With the Right Lighting, Pt. 1

The first two classes passed without much issue. Well... Unless I counted the awkward growling of my stomach I tried to hide through most of the second one. The lunch I picked up from the convenience store on campus was a quick fix, and before I knew it, I was sitting in my third class of the day: Japanese Language.

I took my usual seat in the middle rows, off to the side. It was quiet. Mostly. A few students were still settling in, and the professor hadn't arrived yet.

Of course, seated toward the front was Chiaki.

Even though I told myself I wouldn't, my eyes wandered toward her every now and then during the lecture. Her hair was tied back today, and she sat with perfect posture as she jotted down notes with that same concentration I always admired.

I didn't want to look, but I still did.

A while later, maybe halfway through the class, she turned around. Our eyes met for a split second, and she waved.

That smile of hers... It hadn't changed.

I froze. Then, almost robotically, I raised my hand in return and gave a small wave back. It wasn't much, but it was enough to earn a subtle giggle from her before she turned her attention back to the front.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, barely hearing the professor anymore.

Chiaki was still a good friend. She hadn't really done anything wrong, but Yue's voice echoed in the back of my head.

"She just likes the attention."

Is that really true? Or is it just Yue being overprotective?

I don't know what to think anymore.

When class finally came to an end, I sighed and started packing up my stuff, hoping to slip out unnoticed.

But then, something shifted in the atmosphere.

A quiet buzz rippled through the classroom. Students began whispering, turning their heads. I followed their gaze—and immediately saw why.

A guy had just entered from the back.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, with perfectly styled hair and the kind of face you'd expect to see in a drama. His uniform was neat, sleeves rolled just enough to be casual, and the iced coffee in his hand was almost comically perfect in timing.

He made his way down the aisle with confident steps.

Right up to Chiaki.

The chatter faded, replaced by an awkward silence as people watched. He handed her the coffee like it was a scene from a movie.

She smiled. He smiled. They exchanged a few words. Then they laughed.

It wasn't fake or awkward. It was natural. Easy... just like how Chiaki and I used to be.

I stood there a little too long, clutching my bag strap.

I'm happy for her. Really. She looks... content. Like she belongs in that moment, in that picture-perfect frame.

But I'd be lying if I said it didn't sting.

Without another thought, I turned and made my way out of the classroom, the sound of their voices lingering behind me.

I'm not mad necessarily. I guess I'm... glad, in a way. That she seems happy.

But man… It still sucked.

I stepped out of the classroom building, hoping the fresh air would help clear my head. The campus path ahead was lined with trees just starting to show signs of spring, but even that felt a little dull in the moment.

Almost made it to the stairs when—

"Taka~!"

I froze.

That voice. Cheerful, familiar.

Turning around, I spotted Chiaki jogging up from behind, waving with one hand and holding her coffee in the other. The same cup that guy gave her. Of course.

"You weren't gonna say bye?" she said, pouting exaggeratedly. "That's not like you."

I rubbed the back of my neck and forced a small chuckle.

"Ah… sorry. Thought I'd slip out before the hallway traffic kicked in."

"Uh-huh. Likely story. You've been spacing out a lot lately. Everything okay?"

"What? I mean... Yeah. Yeah, of course. Just tired. That's all."

She didn't press. Just nodded like it made sense.

"I saw you in class earlier. Kept glancing my way. I was starting to wonder if I had something on my face."

"You didn't. I must've zoned out or something."

"Well, I'll take it as a compliment anyway. That guy who brought me coffee? He's from my literature circle. Totally not my type, by the way."

I gave her a half-smile, the kind that didn't reach my eyes.

"Wasn't asking."

"I know. Just figured you'd be curious."

I wasn't. Or maybe I was. I didn't even know anymore.

She nudged my arm with hers lightly, playfully.

"You're weird when you get quiet, you know that?"

I looked at her — really looked at her. That same easy smile. That familiar voice. And it hit me again how much I used to hang on every bit of her attention. How much I still kind of did.

But now... Now it felt different. Like I was standing just outside a circle I used to be part of.

"I should get going," I said, slinging my bag higher on my shoulder. "Got a few things to take care of."

"Aww, you're always so busy these days."

Chiaki leaned back slightly, rocking on her heels.

"Alright, see you later then!"

"Yeah. Bye."

I turned and walked off, her voice still ringing in my ears — bright, warm, and completely unaware.

And somehow, that made it hurt more.

I hadn't made it far from the building when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Still walking, I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

[Megumi]: "Don't forget about my photoshoot!"

I blinked, then let out a short laugh, but it was mostly because she added the nervous bunny emoji.

[Shohei]: "Don't worry. I didn't forget."

[Megumi]: "You'd better not have. I won't take any excuses, okay? I swear, if you miss the entire shoot and happen to show up at the last minute like some kind of main character in a drama, I'm gonna punch you."

[Shohei]: "We'll just have to wait and see. I still have two more classes to get through."

[Megumi]: "Boo..."

[Shohei]: "I have to go home for a bit, too. And if I see a messy apartment, I'm gonna have to rethink my choices."

[Megumi]: "Hey! I've been good today. You'll see. I even cleaned up a bit. Promise, once you get home, there won't be a single speck of dust."

[Shohei]: "I'm gonna hold you to that."

I glanced up at the sky and let out a slow sigh.

Megumi no Hana... What a strange person.

A weirdo, really. Clumsy, chaotic, says whatever's on her mind. She turned my apartment upside down in less than twenty-four hours, and yet...

I found myself smiling.

Not the kind I wore in front of Chiaki — tight, practiced, polite. This one felt different. A bit easier.

It sat in my chest like warmth after a cold wind. The tightness that had lingered since class was still there, faint like a bruise. But it didn't weigh as heavily now, almost as if someone had turned the volume down without me noticing.

I slid my phone back into my pocket, my steps a little less sluggish than before.

Maybe today won't be so bad after all.