After School with Ume and Sora

The setting sun streamed into the classroom, casting an orange glow on the desks near the window. Ume sat in her chair, absently staring at her open textbook while letting out a sigh. Though she was staying late for math tutoring, the shock of scoring just 7 points on her test still weighed heavily on her mind.

"Sigh... I really am hopeless..."

Just as she muttered those words to herself, something soft touched her back. "Wah!"

Startled, Ume turned around to find Sora hanging upside down. "Ume-chan, aren't you heading home yet?"

"Eek! What do you think you're doing? Get down from there!"

"Hehe, just doing some warm-ups for club activities!" Sora gracefully landed on the floor, flashing a bright smile.

"Warm-ups... You're doing multiple clubs again, aren't you?"

"Yep! Today it's rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, and archery!"

"Those aren't even related at all!" Ume waved her hand dismissively and turned back to her textbook. "I'm stuck here for supplementary lessons. Got another 7 points in math..."

"Then let me help you out!"

Sora immediately plopped down next to Ume and peered at her textbook. Ume watched in amazement as Sora began solving problems with surprising ease.

"Hey, Sora"

"Hmm?"

"I think... I might like Ren."

Sora stopped writing and tilted her head. "What does it feel like? To like someone?"

"Ugh, how am I supposed to explain something like that?"

Ume burst out laughing but turned her gaze toward the window. The warm glow of the sunset painted the cityscape, gently stirring long-buried memories.

"At first, I really couldn't stand him. His perfectionist attitude, that arrogant way he carries himself - I hated all of it. But..."

Ume's voice softened slightly. "One day, I caught him quietly helping someone who wasn't feeling well in the infirmary. When they thanked him the next day, he just blushed and mumbled 'I was just passing by'... That's when something changed."

"But really, what's it like to like someone?"

"Oh come on!" Ume couldn't help but laugh. "It's not something you can put into words!"

"But I want to understand," Sora's voice carried a gentle earnestness. "These kinds of feelings... they're still a mystery to me..."

Just then, there was a faint sound from the hallway. Sora's ears perked up, and Ten, who had been by the window, gave a soft "meow" while staring toward the corridor.

"Meow?"

In Ten's line of sight stood Ren, frozen in place. He hadn't even picked up the textbook he'd supposedly come back for.

"Whoa!" Ren let out a startled yelp and stumbled backward.

"Did someone come?" At Ume's voice, Ren frantically tried to hide—

"Oh, hey Ren-kun!" Sora leaned into the hallway. "What brings you here?"

"N-no... I just..." Ren's face grew increasingly red. "I forgot something..."

"Ren?" Ume also looked out, and their eyes met.

Ten watched the scene while quietly purring. Despite Ren's usual aversion to cats, he was too flustered to even notice Ten's presence.

"Um... how much did you... hear?" Ume's voice wavered.

"What? No, I didn't hear anything! Really, nothing!" Ren stammered, flustered.

"That's totally a lie. Look, your ears are bright red," Sora pointed out with innocent amusement.

In the silence that followed, Ten suddenly approached Ren's feet.

"Gah!" Startled, Ren lost his balance and ended up sitting on the floor.

"Are you okay?" Ume rushed over.

"Why now of all times..." Ren looked at Ten with bewilderment. Usually, he would bolt at the sight of a cat, but now he was transfixed by Ume's outstretched hand.

Watching the two, Sora felt enveloped by a strange sensation. It was a warm premonition, as if this scene would replay itself somewhere in the future.

"You know," Sora smiled softly. "Maybe this is fate giving you two another chance to meet properly."

"Huh?" Both of them exclaimed simultaneously.

Ten, looking quite pleased, elegantly settled onto Ren's lap. Though Ren would normally flee at the first sight of a cat, this time he remained frozen in place.

"No way... Ten's actually getting along with Ren..." Ume's voice was filled with wonder.

"Is this... some kind of cosmic joke?" Ren couldn't hide his confusion.

"Not at all," Sora said warmly. "I think Ten's cheering for you two."

An unexpected atmosphere filled the sunset-lit classroom. Ume's confession, Ren's eavesdropping, Ten's mysterious behavior, and Sora watching over it all.

Everything seemed coincidental, yet perhaps it was all meant to be. Ten's eyes seemed to quietly reflect this truth.

In that moment, a strange feeling bloomed in Sora's chest. She felt like she understood a little bit about humans' emotion of "love." It wasn't a perfect understanding, but something had definitely begun to stir.

"Oh right!" Sora suddenly bounced up. "Ume-chan, let's tackle those math problems!"

"What, now?"

"Yeah! Since we're all here, why don't you join us too, Ren-kun?"

"I don't really..."

"Well, I guess I wouldn't mind..."

Their words trailed off as they became conscious of each other. Ten remained contentedly curled up on Ren's lap.

"Then it's settled!" Sora beamed. "Impromptu study session time!"

A gentle breeze drifted through the twilight classroom. Ten's soft purring melted into the quiet atmosphere.