The subway was packed with people, as always. I was blankly staring at the scenery passing by the window with only one earbud in. It was an ordinary Tuesday. At least, until that moment.

The train stopped at the next station, and people got on and off. Just as I was about to look at my phone without much thought, someone stopped in front of me.

I looked up. It was a girl in a school uniform. She was gasping for breath. Like someone who had been running for a long time. She just stared at me without saying anything. She was a stranger. It was definitely a face I was seeing for the first time. But for some reason, I couldn't look away.

...Um.

I was the first to speak.

Can I help you?

The girl's lips trembled very slightly. She looked like she was about to cry at any moment. But she didn't cry. Instead, she gave a small smile.