give you 5,000 Credits," she said with a small smile.
I didn't say anything—just quietly watched.
"That's too much. It's fine, the coffee is enough," Reika replied, her voice steadier now.
You shouldn't have declined.
I'm curious what Credits can really do.
"It's okay. I have plenty of Credits anyway. I work at the Sports Club… they'll be opening soon, by April 20th. If you know anyone interested, invite them to join."
She paused, then added, "Give me your phones."
Sports Club...
I'm actually looking forward to joining—if it means forming a connection with her.
Reika glanced at me, then back at Tsugumi.
"Okay," she said, pulling her phone from her pocket and handing it over.
"That's it," Tsugumi confirmed.
"Thanks," Reika replied, then looked toward me.
"And you, quiet boy?" Tsugumi said with a teasing smirk, her brow raised.
Quiet boy...
A little much, considering we just met.
"Yeah," I muttered, standing up beside her. I reached into my pocket and handed over my phone.
Tsugumi followed my movement with a slight awkwardness, then took the phone from my hand.
I watched her closely as she handled it.
She connected our phones via Bluetooth—and when she pulled down her notification tab, I caught a glimpse of her phone number and email.
I saved it in my mind.
There's no way I'd forget.
Maybe someday, I'll use it to contact her—if necessary…
Or maybe, just maybe, to form a deeper connection. Who knows?
She opened the Kazehaya app, navigated to one called Currency, and…
5,771,002 Credits.
That's how much she had.
She tapped a few times, scanned a QR code with my camera, and then…
A tab popped up:
"Transferring 5,000 Credits..."
"Success."
Wait—five million credits?
How did she get that much?
She might know things about this school that others don't.
She handed me back my phone.
"That's all. I'll be going now… thanks again."