The next morning arrived with a clear blue sky.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Hina woke up feeling lighter.
Not completely free from her pain.
Not completely healed.
But lighter.
As she walked toward school, the cold morning breeze brushed against her face.
And surprisingly—
She found herself smiling.
A real smile.
The kind she hadn’t shown in years.
“HEY, SHORTY!”
A familiar voice called out from behind.
Hina immediately turned around.
There he was.
White hair.
Blue eyes.
And the same mischievous grin as always.
Haku.
He jogged over and stopped beside her.
His eyes widened slightly.
“Oh?”
“You’re smiling.”
Hina blinked.
Then touched her cheek.
She hadn’t even realized it.
Haku folded his arms dramatically.
“What’s this?”
“Who are you?”
“And what have you done with the real Hina?”
Hina rolled her eyes.
“Don’t be stupid.”
Haku laughed.
“No seriously.”
“You’re weirdly happy today.”
For a moment, Hina looked up at the morning sky.
Then smiled softly.
“It’s because of what you told me yesterday.”
Haku tilted his head.
“Hm?”
“You said that sometimes, if we want to move forward, we have to face the things we’re afraid of.”
His expression softened.
Hina continued.
“So I did.”
“I faced my fear.”
“And now…”
She looked at him.
“It feels like I’ve been born again.”
For once—
Haku didn’t joke.
A genuine smile appeared on his face.
One that rarely showed itself.
“I’m glad.”
He said quietly.
“Then I guess I get to meet the new Hina.”
Hina laughed softly.
“Maybe.”
She hesitated for a moment.
Then said something she never imagined she would say.
“I want to trust people now.”
Haku raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“I even want to trust you.”
For a second—
Haku looked genuinely surprised.
Then he chuckled.
“That’s dangerous.”
Hina tilted her head.
“Dangerous?”
“Yep.”
He pointed at himself.
“You’re playing with fire, Shorty.”
As he said those words, Hina’s eyes met his.
The quirky eyes she had possessed since childhood quietly observed his emotions.
No lies.
No hostility.
No hidden intentions.
Only happiness.
Pure happiness.
He was genuinely happy that she was trying to change.
That she was moving forward.
And somehow—
That made Hina smile even more.
“Maybe.”
She said softly.
“But I trust this fire.”
For a brief moment, Haku looked caught off guard.
Then a grin slowly returned.
“Well then.”
“We’ll see if I can live up to that trust.”
“You will.”
Hina answered immediately.
Without hesitation.
Without fear.
For the first time.
Haku stared at her.
Then laughed.
“You’re really different today.”
“Good.”
“Because the old me was exhausting.”
They continued walking toward school together.
And somehow—
The journey felt shorter than usual.
Later that morning.
The classroom buzzed with conversation.
Hina sat beside Haku as usual.
While Haku lazily rested his chin on his hand.
Suddenly—
The girl sitting in front of Hina turned around.
Pink hair.
Pink eyes.
A bright smile.
And enough energy to power an entire city.
“You must be Hina Takahashi!”
The girl practically sparkled.
Hina blinked.
“Um…”
“Yes.”
The girl’s smile widened.
“I knew it!”
“I wasn’t here yesterday because I was sick!”
“But everyone kept talking about the transfer student!”
“I really wanted to meet you!”
Before Hina could respond—
The girl stood up dramatically.
“My name is Yui Nakamura!”
“It’s nice to meet you!”
Hina couldn’t help smiling.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
Yui immediately pointed at her.
“You’re having lunch with me today.”
Hina looked into her eyes.
The familiar power activated.
No negativity.
No hidden malice.
Only excitement.
The simple happiness of meeting someone new.
For the first time—
Hina didn’t hesitate.
“Okay.”
Yui gasped.
“That was easy!”
A voice suddenly came from beside her.
“Wow.”
“You made a friend in under thirty seconds.”
The boy sitting next to Yui.
Brown hair.
Brown eyes.
He shook his head.
Yui immediately pointed at him.
“Ignore him.”
“No.”
The boy replied calmly.
“Please don’t.”
Yui rolled her eyes.
“This is Itsuki Aoyama.”
“My best friend.”
Itsuki sighed.
“Unfortunately.”
“HEY!”
Yui smacked his shoulder.
Hina couldn’t help laughing.
Itsuki smiled slightly.
“I’m Itsuki.”
“Hina.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Then Hina surprised herself.
“You should join us for lunch too.”
Itsuki blinked.
“You already included me?”
“Without asking?”
“That’s surprisingly kind.”
Hina smiled.
“I knew you’d come anyway.”
For a second—
Everyone stared.
Then all four of them laughed.
Even Haku.
Though he’d never admit it.
Lunch arrived quickly.
The four students sat together in the cafeteria.
The atmosphere was lively.
Comfortable.
Normal.
Something Hina had rarely experienced.
Then another figure approached.
Ryu.
He stopped beside their table.
Yui immediately recognized him.
Her eyes widened.
“Wait!”
“You’re Ryu senpai!”
“The famous one!”
Ryu looked slightly embarrassed.
Yui continued.
“Good grades.”
“Good at sports.”
“Good at everything.”
“Popular.”
“And ridiculously handsome.”
Ryu coughed.
“Thank you?”
Yui grinned.
Then pointed at Haku.
“Wow.”
“Our group has two celebrities.”
“One famous because he’s talented.”
“And one famous because he’s a menace.”
Haku immediately clutched his chest.
“You wound me.”
Yui laughed.
“Sorry!”
“You should be.”
Even Ryu chuckled.
The atmosphere quickly became comfortable.
After a while, Yui looked at Hina.
“You transferred in the middle of the semester.”
“You’re probably behind on a lot of lessons.”
Hina nodded.
“A little.”
“A little?”
Haku interrupted.
“You’re dying.”
“I’m not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Yui ignored them.
“Then let’s have a study session this weekend!”
She suddenly turned toward Ryu.
“Ryu senpai!”
“Will you be our teacher?”
Ryu blinked.
Then instinctively looked toward Hina.
For a moment—
Their eyes met.
His emotions entered Hina’s senses by her eyes.
Anticipation.
Hina smiled.
A small but genuine smile.
Ryu returned it.
“Sure.”
Yui nearly exploded with excitement.
“YES!”
“We have a teacher!”
Later when school ended.
Students began leaving campus.
As Hina stepped outside—
A familiar voice immediately called out.
“HEY, SHORTY!”
She turned.
Haku was already walking toward her.
He looked amused.
“Looks like you’ve made a lot of friends.”
Hina smiled.
“I did.”
“You seem happy.”
“I am.”
For a moment, she looked at him quietly.
Her eyes detected his emotions.
Pure happiness.
Then she spoke.
“Haku.”
“If you hadn’t been there…”
“I don’t think I would’ve learned how to trust people again.”
Her voice softened.
“I wouldn’t have made friends.”
“I wouldn’t have changed.”
“Thank you.”
Haku looked away awkwardly.
“That’s embarrassing.”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
Then Hina asked,
“So.”
“How can I repay you?”
Haku immediately grinned.
“Oh?”
“You want to repay me?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect.”
He raised two fingers.
“Then grant me two wishes.”
Hina narrowed her eyes.
“Which wishes?”
“The first one.”
He pointed dramatically at himself.
“Buy me food.”
“You never change.”
Haku clutched his chest.
“Critical damage.”
Hina laughed.
For real this time.
Then she asked,
“And the second wish?”
For the first time—
Haku’s expression softened.
The teasing disappeared.
The joking disappeared.
Only sincerity remained.
“Take care of yourself.”
Hina froze.
The evening breeze passed between them.
Haku smiled.
A warm.
Gentle.
Genuine smile.
“That’s all.”
For several seconds—
Hina simply looked at him.
Then she smiled back.
Just as softly.
“Okay.”
“I promise.”
And somehow—
That promise felt important.
More important than either of them realized.
End of Chapter 9.