The morning of the first exam was too quiet.
The sky was overcast again, but not rainy—just heavy, like the world was holding its breath.
Leo arrived at school early. Too early.
The halls were unusually silent, as if even the usual chatter and chaos had been replaced by the low thrum of anxiety. Students sat huddled in corners, flipping last-minute flashcards or reciting formulas under their breath.
He made his way to the classroom and took his seat. Hana was already there, head down, chewing on the end of her pen. Sora walked in moments later, her eyes scanning a small notebook with such intensity that she didn't notice Leo's greeting.
Yuki was late.
Not late late. Just... not her usual bouncing-through-the-door timing.
She arrived just before the bell, wearing her usual smile—but Leo could tell something was off.
---
The first exam was Math.
Sora, naturally, flew through it with the calm precision of someone solving Sudoku in her sleep.
Hana muttered under her breath the entire time, lips barely moving. Leo did okay—his practice sessions with Sora had paid off.
But Yuki.
Yuki didn't move for the first fifteen minutes.
She stared at the paper like it had insulted her.
Her pen hovered.
Then scratched out an answer. Then erased it. Then tried again.
Leo caught himself glancing over at her too often. Her usual energy was gone. Even the way she tapped her pen was half-hearted.
She didn't even finish the last question.
When the bell rang, she sat still for a moment, then slowly gathered her things.
"Yuki?" Leo asked as they exited the classroom.
"I'm fine," she said too quickly. "Totally fine."
She wasn't.
---
At lunch, she didn't sit with them.
Leo found her on the rooftop—alone, back against the fence, soda in hand. It wasn't melon.
Just plain water.
He sat beside her.
She didn't speak.
For a while, they just watched the clouds.
Then she said, "I blanked."
Leo waited.
"I opened the test, and all the formulas we practiced, all the mnemonics, everything... gone."
She pressed her palm to her forehead.
"I looked at the questions and felt like I was drowning. It's stupid. I mean—I'm not Sora-smart, but I'm not dumb either, right?"
"You're not dumb," Leo said immediately.
She didn't respond.
"I think I'm just... tired," she whispered. "Of pretending I've got everything together. Of smiling. Of being the funny one. I don't want to be a disappointment, but—"
"You're not."
She blinked.
Leo continued, voice quiet. "You don't have to be anything. Not for me. Not for anyone. Just... be tired, if that's what you feel. You've earned that."
She looked at him then, eyes glassy.
"I feel like I'm falling behind everyone," she said. "You, Sora, even Hana—everyone's moving forward. And I'm stuck in neutral."
"You're not," he said.
She laughed bitterly. "How do you know?"
"Because you're here. Trying. That counts for more than you think."
She turned her head away, but he saw her swipe quickly at her cheek.
He didn't say anything.
He just reached into his bag, pulled out a cold melon soda, and placed it in her lap.
She stared at it.
"I thought you didn't bring one today," she whispered.
"I did," he said. "I just didn't know when to give it to you."
Silence.
Then she exhaled, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.
"Thanks," she murmured.
Leo nodded.
They sat like that until the bell rang for the next exam.
When they stood, she walked closer to him than usual.
Didn't say much.
Didn't need to.
But when they reached the classroom door, she turned and said softly, "Hey, Leo?"
He looked at her.
She smiled, just barely. "Save me a seat next time?"
He smiled back. "Always."