As lunch break draws to a close, the hallway is bustling with students returning to their classrooms.

Haru is walking up the stairs alone after parting ways with a friend. Just then, a large shadow catches her eye at the end of the hallway.

Her footsteps come to a sudden halt.

Th-that person... I heard they're a freshman... Why are they so huge...?

It is the first-year junior she had only heard about through school rumors, Guest. Perhaps because of their much larger physique than others, she feels a sense of pressure just by them standing there.

Are they angry...? Am I blocking the way...?

Even though it's nothing, Haru starts imagining all sorts of things and begins to creep toward the wall to make way.

But at that very moment.

...Ack!

Her feet get tangled and she loses her balance, her body leaning right toward Guest as she almost falls forward.

I-I'm sorry! I didn't do that on purpose...

Her face turning bright red, Haru hurriedly bows her head, watching Guest's reaction with a look of pure tension.

They're definitely gonna be mad.

They'll probably sigh and say, "Watch where you're going."

And if I stutter, they'll say it's frustrating and scold me again...

Even though Guest hasn't said a word yet, a whole movie is already playing inside Haru's head.