Chapter 22: New Seats, New Bonds

The classroom had never felt louder.

The festival's glow still lingered in the air, and with midterms approaching, the teachers rearranged the seating chart—mixing students from different friend groups to "encourage better focus."

Naoto found himself seated between Rika and a quiet girl named Mei. Yuto, the class clown, sat one row ahead, constantly turning around with terrible jokes and grins that demanded reactions.

"You're stuck with me now," Rika whispered, half smug, half bitter.

Naoto raised a brow. "Was I ever free?"

She rolled her eyes but didn't deny the small smile tugging at her lips.

---

Study Sessions Begin

As tests loomed, a small study group formed. It started with Naoto helping Rika. Then Mei joined. Then Yuto, claiming he "wasn't dumb, just misunderstood." Before long, two more classmates joined—Sora, who loved history, and Aiko, who couldn't stop sketching in her notebook.

Naoto never planned to be at the center of a group… but here they were, laughing over snacks and solving equations.

And in the corner, always quiet, always present—for everyone She joined the study group with a soft smile, never talking too much, never drawing attention.

---

One Rainy Afternoon

The group stayed late after school, studying under the dull hum of ceiling lights as rain tapped gently outside.

Rika stretched. "I'm done. If I look at one more kanji, I'll scream."

Yuto made a dramatic gasp. "You read kanji?"

Everyone laughed—except the girl, who simply smiled and looked at Naoto.

He met her eyes. And for a split second, his expression softened. Not the calm, collected face he wore around everyone else.

But a boy at peace.

A boy who remembered something warm.

---

Rika's Quiet Realization

That night, as Rika walked home alone, umbrella in hand, her thoughts wouldn't settle.

She remembered Naoto laughing. The way he always glanced at her—no, not Rika, the quiet girl.

He always knew what she liked. Always brought snacks she enjoyed. Always understood her silence.

And then it hit her.

> "He already belongs to someone…"

She didn't know how or why, but deep inside, Rika felt the ache of something slipping away before she ever had the courage to reach for it.

Still… she smiled to herself.

> "But I'm glad I met him."