At a narrow alley just a few hundred meters from where they met—
A tiny café sat tucked between two buildings, hidden away from the busy commercial district.
Inside, barely a handful of customers scattered across the dim, cozy space.
The quiet wasn't suffocating—just soft, accompanied by the faint hum of a coffee grinder and the clinking of cups and saucers.
The warm aroma of roasted beans mixed with the subtle scent of potted plants.
Ao and the girl sat facing each other.
"Didn't think you knew a place like this," Ao said, looking around. "It's kinda… shady."
"It's private, though," she answered calmly.
"So let's get to the point. How much do you know about me?"
"Should I guess?"
"Don't joke around. I'm being serious."
"Wow, senpai really has no sense of humor."
"I'm worried you'll start spreading weird romance rumors, okay!?"
"Don't worry. I don't plan on dating you."
"Good. You're creepy as hell, you know that?"
Ao took a long sip of his coffee to steady himself.
"How much do I know…? Let's see. You live on the 17th floor of the XXXXXX mansion, right?"
Ao choked violently.
"Ghk—!! WHAT!? You know THAT much!?"
"Oh, and you never carry a phone. And during lunch break you always eat alone behind the school—"
"STOP! Stop, stop, STOP—!! Enough!"
"Yes sir."
"Don't make that face! It's creepy!! Change the subject already!
Why were you upset when the pro mage stole the credit? I didn't really care."
"Didn't care…? Senpai, you're lying to yourself."
"Me? Lying? Seriously?"
"I've watched you since I was still in elementary school. Since the start of your first year. Your actions say everything."
Ao fell silent, staring at his reflection in the coffee surface.
"If you didn't care about recognition, why did you challenge so many people?
Every time you won, nobody praised you. That's when I first noticed you.
You just wanted someone—anyone—to acknowledge you as a mage.
But instead, everyone treated you like the villain."
"…Enough. I know."
"So you admit it."
"Fine. I'm too tired to argue with you."
Ao lifted the cup again.
Silence returned, broken only by the coffee grinder whirring behind the counter.
After a moment, Ao muttered:
"…Thanks for posting the video.
Otherwise I'd have been forgotten again. Just like always."
The girl blinked in surprise at the sudden softness in his tone.
"So this is another side of you, huh? I knew you weren't all prickles."
"What are you even talking about?"
"Hehe. Nothing."
She let out a small laugh—and before he knew it, Ao found himself smiling a little too.
Time passes — Summer break ends.
A bright morning welcomed the start of the new school term.
Students in summer uniforms streamed toward the gates of XXXXXX Middle School, forming a long, lively river of chatter.
The heat of summer had eased; a cool breeze rustled through leaves turning golden with the change of season.
It was an ordinary day.
An ordinary first day of the second term. Complaints about missing summer vacation echoed everywhere.
Ao walked among them, his footsteps blending into the rhythm of the crowd. No whispers.
No fearful glances. No hostile stares.
Just… nothing.
Weird… Those eyes that used to glare at me… they're gone.
He looked up toward the bright sky and inhaled deeply.
No tension. No malice. Only morning wind, birdsong, and innocent conversation.
"Good morning!"
A girl's voice behind him made him turn abruptly. She waved—smiling softly.
Probably greeting a friend behind me, he thought quickly, turning away.
But then—
"Morning!"
A boy patted Ao on the back as he passed, causing Ao to flinch. The boy waved casually.
More voices followed. More greetings. People smiled, waved, acknowledged him as if he were just… another student.
Before he knew it, he found himself raising a hand in return.
"Uh… good morning…"
At the shoe lockers
When Ao opened his locker, a flood of colorful boxes and envelopes burst out, spilling across the floor.
He froze.
"…What the hell?"
"Th-those are gifts… from other students…" A timid voice answered behind him.
Ao turned to see Irino—the nerdy kid—standing there nervously.
"…Who are you?"
"HUH!? You don't remember me!?"
"Uh… weren't you… Nerd Guy?"
"It's Irino Maru! Please at least remember my name, Onishima-san!"
"Sorry. I'm bad with names."
Ao shoveled the gifts into his bag.
"So, what do you want?"
"Wha—!? Why does anyone talk to their friend only when they have 'business'!?"
"Friend? Who's your friend?"
"Wait—weren't we friends since that time—"
"Don't lump me in with you!"
Irino looked devastated.
Ao zipped his bag and walked away.
"Alright, see ya."
"WAIT— so I was wrong!?"
But Ao suddenly stopped walking.
Slowly… very slowly… he looked back.
"No.
We're friends."
At his classroom door, Ao paused.
His hand trembled on the handle.
Every other time he opened this door, laughter and chatter always died instantly. Everyone froze. Everyone stared.
He inhaled deeply.
His trembling stopped.
He slid the door open.
And this time—
Nothing stopped. Voices kept flowing. Students kept talking.
No fear. No disgust. No avoidance.
The eyes that glanced his way were—
Ordinary.
As if he was no longer a monster in their story.