Kazuki's POV
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
After dismissing the class, the teacher left, and my classmates quickly began filing out of the room.
Not me.
I waited until all the girls had left before grabbing my bag, slinging it over my shoulder, and walking into the hallway.
Just as I stepped into the corridor, a girl wearing rather unusual clothes handed me a flyer.
"Please check out the Occult Research Club," she said with a cheerful smile. "It's a fun place to research and talk about supernatural beings."
She walked off immediately, handing flyers to the remaining students.
Occult?
What the hell was that?
Not interested.
Unless it somehow helped my academic record, I wasn't planning to join any club.
As I continued toward the school gate, a familiar lavender fragrance drifted past me.
This scent...
Unlike the faint scent of roses from earlier, I recognized this one immediately.
Looking ahead, I spotted Akeno-senpai leaning casually against the wall near the gate, her school bag hanging from one shoulder.
The moment she noticed me, she smiled brightly and waved.
"Kazu-kun!"
...Oi.
Please don't shout like that.
Just as I expected, the nearby students immediately turned toward us.
A chorus of surprised gasps spread through the crowd, followed by countless curious stares and whispers.
This...
This was exactly why I always tried to leave school last.
Letting out a long sigh, I walked over to her.
"Akeno-senpai," I said. "Could you please not do things like that?"
"Why?" She tilted her head innocently.
"Because you're attracting attention," I replied. "I just want to finish my school life as quietly as possible."
"Why?"
"Hmm...Personal reasons."
"Kay~" Before I could react, she grabbed my hand. "Let's go home together then~"
"You've already decided to drag me along at your own pace, haven't you?"
Either this girl didn't understand the meaning of personal space, or she understood it perfectly and simply didn't care.
Small Timeskip
I sat down on a nearby park bench in Kuoh Park.
A few moments later, Akeno-senpai returned, carrying two ice creams.
Without saying a word, she held one out toward me.
"For me?" I asked.
"Mhm~" She nodded before sitting down beside me. "I wasn't sure which flavor you'd like, so I picked one that most people seem to enjoy."
"You didn't have to be so considerate," I said as I unwrapped it. "I love free food. As long as it's edible, I'm happy. Thanks for the ice cream, Akeno-senpai."
"Kazu-kun," she said, "you're not from Kuoh, are you? The way you got lost that day... it's hard to imagine you were born here."
I turned toward her.
Somehow...
The way she ate her ice cream was...
Well...
You know what I mean.
The male bystanders certainly did.
Several nearby boys had completely frozen in place, their faces bright red as they stared at her.
"...Well, yes," I answered, deciding to ignore Akeno-senpai's strangely mesmerizing way of eating her ice cream.
"I'm actually an orphan. I came here because I was given an opportunity to pursue my education. I didn't know anyone here, so I packed everything I had... and started a new life."
"...Wait."
Akeno-senpai suddenly stopped eating and looked at me.
"I'm sorry if I asked something too personal."
"Not at all," I replied before taking another bite of my ice cream. "I don't think my life has been terrible. I've simply lived the life I was given."
"Are you..." Akeno-senpai paused, lowering her gaze to the ground. "...not curious about your parents?"
"Hmm... probably. But honestly, not that much."
"Really?" She looked into my eyes. "You've never wanted to know what kind of people they were? What they looked like? What their personalities were like?"
"Well..."
I looked up at the sky before answering.
"If they had the heart to leave me as a baby, why should I spend my life wondering about them? All I know is that the sisters found me in front of a church."
I finished the last bite of my ice cream before tossing the stick toward a nearby trash bin.
It flew cleanly into the opening.
"Jackpot..."
I quickly cleared my throat and looked away, pretending I hadn't just celebrated a trash-bin shot.
"I mean..." I cleared my throat. "If they had their reasons... then I have my own reasons not to look for them."
I fell silent for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"However..."
I looked down at my hand.
My fingers slowly tightened into a fist...
...before relaxing again.
For a brief moment, I remembered a blond girl in the orphanage, taking that hand and gently pulling me forward.
Even though...
I had never asked for it.
"Not every child would think the way I do," I said quietly. "Some would grow up bitter. Some would become angry. Some would even hate the world. And they would all have the right to feel that way."
I smiled faintly.
"That's why... I want build a big family."
Akeno looked at me in surprise.
"I want to build a place where children can truly feel like they belong. Not because I resent what my parents did."
I shook my head.
"I simply understand that not every child would react the way I did. If I can give even one of them a place they can call home... then I think that would be enough."
I looked up at the evening sky.
"That's probably my dream."
Then I heard Akeno-senpai laugh.
For some reason...
This was the first time her laughter felt warm.
She slowly opened her eyes and locked onto mine before gently placing her hand over my own.
"I think that's a wonderful dream, Kazu-kun."
She smiled softly.
"I may be your senpai... but I think you're more mature than I am."
"Eh? Really?"
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
"I still remember the sisters scolding me whenever I pulled pranks with the other kids, so... I don't know."
I laughed quietly before looking into the distance, toward Kuoh Academy.
"That's why I need an education," I said simply.
"If I'm stupid... then I'll never be able to reach my dream."
"Can I support you?"
"Huh?"
I blinked in surprise.
"But doesn't Akeno-senpai have her own responsibilities and things to do? I can't accept your help if it means forcing yourself."
"Hmm~" She pretended to think, placing a finger against her chin. "Nope."
She smiled.
"I'm not busy at all. Besides... Isn't it a senpai's duty to help her kouhai?"
"But why? We've only just met."
"I think your dream is incredible." She looked up at the evening sky. "And perhaps... being with you might help me make peace with one of my own."
I looked into Akeno-senpai's eyes.
For a brief moment...
They reminded me of the eyes from my dream.
Eyes filled with sorrow.
Without realizing it, I clenched my fist.
"Then..." I slowly held out my hand. "Please help your kouhai become better academically, Akeno-senpai."
She looked at my hand.
Then back at me.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"I'll become a dependable senpai, Kazu-kun." She took my hand. "But promise me something."
"What is it?"
"Promise me... that you won't give up."
I smiled.
"I promise."
Under the evening sky, we shook hands. It was a simple gesture, nothing more than a promise between a senpai and her kouhai, yet somehow... it felt like the first step toward a future neither of us could see, but one we had both quietly decided to walk together.