𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏 || 𝘼𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙠𝙤𝙪𝙟𝙞 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 || 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚

13

The usual hum of chatter filled the air in Class 1-D, a familiar blend of gossip, weekend plans, and random bursts of laughter.
Groups of students clustered together, the energy buzzing as always.

"I need to buy this dress!" someone exclaimed, earning a round of giggles.

"Obviously, I've seen that movie!" another voice chimed in, while a small crowd near the back debated the latest game release with passionate fervor.

But all of that came to an abrupt stop.

The classroom door creaked open with a slow, deliberate screech.

* SCREECH *

Heads turned simultaneously, as if pulled by some invisible force, eyes widening with collective surprise. There, standing in the doorway, was [Name]. Her entrance silenced the room entirely.
It was as if the air itself had been sucked out, replaced by an uneasy stillness.

Gone was her usual confident stride, replaced by something quieter, more uncertain.
Her expression was unreadable, a blank mask concealing whatever lay beneath. Her gaze swept across the room cautiously, her presence causing a ripple of whispers to stir.

"Is that... [Name]?" someone murmured in disbelief.

"She's back?" another voice added, laced with both curiosity and suspicion.

Before [Name] could utter a word, a shrill, excited voice pierced the tense atmosphere.

"[Name]~!"

Haruka, ever the energetic burst of sunshine, shot up from her seat and sprinted across the room, throwing herself into [Name] with reckless enthusiasm. "[Name]! You're finally back!I was so worried!" Haruka's concern was genuine, her relief palpable as she squeezed her tightly.

The sudden hug caught [Name] off guard, her arms remaining stiff at her sides for a beat before she awkwardly raised them, patting Haruka's back. "Uh... hey, Haruka..." she muttered, forcing a small smile, though her eyes remained distant.

But the hug had opened the floodgates. The rest of the class surged forward, surrounding [Name] in a sea of curious faces and hurried questions.

"Where did you go?" "What happened?" "Why didn't you tell us?"

Voices collided, questions thrown at her from all sides, each one more insistent than the last. Concern, suspicion, and something unspoken floated in the air—Class 1-D wasn't known for letting mysteries slip by unnoticed.

"Are you okay?" "You don't look like yourself." "Did something happen?"

Some students hung back, watching from a distance.

The weight of the crowd felt oppressive, their questions closing in like a tightening noose. [Name] could feel her pulse racing, an anxious drumbeat beneath her skin. She drew a shallow breath, steadying her voice as best she could. "I... I wasn't feeling well..." she began, her tone deliberately calm, though every word tasted like sandpaper. "I had a fever for a few days and stayed in my dorm to rest."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, her explanation hanging in the air. Faces softened, concern flickering in their expressions. A few murmured, "Glad you're better now." but their eyes lingered on her.