Brief
Birthdays had never really meant much to me.
Not when people made a spectacle out of it every year.
The hallway outside my classroom was already crowded before the bell even rang—girls lingering a little too long, laughter a little too loud, eyes flicking toward the door every few seconds.
Waiting.
It was predictable.
I leaned back in my chair, half-listening to the conversation around me, a lazy smile playing on my lips as I responded just enough to keep things interesting.
“Laito, are you doing anything later?” “You should come with us—we already planned something—”
“Hmm?” I glanced at them, resting my chin on my hand. “Already fighting over me this early? I’m flattered.”
They giggled.
Of course they did.
The bell rang shortly after, and as the class ended, I stretched slightly before making my way toward the door. The noise outside had only grown louder.
As expected.
I pushed the door open—
—and paused.
Something felt… off.
Not the usual energy.
Not excitement.
Tension.
“…What exactly do you think you’re doing?”
The words left my mouth before I even thought about it.
A small crowd had formed just a few steps away. Girls—familiar faces—standing in a loose circle.
And in the middle—…her. Misa.
I blinked once.
Recognition came easily. She’d been around—quiet, soft, easy to overlook if you weren’t paying attention.
I hadn’t been. Until now.
She was on the floor. Her hands were braced against it, shoulders slightly trembling, and in front of her—
A box.
Crushed.
Something sweet—cake, maybe—spilled messily onto the ground.
“…L-Laito—!” one of the girls spoke up quickly, her tone instantly changing. “It’s not what it looks like—”
I didn’t look at her. My gaze stayed on Misa.
“…Isn’t it?” I said lightly.
I stepped closer, slipping my hands into my pockets. “Because it looks pretty clear to me.”
“She just dropped it herself,” another added quickly.
I hummed, tilting my head slightly.
“Then why are you all still here?” I asked, my voice still smooth. “Waiting for applause?”
No one answered and the silence stretched.
I smiled. It wasn’t a nice one.
“Go on,” I said softly. “Unless you want me to start asking more questions.”
That was enough.
They scattered almost immediately.
The hallway quieted just as quickly as it had erupted.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair before finally looking down properly.
She hadn’t moved much.
Still staring at the mess in front of her like she was trying to piece it back together just by looking at it.
