EPISODE 2

Clara, realizing she was still holding her breath, let out a shaky sigh. "I'm fine, really. Just a little surprised." She glanced at the books scattered around them, a silent testament to her clumsiness.

Ken chuckled, a warm sound that seemed to chase away the last vestiges of Clara's embarrassment. "Well, I'm glad you're alright," he said, bending down to gather the scattered books. "I'm sure these books are more than a little surprised too." He held out a stack of well-worn paperbacks, their spines creased from years of being loved. "Here you go," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Clara took the books, her fingers brushing against his as she reached for them. A jolt of electricity shot through her, and she quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. "Thank you," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

"Alright, I'm going to class now," he said, walking away, leaving you alone.

"Uhm, why do I feel different?" Clara thought to herself.

The hallway, once a familiar passageway, now felt charged with a strange energy. She could almost hear the whispers of her own heart, a frantic rhythm that mirrored the fluttering in her stomach. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. This wasn't like her. She was usually the calm, collected one, the one who kept her emotions in check. But right now, she felt like a runaway train, careening out of control.

"It's just a little shock," she muttered to herself, trying to convince herself. "It's nothing."

She turned and walked towards her classroom, carrying her bag on her shoulder. But even as she walked, the warmth of Ken's touch remained, a phantom sensation that refused to disappear. And the question lingered, a persistent whisper in her mind: Why do I feel different?

She walked towards her classroom and found her usual seat, the one near the window, and dropped into it. She placed her bag underneath the desk.

[The school begin]

...----------------...

[school ends at 6.30PM]

She left her classroom. As she made her way down the hallway, she saw Sarah, her best friend, waiting by their usual meeting spot near the school gates. Sarah waved, a bright smile on her face

.

"Ready for some Family Mart goodness?" Sarah asked, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I'm craving those onigiri!"

Clara smiled, her heart warming at the thought of her friend's infectious enthusiasm. "Absolutely," she replied. "I'm starving!"

The two girls walked out of the school gates, the air filled with the sounds of the bustling city.

They reached the Family Mart, a small convenience store just a few blocks from the school. The aroma of freshly baked goods and steaming ramen filled the air, a symphony of deliciousness that made their stomachs rumble.

"What are you getting?" Sarah asked, her eyes scanning the shelves.

Clara shrugged. "I'm not sure yet," she said. "Maybe some onigiri and a green tea latte?"

"Sounds good to me!" Sarah said, grabbing a basket. "Let's get some snacks and then we can find a spot to eat."

The two girls wandered through the aisles, filling their baskets with their favorite treats. Clara couldn't help but smile as she watched Sarah's face light up with delight as she picked out her favorite snacks.

They found a small table outside the store and settled down to enjoy their feast. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, and the city lights were starting to twinkle in the distance. It was a perfect evening, a moment of pure joy and contentment.

As they ate, they talked about everything and nothing, sharing their day's experiences and dreams for the future. Clara found herself relaxing, the tension that had been building up inside her slowly dissipating. She was with Sarah, her best friend, and the warmth of their friendship was a soothing balm to her troubled heart.

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