As they walked down the hallway, Sato watched Shiro from the corner of his eye. Something felt off. The way Shiro carried himself was different from yesterday-more guarded, less casually oblivious.
Satoshi: If he really forgot what happened yesterday, and I acted exactly the same as I did yesterday morning... then what's wrong here? Why does the air feel so tense?
His thoughts were interrupted as he spotted Arien standing farther down the hall. The moment she saw Shiro, she rushed toward him and grabbed his arm, her face a mix of worry and frustration.
Shiro: What happened?
Arien: That's what I need to ask you.
When Shiro heard that, a cold knot tightened in his stomach. She knows. She knows something happened that I don't remember. His suspicion, which had been aimed at Sato, now swung toward Arien as well.
Sato, standing behind Shiro, caught Arien's eye. He shook his head slowly, a clear, silent signal: Don't ask about it.
Arien, picking up on the strange tension, quickly changed the subject, forcing a lighter tone.
Arien: You weren't in the canteen yesterday! I took a meat bun for you, and because of that, I had to eat both of them myself.
Shiro: Why a meat bun? he asked, his voice flat.
Arien: Why? You like them, right? Meat buns?
Shiro tilted his head a little to the right. It was a mannerism he often used-for a joke, an insult, or a stupid answer. But this time, there was a dark presence behind it. The tilt felt calculated, dangerous.
Arien put both hands on her hips, trying to brush off the strange vibe.
Arien: Didn't you cry just a few days ago over a meat bun?
That seemed to snap him back. Shiro's posture relaxed slightly, his old, lazy self-resurfacing.
Shiro: That's that, but man, that meat bun was awesome. Then let's go.
He turned and waved at Sato, who was heading the other way. As Shiro and Arien walked toward the SR classroom, Arien decided to test the waters. She brought up the topic of secondary classes again, just like she had yesterday.
Arien: So, what class are you taking besides the SR class?
Shiro's response was the exact same as yesterday-word for word, tone for tone. She played along, repeating her part just as she had before. But this time, she threw in a twist.
Arien: Well, I'm joining the Artificer Class.
To her surprise, Shiro didn't miss a beat.
Shiro: Then I'm joining the Artificer Class too.
Arien: What? Why?
Shiro: Well, either way, all I'm doing is sleeping. I'm fine with anything.
Arien: Then you take the Practical Class. Because I'm doing that too.
Shiro: But you said-
Arien: I am doing the Practical Class, but I'm going to the Artificer Class for a day just to see what it's like. You know, who the professor is, how many students, things like that.
Last time, Arien had clearly mentioned the Artificer Class professor's name-Alaric Pendragon. But this time, Shiro didn't react. He didn't suspect a thing.
Shiro: Okay, then.
As they got closer to the classroom, Shiro fell silent, his mind working furiously.
Shiro: It seems like Arien doesn't know anything. She's clear. Then why did that Satoshi guy mention something about a yesterday incident?
He closed his eyes as he walked, a habit Arien was used to. She didn't think much of it; Shiro always had a sleepy mind.
Shiro: Satoshi. He was standing behind me when I was talking with Arien just now. Why?
Shiro's eyes snapped open, and he glanced at Arien from the corner of his eye.
Shiro: Did he say something to her?
He closed his eyes again, his expression darkening.
Shiro: No, that can't be. Arien's expression didn't change during that conversation. So why was he behind me?
His suspicion of Sato grew even stronger.
The rest of the day passed without much change. They attended Professor Kareth's class as usual, and afterward, they walked to the canteen, just like yesterday. Arien got a small bun, and just like before, Shiro didn't get anything. This time, however, they didn't run into Sato in the canteen.
Some time passed, and the bell rang for the next class.
Arien: I'm going to the Artificer Class now, she said, standing up from her seat.
Shiro slowly got up as well.
Shiro: Well, I'm off too.
Arien: Remember to bring your katana to the Practical Class today. You can find the place, right?
Shiro: Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it.
With that, they both went their separate ways-Arien to observe the Artificer Class, and Shiro to... wherever he went when he wasn't sleeping or eating. But his mind was no longer on sleep or food. It was on the boy named Satoshi, and the growing shadow of a yesterday he could not remember.