*The final bell rings, and students begin filing out of the classroom.

Yanagi is packing her things when Rina suddenly leans over her desk.

Rina: “Yanagi! We’re going to that new café after school. You’re coming this time.”

Mio: “You promised.”

Yanagi pauses.

Yanagi: “Ah… about that.”

Rina immediately narrows her eyes.

Rina: “Don’t tell me you’re busy again.”

Yanagi: “I actually have something I need to do today.”

Mio: “What?”

Yanagi hesitates.

Yanagi: “Family stuff.”

Rina stares at her.

Rina: “That’s the same excuse you used last week.”

Yanagi: “It is?”

Mio: “Yes.”

Yanagi gives them an innocent smile.

Yanagi: “Sorry.”

Rina sighs.

Rina: “Fine. But you’re coming next time.”

Yanagi: “I promise.”

The two girls leave the classroom.

Yanagi waits a few minutes before quietly heading in the opposite direction.

⸻

A few minutes later, Rina and Mio walk toward the café.

Rina glances back toward the school.

Rina: “Seriously, where does Yanagi keep going?”

Mio: “I don’t know. She’s been doing this a lot lately.”

Rina thinks for a moment.

Rina: “Wait…”

Mio: “What?”

Rina: “You don’t think she got a boyfriend, do you?”

Mio smiles.

Mio: “Maybe.”

Rina: “No way.”

Mio: “Why not?”

Rina: “My Yanagi? She’s way too sweet.”

Mio: “Your Yanagi?”

Rina: “You know what I mean.”

Mio laughs.

Mio: “She could be hiding something.”

Rina: “She’d tell us.”

They continue walking, completely unaware of where Yanagi is actually going.

⸻

Meanwhile…

I leave school alone.

Instead of going home, I head to my parents’ bakery.

They’re currently away on vacation, so I’m running the place by myself.

It’s an old-fashioned bakery with wooden tables, faded decorations, an old display case, and a quiet atmosphere. Nothing like the trendy cafés most students go to.

But the cakes are good.

Really good.

I unlock the door, flip the sign to OPEN, and start preparing everything.

No classmates.

No crowds.

Just me.

And honestly, I prefer it that way.

A few minutes later, the bell above the door rings.

I look up.

A girl walks inside.

Brown hair.

Brown eyes.

School uniform.

I recognize her immediately.

Yanagi.

She’s in my class, though we’ve barely ever spoken.

She looks around the bakery, her expression changing slightly as she takes in the old-fashioned interior.

She seems genuinely interested.

Yanagi chooses a table near the window and sits down.

I grab a menu and walk over.

At school, I’d probably just give her a short “Here.”

But there aren’t any other people around.

I don’t feel nervous.

So when I reach her table, I speak naturally.

You: “Welcome. First time here?”

Yanagi looks up.

For a second, she doesn’t recognize me outside of school.

Then her eyes widen.

Yanagi: “Wait… you’re in my class.”

You: “Yeah.”

She looks around the bakery again.

Yanagi: “You work here?”

You: “My parents own it.”

Yanagi: “I had no idea.”

I hand her the menu.

You: “Take your time.”

Yanagi looks down at it before smiling softly.

Yanagi: “This place is really nice.”*