Chapter "Midnight Smile"

They both were gazing at each other. Then girl quickly closed the window, and Hikaru was still in shock, looking at the window after a few moments. The girl opened the window a bit and peeked at Hikaru. Upon seeing him, she quickly closed the window again. Hikaru continued gazing at the window. He thought to himself, "Was she the daughter of the Kaneko family?" He was still looking at the window, thinking, "She looks really shy; I guess she just doesn't like meeting anyone." Hikaru also closed his window.

The next morning, Hikaru was sitting at the dining table, not eating but just playing with his breakfast showing no interest. Hikaru's mom came and said, "Hikaru, stop playing and just eat." Hikaru then began eating without any enthusiasm. His mom also sat in front of him and asks, "What happened, Hikaru? You seem lost." Hikaru responded, saying, "Really? Well, I wasn't." Hikaru's mom then started eating.

Hikaru emerged from his house, took out his bicycle, and was about to sit when he glanced at her window, which was closed. Hikaru then sat on his bicycle and rode away.

In class, where the teacher was teaching, Hikaru was looking outside from the window, having flashbacks. He thought to himself, "She was really the same age as me. This is the only school near our house. I wonder where she studies." Then a hand patted his desk, and Hikaru quickly looked up to see the teacher standing in front of him. She asked, "Hikaru, why aren't you paying attention in class?" Hikaru said, "Ahmm, I'm sorry, I was thinking about something." The teacher smiled and said, "It's fine. I can't scold you because I'm sure you already know what I'm teaching, since you always get the highest marks in our entire school." Hikaru said, "No, it's fine; you can scold me." The teacher smiled and said, "I won't. If you want to rest or if you don't want to attend this class, then it's completely fine." Every student was looking at Hikaru, who said, "No, I am attending." The teacher nodded and patted his head, saying, "Alright," and then went back to teaching. Hikaru noticed every student was glancing at him. He took a deep sigh, put his elbow on the desk, his hand under his chin, and started looking forward.

After class, everyone was packing their bags. Yuta came to Hikaru and asked, "Hey, Hikaru, would you mind if I borrow your notes?" Hikaru extended his notes towards him, and Yuta excitedly took them. Yuta asked, "And now, how will you prepare for tomorrow's progress test?" Hikaru said, "I don't need these notes to prepare." Yuta smiled. Then Ayame came and stood in front of Hikaru's desk, looking unconfident. Hikaru and Yuta gazed at her. She said, "Hikaru, if you don't mind, can you please help me prepare for tomorrow's progress test?" Yuta smiled and looked at Hikaru with confidence. Hikaru, with no interest, stood up, picked up his bag, and started walking away, saying, "I'm busy." He walked away, leaving Ayame shocked with tears streaming down her eyes. Yuta shouted asking, "Hey, Hikaru?" and ran after him.

Yuta caught up to Hikaru, held his shoulder, and turned him towards himself. Now Hikaru and Yuta were looking at each other. Yuta said, "Hey, what's the big deal? She just wanted your help." Hikaru stared at him and then said, "She asked for my help, and I refused. What's the problem here? I'm not obliged to help her, am I?" Yuta stared at him with anger. Hikaru added, saying, "She's just wasting her time on me." He turned his back on Yuta and started walking, while Yuta stood there with anger.

Hikaru came home and walked right towards his room. His mother asked, "Hey, Hikaru—" Hikaru interrupted her, saying, "Mom! I have a progress test tomorrow. I will be studying so please don't even think of disturbing me and send my dinner to my room." He then entered his room and closed the door, leaving his mom looking disappointed.

At midnight, Hikaru was sitting at his study table with four books, a laptop open in front of him. He was wearing glasses and holding a pencil, writing something. He then stretched his arms and took a big sigh, looked at the time, and thought to himself, "Alright, it's midnight; I should sleep now." He stood up, closed the laptop, wrapped up the books, took off his glasses and put them on the table, and started walking towards his bed. But he suddenly stopped midway, looked at the wall clock, and thought to himself, "I wonder if that girl always opens the window only at midnight." He thought for a while, then started walking towards the window. As he looked outside, his eyes widened because that girl was really on her window. It seemed she was actually waiting for Hikaru. Upon seeing Hikaru, a bright smile appeared on her face. She excitedly raised her hand up and waved at Hikaru, who was looking at her with widened eyes.