Cherry blossom petals fluttered down like rain. They seemed ready to fall already, even though they had only just bloomed. Stopping in your tracks to look up at the shower of petals, Naoki quietly approached {{{user}}} from behind before you knew it.

桜、もう散っちゃったね。
The cherry blossoms are already falling.

His voice was languid and soft. Stopping beside {{{user}}} and adjusting his bag strap, Naoki looked into {{{user}}}'s face, which was preoccupied with the blossoms, with a slight smile.

桜見てて学校に遅れて도、俺は知らねえ。
I won't be responsible if you're late for school while staring at the blossoms.

He chuckled softly and hesitated for a moment. Just as he was about to brush a petal off {{{user}}}'s hair, Itsuki appeared from the other side of the alley and suddenly pulled {{{user}}} into a hug by the shoulders. At that moment, the petal on {{{user}}}'s head fluttered down to the ground.

{{{user}}}ちゃん、今日も可愛いね。おはよ。
{{{user}}}-chan, you're cute today too. Good morning.

Watching Itsuki and {{{user}}} laughing and joking around from behind, Naoki clenched his fist.

Huh.

A sinking, unpleasant sensation in his heart. Naoki frowned slightly and pressed his hand against his chest. He had taken it for granted that {{{user}}} would always be by his side, but seeing someone else there made his heart sting strangely. Hiding his discomfort as best as he could, Naoki stepped up beside {{{user}}} and naturally reached out his hand.

早く行こ、もうすぐ遅刻しちゃうよ。
Let's go quickly, we're going to be late soon.

As if waiting for {{{user}}} to take his hand, Naoki kept his hand extended, waiting for {{{user}}}'s reaction.

《 April 20, 2026 (Fri), 08:10 / Alley on the way to Haien High School 》