The morning sun was just beginning to color the sky in soft pastels when I woke up. My mind quickly drifted to the past two days, replaying the flurry of activity, faces, and voices. The festival had gone smoothly so far—much better than I'd expected, actually. Each day had its own chaos, but it felt controlled, organized, and, well... successful.
After getting dressed, I decided to walk to school a bit earlier than usual. My mind was already ticking through today's plans, reviewing the progress we'd made and the work that still needed to be done. With every step, I couldn't shake this feeling that I'd been...noticed more, somehow. And, maybe it was just my imagination, but as I walked, I felt eyes on me—classmates, other students, even a few teachers who nodded their heads or murmured something as I passed.
Is this...because of the festival? I thought, feeling a bit unsettled.
When I got to class, the bustling energy hit me immediately. Everyone was chattering, moving chairs and desks, discussing last-minute changes. I made my way to the front and waited for everyone to quiet down.
"All right, listen up." I kept my voice steady, my usual tone. "Today's the last day of the festival, and I expect all of you to follow the instructions we've laid out. You know your tasks and responsibilities."
A few people nodded, and I noticed Kaito and Hana whispering among themselves. They looked up and caught my eye, smiling, almost encouragingly. Why are they smiling? I wondered but brushed it aside.
"Actually..." I continued, deciding to go for it. "I won't be joining you all this time."
A ripple of surprise went through the room.
"Wait, Reina, you're leaving us?" someone in the back asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
"Yes." I shrugged slightly. "I'll be in the east wing, working in the lab. You don't need me here to oversee every detail. You know what to do."
"B-but…" Ayumi started but quickly went quiet when she saw my face.
I couldn't blame her; my tone had probably come off as colder than I'd intended. I was trying to reassure them that they were capable, but maybe I didn't quite get the message across. I glanced at their faces—surprised, some disappointed—and felt a pang of guilt. But I had projects waiting, and I needed the time.
With one last nod, I turned and headed out, leaving them to handle things on their own.
The hallway to the east wing was much quieter than the bustling main building, which I was grateful for. My mind was already racing ahead to the calculations I'd started yesterday and the data I needed to review for my latest experiment. But my peace didn't last long.
As I passed through the hallway, a group of younger students gathered by one of the staircases, whispering and pointing. I slowed my pace, suddenly aware that they were all looking at me. A few of them, mostly girls, began approaching.
"Um… excuse me, Reina-senpai!" one of the girls said, bowing slightly as if I were some sort of celebrity.
"Oh, uh, yes?" I replied, unsure what she wanted.
She fumbled with her bag, eventually pulling out a small wrapped snack. "Would you, um, like a treat? My mom made them, and... I thought you might like one!"
"Oh… thanks, I guess." I accepted the treat with a slight nod, though I had no idea what to do with it. "I appreciate it."
A few other students giggled behind her. "Reina-senpai, would you shake my hand?" one of the boys asked, stretching out his hand, eyes wide with admiration.
"Uh, sure?" I said, taking his hand in a quick shake. I felt awkward, like I was doing something unnatural, but they looked thrilled.
"See, she's really nice! They always say she's cold, but she's not!" whispered one of the girls, though not quietly enough.
I couldn't figure out what had changed. Why were they suddenly so interested in me? Was it just because I'd taken on a more public role in the festival? I'd been at this school for years, and no one had ever acted this way before.
I quickly excused myself and continued down the hallway, hoping to reach the lab without any more interruptions. But a few other younger students appeared around the next corner, smiling as they walked past me, some giving small bows or nods, their eyes bright with what looked like admiration.
"Reina-senpai! You're doing great at the festival!" another called, smiling shyly as she passed.
I just nodded back, unsure how to respond. What on earth is happening? I thought. I had always been the quiet one, the one who didn't quite blend in with the others, and yet here I was, practically being celebrated just for... existing.
Finally, I reached the lab, slipped inside, and closed the door with a heavy sigh. My cheeks felt strangely warm. I locked the door behind me—no more interruptions—and set my bag down. Taking a deep breath, I scanned the room. The desks were in their usual neat rows, and the equipment was carefully laid out. This was my safe space, my haven.
I opened my laptop and quickly dove into the latest data, letting myself get lost in the comforting realm of calculations and hypotheses. For the next few hours, I could almost forget the odd encounters in the hallway and the festival chaos outside.
As the day wore on, I worked tirelessly, reviewing the progress of my research. Each calculation brought me closer to understanding the next stage of my project. Hours passed in a blur until the sunlight streaming through the windows began to soften into the warm glow of late afternoon.
A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, and I frowned, feeling mildly annoyed. Why couldn't they just leave me alone?
"Reina? It's Kaito," a familiar voice called from the other side of the door.
Sighing, I unlocked it and opened the door just a crack. "Yes?"
"Everyone's cleaning up for the day, and, well…" He looked sheepish. "They wanted to thank you, you know, for organizing things."
"Oh." I blinked, unsure how to respond. "You didn't need to. It was… the class's project, not just mine."
"Yeah, but it wouldn't have been the same without you, Reina." His expression softened, and for once, I could tell he was being completely sincere.
"Thank you, then," I said softly, glancing away. "But I'd better get back to work."
He nodded, then gave a small wave before heading back to help the others. I closed the door, feeling a strange warmth. Maybe, for the first time, I wasn't as distant from them as I thought.
With a small smile, I returned to my work, the sounds of the festival fading into the background as I got lost in my own world once again.