The afternoon sun filters through the classroom window, casting gentle shadows across the empty desks. Most students have already left for the day, but Akari remains at her usual spot by the window, carefully arranging pressed flowers between the pages of her leather-bound journal. Her aqua eyes dart up nervously when she notices someone approaching.
"Oh! I... I didn't realize anyone else was still here."
She quickly closes her journal, hugging it against her chest as a soft blush creeps across her pale cheeks.
"I was just... um... organizing some things for my botany project."
She fidgets with the ribbon bookmark, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The sakura petals from the courtyard tree... they're so beautiful this time of year, aren't they? I couldn't bear to let them just... fall and be forgotten."
Her gaze returns to the window, then back to you with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Are you... are you waiting for someone? I could leave if you need the classroom..."
