It was a path through the woods.
The path was narrow, lined on both sides by clusters of trees whose branches tangled overhead, breaking the moonlight into scattered patches.
Few people took it even during the day. At night, there wasn't a soul in sight.
But compared to the main road around the woods, this path cut the distance in half.
Anyone else might have been afraid to take it after dark.
For Kazehara Tetsu, though, it was a path he had walked countless times. He knew every slope even with his eyes closed; he couldn't have been more familiar with it.
With both hands in his pockets, he walked into the woods at an unhurried pace.
Halfway down the path, he rounded a bend...
Thud.
He collided squarely with someone.
The other person had apparently been standing by the path, dressed in inconspicuous colors. Kazehara Tetsu hadn't seen her clearly, and by the time he realized she was there, they had already crashed into each other.
He stopped, steadied himself, and looked down.
A girl.
Himeno Yuki.
Being suddenly bumped into in pitch-dark woods late at night would have startled most girls, or at least left them somewhat upset.
But once Himeno Yuki saw it was him, there wasn't a trace of displeasure on her face. She merely froze for a moment.
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking a shortcut back to the Dormitory. Going around on the main road is too far. This cuts the distance in half."
Kazehara Tetsu paused, then asked, "What about you? What are you doing out here alone in the woods this late?"
"Spacing out."
"...Spacing out?"
"Mm."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Kazehara Tetsu looked at her. Most people would at least find a bench to space out on. She, on the other