The bright midday sun hung high in the cloudy sky, its light piercing the wispy white to reach the courtyard below. Warmed by its gentle rays and cooled by the early spring winds, Mumei leaned to her side, basking in the lazy afternoon temperature.

Just as she began to drift off, her supporting pillow stirred, gently rousing her consciousness to the surface. A wintry gust blew past, sending a chill through her body. She snuggled closer for warmth.

For a moment, a shadow passed over her eyelids and a welcome warmth enveloped her legs — a protective layer of thick fabric. Peeking up, her roving eyes locked with two cool, blue eyes. Their calm surface wavered, a hidden warmth slipping through their facade of indifference.

"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" Kronii broke eye contact, steadying her voice.

"Mm… It's okay." Mumei rubbed her sleepy eyes. "How long have I been out?"

"There's still 9 minutes and 33 seconds left before class starts."

Mumei let out a grunt in acknowledgement as she stretched her back. Out of the corner of her eye, Kronii caught an eyeful. Her heart pounded in her ears.

"Hm?" Mumei tilted her head. A mischievous grin played on her lips. "What're you looking at?"

"What!? No. Nothing." Locking her head in place, she shifted her gaze to the side — subtly, she hoped.

"Uuuu!" Her gaze landed on a conspicuously quivering tree, a quiet groan emanating from behind it. Tiny antlers poked out.

"Where are you looking, Kronii? You're not fooling anyone." Mumei said as she pressed against Kronii.

"No, there's someone behind th-"

"Your ears are turning red."

"Uuuuu!" The mighty tree began balding rapidly, frosty winds whipping about its weakening buttress roots.

Kronii shot up out of the bench, taking a second to calm down. "I think that's enough. Your friend is here."

"Okay…" Mumei let out a quiet sigh, muttering under her breath, "I guess that's it for now."

"Oh! Hello Mumei. Hello Kronii. I didn't realise you were here." A green haired girl stepped out nonchalantly, speaking in a soft, calm voice.

Kronii raised her hand in greeting, ignoring the unfortunate, withering tree.

"Hi Faunaaa!" Mumei dove out from beside Kronii into the green girl's arms, letting her best friend coddle her with headpats.

"Did you have a good nap? Did Kronii do anything to you?"

"Mm! We just had lunch and slept."

"I don't like what you're implying, but I would never do anything. I'm not interested in all that." Kronii said.

"Hmph!" The early spring winds came to an abrupt stop as Fauna sent a spine chilling glare.

"Hmph!" Muffled agreement came from Mumei, still buried in her best friend's bosom.

Kronii took a breath to retort, but let out a sigh instead.

Reassuming her everyday aloofness, she straightened up. "There's still about 7 minutes left. I'll stay a bit longer. I'm suddenly really tired."

"I don't need you to tell me. Come now, Mumei. I need to tell you something."

"Okay!"

Kronii plopped herself onto the bench, heaving a heavy sigh and slouching into its curve, her limbs splayed out. Her hand brushed against her navy blue jacket, neatly folded where Mumei had been sitting.

She thought back to just moments ago. Mumei's cherubic sleeping face. Her sleepy brown eyes. Her playful grin.

Before she knew it, Kronii had brought her jacket up to her face, breathing through it. A mixture of two scents, hers and Mumei's together.

Appalled by such lewd imagery, Kronii reeled back from her jacket, nearly tossing it away. A chilly breeze swept past at that moment, but she hesitated to use her jacket now.

"What's wrong with me these days?"

She took a moment to breathe slowly, reorienting herself.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Soon, she was back to normal.

Marching into the main building, she followed the halls to her classroom.

"Oya oya? Such a lovely, forlorn beauty has wandered her way here."

A petite lady with lustrous amethyst hair and distinctly orange bangs stepped out from a stairway, blocking Kronii's path. She swept her waist-long locks and shook her head in well-rehearsed tandem, conjuring the image of billowing silk amidst a field of lavenders.

Kronii merely sighed. "Ninomae-sensei, it's almost time for class."

"Really? But when I look at my watch, it says that it's time for you."

"That's the second time you've used that line this year."
"...Every time I see you feels like love at first sight."

"You used that on Ollie just yesterday."
"Oof! Um. What about "When I'm close to you, I seem to forget everything?""

"I think that was in last month's episode of-"
"Geh! Wait, I'm not done yet!"

Kronii sighed yet again, slouching forward to release the tension from her body.

Where did all my determination go? What was I even hyping up for?

Noticing that Ninomae-sensei was still yammering about something or other, she put up a hand to stop her. "We only have 3 minutes and 55 seconds left. If you'd please excuse me…"

"Wait!" Ninomae-sensei slammed one hand against the wall, pinning Kronii against it. A classic 'kabedon' often seen in romance anime, though the effect had been significantly undercut by Kronii's towering frame compared to her diminutive form.

"This again, sensei?"

"No need to be so distant. We're close enough for you to call me Ina"

"Ina-sensei," Kronii said, an irate edge creeping into her tone. "I'm not sure Calli-sensei would approve of a teacher flirting with a student."

"N-no need for that. I just want to help. You seemed lost, so I came to give some guidance…"

"I can navigate just fine."
"Not physically, of course. I just noticed that you and Mume-"
"Who sai-! Gwak!" Kronii retreated along the wall, stumbling into the hallway. She scrambled to her feet. "What does Mumei have to do with this?"

"Everything." Ina-sensei shook her head knowingly, her hands raised in surrender. "I never got the chance to steal your heart because someone else beat me to it."

Kronii shook her head in vehement denial. "She didn't steal anything! I wouldn't let anyone steal anything! No one steals from me!"

Ina-sensei tutted, wagging a finger. "You may be able to deceive yourself, but you cannot deceive me. As an infamous phantom thief of hearts — known amongst students as "Ikemen-Sensei", and whispered between teachers as "The Most at Risk during Retrenchment" — I know exactly how women feel!"

"Where the heck do I even start! If you have some self-awareness, stop this at once!"

"I cannot. Just as the Earth must pull the Moon to hold it close, so too, must I pull women close!"

"You are nowhere near large enough to compare to Earth!"

"Kuh!" Ina-sensei clutched her chest, stumbling backwards, falling to her knees. "Of course. My one weakness. Your tongue is as sharp as your wit."

"Ah. No. I'm sorry. Appearance is just a sm- just an insignificant part of a person's appeal. Take Mumei, for example, although she's not as perfect as me, she-"

Kronii faltered. Why bring up Mumei again?

"Anyways! Class is about to start, so I'm just gonna leave now."

"Chotto!" Ina-sensei said in Japanese from her place on the floor. Seeing that she had her attention, she smiled sadly. "I was half serious, you know? You cannot deceive me about love."

Ina hoisted herself up to face Kronii. "Haven't you noticed yet? You always keep track of time perfectly, but this whole time…" Ina raised her phone, the time displayed prominently. "We still have 9 minutes before class starts."

Kronii froze.

Impossible. Fumbling about in her pocket, she whipped out her own phone.

It was true. Kronii had lost track of time.

"This is not the first time either, but, er… I guess none of us said anything, huh?" Ina scratched behind her ears. "Surely you know now, right?"

Kronii moved her head. Slowly. Side to side.

Ina leaned her head against the wall, dejected. "You love her, Kronii. You. You love Mumei. Maybe it's a crush, but your feelings are real and you should express them." She flicked one hand towards Kronii, shooing her away. "How you express those feelings is up to you, but do it soon. You might drift apart if you end up in different classes next year. You'll talk less. Confessing becomes harder, and harder. Suddenly, you've graduated. Then what?"

She shifted her head slightly to face Kronii, though her eyes were obscured by her bangs. "You'll regret it, even if it's a small one. You can trust me on this."

From beyond the orange veil of hair, Kronii felt Ina stare through her.

Kronii nodded. Slowly at first. Finally, having decided on something, she gave a firm nod, emotions roiling the dark, stagnant pools in her eyes. "Thank you, Ina." She gave a quick wave as she raced up the stairs.

"Oya? Are we finally friends now?" Left behind, Ina quietly laughed at her inadequacies as a teacher; as a friend and mentor to her students.

"Mumei!"

Kronii sprinted down the hallway, picking up speed as she spotted Mumei just outside the classroom.

Mumei hummed questioningly, tilting her head, while Fauna harrumphed from beside her.

"Mu… mei…" Coming to an abrupt stop, Kronii wheezed as she struggled to breathe.

"Yes, Kronii?" Mumei drawled sweetly, her smile arresting Kronii's attention.

"I… I have something… I need to say…"

"Uhh… Right now?"

"Um?" Already, Kronii was faced with a hurdle just as she was recovering from the race up the stairs.

She was so relieved at catching up with her that she didn't think about what to do about the awkward attention they would receive. They stood at the entrance, blocking half of it. A few students were glancing their way, having heard her shout echo down the hallway. Furthermore, Fauna was right next to them, Mumei's closest friend and protector — perhaps even more.

Kronii straightened up. Startled by her intensity, Mumei stood at attention as well.

Staring at Mumei's lips, which were agape in confusion, Kronii breathed to speak, but her words died on her lips. Or rather, there were no words at all. Her mind drew a blank.

The fervent murmur of curious onlookers came into the foreground and her eyes darted about searching for something, anything, that could give her inspiration. Her gaze met with Fauna's irritated glare.

"Uh… Sorry, Fauna. Could you give us a moment?" Choosing Fauna as a point of focus, Kronii pushed the spectators out of her mind.

Fauna's grimace deepened. An oppressive, soul-searching stare prodded the emotions bubbling inside Kronii.

After a few long seconds, the pressure dissipated. "I see."

Kronii released the air she hadn't realised she was holding.

"Okay Mumei, I'll go in first. And don't take too long, class is starting soon." She gave Mumei a little wave, glancing sidelong at Kronii as she said the last sentence.

Kronii was surprised. She had expected a little more resistance.

Mumei lightly cleared her throat.

"Ah. Um!" Kronii snapped back from her reprieve.

"Yes, Kronii?"

"I, uh…"

Mumei tilted her head to the side.

Dammit, she too- "Mumei! I-! I… Love…" Kronii faltered, each syllable softer than the last.

Students were glued to the windows. Some even spilled into the hallway, their curiosity boiling over to a fever pitch. An overwhelming cacophony of hushed whispers and squeals filled the air. Every pair of eyes held paralysing expectations.

"Um! You know what? Nevermind-class-is-starting-soon-so-I-think-I'll-try-again-tomorrow-bye-"

"Oh, for goodness' sake Kronii!" Baelz, Sana and even Fauna burst out of the classroom at Baelz's exclamation. "You're not getting away with this! You can't just leave after 15 months of this!"

"Easy for you to say!" Kronii's mind kicked into gear at the familiar sensation of an oncoming clapback. "You and IRyS have been together this whole time!"

"That's only half the time. But that's not the point! Don't you dare back out now!"

"We're not leaving until you say it!" The others moved to block her escape.

"You guys are such-"

Mumei cleared her throat loudly, smiling with thinly veiled impatience.

Unable to face her, Kronii fidgeted and squirmed, eyes darting everywhere but forward. "Mumei! I…"

"I love you too, Kronii."

"Wha- Mm!"

Mumei hopped forward with her declaration, catching everyone by surprise as she tiptoed to meet Kronii's lips.

Despite the uproar of excitement from all classrooms along the hall, Kronii's attention was locked solely on the girl before her.

So soft! Her eyelashes! She's short! So soft! Wait, is that-!

Assailed by revelation after revelation, Kronii's eyes swam, confused. Her arms moved erratically, unsure what to do with herself. She could feel a novel softness — and a strange lack of air. Kronii fought to keep her breathing and heartbeat under control as blood rushed to her face. She wondered if she should embrace Mumei, just a little, so that she didn't have to tiptoe so much.

Maybe I should crouch?

"You've finally done it, Kronii," said Fauna with an exasperated sigh, pulling Kronii out of her spiralling thoughts. "Kinda."

"You really did." Mumei said, decoupling from Kronii. "Kinda."

"Shut up." Kronii covered her mouth, as if sealing the lingering sensation in time. She shyly looked away, inevitably meeting the gaze of neighbouring schoolmates — and Ina-sensei, who was smirking as she slunk inside.

"We had to work real hard for it."

"Honestly."

"I can't believe we had to do all this to counter your dense protagonist energy."

"We even had to get Ina's help." Mumei said, shrugging. "And no one likes asking her for help."
"Oi!" Ina-sensei popped back out into the hallway, before getting dragged into her classroom.

"You planned this?" Kronii asked, still recovering.

"I did! Although…" Mumei blushed. "I didn't think you'd confess the very same day… And what a passionate kiss!"

"You little-!"

Ding-dong ding-dong~

The bell signalled the end of breaktime.

"That's enough, kids! Show's over. Come on, y'all, get back to class. Hey, you! That's right, everyone, chop chop! And you two should, uh, you should get back to class too."

"Okay, Calli-sensei~" Mumei hopped towards the entrance. "See ya in class, Kronii!"

"Hm? Oh. Yeah. See ya." Kronii waved limply.

Kronii stood with her hand still over her mouth and the other in mid-wave.

As students continued milling about into their respective classes, she stood alone in the stream, feeling exhaustion crash over her.

"Haa…" A weary sigh. A satisfied sigh. She had been sighing a lot that day.

Even so… Kronii straightened up. Resetting her composure, she finally took a step forward.

Confidently striding in, she settled into her seat to the sounds of people giggling all around her. But she could take it. Such mild amusement at her earlier outburst was no matter.

Had she been able to see herself, she would have noticed a lovestruck grin had settled on her face — an endearing display of affection beneath her usual cool, blue eyes.