Saturday arrived with the kind of slow-moving sunshine that made everything feel slightly lazier than usual, a gentle caress after a week of frantic schoolwork. Rai Kurozawa blinked up at the ceiling from his bed, the sunlight filtering through the curtains casting thin golden bars over the cover of the book resting on his chest – a dense, historical fiction novel that usually consumed his full attention. Today, however, his thoughts kept drifting.
Ping!
His phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling him further from the dusty battlefields of his book.
> Sakura: "Group meet-up today, remember? Same café near school, 10 AM! Don't be late or I'll deduct imaginary points from your soul!"
>A small smile touched Rai's lips. Sakura, always the enthusiastic taskmaster.
>Kenji: "I'll be there, sensei!!! I'll even bring my limited edition pen that writes in a magical font!"
> Rai could practically hear Kenji's boisterous declaration. He pictured the pen – a ridiculously oversized, glitter-infused monstrosity that occasionally left faint, shimmering trails on their notes.
> Aika: "If you bring that cursed thing again, I'm leaving."
> And there was Aika, cutting through the saccharine with her usual sharp wit. The corner of Rai's mouth twitched upwards into a genuine chuckle. It was nice, this group chat chaos. A comforting, predictable rhythm in his otherwise quiet life.
After his usual quiet breakfast of toast and green tea, Rai changed into a simple t-shirt and pants, grabbed his worn notebook, and slung his bag over his shoulder. The walk to the café was peaceful—just enough breeze to make the leaves stir and the morning birdsong to accompany his thoughts. He enjoyed these moments of solitude, the calm before the storm of group dynamics.
When he arrived, the café already had a few early customers, their hushed conversations and the gentle clinking of cups creating a soothing background hum. At the far end, near the window, Kenji was waving wildly, an espresso cup practically vibrating in his hand.
"RAI! OVER HERE! I got us the sacred booth of productivity!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the café's ambient noise like a foghorn. A few patrons turned to stare, then quickly averted their eyes.
"It's just a corner booth," Rai said, sliding into the seat beside him, trying to sound exasperated but failing. Kenji's infectious energy was hard to resist.
"But it has natural lighting and a strategic exit path in case Aika throws a book at me," Kenji whispered with faux seriousness, leaning in conspiratorially. "She's been giving me the evil eye ever since I mentioned the pen. I think it's plotting my demise."
Before Rai could reply, the café door chimed again. Moments later, Sakura walked in, followed by Aika, both dressed casually. Sakura, ever practical, wore a smart blouse and slacks, her hair neatly tied back. Aika, on the other hand, wore a soft blue cardigan over her white blouse, a light satchel hanging at her side. Her eyes, usually so guarded, met Rai's briefly—a flicker of something he couldn't quite decipher—and then, of course, she looked away with a quiet "hmph," as if acknowledging his presence was a strenuous effort.
"Good, you're all here," Sakura clapped her hands, her voice bright and efficient. "Let's get to work!"
The group spread out their notes across the polished wooden table, each person pulling out their respective research materials and draft outlines. The air quickly filled with the rustle of papers, the soft scratching of pens, and the occasional frustrated sigh. Sakura took charge like an over-caffeinated general, her finger tapping rhythmically on the table.
"All right! Let's decide on the chapter themes," she declared, her eyes scanning their faces.
"We need a cohesive flow. Kenji, you're in charge of compiling historical references. Make sure they're accurate and not, you know, from a fanfiction website."
Kenji clutched his chest. "My academic integrity is wounded, Sakura-sensei! I only use the most reputable online encyclopedias… and maybe a few forums if the vibes are right."
Sakura just rolled her eyes, a familiar exasperated fondness in her expression. "Rai, handle editing. You have an eye for detail, and you're the only one who can decipher Kenji's 'magical font' notes."
Rai nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips. He'd already braced himself for the inevitable linguistic gymnastics.
"Aika, organizes the data into presentation slides. Make them visually appealing and easy to digest. No overly complex graphs, please."
"Why do I have to do the slides?" Aika narrowed her eyes, a suspicious glint in them.
"I'm good with data, but presentation isn't exactly my passion."
Sakura smiled sweetly, a smile that promised both compliments and unwavering demands. "Because you have the best aesthetic sense, Aika. Your layouts are always so… refined. Also, I tried asking Kenji last time and the slides had sparkles and explosions, and a gratuitous anime character cameo."
"I regret nothing," Kenji muttered dramatically, taking a theatrical sip of his espresso. "The client would have been entertained."
Aika sighed, but a faint flush colored her cheeks. "Fine. But if it's too much work, I'm delegating the explosion effects to Kenji."
They worked for over an hour, trading ideas, occasionally sipping on coffee and tea. The café's gentle hum was punctuated by Sakura's decisive pronouncements, Kenji's outlandish suggestions (including a chapter written entirely in haiku, swiftly shot down), and Aika's quiet, insightful observations. Rai, true to his nature, stayed quiet for the most part, listening, making notes, and occasionally offering a concise, pertinent correction. His eyes, however, often drifted toward Aika. She was focused, her brow furrowed in concentration, occasionally tapping her stylus against her lip while she thought. Every once in a while, she'd glance at him, then look away the second their eyes met, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.
He still wasn't used to this new, softer version of Aika. The girl who once scowled at his mere existence now seemed hesitant. Was it… comfort? Or awkward confusion? Maybe both. He found himself wondering what she was thinking when she looked at him like that, only to immediately chastise himself for overthinking. It was probably just the glare from the window. Or maybe she was just noticing the pen he was using. Yeah, that was it.
After a productive (and surprisingly loud) session, the table was littered with crumpled notes, half-empty mugs, and the faint, sweet scent of coffee. Sakura clapped her hands again, bringing an end to their first brainstorming blitz.
"Okay! That's a solid start. Let's take a break and split up for now. We'll regroup tomorrow to finalize everything. I've got something to pick up from the print shop – our presentation cover pages are finally ready!"
"I'm going to the bookstore next door!" Kenji added, practically bouncing in his seat. "Gotta get volume seven of The Sorcerer's Accountant! It just dropped! My life depends on knowing if Agnes finally confesses her love for the tax auditor!"
"Your priorities are… unique," Sakura commented dryly, gathering her papers.
"I have to stop by the stationery store," Aika mumbled, already packing her satchel. She avoided eye contact with everyone.
Rai stood up too, stretching slightly, his muscles protesting the prolonged sitting. "I guess I'll head back then… I need to cross-reference some of Kenji's 'historical facts.'" He gave Kenji a playful jab with his elbow, which the other boy dodged dramatically.
"W-wait."
Aika's voice was barely above a whisper, almost lost in the rustle of papers and the clatter of café dishes.
Rai paused, his hand halfway to grabbing his bag. "Hm?"
Aika fumbled with the strap of her satchel, her cheeks starting to take on a faint pink hue. "I… I also need to drop by the shopping district. For… supplies." She didn't elaborate, instead focusing intently on a loose thread on her cardigan.
"Oh. Okay?" Rai prompted, waiting. He had a feeling there was more to this.
Aika puffed her cheeks slightly, a subtle sign of her internal struggle. "And… since you're not busy, you should come with me." She blurted it out quickly, as if trying to get the words out before she could regret them.
Rai blinked. "What?" The directness caught him off guard.
"It's not like I want to walk around with you or anything!" she snapped quickly, her voice rising slightly. "It's just—ugh—there are weird people on the weekend and it's better to be safe, you know?!" She gestured vaguely towards the window, as if the "weird people" were currently performing a synchronized dance outside.
"…So you want me as your… personal bodyguard?" Rai couldn't help but tease, a small smile playing on his lips.
"D-don't phrase it like that, you moron!" Aika's blush deepened, reaching her ears. She looked like a cornered cat, ready to scratch.
Kenji, who had been listening with unholy glee, popped up like a gopher from the neighboring table, his eyes wide and mischievous. "Ohhh?! Are we seeing the Shopping Date Subplot Route unlocked here?!" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"SHUT UP, KENJI — SAKAMOTO!" Aika and Rai both shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the café. Kenji immediately ducked back down, stifling laughter that sounded suspiciously like a dying hyena.
Sakura, who had been observing the entire exchange with an amused smirk, simply shook her head. "You two are impossible. Have fun on your 'errands,' then. Don't get into too much trouble." Her eyes twinkled knowingly.
The two walked side by side through the bustling shopping street, a stream of weekend shoppers flowing around them. Aika was slightly ahead, her pace brisk, Rai half-jogging to keep pace with her determined strides. The initial silence was broken only by the ambient noise of the street – music from shops, snippets of conversation, the distant rumble of traffic.
"So… what exactly are you shopping for?" Rai asked, finally managing to catch up to her.
Aika's shoulders stiffened. "Just… notebooks, maybe some markers, and a few things for school. It's none of your business." Her tone was clipped, but the faint tremor in her voice betrayed her.
"You asked me to come," Rai pointed out, mildly.
"I didn't say ask, I said you should! Totally different!" she retorted, not even looking at him. She quickened her pace further, as if trying to outrun the conversation.
"Right…" Rai let it go, a small smile playing on his lips. He knew how Aika operated. Direct confrontation usually resulted in her retreating into her shell or unleashing a verbal barrage.
They stopped by a shop window, a display of cute stationery items catching Aika's eye. As she peered in, Aika turned slightly, her voice barely a whisper. "But… thanks. For tagging along."
Rai blinked. He almost missed it. "Huh?"
"I said nothing! You imagined that!" she snapped, her face immediately flushing. She pushed off the window with unnecessary force and continued walking.
He didn't press it. But a small, genuinely pleased smile lingered on his face. This was progress, in Aika-speak. A tiny, almost imperceptible crack in the tsundere armor.
As they left the first stationery store with a modest bag of supplies – Aika had spent a good ten minutes agonizing over the perfect shade of emerald green marker – the conversation shifted again, becoming slightly more natural.
"What do you think of Kenji and Sakura?" Aika asked suddenly, changing the subject with the abruptness of a faulty traffic light. They were walking past a small park, the sounds of children filtering through the trees.
Rai thought for a moment, recalling the café chaos. "They're… kind of in sync."
"Like disgustingly in sync," Aika huffed, though with a hint of fondness that contradicted her words. "They finish each other's sentences sometimes. It's creepy. One time, Kenji was about to say 'I'm hungry for ramen' and Sakura blurted out 'with extra pork belly' before he even finished the word 'ramen.' It's like they share a brain cell, and it's usually Kenji's turn to use it."
Rai chuckled, imagining the scene. "They'd make a good couple."
Aika glanced up at him, a flicker of genuine curiosity in her eyes. "You think so too?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I mean, she keeps him in check, and he keeps things lively. Without Kenji, Sakura would probably turn into a robot fueled by deadlines and caffeine. And without Sakura, Kenji would probably try to negotiate group project grades with interpretive dance."
Aika's lips curved into a rare, relaxed smile, a sight that still surprised Rai with its quiet beauty. "They're like a storm and a rainbow in the same sky," she mused, gazing ahead.
"One brings chaos, the other brings calm after it."
"That's… poetic," Rai said, genuinely impressed.
Aika's smile vanished, replaced by her usual defensive scowl. "Shut up. It's not like I'm trying to be romantic or anything. It's just… an observation."
"Sure." Rai's smile widened, knowing better than to push. He enjoyed these glimpses into her softer side, however fleeting. It was like finding a rare, delicate flower in a field of thorns.
They continued their walk, meandering through a few more shops. Aika meticulously examined different types of paper, holding them up to the light as if scrutinizing ancient artifacts. Rai patiently waited, occasionally offering an opinion that was met with either a dismissive "hmph" or a surprisingly thoughtful nod. At one point, Aika paused in front of a quirky novelty shop, her eyes drawn to a plush toy shaped like a grumpy cat wearing a tiny crown.
"Ugh, that's ridiculous," she muttered, but Rai noticed the slight twitch at the corner of her lips, a hint of amusement.
"You want it, don't you?" he teased.
"Don't be stupid! Why would I want a stuffed animal? I'm a high school student!" But she lingered, her gaze fixed on the cat.
Rai sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll buy it for you. Consider it a… bodyguard fee."
Aika's eyes widened. "You are an absolute idiot! I told you not to call it that! And I don't need you to buy me anything!" She quickly moved away from the window, her face a furious red. Rai just grinned, knowing he'd hit a nerve. He made a mental note to maybe, just maybe, come back for the grumpy cat later.
After they made it through the last of Aika's vague "supplies" shopping (which turned out to be mostly an elaborate search for a specific shade of lilac gel pen), Aika suddenly stopped outside a corner with an awkward cough. They were on a quieter residential street, the air cooler and the sounds of the city fading into the background.
"My place is this way," she said, gesturing vaguely down a tree-lined lane. "You… don't need to walk me all the way." Her voice was laced with a nervous energy Rai hadn't heard before.
Rai raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eyes. "What, afraid someone might see us? Your reputation as the Ice Queen might melt if you're seen with a lowly commoner like me."
"W-why would I care if someone saw us? It's just you!" Aika's face slowly but surely began to turn a magnificent shade of crimson. Her protests were growing weaker, a sign she was losing the internal battle.
"Right, just me." He gave a half-smile, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Well, be careful then. Wouldn't want some shady guy trying to hit on you again." He remembered the incident a few weeks ago, when a particularly persistent stranger had bothered her, and Rai had stepped in, much to Aika's initial annoyance, and then, surprisingly, her quiet gratitude.
Aika blinked, her mind clearly replaying the memory. Her face slowly turned even redder, if that was even possible. "…Y-you're still bringing that up?!" she practically squeaked, her voice an octave higher than usual.
He laughed gently, the sound soft and genuine. "It was kinda funny. Your face was priceless."
"You're kinda annoying." Her retort lacked its usual sting, replaced by a defeated slump of her shoulders.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Rai said, winking. He knew he was pushing his luck, but seeing her so disarmed was… surprisingly pleasant.
Before she could rally her forces and throw her stationery bag at him – a distinct possibility, given her current level of exasperation – he gave a quick wave and turned, walking away down the street. He risked a glance back, and saw her still standing there, arms stiff at her sides, watching him go.
"What a dummy…" Aika muttered to herself, but her voice held no real venom. Her eyes, however, were wide and a little dazed. She clutched the bag of stationery tightly, the weight of the lilac gel pen suddenly feeling monumental.
Back in her room, Aika kicked off her shoes and immediately flopped onto her bed, a dramatic sigh escaping her lips. She buried her face in her favorite fluffy pillow, hugging it tight.
"Ughhhh! Why is he like this?!" she groaned into the fabric. "He's just being nice. That's all! He's probably like this with everyone. It's not like I'm… interested in him or anything…" Her voice trailed off, the last words barely a whisper, even to her own ears.
Her pillow, as expected, didn't respond. But the furious blush on her face, the warmth spreading through her chest, and the faint, unsettling flutter in her stomach said plenty. She squeezed the pillow tighter, as if trying to physically suppress the unfamiliar emotions bubbling within her.
Meanwhile, Rai was back in his usual spot—on his bed, book in hand, glasses slightly tilted from leaning too hard against the wall. The historical fiction novel lay open, but his gaze was fixed on the ceiling, the words on the page blurring into an unreadable mess.
He checked his phone, almost subconsciously.
> Sakura: "Good work today everyone~! Let's meet up again tomorrow at the same time to finalize our chapter outlines! Please come prepared!"
> Kenji: "Sakura-sama, you're the MVP of my academic survival! My brain cells are doing a happy dance after today's productivity!"
> Aika: "Try not to die from caffeine overdose, Sakura. And Kenji, stop sending me emojis of dancing brains."
> Rai: "Got it. See you all tomorrow."
He typed his reply, his thumb hovering over Aika's name in the chat log. He almost typed something else, a lighthearted jab about the grumpy cat, but then he decided against it. Best not to push his luck too much, especially with Aika.
As he set his phone down and looked up at the ceiling again, Rai exhaled slowly, a long, drawn-out breath.
There was something about today. About her. About the unexpected detour, the teasing remarks, the rare, soft smile, and the even rarer glimpse of vulnerability. It wasn't the usual, predictable chaos of their group. It was something… different. Something that felt both new and strangely comfortable.
He didn't know what it meant yet—if it meant anything at all beyond a strange, one-off interaction. But the story he found himself part of, the one with the quirky group project, the exasperated general, the dramatic comedian, and the sharp-tongued girl who occasionally let her guard down, felt a little less like fiction.
And a lot more real.
He shifted on his bed, the book still resting on his chest. Perhaps he wouldn't be reading much tonight after all. His mind was too busy replaying the day's events, a quiet smile settling on his lips. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting long, purple shadows across his room. The day, which had started with the slow-moving sunshine, ended with a curious warmth settling in Rai's chest.
He wondered, briefly, if Aika was hugging her pillow right now, and if her face was still that shade of adorable crimson. He decided he probably shouldn't think about that too much.