"shino?" he says.

the walk back to the room was quiet, lonely,

indifferent.

"yeah?"

"atsumi.. why is she only in the basement?"

shino widened her eyes at his question and looked down.

"akira...i think.." the hint of reluctance danced on her tone.

"I think you wouldn't really want to know."

the atmosphere between them soon

was shallowed by hesitance and secrecy.

akira had never felt so betrayed but

a little relieved for no reason.

"but shino, i—"

"class is done, go home." shino says monotone. "you can pick

her up now, and..take an umbrella." she adds.

"you wouldn't want her to worry at you

for not bringing one, right?" akira froze for awhile

and started to think.

"who?"

shino returned him a look full of misery,

a glare of jealousy,

and words sharp as knives:

"you're so lucky, you know that?"