It was raining again.
The kind of soft, steady rain that wrapped the school in a quiet, grey stillness. Most students had already left, the hallways half-lit and nearly silent. Aoi walked faster, hugging her bag to her chest, her shoes echoing louder than usual on the empty floor.
She shouldn't be here this late.
But Mizuki had asked.
A note in her locker. Just a single line in that sharp, slanted handwriting:
"Meet me by the north stairs. After the bell."
She hadn't even signed it. But Aoi knew.
She always knew.
When she turned the corner by the old science wing, Mizuki was already there. Leaning against the window ledge, arms crossed, hair still slightly damp from walking outside.
"You came," Mizuki said softly.
"You knew I would."
Mizuki gave her that half-smile again. The dangerous one. The one that made Aoi's stomach twist and her knees feel soft.
"Come here."
Aoi hesitated only a second, then obeyed.
They stood close—closer than they ever should have in a hallway where anyone could pass. But the school felt abandoned, and the world outside was blurred by rain.
Mizuki's hand found Aoi's waist.
Just resting there.
Fingers light. Heat rising.
"You smell like rain," Mizuki whispered.
"You called me here just to say that?"
"No."
She leaned in, her lips barely brushing Aoi's hair.
"I missed you."
Aoi looked up, breath caught.
"I saw you this morning."
"That's not the same."
Her fingers tightened slightly at Aoi's waist. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to make her breath catch.
And then—
A sound.
Footsteps.
Fast.
Not distant.
Aoi's heart froze.
Mizuki reacted instantly, pulling Aoi with her, ducking behind the thick concrete column at the edge of the stairwell. Their bodies pressed close, chest to chest, breathing sharp.
The footsteps passed.
And then stopped.
Just beyond the corner.
A figure stood still. Silent. Listening.
Neither of them moved.
Aoi's heart beat so loud she was sure it could be heard. Mizuki's eyes were locked on hers, calm—but burning. Her hand still held Aoi's waist, anchoring them both.
Then—
A shadow moved past.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Aoi recognized the figure too late.
Mr. Kaname. Their homeroom teacher.
He didn't look at them.
But he had paused.
Long enough to know.
Long enough to wonder.
Long enough to see.
When the steps finally faded, Aoi sagged against Mizuki, her hands shaking.
"He saw us," she whispered.
"He didn't say anything."
"That's worse."
Mizuki cupped her cheek, brushing a thumb just beneath Aoi's eye.
"We'll be careful."
"You said that last time."
"And I'll say it again," Mizuki murmured. "As many times as it takes."
But even as she said it, Aoi saw it in her eyes.
Something had changed.
And whatever came next—
It wouldn't be quiet anymore.