The Cat Figurine Challenge

Kotone Rindo's Perspective

As homeroom ended and Kotone Rindo prepared to head to the sports festival committee meeting, Akaya was already gone from the classroom. This wasn't unusual—far from it. It was just daily routine. There was no way Akaya would take the initiative to say, "Let's go to the multipurpose room together," or show that kind of gallant behavior. That was simply not him, and Kotone had come to understand that over time.

"Couldn't you just say something?"

"Huh? What's wrong, Kotone?"

"Eh? Oh, no, it's nothing!"

She brushed off her inner thoughts and, telling her friends she had to get going, left the classroom. Ideally, Akaya would have asked her to go together, but it was what it was.

Kotone's mood began to sour as she made her way to the multipurpose room alone for the committee meeting.