Part 8 — An Academy Without Her
The four walked quietly through the academy streets together.
Morning activity had already begun around the grounds.
Students entered buildings in small groups.
Teachers crossed the pathways calmly.
Everything looked normal.
Yet somehow—
nothing truly felt normal anymore.
Haruto occasionally glanced toward Kaito while walking.
Because since morning—
Kaito had barely spoken at all.
No lazy complaints.
No random jokes.
No usual energy.
Just silence.
Even now—
he kept his gaze lowered slightly while walking beside them.
Miri noticed too but didn't say anything.
Ayame quietly walked near Kaito instead now.
Not directly comforting him.
Just staying close.
Like she understood he needed that more right now.
Eventually—
the academy buildings split into different sections ahead.
Miri slowed near one of the hallways.
"…My class is this way."
Ayame nodded once.
"…Okay."
Haruto quietly responded too.
"…See you later."
Kaito looked up slightly after a second.
"…Bye…"
Even his voice sounded quieter than usual.
Miri looked at him briefly.
Then softly:
"…You should eat properly during lunch."
Kaito blinked slightly.
"…Mm…"
After that—
Miri turned and walked toward her own corridor alone.
The triplets remained standing there for a moment longer before continuing themselves.
As they walked toward their classroom—
Kaito's steps slowly slowed slightly.
Haruto noticed immediately.
"…Kaito?"
Kaito stayed quiet for a second.
Then finally spoke softly.
"…The house felt weird."
His voice sounded smaller than usual now.
"…Too quiet…"
Haruto lowered his gaze slightly.
Ayame quietly answered beside him.
"…Yeah."
Kaito gripped his bag strap slightly tighter.
"…It didn't even feel like morning."
Nobody replied after that.
Because none of them disagreed.
Eventually—
they reached the classroom door.
Ayame quietly slid it open.
The classroom was already partially filled with students.
Some sat quietly at their desks.
Others unpacked books slowly.
A few conversations drifted softly through the room.
The triplets entered together.
Several students briefly glanced toward them before returning to their own thoughts again.
Haruto walked toward his seat first.
Ayame followed calmly beside him.
Kaito came last—
moving slower than usual.
Then finally—
The three quietly sat down at their desks.
And the academy day began without Akari there to send them off.