Morning came too fast.
Itsuki groaned softly as sunlight hit her face.
"…Already morning…?"
She turned to the side, pulling the blanket over her head.
For a few seconds—
She forgot where she was.
Then it hit her.
Tokyo.
New life.
New start.
Her eyes snapped open.
"…Right."
A small breath escaped her lips.
She slowly sat up, stretching her arms.
Her body still felt heavy from yesterday's chaos.
Getting lost.
New college.
And—
That boy.
"…Souta… Amagiri…"
She whispered his name without realizing.
Then immediately covered her face.
"WHY am I remembering that?!"
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"It was just a random meeting…"
Nothing more.
Nothing important.
Right?
She shook her head quickly.
"No distractions. Focus."
Today mattered.
A fresh start meant she couldn't fall behind.
After getting ready, Itsuki stepped out of her apartment.
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
She locked her door and turned—
…and froze.
Across the corridor.
Another door opened.
And he walked out.
Souta Amagiri.
"…Eh?"
The same calm expression.
The same sharp eyes.
The same presence that made everything feel a little… different.
He noticed her too.
A brief pause.
Recognition.
"…You."
Itsuki panicked internally.
"W-what do I say?! Why is he here?!"
Outwardly, she forced a small bow.
"G-good morning!"
Smooth.
Very smooth.
Souta stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough to make her aware of him again.
"You live here?"
"…Yes."
She pointed awkwardly.
"That room."
A short silence.
Then—
"…Same."
"…Same?"
"…Same building."
Itsuki's brain stopped working.
"WAIT—SO HE'S MY NEIGHBOR?!"
"Oh…"
That was all she managed to say.
Souta looked at her for a moment.
Then—
"You didn't get lost today."
"…I—HEY!"
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"That was just yesterday!"
A small pause.
Then—
"…Good."
Itsuki blinked.
"Huh?"
"You're learning."
She didn't know why—
But that made her smile.
Just a little.
"Thank you… I guess."
Another silence.
Awkward.
But not uncomfortable.
"…College?" Souta asked.
"Yes."
"You'll be late."
"…WHAT?!"
Itsuki checked her phone.
"…I'M GOING TO DIE AGAIN—"
Without another word, she ran.
Behind her—
Souta watched quietly.
"…Interesting."
And then—
He walked in the opposite direction.
Tokyo moved as always.
Fast.
Unforgiving.
Itsuki barely made it on time.
Again.
"Why is this happening to me…?"
She collapsed into her seat, breathing heavily.
"Rough morning?"
A cheerful voice spoke beside her.
Itsuki turned.
A girl sat next to her.
Long dark hair.
Soft smile.
Bright eyes.
"I'm Hina Tsukishiro," she said.
"Nice to meet you."
Itsuki blinked.
Then quickly straightened up.
"I'm Itsuki Kuonji!"
Hina giggled softly.
"You don't have to be so formal."
"…Sorry."
Hina leaned slightly closer.
"You're the one who wants to be a fashion designer, right?"
Itsuki froze.
"…You heard that?"
"Of course."
Hina smiled.
"I think it's amazing."
"…Amazing?"
"Yeah."
She tilted her head slightly.
"It's not easy to say something like that in front of everyone."
Itsuki felt something warm in her chest.
"…Thank you."
For the first time since arriving—
She felt a little less alone.
Classes passed more smoothly this time.
Hina stayed by her side.
Talking.
Laughing.
Helping her understand things.
By the end of the day—
Itsuki smiled.
"…Today was better."
"Right?" Hina said happily.
"See? Tokyo isn't that scary."
"…Maybe."
As they walked outside—
The sky was clear.
Unlike yesterday.
"Want to grab something to eat?" Hina asked.
"I'd love to, but—"
Itsuki hesitated.
"I still need to organize my room…"
Hina nodded.
"Then next time!"
"Next time."
They waved goodbye.
As Itsuki walked back to her apartment—
Her steps felt lighter.
But then—
She saw him again.
Souta.
Standing near a bench outside the building.
Looking at something in his hand.
"…Another audition form?"
Itsuki murmured.
For a moment—
She thought about walking past.
Ignoring him.
But—
"…Good luck."
The words came out on their own.
Souta looked up.
Slightly surprised.
"…You again."
"…That sounds rude."
Itsuki crossed her arms slightly.
"…It wasn't meant to be."
She sighed.
Then pointed at the paper.
"Another audition?"
"…Yeah."
"…You'll pass this one."
Souta looked at her.
Longer this time.
"…You say that like you're sure."
Itsuki smiled.
Soft.
Confident.
"Because I think effort shows."
Silence.
The wind moved gently between them.
"…You're strange."
"…EH?!"
Souta turned away slightly.
"…But not in a bad way."
Itsuki blinked.
"…What does that even mean…?"
He didn't answer.
Instead—
He handed her something.
A warm can of coffee.
"…Drink."
Itsuki stared at it.
"…For me?"
"…You look tired."
"…I am not—"
Her stomach growled.
Silence.
"…Take it."
"…Thank you…"
She accepted it quietly.
Warm.
Comforting.
"…You're kinder than you look."
"…Don't assume things."
"…You're proving my point."
For a second—
Souta almost smiled.
Almost.
"…I'm going."
He stood up.
"Good luck," Itsuki said again.
"…Thanks."
And just like that—
He left.
Itsuki watched him go.
Her heart—
A little faster again.
"…What is this feeling…?"
She placed her hand on her chest.
"…It's not… love, right?"
The city lights flickered around her.
And somewhere between chance meetings and quiet moments—
Something had started.
✨ Sometimes… feelings don't ask for permission.
💭 They just appear… quietly