The school bell rang through the halls of Neruma High School, echoing like a sigh of relief that pulsed through every classroom.
Makoto Arai slung his bag over one shoulder and stretched with a quiet groan. Another day survived. He wasn't a top student, not unpopular either just a regular guy with a small, circle of friends and a strong love for anime, manga, and light novels. His usual post-school routine? Head home, snack, and escape into fiction until sleep crept in.
"Yo! Makoto!"
The familiar voice of Haruki Shidou, his best friend, snapped him out of autopilot.
Makoto turned to see Haruki jogging up, phone in hand and a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"You free later? There's a new café near Neruma Station. Heard they've got some cute part-timers."
Makoto shrugged. "Nah. I've got two chapters left of Infinite Gatcha. That cliffhanger's been haunting me all day."
Haruki groaned. "One of these days, man, I'm dragging you out of that anime hole."
Makoto chuckled. "You'll need a shovel and some luck."
With a few more jokes and a lazy wave, they parted ways.
Neruma Station was as chaotic as ever
school uniforms, briefcases, shopping bags, and conversations all blending into a familiar Tokyo hum. Makoto kept his pace steady, slipping between the crowd with practiced ease.
Then
A tug on his sleeve.
He stopped and turned.
A young girl, no older than twelve, looked up at him with wide, tear filled eyes. Her school uniform was slightly disheveled, and a frayed phone dangled in her trembling hands, blinking No Signal.
"E-Excuse me…" she said in a shaky voice. "Have you seen a girl with long black hair and a red ribbon? She's my sister… I got lost…"
Makoto blinked. "Huh? Uh, no… but are you okay?"
The girl looked like she was trying hard not to cry. Makoto knelt down so he wasn't towering over her.
"Hey, it's alright. What's your name?"
"M-Miku… Tachibana…"
He smiled gently. "Nice to meet you, Miku. I'm Makoto Arai. Let's stay right here, okay? This is a good spot. Your sister will probably come looking for you."
She nodded and wiped her eyes. He handed her the melon bread he hadn't eaten yet, and for the first time, she smiled just a little.
"…You're really kind, Mister Arai," she said.
Makoto laughed softly. "Just Makoto is fine. 'Mister' makes me feel like a teacher."
A few minutes later, a panicked voice cut through the noise.
"Miku!"
A girl came pushing through the crowd, eyes wide with worry. She had long black hair tied with a red ribbon just as Miku described.
She rushed to her sister and dropped to her knees. "Are you okay? What happened?"
Miku pointed at Makoto. "He helped me. I got lost, but he stayed with me."
The older girl turned to him and gave a deep bow. "Thank you. I was terrified. I don't know what I would've done if something happened to her."
Makoto rubbed the back of his neck, awkward. "It's nothing. I just didn't want her standing here alone."
Their eyes met. Hers were tired but kind, with a softness that lingered behind them like someone who had been carrying more than she let on.
"I'm Yui Tachibana," she said. "Thank you again, Arai."
He gave a small nod. "Glad I could help."
She took Miku's hand, and the two disappeared into the crowd, swallowed up by the pulse of the station.
Makoto stood there for a moment longer, watching them go.
He didn't know it yet, but that single, ordinary moment a brief pause in his quiet life would change everything.
A ripple in the still waters of his routine.
A thread of fate, pulled gently from the fabric of tomorrow.