The classroom was already loud enough to be mistaken for a marketplace.

Chairs scraped against the floor, laughter bounced off the walls, and someone in the back was drumming a pen like they were auditioning for a rock band. A paper plane flew past the blackboard and landed near the window, earning a chorus of whistles. It was one of those mornings—when the teacher wasn’t there yet, and discipline had collectively decided to take the day off.

The clock above the board ticked mercilessly closer to the bell.

Outside, chaos of a different kind was unfolding.

Axel was running.

Not jogging. Not hurrying. Running, backpack slapping against his back, breath uneven, hair a complete disaster. His phone buzzed in his pocket for the fifth time, but he didn’t need to check it to know what it said.

You’re late.

“I KNOW!” Axel muttered to no one, skidding around a corner.

He had slept through his alarm. Again.

And fate, apparently, had decided to mock him for it.

“MOVE, AXEL!”

He glanced sideways—and groaned.

Running right beside him, perfectly matching his pace, was Akira.

Childhood friend. Constant rival. Professional annoyance.

“You too?” Axel puffed.

Akira shot him a grin, eyes sharp with challenge. “What, surprised? Unlike you, I woke up on time. It’s the universe that betrayed me.”

“Sure,” Axel said. “Blame the universe.”

They sprinted past the vending machines, shoes pounding against the floor.

“I’m still going to reach first,” Akira said smugly.

“In your dreams.”

Akira smirked. “Loser buys lunch.”

Axel narrowed his eyes. “Deal.”

They pushed harder, lungs burning, hallway stretching endlessly ahead like it was personally invested in making them late. Other students stared as they raced past, whispers trailing behind them.

“Those two again…”

“The late duo.”

The classroom door came into view.

And then—

Axel’s heart sank.

The door was open.

Dead silence poured out like a warning.

They skidded to a stop at the exact same time, hands on knees, chests heaving, sweat dripping down their faces.

Inside the classroom stood the teacher.

Already there.

Already waiting.

The universe had not just betrayed them. It had laughed.

For half a second, no one spoke.

Then the class exploded.

Laughter erupted from every corner. Someone clapped. Someone else whistled. The pen-drummer switched to a victory beat.

Axel straightened slowly, his eyes instinctively drifting across the room—

And then he saw her.

Mia.

She sat near the window, sunlight brushing against her hair, her hand covering her mouth as she laughed. Her eyes curved into crescents, genuine and bright, and for a moment, the noise faded.

Axel forgot about being late.

Forgot about the teacher.

Forgot how to breathe properly.

He liked her laugh.

He liked it more than he should.

The sound settled somewhere deep in his chest, warm and stupid and impossible to ignore.

Yeah, he thought. Totally worth it.

“Ow!”

Pain shot up his leg.

Axel hissed and looked down just in time to see Akira retract her foot.

She leaned in, whispering sharply, “Idiot. Stop staring and apologize.”

Axel blinked. Right. Reality.

He straightened, bowing slightly. “Sorry, sir. We—”

The teacher adjusted his glasses, unimpressed. “You two are always late.”

More laughter.

Axel glanced sideways at Akira. She looked exhausted, annoyed, and entirely unapologetic.

“Stand outside,” the teacher said. “Both of you.”

“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

As they turned to leave, Axel felt it again—a presence.

Mia was still watching them.

This time, she wasn’t laughing.

Her smile had softened, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Curiosity? Amusement? Maybe even… jealousy?

She didn’t look away when Axel met her gaze.

For a second too long, the world narrowed down to that moment.

Then Akira grabbed Axel’s sleeve and dragged him out.

The door shut behind them.

The hallway felt colder.

They leaned against the wall, catching their breath.

Akira exhaled sharply. “You’re hopeless.”

Axel smiled lazily. “You ran just as hard as I did.”

“That’s because I didn’t want to lose.”

He tilted his head. “You always say that.”

She scoffed, crossing her arms, cheeks slightly flushed—not just from running.

Inside the classroom, Mia watched the closed door.

She hadn’t realized she was gripping her pen until it bent slightly between her fingers.

They were close.

Too close.

The way they ran together. The way they spoke without thinking. The way they stood side by side like that was where they belonged.

She looked away, a small frown forming before she could stop it.

Why does that bother me?

Outside, Axel laughed quietly.

Akira rolled her eyes.

And somewhere between laughter, jealousy, and bad timing—

Love had already started running.

A few minutes passed outside the classroom, the hallway unusually quiet except for the faint sound of chalk scratching against the blackboard inside.

Axel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, still catching his breath.

Akira glanced at him sideways. “You were staring again.”

Axel frowned. “Staring at what?”

“You know exactly who.”

He opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. There was no point lying to Akira. She had known him since childhood—back when scraped knees and stolen candies were the biggest problems in life.

Before he could respond, the classroom door slid open.

The teacher stood there, arms folded. “This is your final warning,” he said sternly. “If you’re late again, it’s detention. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Axel and Akira replied together.

“Get inside.”

They walked back in, heads slightly lowered as a few students snickered. Axel scanned the room automatically—and his eyes found Mia again.

She was already seated, talking softly with her friends. When she noticed Axel, she paused for half a second.

Then she smiled.

Not loud. Not teasing.

Just… warm.

Axel felt his face heat up instantly and turned away, pretending to fix his bag.

Akira noticed.

Of course she did.

“Tch,” she clicked her tongue, sliding into her seat beside him. “Control your expressions.”

“Mind your business,” Axel muttered.

Their seats were the same as always—side by side, near the middle of the classroom. It was so normal that no one questioned it anymore.

Except maybe… Megumi.

She sat two rows behind them, chin resting on her hand, watching the scene quietly. Her expression was neutral, calm as always, but her eyes lingered on Axel longer than necessary.

Megumi liked Axel.

A lot.

But she never said it.

To everyone else, she was just a good friend—the kind who listened, laughed, and stayed close without demanding anything. And maybe that was why no one noticed how her fingers tightened slightly around her pen when she saw Axel blush because of someone else.

The class went on like any other. The teacher droned on about equations and formulas, chalk dust floating in the sunlight. Axel tried to focus, but his mind kept drifting.

To Mia’s laugh.

To Akira’s annoyed sighs.

To the strange feeling that someone behind him was always watching.

When the bell finally rang, relief washed over the room.

“Lunch time!” someone shouted.

Students rushed out in groups, chatter filling the corridors once again.

The cafeteria was loud, warm, and alive.

Axel dropped his tray onto the table where his usual group sat—Akira to his left, Megumi across from him, and a few of his male friends scattered around.

“Man, you almost died running today,” one of them laughed.

Akira scoffed. “He deserved it.”

Axel rolled his eyes. “You ran too.”

Megumi smiled softly. “You both looked like you were about to collapse.”

“At least I didn’t stare into space like an idiot,” Akira said pointedly.

Axel ignored her and picked up his spoon.

They talked about random things—teachers, tests, a stupid rumor about a senior getting rejected. Laughter came easily. It always did when they were together.

Then Axel’s eyes wandered.

Across the cafeteria, Mia sat with her friends, laughing at something someone said. Her head tilted back slightly, eyes bright.

Axel watched without realizing.

As if sensing it, Mia turned.

Their eyes met.

For a split second, time slowed.

Mia smiled again—this time directly at him.

Axel froze.

Color rushed to his cheeks so fast it felt like his face was on fire. He immediately ducked his head, pretending to inspect his lunch tray like it held the secrets of the universe.

Megumi noticed.

Akira noticed too.

Silence fell at the table.

“…Wow,” Akira said slowly, forcing a smile. “You seem very interested today.”

Megumi nodded, also smiling—but her eyes weren’t smiling at all. “Is something wrong, Axel?”

He looked up, confused. “Huh? No. Why?”

“Nothing,” Megumi said sweetly. “Just wondering.”

Akira crossed her arms. “Yeah. Just wondering.”

Axel blinked. They’re mad.

He sighed internally. But why?

Trying to lighten the mood, he leaned forward. “Hey… can I try some of your lunch?”

Akira’s eyebrow twitched. Megumi’s smile widened—dangerously.

“Oh?” Akira said. “You want my food?”

Megumi tilted her head. “Mine too?”

Axel nodded, relieved. “Yeah, sure. Just a bite.”

Bad decision.

Before he could react, Akira scooped a spoonful of her food and shoved it toward his face.

“Eat.”

“Wha—wait—”

Megumi leaned forward from the other side at the exact same time, holding out her spoon. “You said you wanted to try.”

Axel’s eyes widened. “Guys—one at a time!”

“Eat,” Akira repeated flatly.

“Don’t be rude,” Megumi added politely.

They moved closer.

Axel was trapped.

The table burst into laughter.

“HAHAHAHA!”

“Dude, he’s dead!”

“Which one do you choose?!”

Axel panicked. “I—I’ll eat both, okay?!”

He took an awkward bite from Akira’s spoon, then immediately from Megumi’s.

Akira smirked. Megumi giggled softly.

“There,” Akira said. “Satisfied?”

Axel chewed, face red, surrounded by laughter. “You’re both evil.”

Megumi smiled at him—this time, genuinely. “But you still ate.”

The tension dissolved. Laughter filled the table again, louder than before.

Across the cafeteria, Mia watched the scene quietly.

Her smile faded just a little.

And somewhere between forced smiles, shared lunches, and jealous glances—

Love’s timing grew even more complicated.

The afternoon sun filtered lazily through the classroom windows as students settled back into their seats after lunch. The noise level dropped from cafeteria chaos to classroom chatter, though whispers and laughter still floated around.

Axel leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. “I’m still full,” he muttered.

Akira scoffed. “That’s what happens when you eat like you’re being threatened.”

Megumi smiled quietly from the seat behind them, opening her notebook.

The teacher hadn’t arrived yet, which meant conversations naturally drifted toward plans.

“So,” Axel said, turning slightly, “what are you guys doing after this class?”

“I’ve got club work,” Akira replied instantly. “Student council prep. Again.”

Axel nodded, then glanced back. “Megumi and I have a club meeting too.”

Megumi looked up, surprised he mentioned her so casually. “Yeah… the comics club.”

“Oh?” one of Axel’s male friends leaned over. “You two are in the same club?”

“Since first year,” Axel said. “Right?”

Megumi nodded. “Mm.”

Sato, who had been quietly listening, suddenly lit up. “Hey, Axel! Akira! After school, want to play games? There’s a new co-op mode I’ve been dying to try.”

Axel hesitated. “Ah… sorry. Club meeting today.”

Akira shrugged. “Same.”

Sato sighed dramatically. “Figures. Guess I’ll go with Kenji and the others.”

“Next time,” Axel said apologetically.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sato waved him off. “Don’t forget me when you become famous or something.”

The bell rang soon after, cutting off the conversation.

When the final class ended, students poured out once again, but this time in calmer waves. Axel slung his bag over his shoulder and waited near the door.

Megumi stepped up beside him.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Always,” Axel replied easily.

They walked down the hallway together, footsteps echoing softly. Posters for various clubs lined the walls—sports teams, music clubs, debate societies.

They stopped in front of a door with a handmade sign:

COMICS CLUB – ROOM 3-B

Megumi pushed it open.

Inside, the room smelled faintly of paper and ink. Shelves lined the walls, packed with manga, graphic novels, and comics stacked in careful chaos. A few members were already there, chatting excitedly.

Axel smiled. “Still my favorite place in school.”

Megumi’s lips curved upward. “Mine too.”

This club was special to her.

Not just because of the comics.

But because this was where she had first talked to Axel—not as “Akira’s friend,” not as part of a group, but just… them. A conversation over shared favorites that turned into something comfortable.

The club president, a third-year with glasses perpetually slipping down his nose, clapped his hands. “Alright, everyone! Let’s get started.”

Members gathered around the tables.

“Today’s meeting is important,” the president continued. “We’ve been given a chance to publish a feature in the school newspaper.”

Murmurs spread through the room.

“Our task,” he said dramatically, “is to rank the Top 10 Comics of All Time.”

The room went silent.

Then—

“What?!”

“In one week?!”

“That’s impossible!”

Axel raised his hand halfway. “Uh… president?”

“Yes?”

“There are like… ten thousand comics here.”

Several members nodded vigorously.

“How are we supposed to pick the top ten in one week?” Axel added. “That’s not even human.”

“I agree,” someone else said. “We need at least a month!”

The president sighed. “I know. But we only have this week. Other clubs also want space in the newspaper, and if we want to be featured, we need to act fast.”

Groans filled the room.

Megumi had been quiet, listening carefully.

She raised her hand.

“Yes, Megumi?” the president said.

She took a small breath. “What if… we don’t try to read everything?”

The room stilled.

Axel turned toward her.

Megumi continued, voice calm but steady. “We could each choose our personal top ten. Then, after everyone submits their lists, we compare them.”

Someone tilted their head. “Compare… how?”

“We look for overlaps,” she explained. “Comics that appear frequently across different lists. Then we discuss and narrow them down to the final ten.”

Silence.

Then—

“That’s… actually smart.”

“Yeah.”

“That could work.”

The president’s eyes lit up. “Excellent idea!”

Axel stared at Megumi, impressed.

“Alright,” the president said, energized again. “We’ll divide the collection. About two thousand comics per group. Choose your top ten from those.”

The room buzzed with renewed excitement.

As members started organizing stacks, Axel leaned closer to Megumi.

“You know,” he said quietly, “that was really smart.”

Megumi blinked. “Huh?”

“You’re the best at this,” he added honestly. “Seriously.”

For the first time since he’d known her—

Megumi blushed.

It was faint, but unmistakable.

She looked down, fingers tightening around her notebook. “Th-thank you.”

Axel smiled, completely unaware of the effect his words had just had.

They spent the rest of the meeting surrounded by comics, discussing art styles, arguing over story arcs, laughing over ridiculous plot twists.

“This one fell off after volume five,” Axel said.

Megumi nodded eagerly. “Exactly! People only remember the beginning.”

“Finally, someone who gets it,” he laughed.

Time passed faster than either of them realized.

As the meeting wrapped up, Megumi packed her bag carefully, her heart still beating just a little faster than usual.

He noticed me today, she thought.

Outside, the sky had started to soften into evening.

Axel stretched again. “Good meeting.”

Megumi smiled. “Yeah… it was.”

And as they walked out together, neither noticed—

That timing, once again, was quietly shifting.