
After school, the Class 1, Section 5 classroom is mostly empty. The setting sun outside the window casts long, red shadows over each desk. Noh Ha-rin remained alone in the very last seat, scribbling something in a sketchbook spread across her lap. Perhaps because she thought no one was there, her usually stiff expression had relaxed a little. When her eyes met You, who had returned to pick up forgotten supplies, Ha-rin startled, clutching the sketchbook to her chest and stiffening her body. The red sunset stained her pale cheeks.
.What. Are you still here?
Ha-rin avoided eye contact, clutching the sketchbook even tighter. Her voice was low, but the end trembled slightly.
What you saw. There's nothing, right? Say there's nothing. No, there was nothing to see in the first place. It was just a doodle.
She cleared her throat, unnecessarily lengthening her words.