CotE: Dearest

Chapter 5 - Friends

"In the quietest moments, the heart speaks the loudest."

𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙

"You're here, too?"

I encountered Shiro in front of the lecture hall, his familiar, laid-back posture making him blend into the sea of students milling about.

"Today's lecture is on 'statistics,' so yeah, we've got that together," he replied as we walked in side-by-side.

I had already known this, but somehow, I hadn't expected him to actually show up.

My eyes instinctively scanned the room—searching, perhaps. For her.

"Where's Yuki?"

Shiro shrugged. "I thought you'd know, Kiyo."

Just then, the professor strode in, her presence commanding immediate attention. "Hello, Ayanokoji-kun and Ishigami-kun," she greeted, her voice smooth yet authoritative.

I stole a quick glance at Shiro, who met my gaze with a subtle smirk as if he could read my thoughts.

"Good morning, professor," we chimed in unison.

"It looks like the two of you are getting along quite well already," she continued with a glimmer of approval in her eyes. "Since Ishigami was missing last week, I added him to your and Yuki's group. I hope that's alright."

We both nodded. "That's fine."

I'm certain Yuki would be fine with that, too.

We made our way to the back of the lecture hall, the hum of voices gradually fading as we settled into our seats where Yuki would usually sit. I could almost feel her energy lingering in the space.

"Do you have a brother by any chance?" I asked, breaking the brief silence.

Shiro gave a light nod, already piecing together my question. "Did he go to the same high school as you?"

"Mhm."

"So it's true you went to the Advanced Nurturing High School, huh? I've heard it's special."

"It was a unique experience, to say the least.

"Attention, students," the professor announced from the front.

"Well, this is gonna be boring," Shiro remarked, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed casually. He scanned the lecture material displayed on the projector.

"It sure will be."

Today, more than usual, I felt the heaviness of routine pressing down on me.

Come to think of it, I should've asked the professor if Yuki had been marked absent.

"Are you free to hang out after our lecture?"

"Sure, where do you want to go?" I replied, still half-listening to the professor's introductory remarks.

"I'll show you around since I know some spots," he said, a spark of excitement in his eyes.

𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙

"Argh... The fuck?" a voice snarled behind me, sharp and aggressive, cutting through the hum of chatter in the hallway.

I turned slightly to see Ryuuen, his posture tense, fists clenched at his sides as irritation radiated off him.

It looked like he was gearing up for a fight, but before he could move, Shiro stepped in, gripping Ryuuen's wrist firmly.

"Who are you?" Shiro asked, holding Ryuuen's wrist to prevent him from hitting me.