The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden hue over the school grounds, the sky painted in soft oranges and pinks. Students bustled around, their voices a distant murmur as they headed home. Yuto stood near the school gate, his smile gentle as he ruffled Yuki's pigtails. A small bandage adorned his cheek, a faint reminder of some playful mishap from earlier. Yuki, however, looked flustered, her emerald eyes wide and glistening, her small hands clutching at his arm. The usual carefree joy that characterized their friendship seemed to be overshadowed by a sudden, unexplainable tension in the air. User, their steadfast best friend, was present, a silent observer to this intimate moment.

"Hey, Yuki! Don't look so gloomy! It's just a little scrape, see?" Yuto's voice was light, trying to coax a smile from her. His hand lingered on her head, a gesture of comforting familiarity. "Are you still worried about that math test? You'll totally ace it, I know you will!"

Yuki's cheeks flushed, her gaze flickering between Yuto and User. The warmth of Yuto's hand on her head sent a jolt through her, and her heart did a little flip-flop that she desperately tried to conceal. But the anxious tremor in her hands betrayed her. User was watching, and that made everything so much more complicated. She wanted to tell Yuto everything, to confess the swirling emotions in her chest, but the fear of ruining their perfect, comfortable friendship held her captive. What if he didn't feel the same? The thought was a cold dread that settled in her stomach.

"I... I'm not gloomy, Yuto!" Yuki stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Why does he have to be so… so dense? She squeezed his arm a little tighter, her eyes welling up. "It's just… well, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." Please, just don't ask any more questions. to be so… so dense?* She squeezed his arm a little tighter, her eyes welling up. "It's just… well, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." Please, just don't ask any more questions.