Day 1

Zick got up feeling a bit disoriented, unable to recall that strange dream.
But… was it really a dream?
Even so, he didn’t give it much thought and got ready for school.

Once he was set to leave, his mother asked if he wanted to eat something before going.
He answered no—he was in a hurry.

On his way to school, he thought about how he should end the story of his manga.
He always found inspiration while looking at the sky.

When he arrived, he headed straight to his classroom and sat at the last desk by the window.
He rested his head on his arms.

“What a fucking drag to come to class,” he muttered in a dull voice.
“Same shit, different day,” he sighed.
“But… what can you do.”

A girl approached him.
Her name was Kori.
She had long, fluffy hair—voluminous and slightly messy—dark blue with lighter highlights at the tips.
Her eyes, a deep blue with a soft gradient in the center, carried a warm glow that seemed to soften the air around her.

“How are you, Zick?” she asked brightly.
“Same as always,” he replied, indifferent.
“Hehe… you’re so charming,” she laughed, amused.
“Hope you have a good day, Zick,” she said with a smile.
“…You too,” he answered, a bit shy.

Kori returned to her seat and began chatting with her friends.
Zick honestly couldn’t understand how she could be so cheerful and kind with everyone.
Though he didn’t show it, her presence did make his day a little better.
Even if he was quiet… boring…
Ah, whatever.

The hours crawled by, until the final bell rang.
Zick had fallen asleep near the end of class.

Kori noticed he was the only one left in the room, so she walked over quietly… and suddenly:

“BOOO!!”

“Ahhh!” Zick nearly jumped out of his seat. “What the hell, Kori? Is school over already?”
“Yep! I’ll walk with you to the train station.”
“Sure.”

They left the school together.
On the way, Kori talked cheerfully about her weekend.
Zick listened silently, responding with small gestures and the occasional subtle smile.

At the station, they each boarded different trains.
They said goodbye with a smile.

When Zick returned home, he let himself fall onto his bed and closed his eyes.
It had been a quiet day, yet… an odd feeling continued to linger in his mind—
as if something deep within him had begun to stir without any clear reason.