Mahiru and Daichi locked eyes in a quiet moment.
Daichi spoke up, breaking the silence, "I forgot my pen. Could you lend me one?" Mahiru remained mesmerized, her focus fixed on him.
Suddenly, a girl seated in front of Daichi intervened, extending a pen toward him. "Here, you can use mine," she offered.
Daichi accepted the pen without shifting his gaze from Mahiru.
Daichi refocused on his book, pen in hand, and started writing.
"If you need any more help, just ask," the girl offered him reassurance. Daichi stayed immersed in his task, paying no attention to her offer.
Rose turned to Mahiru in frustration. "What's the matter? He asked for your pen."
"I'm sorry," Mahiru replied gently, "I just couldn't react."
"Try to be more responsive, Mahiru," Rose pressed her. Mahiru nodded and turned her focus back to books…..
