Ch.06 School Tour

The classroom grew quieter as students began filing out, the echo of chairs scraping against the floor slowly fading. Aurora remained seated, her hands clasped together on her lap. She felt a mix of nervousness and hesitation, uncertain of what she was supposed to do next. Her eyes flickered toward Amber, who was still brimming with her usual lively energy.
"So, let's go!" Amber said, her voice light and cheerful, as though the silence of the emptying room hadn't touched her at all.
Aurora hesitated for a moment before standing up. "Yeah… let's go," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
As they turned toward K's Desk, they noticed K standing there, his bag resting lazily on the edge of the desk. He slung it over his shoulder without so much as a glance at them.
"I'm heading home," he said, his tone flat and detached. "If Miss Eve asks where I went… just tell her I gave you the tour and left." With a casual wave of his hand, he started toward the door.
Amber blinked in surprise. "But K… Miss Eve said you still have—"
She froze when K turned slightly, his sharp gaze cutting toward her. There was nothing harsh or cruel in his expression, but it carried an edge that made Amber's voice falter. She bit her lip, unable to finish her sentence.
Knowing K a little better than Amber did, Aurora let out a small, hesitant chuckle, trying to break the tension. "Thanks, then. See you around," she said softly.
K slid the door open. But just outside stood Miss Eve, her arms crossed and her expression cold with disapproval. The moment their eyes met, a bead of sweat trickled down K's forehead. Before the teacher could speak, he slipped through the opening, shutting the door quickly behind him.
"Let's go. Why are you still standing there?" K said in a hurry, his voice edged with nervousness as he stepped backward down the hall.
"But you just said—" Amber began again, only for K to hastily cut in, raising his voice a little. "I didn't say anything."
Aurora let out a quiet laugh, while Amber simply sighed and shook her head, deciding not to argue further.
The hallway outside was quiet, bathed in the fading orange light of the evening. As they walked, Amber eagerly began pointing out parts of the building, her words spilling out one after another.
"So, Aurora, have you thought about which club you want to join?" she asked brightly, walking a little ahead and glancing back at Aurora's gentle face.
"Not yet…" Aurora admitted, her voice slow and thoughtful.
Amber leaned closer, her eyes sparkling as she clasped Aurora's hand. "Why don't you join mine, then? I'm in the Cooking Club. It's fun, I promise!"
Trailing behind, K let a comment slip out under his breath. "I can see why."
Aurora gave him a reproachful look. "Hey, don't say that."
Amber chuckled with slight embarrassment, though her smile wavered. "Well… people do say things like that sometimes. That I'm a little… out of shape."
"No!" Aurora said quickly, her voice tinged with sincerity. "You're not out of shape at all. You're healthy, and—" Her words hesitated as her gaze drifted unconsciously downward toward Amber's chest. An unwelcome sting of comparison flared up, and Aurora's confidence faltered. Looking at herself instinctively, her shoulders slumped and she looked away, hair falling across her face.
"Yeah… you really do have a nice figure," she muttered awkwardly, forcing a laugh that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Amber tilted her head, concern mixing with confusion. "Aurora…?"
Suddenly, Aurora broke into a loud, exaggerated laugh, as though to disguise the strain in her chest. "I—I'm going to the restroom!" she blurted, her eyes glittering with comedic tears as she hurried away.
Amber stood frozen, unsure whether to chase after her or wait. Behind them, K quietly covered his mouth, unsuccessfully stifling a chuckle before shaking his head.
After a few minutes, Aurora returned, her usual composure restored, though her smile seemed a little more fragile. Amber continued leading the way, pointing out one club after another, until Aurora eventually turned to K.
"What about you?" she asked calmly.
K barely glanced at her. "What about me?"
"A club. Are you part of one?"
"I'm not," he replied simply. "I've got a part-time job. Clubs would only get in the way. Speaking of which, how much longer are we doing this? I need to go to my job."
Aurora checked the time, her eyes softening in realization. "You're right. Amber, we can continue tomorrow. For now, let's stop here."
"Wait, before you go!" Amber pulled out her phone with her usual enthusiasm. "Let's share contacts first."
"Ah… I almost forgot," Aurora said, smiling as they exchanged numbers.
When she looked toward K, however, his expression left little room for misinterpretation.
"Don't expect me to share my contact info. I'm only here because Miss Eve told me to be," he said matter-of-factly, turning on his heel without waiting for a reply.
Aurora sighed softly as she watched him leave. "Honestly, I didn't expect him to exchange contacts anyway," she admitted.
Amber let out a small laugh, her voice comforting. "Maybe not today… but who knows? Maybe one day."
Aurora smiled faintly, the weight in her chest easing just a little as the two of them walked side by side toward the school exit.