୨୧ 027

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
Next day,
Afternoon,
Kana's school..
Kana stared absently at the textbook in front of her, her mind wandering far beyond the classroom walls. A gentle tap on her shoulder jolted her back to reality.
"Kana-chan, the bell just rang. Class is over," Sakura informed.
Kana blinked, her gaze shifting around the room. The classroom was now a flurry of motion, with classmates zipping up backpacks and gathering their belongings.
"Oh! Right," Kana muttered, fumbling to collect her stationery. She slid her pens and notebooks into her bag in hurried, clumsy movements.
Sakura waited patiently, her own bag already slung over her shoulder. When Kana finally finished, the two twelve-year-olds stepped out of the classroom together. As they strolled down the hallway, Sakura glanced at Kana, concern flickering in her eyes.
"Are you okay? You've been really quiet today," she asked.
Kana didn't respond immediately. Instead, she shot Sakura a sideways glance and deflected.. "What about you? Are you okay?"
The question hung in the air, halting Sakura mid-step. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her fingers curling around the fabric as she stared at the polished floor tiles.
"My mom..." she began, her voice trailing off into a whisper. "She's been acting weird lately."
"Mom?" Kana asked, tilting her head. "Which one? Aki-san or Fuyu-san?"
"Mama."
"Oh, you mean Aki-san."
Sakura nodded, her gaze dropping again as they continued walking. "She's been... acting strange," she murmured.
"Strange how?" Kana pressed, her curiosity now fully piqued.
"She always looks so... worried," Sakura sighed. "And lately, she keeps reminding me not to talk to any strangers. Over and over, like she's afraid of something."
Kana's steps slowed, her brow furrowing as she processed Sakura's words. "isn't that common sense? Now I see why you said she is acting 'weird'."
"My mom is acting weird too," Kana remarked, her voice tinged with unease. Looked like she was not alone in this. Sakura glanced at her. "What do you mean—"
Before she could finish, they reached the main school gate. Kana abruptly stopped in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat.
"What's wrong?" Sakura then turned to follow Kana's wide-eyed gaze. Parked just outside the gate was a sleek black car, its windows tinted dark.
"Is that... your dad?" Sakura asked hesitantly, noting Kana's frozen expression.
Kana didn't answer. Her heart pounded as a wave of unease washed over her. Something about the car felt wrong—its presence unsettling. Then, through the faint gap of the lowered passenger-side window, she caught a glimpse of silver hair that mirrored her own.