“Cracks”

The faint scratching of pencils against paper filled the classroom as the clock ticked closer to the end of their math test. Lily tapped her eraser lightly against her lip, her green eyes scanning her work one last time. She felt confident; she had spent the entire previous afternoon studying, solving equations until the numbers blurred together.

"Time's up," the teacher announced, his voice sharp but calm. "Pass your papers forward."

Lily exhaled in relief, stacking her paper on top of the others. She glanced at Koji, who was sitting beside her, his face scrunched in visible distress. His pencil hovered above his test like he was trying to will the answers onto the page.

"You okay?" she whispered as the teacher began collecting their tests.

Koji groaned softly, slumping forward until his forehead touched the desk. "I'm pretty sure I bombed that one."

Lily's lips curled into a small, encouraging smile. "I'm sure you did better than you think. Besides," she added with a teasing lilt, "you've still got melon bread to look forward to."

He perked up slightly at the mention, adjusting his glasses and letting out a half-hearted laugh. "You always know how to cheer me up."

The bell rang, signaling the start of the next break. Students began filing out, the hum of chatter filling the hallways. Lily stood, brushing off her skirt. Koji shuffled after her, still mumbling about the test.

"Come on," she said lightly, "let's head to the lockers before the hall gets too crowded."

As they walked toward the line of lockers, Lily noticed the whispers before she saw the lingering stares. As the whispers floated around her, Lily thought back to Kaho earlier that morning—the first-year's shy smile, her quiet confidence hidden beneath layers of nerves. It was strange, being asked for help like that, like she had suddenly become someone important in a place that still felt so unfamiliar. The words floated just loud enough for her to catch snippets:

"Isn't that the girl who defended him?"

"She's pretty, but seriously—Koji Nakamura? What's her deal?"

"Maybe she feels sorry for him."

"No way, she's, like, way out of his league."

"Did you hear how she talked back to Hayato-senpai? Bold. Stupid, but bold."

"She's kind of cool, though."

Koji must have heard them too because his steps faltered, his gaze dropping to the floor. He tugged at the strap of his bag nervously, as if willing himself to disappear.

Lily, however, kept walking, her expression serene. She stopped at her locker, spinning the dial on the lock with practiced ease.

"You don't have to pretend you didn't hear that," Koji muttered, his voice barely audible. His grip on his bag tightened. He hated how much their words stung, how true they sometimes felt. He didn't deserve this—not Lily's defense, not her kindness. She belonged with people who were confident, who weren't the target of jokes in the hallway. And yet, here she was, smiling at him like none of it mattered. Like he mattered.

The whispers slid over her like water, or at least that's what she told herself.

Let them talk.

As long as they didn't bother Koji—or her—directly, she could take it. But a part of her couldn't help but wonder: Did they think she was doing it for attention? Did they think she was trying too hard? The doubts rose, but she shoved them back, her smile never wavering. If she let them see even a crack, they'd never stop.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "What's the point in letting it bother me?" she said softly, her tone light but firm. "Besides…"

She trailed off, her fingers pausing mid-turn on the lock. "I'll tell you what really bothers me."

Koji blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

She turned to him, gesturing at her neatly pressed uniform. "This."

Koji frowned. "Your locker?"

"No, Ko-ko." She tugged lightly at the hem of her pleated skirt, feigning exasperation. "This uniform. I don't think I'll ever get used to it. I mean, who decided a skirt was a good look for school?"

For a moment, the tension hanging between them dissolved as Koji let out a loud laugh, drawing a few curious stares. "The skirt? That's your big problem right now?"

"Yes," she said, her voice deadpan as she turned back to open her locker. "Forget the stares. Forget the whispers. The real villain here is the uniform."

Koji snorted, the corners of his eyes crinkling as his laughter echoed down the hallway.

"See?" she said with a satisfied smile. "Much better."

The whispers hadn't stopped, though. As Lily gathered her books, she couldn't help but catch more fragments of conversation.

"Look at him, always trailing behind her like some pathetic puppy."

"They're like a joke. Like, someone put a model and a cartoon pig in the same room and said, 'Go be friends.'"

"It's all fake, right? No way someone like her actually cares about someone like him."

"I think she's amazing. Did you see her smile yesterday? She's, like, out of a movie."

"Hayato-senpai was really looking at her during gym, though."

"Yes, maybe he wants to kill her you know?"

Her smile faltered for the briefest moment, but she quickly replaced it, closing her locker with a decisive click. "Ready?" she asked, turning to Koji.

He nodded, still visibly uneasy. "Yeah."

As they walked away, Lily glanced over her shoulder at the students lingering near the lockers. A few of them quickly turned away, pretending they hadn't been staring. She sighed inwardly but refused to let it dampen her mood.

Koji hesitated again, his steps slowing.

"She's kind of scary when she's angry, but it's almost cute. Too bad she wastes all that fire defending a pig."

"Does she actually like him? That'd be the saddest love story ever."

"Seriously, why does he even exist? If Lily wasn't around, no one would even notice he's here."

Koji could feel the words clinging to his skin like oil, impossible to wash away. He knew they weren't new. This was his normal. He'd heard them all before—every insult, every cruel assumption. But this time, the words weren't just about him. They were about her.

He risked a glance at Lily. She was walking with her head slightly down, her long blonde hair swaying with each step, catching the faint light from the windows. Her bag was slung over her shoulder, the strap pulled tight against her knuckles. Her expression was unreadable—calm on the surface, but Koji knew better.

She can hear them too.

She wasn't showing it, though. She was walking forward, steady, resolute, like the words didn't touch her. He wanted to believe it was true. That she was fine. That the whispers didn't reach her.

But he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers clenched the strap of her bag just a little too tightly. He recognized the small signs, the quiet weight she was carrying. And it made his chest ache.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

When Lily had walked into their classroom on the first day, her smile had been like the first ray of sunlight after a long winter. She'd taken the seat beside him without hesitation, and for the first time in years, someone had looked at him without pity or malice.

She'd looked at him like he was normal.

She'd made jokes, asked questions, laughed at his awkward attempts to explain the school rules. She'd treated him like a person—like a friend—and it had been so easy to let her in.

And now, because of him, she was walking down this hallway with whispers at her back.

Koji clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He didn't want this for her. She didn't deserve it. She didn't deserve to be dragged into the mess that was his life.

"Three weeks in, and she's already hanging out with the school reject. Talk about bad decisions."

He slowed his steps, his breath catching in his chest as the weight of it all pressed down on him. His mind raced with the memories of every cruel word, every shove, every humiliation he'd endured over the years.

This is normal for me. I can handle it.

But Lily? She wasn't like him. She wasn't used to this kind of cruelty. She was new, different, an easy target. And because she'd chosen to be by his side, she'd become part of the joke.

He stopped walking.

"Koji?" Lily's voice was soft, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. She turned to look at him, her green eyes wide with concern.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. How could he explain what he was feeling? How could he tell her that her kindness, her friendship, had become both his greatest joy and his heaviest burden?

"I…" He hesitated, his voice catching in his throat. "I need a minute."

Her brow furrowed. "What? Why?"

He looked away, his gaze falling to the floor. "I just… I need to be alone for a bit. That's all."

"Koji…" Her tone was gentle but firm, the concern in her voice wrapping around him like a lifeline.

He shook his head, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "It's not you," he said quickly, his voice trembling. "It's just… I need some space. Please."

Lily hesitated, her hand twitching as though she was about to reach out to him. For a moment, Koji thought she might follow him, press him for answers.

But then, slowly, she nodded.

"Okay," she said softly. "If that's what you need."

Koji nodded, his throat tight with unspoken words. He turned and walked back the way they came, his footsteps echoing in the corridor.

As he rounded the corner, he glanced back one last time. Lily was still standing there.

She didn't move. She didn't call out to him.

She just watched him go.

Koji quickened his pace, his chest tightening with every step. He hated this feeling—the guilt, the frustration, the helplessness. He hated that he couldn't protect her from the things he'd grown numb to.

I'm sorry, Lily. I'm so sorry.

He bit his lip, fighting the sting of tears in his eyes. He didn't cry—not here, not now. Not when there was no one to hear it.

I don't want you to be like me.

I don't want you to get used to this.

As he reached the end of the hallway, he leaned against the wall, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He closed his eyes, the memories of their first week together flashing through his mind.

Her laugh, light and unforced, echoing in the classroom.

The way her green eyes lit up when she talked about her favorite books.

The way she'd defended him without hesitation, her voice steady even when she was shaking.

I can't be your seat buddy, can I?

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his skin. The whispers, the stares, the weight of it all—it was his to carry, not hers.

ヽ(´□｀.)ﾉ

The rooftop was quiet, save for the faint hum of the school below. A gentle breeze tugged at Shun's shirt as he leaned against the railing, his ever-present smirk firmly in place. Beside him, Tsubasa sat cross-legged on the ground, his back against the wall, arms resting lazily over his knees. The contrast between their postures mirrored the differences in their temperaments—Shun always sharp and lively, Tsubasa cool and detached.

They'd been up here for a while, having slipped away after witnessing Koji retreat from the hallway. The scene had practically begged for commentary, and Shun, never one to miss an opportunity, couldn't resist breaking the silence.

"Well, that was pathetic," he started, his tone laced with amusement. "I mean, I didn't expect much from Piggy Porky, but even I'm impressed. He bailed on her without a second thought."

Tsubasa didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "It's not like he had much of a choice" he said finally, his voice even. "It's what he's used to."

Shun raised an eyebrow, tilting his head toward Tsubasa. "Oh, come on. Don't go soft on me now. You saw how she looked. Walking with her head held high, pretending like all those comments didn't bother her? I'll give her credit—it was almost convincing."

"Almost." Tsubasa echoed, his tone flat.

Shun chuckled, leaning further against the railing. "But you know what's funny? She's still sticking around. After all that. You'd think someone like her would've bailed already."

"Someone like her?" Tsubasa asked, his sharp eyes flicking to Shun.

"Yeah, you know," Shun said with a lazy shrug. "Blonde, pretty, new. She doesn't belong here. She stands out too much." His grin widened, his voice taking on a mocking edge. "But maybe that's why Hayato can't keep his eyes off her."

Tsubasa's gaze darkened slightly, though his posture didn't change. "Hayato's always been like that. He fixates on things he can't have."

Shun let out a low laugh, pushing off the railing and pacing a few steps. "You think that's all it is? A fixation? Come on, Tsubasa, you've seen him. He's practically obsessed. It's not like him."

Tsubasa didn't answer, but the faint crease in his brow betrayed his thoughts.

"And what's with the whole 'I'm the king of the school' act he's been putting on lately?" Shun continued, his tone playful but edged with curiosity. "It's like he's trying too hard to keep the spotlight. Maybe he's worried she'll take it away from him."

Tsubasa leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes briefly. "Hayato's not worried about her. He's worried about himself."

Shun tilted his head, intrigued. "Interesting theory. Care to elaborate?"

Tsubasa opened his eyes, his gaze steady. "Hayato thrives on control. It's what keeps him ahead. But she's unpredictable. She doesn't react the way people like Koji do. Or the other girls. That throws him off."

Shun whistled low, crossing his arms. "You're overthinking it. Hayato's just having fun. That's all this is."

"Maybe" Tsubasa said, though his tone suggested otherwise.

Shun shrugged, his grin returning. "Either way, it's entertaining. Watching him play the game while pretending he's not playing? Classic Hayato."

For a moment, the two fell silent, the breeze filling the space between them. Then Shun's grin widened, a spark of mischief lighting up his eyes.

"Speaking of strange behavior," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "I saw Arata last night."

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow, his attention piqued. "And?"

Shun leaned in slightly, his grin turning conspiratorial. "He wasn't alone. He was with someone. A woman."

Tsubasa's expression didn't change, but his gaze sharpened. "A woman?"

"Yup," Shun confirmed, his tone smug. "Older. Way older. She looked expensive, you know? Designer clothes, heels, the whole package."

Tsubasa's jaw tightened. "Where?"

"Near the station." Shun said casually, as if recounting a mundane detail. "They were talking. Looked serious."

"And you're sure it was him?" Tsubasa pressed.

Shun snorted. "Who else could it be? Arata's got that whole 'too cool for this world' vibe. He sticks out anywhere."

Tsubasa frowned, his thoughts churning. "Did you hear anything?"

"No" Shun admitted, leaning back against the railing again. "But whatever it was, it wasn't small talk. And she didn't seem like the type to waste her time on a high schooler without a reason."

Tsubasa's gaze drifted back to the horizon, his expression unreadable. "Arata doesn't do anything without a reason."

"Exactly" Shun said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But whatever he's up to, I'm sure it's nothing we need to worry about. He always handles his own messes."

Tsubasa didn't respond, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Shun watched him for a moment before his grin returned. "Speaking of messes, you should really stop worrying about Rika."

Tsubasa's eyes snapped to him, narrowing slightly. "I'm not worried about her."

"Sure, you're not" Shun said, his tone teasing. "But you hate how she keeps chasing after Hayato and Arata, don't you?"

Tsubasa's silence spoke volumes.

"Look" Shun continued, his grin softening into something almost genuine. "She's always going to do that. It's who she is. You can't change it, so stop wasting your energy."

Tsubasa closed his eyes again, exhaling slowly. "I'm not trying to change her. I just don't want her to get hurt."

Shun let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "Hurt? Please. Rika's tougher than she looks. She'll be fine."

Tsubasa didn't reply, but the faint tension in his posture didn't fade.

As the breeze picked up again, Shun stretched his arms above his head, letting out a content sigh. "Well, whatever happens, happens. Just don't forget, Tsubasa—we're here to have fun. Nothing more, nothing less."

Tsubasa opened his eyes, his gaze steady as he looked at Shun. "Sometimes I wonder if that's all it really is."

Shun raised an eyebrow, his grin faltering for a fraction of a second. "What else would it be?"

Tsubasa didn't answer, but his silence lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

As the bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of the break, Shun pushed off the railing, his smirk firmly back in place. "Come on, Tsubasa. Let's get back before Hayato starts acting like a king again."

Tsubasa stood slowly, his gaze lingering on the horizon for a moment longer before he followed Shun back inside.

But even as they descended the stairs, the cracks in their group's seemingly solid foundation were becoming harder to ignore.

And for a moment,Tsubasa wondered how long the group had not been the same.