October 8, four days before the start of Open Event.

Blue Ink High School has stuck to the preparation system that was made last year, whereas the three remaining weekdays before the event can be allotted for the students to use the school premises until late and stay the night while still following a curfew.

Last year, the old members of the Art Club, or what was called TAC, did a number on the Art Room the current members are using now. The whole room transformed into a "certified" restaurant branch, an operational booth to turn their art into a tiny profit, and a meet-and-greet held by a famous manga artist who just happened to be a student here. Compared to that, they truly didn't have as much as the preparations last year and their stay in the school while still studying is rather laid back. In the middle of that, the whole club still decided for the whole day preparations for three days.

To make their final Open Event as a worthwhile memory, they decided look at things realistically—that they are not capable of doing anything extraordinary with turning an unknown to a memory. And so, things have been looked at objectively, now that their project plan has been established. The club has two students with academic experience within business management—Aomine opted for researching and data gathering, while Sora strategized their means of complete practicality and handled all the numbers and estimates they needed without compromising. Hoshino and Obi went to create the more imposing elements of their plan, while Ai focused mostly on advertising. However, the two magnets with the same poles did not end their tasks at that, as they also chose to make what is on their menu while Reina, a Culinary Arts student, continuously experimented on a new product to debut on the Open Event.

With the help of Aomine's data that has been gathered all throughout Ginga for what are the most preferred and mostly patronized traditional sweets in the town, Sora quickly ran through the estimates of their costs on procuring ingredients, and the percentage of profit that they can achieve from the investments. Then the advertising and branding went from rough drafts and outlines to becoming physical and tangible. And thus, their confirmation of the products has been put to the test.

For the past weeks of preparation, they had gone far enough to think that giving up is futile. But for Sora who is known for her competence, she set in her mind that she shall outdo the quality of the products presented from the conducted research; and even if she can't, it is not a win, but no one's loss…

Unlike the utter defeat she went through against herself last year.

One of the reasons why she decided to join the Art Club was because she followed Aomine, albeit only a very minute reason; but for her most importantly, it was to redeem herself. Sora vividly recalls what happened on the last year's event, and after finding out the truth about Aomine, she grew to fear what she might do if she is once again placed in front of her class. Thus, she isolated herself from them and only gave her time to the club, where there is a very small chance of recollection for her.

But in other words, it can be said that she is hiding herself from them.

…

"Oh, wow. You guys really have done so much," enter the club supervisor after his very frequent absences to the club.

"Then you're going to show up after we're almost done, Mato-sen!" Hoshino complained.

"…

I guess I owe you all an apology. I might still be thinking that you can run the club while standing on your own two feet without my assistance, but that was in the last two years…

Old habits take up too much of this geezer in front of you.

How about that, are you going home tomorrow then?"

"Of course we're going to spend the last day here too!"

"I see. Oh, hey, 5:30. Are guys going to grill some steak later for dinner?"

"Uhh, sir, what…?"

"Mato-sensei…! I know that the dry aged ribeye was so delicious but not this time!" Ai stomped and shouted.

And at that point, the club members finally lost track completely of what exactly they are conversing about, but they turned their heads on Reina whose mouth was left open perhaps eating the aforementioned meat in her cognition.

~ ~ ~

7pm.

The school was bizarrely quiet amid the fact that many students are staying. The lights in the hallways, the rooms, were brightly lit hours after sundown.

Sora was walking with cotton slippers on foot, but the silence has taken over so much that she can even hear her already quiet footsteps. It was clearly seen from the windows that her other fellow students are either still working or settling for the night, yet she can only hear so weak a noise. Shen then found herself walking on the hallway of the third floor with the interest that she may hear the same silence anywhere, and she truly did.

But on a rare case where an abundance of stars are seen on the clear night sky through the window, Sora prompted to go out on the wide balcony of the floor.

"I may have bad tastes, but you should have worn longer shorts if you're going out here. And can you already adjust on the season changes, please? It's already winter."

Aomine was there first leaning on the concrete railing, and scolding Sora the first thing he saw her presence. But being a gentleman, he lent his jacket over Sora's sweater. Needless to say, the girl has turned abashed upon that unexpected deed. Nevertheless, she also leaned on the cold concrete beside him and looked up to the stars.

"Sad that Hoshino don't really like stars, huh?" he started.

"Yes. The word 'star' is in his name and everything. How did you know that, though?"

"He's been making me read his myriad of manga. Ah, you don't really read them, I recall."

"Reading on the opposite cover just seems weird to me. I say that but I am Japanese myself…"

"Have you been there?"

"Actually… not."

"Oh, isn't that so surprising. You have relatives there, right?"

"Yes, but I haven't met them yet. But maybe I should go. How does the club going there on Winter break sounds?"

"There you go again… Can you get real for a minute? After Open Event we'll have work training on the second semester and then before you realize it, the time will pass so quickly."

"Passing quickly…

It's amazing how it didn't feel so long after the first Open Event."

"…Are you meaning to say something?"

"Looking back, I really was a rather awful person. But now I get why my actions made you so infuriated."

Yet, he remained silent.

"It has been a year… But I think that I have changed quite a ways from how I was. Still, I think you caught on why I distanced myself to the class in this event."

"Please tell me that you are taking those steps for your sake and not for others?"

"…It's hard to answer that."

"I guess I was retracing a statement I said to you once. On the other hand, do you still have those feelings?" he vaguely asked.

"Idiot…

You're seriously asking that when you're nonchalantly lending me a layer while you're enduring the cold…? What do you think… what do you think is my answer to that…?"

A subtly emotional tone came out from her.

"Seriously… how in the world did you get to like someone who is so opposite of you…

Hey, don't answer that. I was just muttering."

"How is my heart going to give up if you accepted me, someone who hated you, as a friend?"

"Did she realize that what she's saying is kinda painful…?"

"I've said this… but I don't think I can answer your feelings. I'm still feeling bad to what I did to my family that I don't think I'm really on the same place as you—with being able to realize your feelings whatever it is.

Look, I'm not saying that I don't like you. If anything, I saw you changing, but I was worried if you're actually doing it because of me or because you're lowering yourself to stand on my footing."

"I don't see a reason why you or I should be worried about that."

"Then why does it look like you keep chasing me…?"

"Because I'm clinging to a small chance that I may be able to change your feelings…"

"Wha… I'm telling you this now, but I really don't understand that kind of feel-"

"Also, even if you accept my apology, I still think that I opened a deep wound from you. There were times where I really wished I can understand how frightened you were… because I didn't how it feels since it appears that I already have everything.

But I realized that people like me take advantage of other's feelings, but I'm unable to know how unpredictable they can be. Maybe… that's another reason why I want to know you."

"…

Okay… I guess I'm kinda happy about it… For someone like me who is rejecting the system…

But please don't use too much of your time on me, Sora. Ugh, saying that probably hurts you…"

"No, it didn't really."

"I know this is a bit rude of me to say, but I'm kind of tired of people expecting too much of me… that's why I said that.

But still, it may be not so bad to explore some things that my enclosed mind can probably comprehend eventually. Again, just don't expect anything."

"It's a little refreshing to hear an innocent side of you."

"That's a bit embarrassing…"

Suddenly, the doors sounded as Ai appeared under the moonlight.

"So you two are here!" she said and hugged Sora all of sudden. "You're so warm, Sora-chan…"

"D-Did you hear us, Ai-san…?" she nervously asked.

"Wha- Don't tell me… You two are…"

"N-N-No, it's like that! Aaaagghhh, I'm a bit hurt saying it myself…!"

"It's a little refreshing to see that you also have this side, Sora."

"Are you getting back on me?!"

"Anyway, you two are loud! I was on my way here to the balcony because I was on a call with Jin but then I heard you two. But I really don't have anything to comment on since I'm also not in a relationship yet."

And Sora's frustration suddenly built up.

"Unnngghhhh… Let's just go back inside since it's cold!"

"Ehh, are you sulking, Sora-chan?! So you really like Aomine a lot?"

"Of course I do…!"

"What are you even making her say, Ai-san…?"

"What, she said it herself!

But just so you two know…! Our senpai really wanted us, their juniors, to avoid impulsive decision in this kind of matter and take our time. I think it's just fine for you, Sora-chan."

"You suddenly sounded mature just now, Ai-chan, but it feels like I'm being lectured!"

"I really should just shut myself up, right…?" thought Aomine.

Seriously, the lad really doesn't know much about love, so don't expect a lot from him.