Morning feels quiet and melancholic, drizzle falling in a melodious rhythm, each drop tapping softly against the ground.

  Cold air cuts through the warmth of my body, sharp enough to reach my bones.

  Still, it doesn’t stop students from heading to school, chasing their future like it’s just another day.

  I walk with my arms wrapped around myself. I rub my arm now and then. A few students pass by me.

  “Brr….” My body shivers. Well, I'm not suprised—I’m only wearing a male school uniform, no jacket or sweater.

  Then my gaze shifts to him.

  Langit…

  He walks alone, wearing only a white jacket, and hood pulled up over his head.

  His walk is slightly hunched, head lowered.

  Seems like he has no energy today.

  Worried....

  I want to get closer, but I stop myself when I remember what happened a few months ago.

  “Ah… forget it… I’ll just follow from behind…,” I say in my heart and hold back my own movements.

  Step by step, I move carefully. I don’t want him to notice me.

  However, suddenly he stops….

  My body stiffens. Fear haunts me.

  I run into a nearby alley.

  “Aish, why am I even hiding? He can’t see me, right?” I curse at my own stupidity.

  How could I forget that I’m already dead.

  Yes… dead….

  I was hit by a reckless car on the road. Unfortunately, the car ran away without any consequences.

  “Hah, why do I have to remember that accident…,” I mutter, shaking my head slightly as I try to peek out from behind the alley wall.

  Is he gone?

  I see him turn his head back for a moment before turning forward again and walking on.

  Strange. There’s no one behind him except me before that….

  “Don’t tell me… he knows he’s being followed…” I mutter again, slightly uneasy.

  Nah… impossible. That’s only a coincidence, right?

  I watch him and quickly follow as he walks farther away.

  We walk separately, a few meters apart. I keep watching him, my steps gradually quickening, matching the ticking of the clock—each second pushing forward, moving on.

  Just like his future keeps moving ahead.

  And I…

  I stop. Becoming the past.

  It hurts.

  My steps come to a halt. I realize I’m no longer with him.

  For a moment, I can’t move. I can’t even speak to call his name, to make him look back, to let him know… I’m here.

  But would he even hear me…? See me…? Or even just feel that I exist…?

  “Am I… stopping here…?” I say quietly.

  Langit, he is... getting farther away. Unreachable.

  “Hah….” I let out a long breath into the air, tilting my head up, staring at the sky covered in gray clouds.

  “I need to focus… My goal is to make sure he’s okay….” I mumble a little louder, steadying my resolve.

  I’m walking again, heading straight to his school.

  So, crowded. Students rush in, running into the building.

  And, Langit? Probably, he’s already inside.

  The drizzle gets heavier. I quicken my steps and move inside.

  “Luckily I didn’t get caught in the rain…” I mutter, glancing at the rain from inside.

  Students start filling the school hallway, heading to their respective classrooms. And I get swept along in the flow, carried all the way to his classroom on the second floor.

  This is not part of the plan. I didn’t intend to follow him all the way to class, since we go to different schools. Or… not really.

  I only transferred to another school two months ago. Right after we argued.

  Even my uniform is still the old one, because the new one is still being processed.

  But going into the classroom isn’t possible.

  I don’t want to cause any disturbance.

  "Hmmm... What should I do...? This makes my head hurt...."

  Instead of going in, I just stand in front of his classroom, arms crossed, frowning.

  Go inside... Not....

  My mind spins between two choices.

  Tuk... Tuk... Tuk....

  Footsteps of high heels, quite loud, reaching my ears. Not far away, a beautiful woman in a yellow blouse with her hair tied up is walking.

  Seems she’s going to Langit’s class.

  "Better I leave first...." I decide to hide from that woman into the corridor beside his classroom.

  Here, no one will see me.

  This corridor is quiet, while every classroom is noisy.

  Screams. Jokes. Laughter. Cheers, even curses... all overlapping.

  Sounds alive.

  Not like where I am standing right now.

  Separated and cold.

  I shake my head, trying to push away the pain spreading in my chest.

  It seems that teacher has already entered the class. Quietly, I peek outside.

  Empty.

  Slowly I step out of the corridor, bent over slightly, then stop.

  Peeking from behind the classroom window, my eyes immediately land on Langit sitting in the corner row, fourth seat.

  Langit... he looks different.

  His face is paler than usual. Is he sick?

  Anxious. Langit... he makes me worried....

  He might really get sick if he keeps this up.

  My gaze drops. Slowly I step back from the classroom window, lost in thought, turning away while staring blankly toward the school field from up here.

  My attention is pulled when a young man suddenly runs in from the school gate, crossing the field in a hurry, straight ahead.

  Maybe he’s heading to the other building.

  But something makes me freeze. He turns his head. His eyes land directly on me.

  "He... is looking at me....?"

  A sudden gust of wind hits when our eyes meet.

  No mistake. I’m sure he saw me. He keeps staring at me for a few moments before finally looking away.

  Who is he?

  “I need to find out...!”

  Without thinking twice, I decide to go down from the second floor and head to the other building.

  “Maybe he can help me...,” I think, holding on to that hope.

  And Langit doesn’t need to be sad....

  I rush down the stairs, heart pounding, then run into the other building.

  He’s still in sight. Good, I haven’t lost his trail. But I have to be careful. Don’t stand out, and don’t make him suspicious or misunderstand.

  Calm. Just stay calm....

  No aggression, but stay focused.

  He turns a corner, I move into a light run to close the distance.

  But… he’s tricking me. He is already standing there, turning his body like he was waiting for me.

  I’m caught. My eyes widen as he stares at me sharply, arms crossed across his chest.

  I instinctively take a few steps back.

  “Annoying. So you’ve been following me?” He says, sounding clearly displeased.

  I blink a few times. He’s really talking to me, right?

  A slight doubt creeps in. Hesitation. I glance around, just in case there’s someone else here—but no. Only me. So that means he’s….

  My gaze returns to him.

  “You… can see and talk to me?”

  “Tch… who else do you think I’m talking to, huh?”

  That confirms it. He really does see me.

  A smile spreads across my face.

  “Thank goodness….” I say in relief.

  “Enough. Now tell me who you are, and why you’re following me?” His tone is sharp. It doesn’t matter. I don’t mind, as long as there’s a chance, he can help me.

  “I’m Senja… I want to ask for help… to deliver a message to someone….”

  His brows furrow slightly, but he remains still.

  “His name is Langit… his class is in the building next to this one,” I say, starting to explain. “There are some things I didn’t get to say and explain because we fought the last time….” I lower my head and let out a small laugh at myself.

  “Will you help me…?” My eyes start to get teary.

  Please… help Langit. I can’t see him like this. I’m worried he might—

  “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  What? He can’t?

  The hope that just rises collapses again instantly.

  The young man turns his back on me and walks into the classroom.

  “I can’t give up… he’s my only hope now!”

  Of course, I go after him right away.

  But there’s not much I can do—either wait outside or try to bother him while he’s studying in class.

  I’m bored.

  Second after second ticks by. I keep staring at the clock on the classroom wall, growing more and more impatient.

  “This is taking forever…,” I mutter, letting out a quiet sigh as I stand right by the doorway.

  He glances over every now and then, like he’s making sure I’m still here.

  He thinks I’d leave after just one rejection?

  Hah. Not that easy.

  I know he’s trying to ignore me, pretending to stay focused on his writing.

  “Hmmmmm….” I rest my chin on my hand.

  Is there anything I can do to get his attention?

  Aha! An idea suddenly comes to me. What if I do something weird?

  “Alright, I’ll try it!” I raise a fist into the air, my chest surging with excitement.

  A moment later, I put it into action.

  The first thing I do is jog in place, flashing him a wide smile.

  He only glances over for a moment—I even wave—but…

  His gaze shifts back to the board.

  Looks like he’s doing it on purpose.

  If he keeps looking away from the door, then I don’t have a choice.

  I’ll make him look at me.

  I walk into the classroom and stop right in front of the board.

  His eyes widen. Our gazes meet. I smile and give him a small wave.

  “Hi…,” I say, trying to sound friendly.

  He jolts up from his seat—almost falling over.

  Everyone turns to look at him.

  “Mata, what’s wrong?” the female teacher asks, her brows furrowing as she looks at him. She walks past me.

  “Don’t look so shocked, I just want to talk to you…,” I say softly, almost like a whisper—even though I know no one else can hear me but him.

  “Go away. I don’t want to talk!” The young man I know as “Mata” swats his right hand toward me.

  “Mata! Don’t act carelessly!” the woman snaps, glaring with her hands on her hips.

  Looks like she’s about to explode.

  “Ma’am, not you—I mean—ugh….” He scratches his head awkwardly. “Sorry, Ma’am…,” he adds, lowering his head slightly.

  “Watch it. If you do that again, I’ll have you stand outside!” the teacher fires back in a threatening tone.

  He shoots me a sharp look and mutters something under his breath. I can’t hear it, but I’m sure he’s cursing. Heh….

  Now I know what to do.

  The corner of my lips lifts. I step back in front of the board—this time, deliberately blocking what he’s looking at.

  He starts to get restless. Clicking his tongue a few times, then slowly rising from his seat, shifting left and right, trying to find a gap to see through.

  Meanwhile, I stay right there in front of the board, posing like a model.

  “Arrrghhh!!” He finally snaps. “Can you move away from the board? You’re so annoying, you damn ghost!” The whole class turns toward him at once, startled.

  Mata. The young man stands there, pointing at the board—more precisely, at me—holding back a growl.

  His face turns red, while the teacher in front of him is already staring wide-eyed.

  “MATAHARI!”

.

.

A/N

Matahari means \= Sun, bright sun

Langit means \= Sky

Senja means \= Dawn

The teacher glares sharply, and Matahari flinches, like he realizes what he did.

  “I’m sorry, Ma’am…!” He immediately bows deeply and apologizes.

  “How dare you call me a demon?! Get out!” She says, standing with her hands on her hips, an aura of dominance surrounding her.

  “But, Ma’am… I just—” He tries to defend himself.

  “Get out. Now!” She points firmly toward the door.

  Matahari stands up from his seat, picks up his books and stationery, and drags himself out of the classroom. His head is lowered, shoulders slumped as he walks.

  I feel sorry for him, honestly… but I have no choice. There’s no other way.

  “Sorry…,” I murmur, then walk after him as he quickly sits by the classroom doorway, writing down notes.

  I approach and stop in front of him.

  “Mata…,” I call, watching him write. “Please, don’t ignore me… I’m begging you. I need to talk seriously.”

  His hand stops.

  He sets the pen down on the notebook, then slowly lifts his face. A quiet sigh leaves him.

  “…Hhh, alright.”

  A smile spreads across my face at his answer, like flowers blooming all around me.

  He stands up and walks to the side of the classroom, then leans against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

  “Speak clearly. What do you want?” he says, without any hesitation.

  “I’m sorry for talking without explaining myself first…,” I say, standing in front of him with my head slightly lowered. “I just… I want to talk to Langit one last time.” My hands clench. “He... he's my very best friend. Things have been complicated between us these past few months. There was a misunderstanding… I want to clear it up so he stops blaming himself.” My voice rises slightly at the end as I look back at him.

  I can feel my eyes tearing up.

  “…Do I have to care?” He replies coldly.

  “I know you don’t have to care, I know that! But…” My lips tremble. Something starts to gather at the corners of my eyes. “I don’t have much time…” Tears begin to fall down my cheeks. Warm and wet.

  I shake my head slowly, then take a step back from him.

  “You’re right… this is my problem. I should’ve handled it myself. Sorry if it felt like I was forcing you…”

  I decide to leave.

  Disappointed? Of course. But I get it. Maybe he feels uncomfortable with me showing up out of nowhere, and I’m already dragging him into trouble just because of my own selfishness…

  “Hey, Senja—wait!”

  His voice stops me mid-step even though I’m already walking away.

  “I’ll help you,” he says.

  “I don’t want to see you wandering around school with that long face… it throws me off, you know.” He clicks his tongue, giving it as an excuse. It sounds sharp, but I think he actually cares. Right?

  "Hah... we’ll continue this at break, okay? Now I’m getting back to my notes. Don’t disturb me this time.”

  I nod.

  Matahari sits back down near the classroom doorway and goes back to writing, focused on the board.

  It’s better if I leave him alone for now and come back later.

  “I want to see Langit….” I think to myself.

  Slowly, I walk away….

  My steps carry me back toward where Langit is.

  “What is he doing right now… in class? Can he even focus on studying…?”

  My thoughts grow restless thinking about Langit’s upcoming exams. There is not much time left.

  “If this keeps going… he might fail….”

  I keep talking to myself along the way, thinking about Langit—and what about his future if he keeps going like this.

  “Langit…,” I whisper as I stop in front of his classroom again, right at the door.

  “Can you hear me… Langit…?”

  It hurts to see him like that—completely unfocused. His eyes look empty as he just stares down at his open notebook, while the rest of the class listens to the teacher and writes down key points.

  This isn’t Langit. Not the friend I used to know.

  He’s changed… like he’s slowly sinking, losing himself little by little.

  Bring him back. Bring my Langit back—the one who always laughed so brightly. The one whose eyes would light up every time he talked about the future and his dreams.

  "Sobs....”

  I can’t hold it in anymore. My hand grips my chest, tight and painful.

  I can't do anything right now. Langit can’t see me or hear me, and no matter how much I try, I can’t even touch him.

  My hand only reaches through empty air…

  And I only have 30 days left.

  Matahari…

  I’m hoping he’s the answer to all of this. A way for me to reach Langit…

  “…Please…”

  I’m still standing in front of his classroom, watching him. Or rather, my soul is—since I don’t have a body anymore.

  “Langit… what are you even doing? Didn’t you say you wanted to graduate early so you could go to a big city for college?” I look at him, feeling exasperated.

  I really want to walk up to him and scold him. If only I could.

  A sudden breeze sweeps through, strong and fragrant, carrying small white feathers with it.

  This isn’t an ordinary wind. I know who it is.

  Luz....

  The wind gathers beside me like drifting smoke, slowly taking shape—forming a human silhouette.

  A woman.

  Elegant, with fair skin tinged with a soft blush, and long, glossy hair braided to the side, falling all the way to her waist.

  She wears a white robe that flows down to her feet.

  And the most striking part of all—massive wings behind her back, glowing with a soft light.

  “Have you decided, Senja...? Are you ready to leave...?”

  Her voice rings softly and faintly.

  “I still haven’t been able to talk to him..,.” I let out a breath, like my last bit of strength is slipping away.

  “Don’t take too long, Senja... you only have 30 days left before your divine light fades,” she says gently, her tone flowing and calming.

  But I know she is giving me a warning. That is the risk if I cross the limit.

  “I understand, Luz. Don’t worry… I think I’ve found a way,” I reply, though I’m not fully sure.

  “Alright... I trust you. I’ll wait. And if there’s still no way, I have no choice but to take you away with me....”

  “Thank you, Luz....”

  Her figure fades away into a gust of wind, drifting through the air, leaving behind a faint trace of katsuri.

  At the same time, the first bell rings. It’s already 9:00 in the morning.

  The quiet classroom changes after the teacher leaves. Louder now—some students move between desks, chatting with each other.

  Langit stays still. Lost in thought, his gaze shifts to the window across from the door.

  “I want to see him more closely....”

  I move closer. Slow, focused. Circling his desk until I stop right in front of him—gazing off, arms folded, cheek resting on one hand.

  My eyes widen when I see him up close.

  “Langit... what happened to you?!” I almost shout. Barely a sound.

  If only he could hear me....

  Not just pale—thinner. Drained. Dark circles under the eyes that used to shine so brightly.

  “Senja... are you happy there...?” He murmurs, gaze drifting far away.

  Degh...!

  My whole body trembles. Something cold settles deep in my chest.

  So... he’s been thinking about me....

  “I can’t... I can’t see him like this....”

  In the end, I run. Away from him. Out of the classroom—passing right through a man who’s just coming in, making him glance back for a split second.

  I keep running. No direction. Nowhere in mind.

  Down the stairs. Through the hallway. Across the wide yard. Until I end up behind the school.

  Until my legs finally give in. Not from exhaustion—just... nowhere left to go.

  “Back there... I didn’t see it wrong, right...? Langit... that was him... my Langit...?” I mutter, bent over, hands on my knees.

  The question keeps spinning. I want to deny it, but it’s too real.

  Tight... hard to breathe....

  How could someone who was always laughing, always full of ideas... change that fast?

  The way he used to look fills my mind.

  I remember the way he used to talk—so expressive.

  How he loved running, basking in the sunlight.

  The way he was at school. Playing around. Joking—even when he was annoyed....

  And then—

  That moment from a few minutes ago comes rushing back. When I saw him.

  “No....” I shake my head. “I can’t just leave it like this! I need to find Mata—now!” My voice rises as I straighten up again.

  “So noisy. You’re disturbing my sleep, you know.”

  The voice comes from a girl inside an empty room—something like a storage room. Dark.

  I turn to the side.

  And see her—slowly floating toward me.

  She steps out of the room. Closer. Then lands right in front of me—barely a foot away. I instinctively take a step back.

  “New ghost, huh?” She says, tone sharp. Standing there, staring straight at me. Eyes scanning from head to toe, arms crossed.

  “Uh... I—guess...?” I answer, awkward.

  “Hmmm....” She rubs her chin, then leans in closer.

  She sniffs me....

  “Still fresh...,” she murmurs, eyes closing like she’s taking in the scent. “Did you die recently?” A blunt glance.

  My mood drops instantly. I slump forward, half-bent.

  Why bring that up...?

  It all comes back again.

  Bitter.

  The pain—still there. Still clear.

  “Hey, why so quiet? I’m right, aren’t I?”

  Huh. Instead of caring, she’s smirking.

  “Yeah... about a week,” I mutter, not really in the mood.

  “No wonder... still smells nice....” She nods to herself.

  Hah? Nice?? What kind of smell is that?

  lift my hand, trying to catch my own scent.

  “What...? There’s nothing,” I think, catching no trace of anything.

  “You can’t smell it yourself, but... other things around you can....” Her gaze drifts elsewhere—where a few silhouettes are moving about.

  I turn, watching them. One... two... three.

  Three figures. Just silhouettes. Moving back and forth across from us.

  My brows knit. Something about it feels... off.

  “What... are they...?”