Morning light filtered softly through the large windows of the main building. Haruto yawned and stretched in his seat as he waited for classes to begin. Everything seemed the same as always... and yet something felt different.
I didn't know exactly what it was. But I had noticed it for a few days.
First it was Haruka. Her sister.
She didn't exactly act any different, she was still that composed, mature figure, the reasonable voice that always lovingly scolded him when he overtrained or talked too much to the girls in the group. But lately...
-Good morning, Brother," he had said that morning with a smile.
It was his usual tone. His usual smile.
And yet, to Haruto it seemed... forced. Not because she looked fake, but because something in her eyes didn't quite go with it. As if inside she was dull.
It was not the only change.
Even his figure seemed different. More... marked. Not in a vulgar way, but in a subtle way. As if she had matured overnight, with a more feminine, more elegant grace. Her walk was more leisurely, her gestures more restrained.
And then there was Liz.
The cold and blameless Liz. She had never been close, but constant. Strong. Clear. But now...
His silences lasted a little longer than usual. And, like Haruka, he seemed to have developed a distinct presence. It wasn't just her figure - though Haruto couldn't help but notice that she had become even slimmer - but her aura. More tense. More careful.
Were they going through something?
He didn't dare ask. At least not for now.
As I was thinking about it, the classroom door opened softly and a figure entered with a quiet step.
-Good morning," greeted a polite, firm male voice.
Haruto looked up and blinked.
It was Tokura Yoshi.
The boy had a reputation... peculiar. Not a particularly good one. Some remembered him as a shy and reserved nobleman, others as a coward who avoided conflict. But Haruto had never had a direct conversation with him.
Or at least that was how he remembered it. Of the few conversations he had, it was always him and not Tokura Yoshi who initiated them.
And yet today Yoshi seemed different.
-Haruto, right? -he said, approaching with a smile.
-Hey... yeah, that's me.
-Pleased to meet you. I'm Yoshi. Sorry if this is a bit sudden, but... I was wondering if we could become friends.
Haruto was surprised. The tone was friendly, warm... even a little teasing, but not rude. It was a sincere introduction.
Liz didn't look up. Nor did Haruka. Both simply ignored Yoshi's presence, as if he didn't exist.
But Haruto couldn't be rude. Besides, there was something about the way she looked at him that seemed... familiar. As if she really did see him as someone valuable.
-Sure," Haruto replied with a smile, "It would be a pleasure.
Yoshi smiled with a satisfied expression, as if he had won something important. Then he waved to the girls, who ignored him completely, and said goodbye.
-See you later, Haruto.
As he left the classroom, Haruto felt a little shiver. Something about Yoshi... something deep down, didn't quite add up. But he preferred not to think about it too much.
He turned to his sister.
-All right, Haruka?
She just nodded. And that smile... it seemed forced again.
Haruto looked away. Outside, the sun was still shining as usual. But inside, a shadow of doubt began to sprout.