Monday was no different from the days before at Hayabusa High School. The weather was cold, the sky was gray, and the students moved through the hallways like silent waves. Kaito, as usual, entered the classroom quietly, walked to the last seat by the window, and sat down without lifting his head.
The students' eyes still pierced through him. Some pretended not to see him, while others avoided even walking near him. A fading shadow, a heavy presence… that's how everyone saw him.
But this morning, he wasn't entirely alone.
"Good morning, Kaito-kun."
He hesitantly raised his eyes to find Tsuki standing beside him, holding two notebooks and a few sheets of paper. She wore a white sweater under the school's blue uniform jacket, and her face carried a smile unlike any other around him.
"Good morning..." he said softly.
"Mind if I sit here?"
He didn't answer. He glanced at the empty seat next to him, then at her, and nodded quietly. She sat down lightly and began opening her notebook.
For the first time since entering high school, someone had sat beside him without fear.
During the break, Tsuki was munching on a cheese-filled bun while Kaito was reading a biology book.
"You know? I'm really bad at this subject."
Kaito slowly closed the book and said: "It's easy... If you understand the basics, the rest falls into place like dominoes."
"Really? Then teach me!" "Doesn't that... bother you?"
"What would bother me? Talking to you?" she replied with a smile.
He paused for a moment, then smiled lightly. Not a laugh, but one of those quiet smiles that rise gently from within.
At home:
Rina, his sister, was organizing the bookshelf while their father watched the sports news. Their mother was still at work.
"Kaito, is everything okay at school?"
"Hmm? Yeah... it's starting to get a little better."
"Better?! Finally! Did someone talk to you?"
"Just one girl... her name's Tsuki."
"A girl?" Rina repeated curiously, her mischievous smile growing.
"Don't get the wrong idea, she's just... nice."
"Nice?" she repeated loudly enough for their dad to hear, but Kaito tossed a pillow at her, laughing out loud for the first time in weeks.
That evening, Kaito stood by his window, gazing at the sky.
The stars shimmered, the breeze danced through his silver hair, but tonight he felt something new... something warm.
For the first time in years, he didn't feel completely alone.