The late afternoon air carried the crisp bite of autumn, rust-colored leaves fluttering gently around Kyra, Lain, and Renji as they strolled toward the convenience store. The streets were alive, full of students laughing, shopkeepers calling out discounts, and the faint scent of street food wafting from nearby stalls. For a little while, things felt easy—normal even.
Renji groaned dramatically, tugging at his jacket collar. "Seriously, today sucked. Did anyone else get personally victimized by Mr. Saito's physics quiz, or was it just me?"
Lain chuckled, playfully nudging his arm. "You mean the quiz we've known about for two weeks? Pretty sure I saw you drawing comics in the margins."
Renji put a hand over his heart, feigning wounded pride. "Excuse me, those comics were diagrams. Very detailed diagrams."
Kyra raised an eyebrow, half-smirking. "And what exactly were you diagramming? Your tragic academic career?"
Renji flashed a grin at her, eyes glinting mischievously. "Funny, Kyra. Actually, it was your future bestseller—'The Life and Times of Kyra Sakamoto: Nicotine Queen.'"
Kyra rolled her eyes, biting back a smile despite herself. "Guess everyone needs a hobby, even you."
As the three laughed softly, Kyra felt an easy warmth creep into her chest. Conversations drifted to more mundane things—a substitute teacher who had comically struggled to pronounce half the class's names, the sudden chilly turn in weather, Renji's exaggerated annoyance at someone's loud chewing during class. Kyra stayed quieter than usual, content to simply listen, comfortably walking slightly behind Lain and Renji.
But slowly, almost imperceptibly, something shifted. Kyra started noticing subtle details—the way Lain and Renji drifted closer together, shoulders occasionally brushing, their laughter blending easily. It wasn't anything big, but it gnawed gently at the back of Kyra's mind.
She tightened her fists inside her blazer pockets, her casual mood slipping slightly as the convenience store came into view. She shoved the feeling down. It didn't matter. Not now.
Inside the store, warmth hit them immediately, the buzz of fluorescent lights blending with the faint scent of instant ramen and cheap coffee from a nearby dispenser. Kyra headed straight for the counter with practiced confidence. Routine. Predictable. Easy.
Then she stopped.
Behind the counter stood someone she didn't recognize—a new clerk, younger, a bored yet attentive expression on his face. Kyra's heart skipped uncomfortably.
"Pack of my usual," she said smoothly, sliding her seven stars forward.
"ID?" the clerk asked immediately, barely glancing up.
Kyra's eyes narrowed. She felt Lain and Renji pause behind her. "Didn't used to be a problem," she muttered flatly.
The clerk merely shrugged. "New management. Things changed."
Kyra's jaw tightened, her stomach twisting sharply—not just in irritation, but embarrassment. Heat rose in her cheeks. Without another word, she spun and walked quickly outside.
The door chimed as Renji and Lain stepped out after her. Renji broke the uncomfortable silence first, amusement clear in his voice. "Ouch, rough luck. Guess you're forced into a detox."
Kyra didn't respond immediately, instead glaring at the pavement as she pushed her hair back roughly. Lain offered gently, hesitantly, "Maybe it's a good sign? You've always said you'd quit someday."
Kyra snapped without thinking, words sharp and cold, "Don't pretend you actually care, Lain."
Instantly, regret washed over her. Lain blinked, her expression shifting—not quite hurt, but searching, like she was trying to decide if it was worth responding. Her lips parted slightly, then closed again. Renji's expression softened slightly, his usual teasing tone a bit cautious as he joked, "Damn, Kyra, didn't realize the nicotine withdrawal set in so fast."
Kyra clenched her fists tighter, heat prickling her neck. She hated that she'd said it, but apology felt impossible—too vulnerable, too exposed.
Instead, with stubborn defiance, she pulled out one of her remaining cigarettes, lighting it right in front of Lain. Normally, she avoided smoking openly near her, but right now, frustration overshadowed everything else. She inhaled deeply, holding the smoke before exhaling sharply into the cool evening.
Lain watched silently, concern evident but unspoken. Renji smirked softly, breaking the tension. "So much for quitting."
Kyra huffed a humorless laugh. "Never said I would."
For a few long moments, the trio stood quietly, sounds of city life flowing around them—distant laughter, footsteps, cars rushing by.
Renji sighed dramatically, stretching his arms over his head. "Well, this is awkwardly depressing."
Lain shook her head lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "A little, yeah."
Kyra took another drag, staring thoughtfully at the pavement. Then, with a heavy sigh and forced casualness, she finally muttered, "Ugh. Whatever. You guys wanna hit a manga café tomorrow after school?"
Renji immediately snorted, smirking with renewed energy. "Seriously? That's your big mood reset?"
Kyra glared at him pointedly, cigarette between her fingers. "You wanna come or not?"
Lain smiled warmly, relief softening her eyes. "Sounds good to me."
Renji grinned, stepping forward as they began walking again. "Sure, as long as you're paying."
Kyra scoffed lightly, flicking away ash with a faint smirk. "Cheap bastard."
Their footsteps echoed softly against the sidewalk, laughter mixing quietly with city noise. The tension lingered softly beneath their playful banter, but it felt manageable again, easier somehow. As Kyra walked with her friends, smoke curling gently into the night sky, she knew tomorrow might hold more unspoken truths and uncomfortable moments.
But at least, for tonight, she wasn't alone.