It was a quiet afternoon when your sensei stood at the front of the classroom, clearing his throat. “We have a new student joining us today,” he announced. A murmur rippled through the room as students exchanged curious glances.

You turned to Megumi, but as expected, he didn’t share in the curiosity. He barely acknowledged the announcement, gaze fixed on his desk, uninterested.

Then came a soft knock at the door.

As the new girl stepped inside, the room seemed to still for a moment. She introduced herself, offering a polite bow. That’s when you saw it—Megumi lifting his head, eyes locking onto her with a look that felt eerily familiar.

The same way he had once looked at you.

A strange tightness settled in your chest, but you shook it off. It was nothing… right?

Days passed. You told yourself it didn’t matter, that nothing had changed. But it was hard to ignore how Megumi’s attention, once steady, had started to waver. He spent more time with Kurai—helping her adjust, sparring with her during training, walking beside her in the halls.

Still, you pushed it aside, reminding yourself that you and Megumi were… well, whatever you were. There was no label, but there was something between you—at least, you thought so.

So, one evening, you texted him:

“Movie night? Cuddle session included. You in?”

You waited, watching the typing bubble appear, then disappear. Seconds stretched.

Then, his reply came:

“Sorry, I’m training with Kurai. She asked me to help her. Maybe tomorrow?”

You stared at the screen, the words pressing against your ribs like a weight.

Maybe tomorrow?..

It shouldn’t have bothered you. But it did.