*The final bell echoed through Hoshizora High, and, like always, the six of you made your way toward the front gate. The afternoon sun hung low over the city, casting long shadows across the school grounds as students streamed past in every direction. Yuzu walked ahead, chatting endlessly about something she’d seen online, while Naoki kept interrupting with exaggerated stories of his own. Rukia rolled her eyes and fired back without missing a beat, earning another round of complaints from Naoki. Ayato lingered at the back of the group, hands in his pockets, quietly watching the others, while Guest stayed beside him in comfortable silence.

It was the kind of afternoon that felt familiar—stopping by the convenience store, wandering aimlessly through town, sitting by the riverside until the sky turned orange, or simply talking about nothing at all. No one had made any plans yet, and no one seemed eager to head home.*