The silence between them stretched again — not heavy, but thoughtful. Lily's eyes wandered to the edge of Aki's desk where his sketchbook lay slightly open, its spine cracked from use.
And just barely peeking out from beneath a page was a familiar silhouette.
She leaned a little, curiosity getting the better of her.
"…Is that me?" she asked with a playful smile, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aki froze.
She reached out gently and slid the page open — not yanking it, just enough to peek.
Her eyes widened slightly.
It was her.
There, drawn in fine pencil lines, was the moment from yesterday — her figure leaning, just about to fall, Riku's hand catching her wrist. But it wasn't romanticized. It wasn't dramatic. It was real. Her expression was detailed, tired but still soft. Honest. Like someone trying to look stronger than they felt.
The artistry made her heart skip.
"You even got the crease in my skirt right," she teased lightly, looking up at him. "Are you secretly studying me?"
Aki's entire face turned red.
He stood up so quickly the chair scraped loudly against the wooden floor. His voice came out breathy and panicked. "I-I wasn't— It's not like— I just draw things that stand out!"
Lily blinked, then laughed gently, the sound quiet but genuine. "Relax. I'm just teasing."
But Aki was already collecting his books, shoving the sketchpad quickly into his bag like it had betrayed him.
"I need to go," he said quickly, not meeting her eyes. "Sorry."
"Aki, wait—" Lily reached out, just a little, but he was already walking toward the end of the aisle, fast, head ducked low.
Before he turned the corner, he paused.
"…You really did stand out."
Then he was gone.
Lily sat there, alone again, a strange warmth spreading through her chest. The moment had been brief. Fragile. But honest in a way most people weren't anymore.
She looked down at the table, brushing her fingers over the empty space where the sketch had been.
And softly, to no one in particular, she whispered:
"…Me too."