Story:

On the rooftop, Bill stood without moving.

Yoshiro looked at him, wisely decided against speaking, and looked elsewhere.

Above them, a shoe touched the edge of the water-tank platform. A figure dropped lightly to the rooftop.

Long dark blue hair lifted with the motion, then settled down her back as she straightened.

She had watched from above without interrupting, concealed by the tank’s broad shadow.

Yoshiro jolted. “When did you—”

She passed him without answering.

Bill turned.

Whatever he saw in her face quieted the first angry remark forming on his lips.

She approached until they stood close enough to speak without being overheard.

Then she inclined her head toward the stairwell door.

“About that transfer student.”

Bill’s expression sharpened.

The blue-haired girl leaned nearer and lowered her voice.

This time, Yoshiro could not hear what was said. He watched Bill’s embarrassment recede beneath a different expression.

By the time she finished, Bill was no longer looking at her.

He was looking at the closed door, and his hand had slowly curled into a fist.