As the days passed, Ryo found himself easing into a new routine. He wasn't just the guy who blended into the background anymore—now, he was surrounded by a growing group of friends, all with their own quirks. Every day was different, whether it was Hana dragging him to explore new corners of the school or Saki teasing him at every opportunity. Even Mei, with her quiet nature, contributed her presence, always offering subtle but comforting support.
The small moments between classes or during lunch had become a highlight of Ryo's day. He wasn't sure how it happened, but he was glad for it. He'd never been one to seek out attention or company, but somehow, his circle of friends had grown naturally, without him even realizing it.
As they continued their school life, Hana remained the ever-excitable one, always coming up with new plans for the group to hang out. Whether it was inviting them over to her house or suggesting they all go shopping after school, she kept their days full of energy. Saki, true to her personality, loved to stir things up with playful jabs at Ryo, making sure to get a reaction out of him whenever possible.
One afternoon, after a long day of classes, the group found themselves gathered outside the school. The air was crisp, and the faint hint of fall was beginning to show in the trees, their leaves turning shades of red and orange.
"So, are we still on for the weekend?" Hana asked, her excitement bubbling over as she clutched her bag. "I thought we could check out that new café downtown."
"Ah, that one you mentioned last week?" Saki replied. "Sounds like fun. They have those fancy pastries, right?"
Mei nodded quietly. "It's supposed to be really nice. I've heard good things."
Ryo, leaning against the nearby fence, tried to stay out of the conversation. He wasn't against the idea of going, but he wasn't exactly thrilled about the growing list of outings they had been planning. It seemed like every week, Hana had a new adventure in mind. Shopping, café hopping, visiting each other's homes—it was becoming a lot for someone who preferred to stay in the background.
But just as he thought he could escape the conversation, Hana turned to him. "You're coming too, right, Ryo?"
He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, sure. Why not?"
"Great!" Hana beamed, clearly satisfied with his agreement. "You'll love it. And you can help me pick out a new book while we're there."
"I'm sure he'll enjoy that," Saki said with a smirk, leaning toward Ryo. "You're so thoughtful, always agreeing to these outings. I didn't know you were such a social butterfly."
Ryo sighed, not bothering to respond. It was easier to let her have her fun than to try and defend himself.
As they were chatting, Alice walked by again, and once more, Hana called out to her. "Alice! Come join us!"
Alice hesitated but eventually approached the group. "Hi, everyone."
"Hey! We were just planning to go to a café this weekend," Hana said. "You should come with us!"
Alice blinked in surprise, looking between them. "Me?"
"Of course!" Saki added. "It'll be fun. And it's a good way to get to know everyone better."
Alice looked at Ryo for a split second before quickly nodding. "Okay. I'd love to."
With that settled, the group continued their conversation until the sun began to dip lower in the sky. As the others made their way home, Ryo found himself walking alongside Alice, who had fallen into step with him.
"So, how are you liking the school?" Ryo asked, trying to make conversation.
"It's… nice," Alice said, her voice soft but clear. "I didn't think I'd make friends so quickly. I'm not used to this kind of attention."
Ryo could relate. "Yeah, I get what you mean."
Alice looked up at him, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "But I'm glad I met you all. It makes things less lonely."
Ryo nodded, feeling an odd sense of camaraderie with her. Despite their differences, they were both trying to navigate the strange world of friendships and school life, albeit in their own ways.
As the weekend arrived, the group met up in front of the café downtown. It was a small, cozy place with large windows, wooden tables, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Hana was already excited, bouncing on her feet as she talked about the menu.
Inside, they found a table by the window, where they could see the bustling street outside. The atmosphere was warm, and the sunlight streaming in through the windows gave the place a relaxed vibe.
"I think I'll try the fruit tart," Hana said, scanning the menu with wide eyes. "It looks so good."
Saki leaned over her shoulder. "You'll have to share a bite. I want to see if it's worth the hype."
"Ryo, what about you?" Mei asked, her quiet voice cutting through the chatter. "Are you getting something?"
Ryo glanced at the menu, not really paying attention to the items listed. "Uh, maybe just a coffee."
"Boring," Saki teased, poking his arm. "Live a little."
Ryo chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll stick with what I know."
As they placed their orders, the conversation flowed naturally, with the group laughing and talking about everything from their classes to random moments at school. Ryo found himself enjoying it more than he expected, though he was still content to let the others lead the conversation.
Alice, who had been quiet for most of the outing, spoke up after a while. "This place is really nice. Thanks for inviting me."
"Of course!" Hana said, grinning. "We've got plenty more places to show you, too. This is just the beginning!"
Saki leaned in closer to Alice. "And if Ryo ever gets too quiet, just tease him. It works every time."
Alice blinked, her eyes flicking to Ryo before she smiled shyly. "I'll keep that in mind."
Ryo groaned inwardly. It seemed like no matter what, Saki would always find a way to drag him into the spotlight.
As the outing continued, the group's bonds grew stronger, and for the first time in a while, Ryo found himself looking forward to the next adventure, whatever it might be.