By the time the bell rang to dismiss the class, half the students were either half asleep or already halfway through packing their notes.
Yui, however, was still fully engaged with Mrs Juri, who—by the second hour—seemed impressed by her perceptive questions.
"And do not forget to bring your guidelines tomorrow. We have a practical," Juri said, wiping the board with one hand while retracting the golden motes with the other. "Dismissed."
Yawns and groans spread across the hall as chairs shuffled and conversations picked up.
Akira stood slowly, her mind still replaying everything that had happened.
Yui stretched beside her, bones popping. "That was a good lecture..."
She glanced over, noticing Akira still staring off into space as she packed her bag.
"Thinking of a new way to explain the next formula, Ms Lecturer?"
Akira blinked, shaking her head quickly as she let out an awkward chuckle. "Hm? N-No, not at all, I was just—"
She bumped into someone behind her.
"O-Oh—S-Sorry, I'm so sorry," she said, bowing before the person could even fully turn.
Yui's expression softened.
The stranger paused, looking at her like he might say something—maybe a "no worries" or even a quiet thanks.
Instead, all she got was a simple, "It's okay," before he glanced briefly at Yui and walked off.
Akira stayed bowed a moment too long.
Her eyes loosened just a little.
Yui gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey… we should get going."
Akira straightened, glancing at the students leaving, then nodded. "Yeah, sure…"
She paused. "...wait—'we'?"
Yui chuckled. "Yeah, we. I'll head off at the gate though, I've gotta pass by my mom's place."
Akira's chest fluttered. She pushed the feeling down.
"Oh, okay… sure."
As they walked through the halls, Akira caught a glimpse of a guard laughing with a few students.
The same guard—
"Hey, I wanna ask you something," Yui said, cutting through her thoughts.
"Yes?"
They stepped outside.
"Yesterday you mentioned your brother taught you all this stuff," Yui said. "Is he a teacher too? Like a professor?"
Akira shook her head, eyes fixed on a small rock she nudged along the ground to steady herself.
"N-No… he's not. He's actually a doctor. A neurosurgeon."
Yui let out a low whistle. "That's impressive. I mean—no offense—but that's kinda a big deal. Especially if you're… well… you know."
It took Akira a second.
"Oh—he's not like me," she said quickly. "He's… human. Like you."
"So he's your half-brother?"
Akira nodded as they slowed near the gate. "Yeah. Different dads. Our mom had a hard time… with things, so…" her voice dipped, "it made it difficult for her to stay."
For a brief moment, Yui caught the scent of lavender—soft, faint… almost gone.
She looked away, clearing her throat. "Sorry. I didn't know."
"It's okay."
Silence settled between them as the sun dipped lower.
Then Yui spoke again.
"For what it's worth… I think you did really well today. Mrs Juri doesn't compliment people like that unless she means it. Or she's trying to trap them," she added with a small laugh.
Akira tried to laugh.
It didn't quite land.
"Hey, Akira?"
"Yeah?"
Akira looked up—
and paused.
Yui's fist hovered between them.
"See you tomorrow."
Akira blinked. "...what are you doing?"
Yui huffed, her breath fogging in the cold. "It's a fist bump."
Akira stared at it.
Then at Yui.
Then back at the fist.
Yui nodded. "Don't leave me hanging."
Akira hesitated… then gently tapped her fist against Yui's.
Careful.
Like it might break.
Yui smiled, shaking her head slightly. "See you tomorrow, Akira."
She turned and walked off.
Akira stayed there a moment longer.
Her eyes fell onto her fist.
Then, quietly—
"See you tomorrow… Yui."