The Westview High School Festival was a sensory overload of neon banners, the smell of fried takoyaki, and the deafening roar of the school band. For Hana, it was a battlefield.
She stood at the school gates, her fingers white-knuckled as she gripped the straps of her bag. She had traded her oversized hoodie for a pale blue cardigan—the exact shade of Sinon’s hair—and she wore the Hecate II keychain on a cord around her neck, hidden beneath her shirt.
"Target sighted," a warm voice whispered behind her.
Hana turned to find Ren. He wasn't in his basketball jersey or his royal court suit. He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans, looking more relaxed than she had ever seen him.
"You look... visible," Ren said, his eyes softening as he looked at her.
"I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a GGO map with no cover," Hana admitted, her voice trembling.
"Don't worry," Ren said, stepping closer so their shoulders brushed. "I'm your spotter today. Let’s go."
The first hour was a dream. They navigated the crowded stalls, Ren using his height to steer Hana through the throngs of students who were too busy with their own fun to notice the "Point Guard" walking with the "Bookworm." They ate crepes near the fountain and even won a plushie at a dart-throwing game—Ren had the strength, but Hana had the "sniper’s eye" for the target.
But the dream shattered when they reached the central plaza.
"Ren! There you are!"
Chloe was standing on the temporary stage, surrounded by the festival committee. She looked like a queen in her custom-made festival yukata. Her eyes locked onto Ren, then slowly slid down to his hand, which was currently hovering just an inch from Hana’s.
The microphone in Chloe's hand was live. Her voice boomed across the plaza, silencing the music.
"Ren, you're just in time! We were just about to start the 'King and Queen' trivia challenge. Since you're the face of our school, you have to participate."
Ren frowned, stepping forward. "Chloe, I told you I'm not doing the Royal Court stuff today. I'm busy."
"Busy?" Chloe laughed, a tinkling, cold sound that echoed through the speakers. She hopped down from the stage and walked toward them, the crowd parting like the Red Sea. "Oh! You mean you're busy with your... project?"
She stopped in front of Hana, looking her up and down. The "nice" mask was gone. "Hana, right? It’s so sweet that you’re helping Ren with his 'Community Outreach' credits. But the festival needs its star. Surely you don't want to be selfish and keep him all to yourself when everyone wants to see their MVP?"
The crowd began to whisper.
"Is that the girl who sits in the back of the library?" "Why is Ren with her?" "She looks so plain next to Chloe."
Hana felt the old, suffocating cloak of invisibility trying to wrap around her. She felt small. She felt like a glitch again. She took a step back, her heart racing. Hide. Go back to the shadows. You don't belong here.
"She's not a project, Chloe," Ren’s voice was low, dangerous.
"Oh, don't be silly, Ren!" Chloe reached out, trying to grab the blue cord around Hana’s neck. "What's this? Is this some kind of toy? Is this why you guys are friends? Because you're both still playing with dolls?"
As Chloe’s hand yanked the cord, the Hecate II keychain flew out from under Hana's shirt, dangling in the bright sunlight.
The crowd laughed. Chloe smirked, leaning into the microphone she still held. "See? A little girl playing soldier. Maybe stay in the library, Hana. The real world is a bit too loud for ghosts."
Hana stared at the ground. She could feel the tears pricking her eyes. She reached for the keychain, but her hand was shaking.
Then, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Not a heavy, mocking hand, but a steady one.
Ren didn't look at Chloe. He looked at Hana. "Hana," he whispered. "Remember the Phantom Bullet. Remember why she picked up the rifle."
Hana looked up. She saw the fear in Ren’s eyes—not for himself, but for her. He was risking his entire "Golden Boy" reputation just by standing there.
She thought of Shino Asada facing the man with the gun. She thought of the "Sniper's Heart."
Hana took a deep breath. She reached up, took the Hecate II keychain from Chloe’s startled grip, and tucked it firmly back into her shirt. She stood up straight, her shoulders square, her eyes locking onto Chloe’s through her thick glasses.
"It's not a toy," Hana said. Her voice wasn't loud, but because of the microphone Chloe was holding, it carried across the entire plaza. "It’s a reminder that being quiet doesn't mean you're weak. And being loud... doesn't mean you're important."
The silence that followed was absolute.
Hana turned to Ren, a small, brave smile touching her lips. "I’m done with the festival, Ren. Want to go finish that Light Novel?"
Ren’s face broke into a grin—the biggest, most genuine smile the school had ever seen. He didn't look at the stage, or the crowd, or the crying "Queen" behind them.
"I thought you'd never ask," Ren said.
He reached out and, in front of the entire school, he didn't just walk near her. He took Hana’s hand, laced his fingers through hers, and led her out of the plaza.
The "Glass Girl" wasn't invisible anymore. She was walking in the light, and for the first time, she didn't need a shadow to hide in.
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