"Hey, you know that transfer student? The one that transferred in the middle of the school year last year?"

"Uh, she's a third year now, right?"

"Yeah. Her. You know how she was walking weird when she transferred?"

"Not really but go on."

"I heard it's because she jumped off a roof."

"Are you serious!?"

"Yeah!"

Akira stopped in place, glaring daggers into the back of the two student's heads. Quickly, he pulled out his phone.

Akira: Shiho

Akira: Where are you?

Three dots lined up at the bottom of the screen.

Shiho: In the classroom.

That was all he needed to know and his pace quickened.

He slid the door open, looking around the classroom. Students were chatting away and occasionally glancing towards Shiho, who was sitting in her seat. She sat a few rows behind him, also by the window.

She was staring down at her phone which wasn't even turned on. "Hey, Shi-"

"Hey, um, do you mind if we talk after school? At a nearby park?"

Her voice was tired and he could tell when someone was hungry. It was still better than what he expected. Akira swallowed and nodded. "I know just the place."

When it was after school, Akira returned to his desk with some bread, he noticed a familiar tail dangling. Quickly, he handed a piece to Shiho before sitting at his desk. He clasped his hands together and leaned forward. "How'd you get in here?" He whispered, making absolutely sure no one was watching.

Morgana retracted his tail and his bright blue eyes opened in the darkness of his desk. "I'm a phantom thief, remember?"

"Ex-phantom thief. Never mind, what are you doing here?"

"I heard some rumours…"

"Can you find out who's behind them?"

"Don't underestimate me!"

Like lightning, Morgana dashed out of his desk and out of the room. Akira resisted the urge to facepalm. If Morgana managed to avoid being detected, it would be a miracle.

"Was that your…?"

"Don't worry about it." He slouched in his chair before looking up at Shiho. He smiled at her lower lip where a bread crumb remained. "You got something…" He gestured to his lower lip and Shiho quickly wiped her mouth on her sleeve, not at all embarrassed.

"Um, thank you for the bread. I was running late so I had to skip breakfast… and by extension lunch. Today's just not my day."

Shiho was looking worse compared to earlier. It's been a few months, but he could tell she was enjoying her time here in the countryside with him, away from the busy people. These rumours might have ruined everything.

He stood up. "Come on."

"This is nice…" Shiho walked underneath a tree, the shade enveloping her body. "Being in the countryside made me appreciate nature far more than back in Tokyo."

Akira stood to the side in the sun, watching Shiho as she looked up at the tree above her. He put in his own two cents. "Some of my favourite days back in Tokyo were going to Inokashira Park."

"Nature really is a nice escape from people." Shiho paused, and Akira watched as she decided to sit down against the tree. Akira kept standing. "Did Ann tell you why I moved?"

"Yeah."

"Will I have to move again…?"

"That depends, how do you feel?" When Shiho didn't answer, Akira continued. "Right now, it's just a small, vague rumour."

"But it will become more specific. Soon everyone will know me as the girl who tried to kill herself. The girl who was…" Shiho's eyes narrowed. It didn't appear as if she was going to cry, but she was definitely exhausted. "I wish people didn't care so much. The fact that I don't have any friends here isn't going to help. If my mom finds out about this, I'll probably have to move again."

"Do you want to move?"

"…No, not again. I'm tired. And…" Shiho looked up at him and the way her eyes shined made him wonder what exactly she was seeing. "I think I get it. What Ann meant. Maybe… you're what I need to truly move forward."

"Huh?"

"I thought I put everything behind me the day I returned to the roof. But I still have some lingering regrets. Akira…this might be incredibly selfish, but will you help me?"

"Of course." Akira didn't need to think twice. She wouldn't have even needed to ask.

Shiho moved to the side and patted the grass next to her. As Akira sat down, Shiho tugged at his uniform's sleeve and didn't let go.

Akira could feel her hand trembling the entire time.