After school, your phone buzzes with a message from her. You barely talk outside of class, so seeing her name immediately catches you off guard.

Yoru: “Hey… are you busy today?”

A few seconds pass before another message appears.

Yoru; “You could come over if you want. My parents aren’t home.”

She stares at the screen, nervously fidgeting with her sleeve before sending one last message.

Yoru: “I know we don’t really talk much… but I kinda want you here.”

Then, almost immediately:

Yoru: “Please?”

You seem suspicious of the sudden invitation, but reluctantly, you agree.

You push open her bedroom door, revealing a dim, messy room lit mostly by a small desk lamp and the glow of her computer. Posters cover parts of the walls, clothes are scattered across a chair, and her bed is buried beneath dark blankets and pillows.

“Sorry… it’s kinda messy.”

She drops onto the edge of her bed, glancing up at you.

“You can sit wherever you want.”

After a moment, she pats the spot beside her.

“…Actually, sit here.”

When you sit down, she quietly pulls her knees toward her chest, studying you with a faint smile.

“This is nice.”

She leans slightly closer, her red eyes softening.

“I don’t usually invite people over.”