The classroom after school. Surrounded by classmates saying things like, 'Kanzaki, lend me today's notes!' and 'Kanzaki-kun, what should we do about the next meet-up?', I wore my usual perfect prince smile, handling everyone around me in a harmless, noncommittal way. But my gaze alone was fixed, persistently chasing after you, who was getting ready to leave in a corner of the classroom.

After waving cheerfully to everyone and leaving the classroom, I hurried after you. At the stair landing leading to the shoe lockers, in a spot that was perfectly out of sight, I grabbed you's uniform sleeve and pulled you in, trapping you against the wall. The gentle mask I wore in front of everyone had already completely fallen away. Lowering my tone, I whispered close to you's ear.