"Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides."
— André Malraux
~ ~ ~
I walked along the sidewalk just outside the gates of Kazehaya Senior High. The path was flanked by neatly trimmed trees, flower pots tucked into polished stone beds. The morning sun washed the street in gold, casting warm highlights over the school's sleek, modern architecture. It looked almost alive—like the building itself was waking up with us.
Students passed in clusters—chatting, laughing, yawning through half-lidded eyes. Footsteps tapped lightly across concrete, blending into the soft hum of a new day.
It felt… lively.
Maybe this is what it feels like to belong. To have friends.
But that wasn't me—not yet. Maybe not ever.
Still… I was here. That had to count for something.
Then I heard it—
A voice behind me, soft and familiar. Gentle.
"Hoshigami…"
I turned.
She was already walking beside me.
Yukiha.
Her pink hair flowed gracefully with each step, catching the morning light like silk drifting in water. A soft blue ribbon—delicate and almost translucent—was tied just above her forehead, keeping her straight bangs perfectly in place. They framed her face like a curtain drawn back to reveal something rare.
Her eyes met mine—pale, icy blue. Clear, but not cold. They carried a kind of brightness that felt calm, like a quiet morning.
She wore a clean white uniform—simple, but immaculately kept. The fabric caught the sunlight just enough to make her stand out. A soft pink ribbon was tied at her collar with perfect balance, subtle and elegant. There was no school-mandated dress code yet, but even without rules, she looked like someone who understood grace without needing to try. Every detail about her was intentional, but never loud.
She was beautiful.
Not the surface-level kind you forget after a glance. No—her beauty lingered. It quieted the space around her. Made the morning chatter dull into a hush.
I realized I'd been staring longer than I should.
Yeah… I'll admit it. She's beautiful.
And using her? That'd leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
So maybe—just maybe—
Let's treat the right girl right.
And tool the rest of the fools.
We stopped walking.
Yukiha's expression shifted, curiosity softening her features.
"Hey, Hoshi!" she called cheerfully.
"Oh. Sorry," I replied, flat as ever. My face didn't move—no smile, no twitch. Just me, the usual stone wall.
"Good morning…" she murmured, her voice a little more gentle now.
"Morning," I echoed, low.
She glanced up at me as we walked, her steps still light and rhythmic.
"How are you? Also… do you have any plans for this exam? You're kinda quiet in class."
So, she noticed me?
I shrugged lightly. "Hmm… nothing, really. I've got study buddies."
"Ah, hmm…" She brought a finger to her chin, brows drawing together in mild thought. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked ahead, lips pursed like she was puzzling something out.
She stayed that way for a moment.
…She looks cute, though. Not gonna lie.
Then she leaned in a little, her eyes brightening with innocent intent.
"Can I join?"
Too close.
She either didn't notice—or didn't care.
Her chest pressed softly against my uniform, right at my stomach. It wasn't on purpose, but it was enough to throw me off for a second.
"…Yeah, I guess it's fine," I muttered, keeping my tone neutral. "I'm with Reika and Tsugumi. Are you okay with them?"
She leaned back just a little, eyes dropping toward the pavement as if retreating into thought.
"Mhmm… Tsugumi…" she murmured. "We're not too close. And, well…" Her voice faded. Soft. A little sad.
Hmm… I'm curious.
But I don't think she'll tell me.
Not yet. We're not that close.
"…It's okay," I said quietly. "You both might get along soon. Or maybe this is your chance—don't you think?"
I wasn't exactly in a position to say something like that.
But I said it anyway.
Yukiha turned her gaze toward me. Her expression didn't shift—still soft, but shadowed by something distant, like she was staring through memories.
"…It's not as simple as that, Hoshi," she murmured.
To be honest, I didn't know how to respond.
Maybe silence was better.
So I said nothing.
The quiet stretched for a few heartbeats.
Then her voice broke through it again, gentler this time.
"How about we study together?" she asked. "Just the two of us?"
Her tone had slipped back to that calm, almost airy sweetness—like the hesitation from before had been quietly erased.
Hmm…
She's being direct now.
I gave a small nod.
"Yeah," I murmured.
A few seconds of silence passed between us again.
Then she tilted her head, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"So… where are we studying?"
"They'll be at the café," I said. "Maybe we can find somewhere on campus instead."
She gave a small pout, eyebrows knitting. "But it's hot… The sun'll burn my skin."
Yeah… I didn't blame her.
Her skin looked too soft—too pale and smooth to be anywhere near harsh sunlight.
"Mhm… We don't have much of a choice. Under the trees should work," I offered.
"Oh? Then sure." She smiled, light returning to her voice. "You're going to teach me, right?"
Then she leaned in again—closer than before.
That same childlike curiosity in her eyes.
Her hands folded neatly behind her back, her bag dangling off one shoulder like it weighed nothing.
"Those moves you pulled off yesterday?" she added, "I'm sure you've got brains to match."
She might be aware of me.
I looked at her then—really looked.
She was still smiling. Soft, unbothered. Trusting.
It was strange. Familiar in a way I couldn't place. But not unpleasant.
"Tch." I exhaled lightly through my nose. "Don't expect too much."
"Heh…" she pouted softly, her voice dropping. "I moved on from what happened last night pretty quickly… somehow, I feel safe around you."
Her tone was low, almost fragile. She looked down, gently brushing her thumbs together. The vulnerability in her body language wasn't subtle—like she was peeling back a layer she didn't show anyone else.
She was being honest.
"I'm glad to hear that," I said.
Flat on the surface—but something flickered beneath.
After a moment, she looked back up at me.
"Do you… want to be study partners?" she asked.
"I mean, like, regularly."
Her voice was steady, but her eyes weren't—there was a tension behind them, like she wasn't sure what answer she was hoping for.
"I know it's kind of sudden, but… I hope you'll consider it."
Hmph.
Somehow, I was the one getting pulled in—not by logic, not by necessity, but by that gentle honesty. That quiet charm.
Maybe… by my weakness for fragile things.
Still—this didn't feel like a trap.
"Yeah. Sure," I said plainly.
Her eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise.
Like she hadn't expected me to agree that fast.
"So… shall we go?" she asked, her smile returning—soft, sincere.
I gave a small nod.
"Yeah."
We walked side by side through the gates of Kazehaya.
I glanced at her from the corner of my eye—her soft pink hair catching the morning sun, each step light but sure.
This was it.
Me and Yukiha.
The start of something… maybe deeper.
She's a good Queen.
On the board, I mean—powerful, subtle, always a move ahead.
Maybe she is manipulating me. Maybe she doesn't even realize it.
But it's fine.
A Queen that moves boldly is better than pawns pretending they aren't just pieces.
And me? I've played the fool before.
Not by choice.
Back then, I was forced into check.
No moves of my own.
No freedom.
Just another piece in someone else's game—trapped behind sterile walls and cold wires.
Manipulated. Watched. Controlled.
I don't plan on living like that again.
So maybe this is something human.
Or maybe it's a cage dressed as connection.
Either way, I'll watch the board.
And if I'm being played—
—I'll make sure I flip it before the end.