The final bell rang.
Chairs scraped. Bags zipped. Everyone moved at once.
Ren stayed seated.
Like always.
No rush.
Kai stood up immediately. "Alright, let's go."
"I'm not going anywhere," Ren said.
"You are now."
"No."
"Yes."
Ren ignored him and started packing slowly.
Then he noticed.
Airi wasn't leaving either.
She was still sitting there, putting her things away one by one.
Not slow.
Not fast.
Just… steady.
Kai leaned over the desk. "Don't tell me you're both staying behind."
"No one asked you," Ren said.
"I'm asking now."
"No."
Airi spoke.
"I don't have anything to do."
Kai froze.
Then looked at Ren.
Then back at Airi.
Then back at Ren.
"…This is perfect."
"It's not," Ren said.
"It is."
"No."
Kai pointed at both of them. "You two are coming with me."
"No we're not."
"We are."
"We're not."
Airi watched them.
"…Where?" she asked.
Kai grinned.
Ren closed his eyes for a second.
Don't say it.
"Convenience store," Kai said.
Ren opened his eyes.
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
"You made it sound like something big."
"It is big."
"It's not."
Kai looked offended. "Food is always big."
Airi stood up.
"I'll go."
Ren paused.
"…You don't have to."
"I know."
Small silence.
Kai clapped once. "Done. Decision made."
Ren grabbed his bag.
"…You're both annoying."
"Yeah," Kai said. "But you're still coming."
Ren didn't argue.
Not this time.
They walked out of the school together.
The air was cooler now.
Quiet.
Way quieter than inside.
Kai walked ahead, talking about something random.
Ren wasn't listening.
He glanced to the side.
Airi was walking next to him.
Same pace.
Not trying to match him.
It just… happened.
"…You don't go home straight away?" he asked.
"Not really."
"Why?"
She thought for a second.
"…No reason."
Ren nodded.
That made sense.
They kept walking.
No pressure to talk.
Just footsteps.
Then—
Kai turned around while walking backwards.
"Oi, hurry up."
"We are walking," Ren said.
"You're slow."
"You're annoying."
"True."
Airi looked between them.
"…You say that a lot."
"He is."
Kai grinned. "And you still hang out with me."
Ren didn't answer.
Airi looked at Ren.
Then said quietly,
"…You don't mind it."
Ren paused.
"…I do."
"Not really."
Small silence.
Ren looked ahead.
"…Whatever."
Kai laughed.
"See? You care."
"Shut up."
But he didn't sound annoyed.
Not really.