From The Heart

Something so close, yet so far

A few days passed, and Hiyori, Layla, and Alice found themselves in the school cafeteria, each lost in their own thoughts and concerns. Layla was the first to speak up, her voice filled with frustration.

"I can't believe how much homework I got in the first week already! My subjects are getting harder and harder!" Layla complained, clearly unhappy with the workload.

Alice, on the other hand, was engrossed in her phone, scrolling through various social media platforms. Her frustration was evident as she muttered, "Ugh! How come I can't find his socials? No Facebook, Instagram, or even Snapchat?"

Hiyori, still feeling dejected, rested her head on her arm on the table. She replied quietly, "I tried, Alice... It's like he doesn't even exist."

Alice, feeling a sense of injustice in not being able to find any trace of Shinji online, shifted her attention back to her friends. She questioned, "How do you not have a social media these days? Don't you like have to create one to even access your phone?"

Layla, feeling somewhat ignored, chimed in, "Hey! Aren't my problems valid enough and worthy of your attention?"

Alice, however, brushed off Layla's concerns with a nonchalant response. "It's alright. You can take summer classes like you usually do."

Layla sighed in frustration, but then Alice shifted the conversation to the mysterious twins. She wondered aloud, "But no seriously... Twins? Have any of you guys ever seen those two together? Maybe it's a trick."

Hiyori, still nursing her embarrassment from the encounter with Shinji, chimed in with a solemn tone, "I know it's not a trick. I can still feel the embarrassment, and it's been three whole days..."

Layla, trying to lift Hiyori's spirits, offered a silver lining. "Cheer up, Hiyori. It's not like you actually confessed to Saito."

Hiyori turned to Layla, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Layla continued, "So technically... Shinji didn't see you get rejected."

As they continued their conversation, the three friends couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious Kazuki twins and the secrets they seemed to hold.

The last class of the day had ended, and Hiyori began packing her bags to leave the classroom. Lost in her own thoughts, she moved quickly and accidentally bumped into someone's hard chest in the crowded hallway. Without even looking up, she muttered to herself in frustration.

"This is getting old..."

Taking a step back to regain her composure, Hiyori finally looked up and realized that she had once again collided with Shinji. She braced herself, expecting the menacing glare she had encountered earlier, but to her surprise, Shinji greeted her with a sly smirk.

"How's it been, pipsqueak?" he teased.

Hiyori thought to herself, puzzled by the unfamiliar term, "Peepsqueak...?"

Taking a moment to analyze the situation, Hiyori couldn't help but notice the significant height difference between them – Shinji standing tall at 6'1" while she was a mere 5'2". Realization dawned upon her.

"Ah..." she murmured, plastering another fake smile on her face.

Hiyori stammered, trying to maintain her cheerful persona as she responded to Shinji's comment. "Ah...haha... I'm sorry. I guess I should really watch where I'm going--"

Her words trailed off as she noticed Saito down the hall, walking in her direction while engaged in a lively conversation with his friends. Hiyori's smile slowly faded as her eyes fixated on Saito's charming presence. She couldn't help but admire him, and her gaze followed him as he approached.