ECHOES OF MISUNDERSTANDING

The late afternoon sun spilled warm orange light across Hoshizora High School, painting the courtyard in long shadows. Students laughed, chattered, and slowly filtered out of the gate, eager to escape another day of classes.

At the center of the commotion stood Rei Kusanagi, hugging his schoolbag close, a small smile tugging at his lips. His black hair fell slightly over his eyes, giving him a soft, gentle appearance—someone you could easily overlook in a crowd.

But around three people, he never felt overlooked.

“Rei! Hurry up!”

Haruto Shin waved energetically from the front gate, almost jumping in place. His messy brown hair and wild expression made him look like a puppy that had too much sugar.

Beside him stood Souta Arai, arms crossed, already annoyed. His sharp features and perfect posture screamed honor student—someone who took life too seriously.

And then there was Kira Minami, the only girl among them. Beautiful, bright-eyed, and effortlessly charming. Every guy in school admired her, but she chose to walk with these three idiots, as she always called them.

Rei jogged over, breath slightly short.

“Sorry, I was putting my notes away.”

Haruto slung an arm around his shoulder. “You take forever, dude! We said karaoke today!”

Kira laughed softly. “We’ll miss the discount if we don’t go soon.”

Rei nodded, his smile widening. “Right. Let’s—”

“Actually,” Souta interrupted, checking his phone. “We have twenty minutes. If we leave now, we’ll be early.”

Haruto groaned. “Bro, it’s karaoke, not an exam.”

Rei inhaled the warm air. Moments like this—standing with them, listening to their bickering—felt like home. His parents were never around. His house was always silent. But these three…

They filled the emptiness in his chest with something he barely understood.

Something that felt like family.

“Hey,” Rei said shyly, “I want to swing by the convenience store first. I’ll catch up, okay?”

Kira tilted her head. “Do you need something?”

Rei rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks warming. “Mm… yeah. Just give me five minutes.”

Haruto grinned. “Suspicious! But go, go!”

As Rei ran off, Souta muttered, “He’s definitely buying snacks.”

Kira smiled knowingly. “Or ice cream.”

The convenience store’s bell chimed softly as Rei entered. Cool air brushed against his face, refreshing him. He went straight to the freezer section, opening the sliding glass door.

Inside were four ice creams—each of their favorites.

He remembered without thinking:

Haruto liked soda-flavored ice bars.

Souta preferred classic vanilla.

Kira always chose strawberry.

And Rei… Rei didn’t care what he got. He always picked something last.

He placed them carefully in a small bag, hands trembling with quiet happiness.

“They’ll like these…” he whispered to himself.

Buying treats for them made him feel useful.

Seen.

Wanted.

He hurried back toward the school, excitement fluttering in his chest like tiny wings.

But as he approached the back of the building, voices drifted toward him.

Familiar voices.

He slowed down.

Haruto: “He’s so slow. Again.”

Souta: “Rei’s always like this. Late, clueless… sometimes he ruins the mood.”

Kira: “…He can be… too clingy. I wish he’d give us space.”

Rei froze mid-step.

His fingers loosened around the bag.

The ice clinked softly against itself.

But the sound was drowned out by the pounding in his ears.

Haruto laughed. “Right? Imagine if we never met him.”

Rei’s heart cracked.

Kira’s voice followed, sounding almost hesitant.

“It’d be easier sometimes…”

He didn’t hear anything else.

The world blurred—the sky, the walls, the ground.

His vision dimmed at the edges as if his mind was trying to protect him from the words stabbing his chest.

He stepped back quietly.

No one heard him.

No one noticed.

He walked away, hugging the small ice-cream bag like it was something fragile. Something that once mattered… but didn’t anymore.

On the way home, Rei passed a playground. Two little kids were sitting on the bench, looking longingly at a vending machine they couldn’t reach.

Rei stopped.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a small smile.

“Do you want these?”

The children’s eyes lit up.

“Really?!”

He handed them the bag.

“Enjoy.”

As they ate happily, Rei walked away with his hands in his pockets, shoulders trembling.

He didn’t go to karaoke.

He didn’t go home right away.

He wandered the city, letting the night swallow him.

He had never felt so alone.

Hours later, Haruto stared at the empty karaoke room, legs bouncing anxiously.

“Where is he…?”

Souta frowned. “He didn’t answer any messages.”

Kira looked at the door every few seconds, her chest tight. “Rei… what happened to you?”

But Rei never came.

The first crack in their friendship had already formed.

And none of them knew how deep it would go.

END OF CHAPTER 1