Chapter 16
Tomorrow came.
The golden warmth of a new day spilled across Tokyo’s skyline, touching down on Sakura High School’s rooftop gardens, glinting through the classroom windows, and stretching into the long hallways filled with youthful chatter.
To most, it was just another Tuesday.
But not for Watanabe Mika.
And not for Kokoro.
As always, Sakura High buzzed with life. First-years poured into the building—some still yawning, some chatting about their club plans, others checking the hallway bulletin for new updates. Class 1-A was no exception. The atmosphere felt bright, noisy, and... oddly natural. Kokoro had found his place, little by little.
That morning, Sayori Kojima wasted no time sitting next to him, her bright orange eyes locked onto him like a cat staring at a toy. She bounced in her seat, fidgeted with her phone, then leaned over.
"So, Raven," she whispered with a smug smirk, "Working on your next big masterpiece already?"
Kokoro groaned under his breath. "Can we not do this during homeroom?"
"Nope. You’re stuck with me now."
Despite his exasperation, Kokoro felt a strange warmth in her presence.