Ayanokoji stared at her.

His eyes clearly doubted her.

Trying to determine whether she spoke the truth.

“Horikita. From the first day of school you were interested in me. You saw through the truth of the S System. You predicted Sudo’s incident. You knew about Sakura’s stalker.”

Ayanokoji stepped closer.

“Who are you?”

Her heart pounded loudly.

Ayanokoji’s gaze seemed to pierce through her.

But Horikita did not look away.

“I’m just… someone who wants a second chance.”

“A second chance?”

“I want to take back the mistakes of the past. That’s all.”

Time seemed to stop.

The wind blew across the rooftop.

Her hair swayed.

Clouds drifted.

Ayanokoji looked at her for a long time.

His eyes searched for the truth behind her words.

But at the same time there seemed to be a hint of understanding in them.

“…I see.”

Ayanokoji murmured.

He did not pursue the matter further.

Horikita felt relieved inside.

He probably did not fully believe her.

But for now he chose not to press further.

That was enough.

“Thank you Ayanokoji-kun.”

“For what?”

“For not pressing me.”

Ayanokoji looked puzzled.

“…Normally people wouldn’t thank someone for that.”

“Really? I’m grateful. That you accepted my words.”

“I didn’t accept them. I just put them on hold.”

“That’s still enough.”

Horikita smiled gently.

Seeing that smile, Ayanokoji's eyes widened slightly.

“…You can make that kind of expression too.”

“That’s rude. I can smile, you know.”

“No I mean… I think this is the first time I’ve seen you smile like that since enrollment.”

“Really? I didn’t realize…”

Thinking about it, that might be true.

Since enrollment Horikita had been tense the entire time.

She had constantly been on guard to avoid repeating past mistakes.

She had no room to worry about her expressions.

“But just now you smiled.”

Horikita herself was surprised.

“Maybe when I’m with you… I can relax a little.”

“…I see.”

Ayanokoji looked away.

But the corner of his mouth seemed slightly raised.

“…You really are an interesting person.”

“Interesting? Me?”

“Yeah. I’ve met many kinds of people. But someone like you is a first.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. That’s just how I feel.”

Ayanokoji looked up at the sky.

Blue sky.

White clouds.

A refreshing breeze announcing the beginning of summer.

“I’m interesting…”

Horikita also looked up at the sky.

“Should I take that as a compliment?”

“Interpret it however you want.”

“Then I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Horikita smiled again.

This time intentionally.

Ayanokoji saw that smile and let out a small breath.

It was a sound that could have been a laugh or a sigh.

But his eyes softened.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji was smiling.

Horikita was surprised by the sight.

During the three years before she had never seen Ayanokoji smile.

He had always been expressionless.

Never showing joy, anger or sadness.

But now he was smiling.

It was a tiny smile.

So small that others might not notice.

But it was definitely a smile.

“…What are you looking at?”

Ayanokoji noticed Horikita’s gaze.

“Nothing.”

Horikita shook her head.

But a smile remained on her lips.

“That’s a lie. You look like you want to say something.”

“Do I really make it that obvious?”

“Yeah. You’re actually quite expressive.”

“…Is that a compliment?”

“Interpret it however you want.”

The same words again.

Horikita burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. It’s just…”

Horikita said with a smile.

“You’re actually pretty funny.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I thought you were expressionless and impossible to read but… when you talk you seem like a surprisingly normal boy.”

“A normal boy… That’s the first time anyone’s said that to me.”

Ayanokoji looked slightly surprised.

Then—

“…I don’t dislike that evaluation.”

He smiled.

Just a little.

But clearly.

Horikita smiled too.

The two of them were smiling together on the rooftop.

Under the blue sky.

In the refreshing breeze.

They were not laughing loudly.

Just quietly smiling at each other.

But it was unmistakably sharing a laugh.

A moment when their walls lowered slightly.

A moment when the distance between them grew smaller.

Horikita felt warmth in her chest.

In the three years before such a moment never existed.

She could never have imagined laughing together with Ayanokoji.

Yet now it was reality.

A small change.

But a definite one.

“Ayanokoji-kun.”

“What?”

“I like talking with you.”

“…I see.”

Ayanokoji looked away again.

The gesture almost looked shy.

Maybe it was just her imagination.

But that’s what she thought.

“I also… well talking with you isn’t bad.”

Ayanokoji muttered quietly.

“Eh? Did you say something?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“That’s a lie. You definitely said something.”

“You heard wrong.”

“I definitely heard you say ‘not bad’—”

“I didn’t.”

Ayanokoji stood up.

The movement looked slightly awkward.

“We should go back. Afternoon classes will start.”

“Ah wait. I’ll come too.”

Horikita stood and followed him.

They walked side by side toward the rooftop door.

“Ayanokoji-kun.”

“What?”

“Let’s talk here again. During lunch.”

Ayanokoji stopped walking.

He turned around to face Horikita.

“…Why?”

“Why… do I need a reason?”

“Usually people do.”

“Then… because talking with you is fun. Is that not allowed?”

Ayanokoji looked at her for a moment.

His eyes seemed to hold confusion, hesitation and just a little happiness.

“…Do whatever you want.”

He said that and began walking again.

Horikita smiled at his back.

The same words again.

But this time they did not feel unpleasant at all.

Because she understood that was Ayanokoji’s way of saying 'okay.'

“Yes I will.”