Taking the opportunity to approach Kavei, Ryu settled himself beside him, a friendly smile on his face. "You're good at sports, I see," he remarked, his eyes lingering on the sand castle Kavei had been absentmindedly building.

Kavei glanced at Ryu, his expression unreadable as he responded, "Oh. Hey."

"Don't 'hey' me, man. What was your name again?" Ryu inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Kavei. Niram Kavei," came the reply, accompanied by a flicker of uncertainty.

"Let's be friends, Kavei," Ryu suggested, extending his hand in a gesture of friendship.

At first puzzled, Kavei hesitated before finally shaking Ryu's hand, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "Huh?"

"Come on," Ryu urged, his tone light and inviting. "I'm Ryu. Kamanoji Ryu."

"So I've heard," Kavei replied dryly, though a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.

With a laugh, Ryu admitted, "Haha. I still hate you though. But a little less."

"I'm honored," Kavei replied, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Their conversation soon turned to sports, with Ryu suggesting they play soccer together in the same team. Kavei, ever agreeable, simply nodded in response, his interest piqued by the prospect of forming a new bond.

With Ryu's arm draped casually around Kavei's shoulder, the two boys made their way onto the field, their newfound friendship marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

As the game progressed, Ryu's skill on the field was undeniable, his strategic moves and precise kicks earning his team a solid point. The sound of the bell ringing marked the end of the class, prompting the students to reluctantly head to the changing rooms, their complaints and whines echoing in the air.

After Kavei left the bustling atmosphere of the gymnasium, he made his way towards the washroom, his dislike for sweat driving him to seek respite in the cool embrace of running water. Pushing open the door, he entered the dimly lit room, the sound of dripping faucets echoing off the tiled walls.

With a sigh of relief, Kavei approached the sink, his hands trembling slightly as he turned on the faucet. Cool water cascaded from the spout, filling the basin below with a steady stream. Cupping his hands, Kavei splashed the water onto his face, feeling the refreshing sensation wash away the remnants of sweat and exertion.

As he watched the water swirl down the drain, Kavei felt a sudden shift beneath him, the ground beneath his feet seeming to waver like the surface of the sea. Instinctively, he reached out to grasp the edge of the sink, his right hand twisting behind him for support.

Despite his efforts to steady himself, Kavei's legs gave way beneath him, sending him crashing to his knees with a startled gasp. Clinging to the sink for support, he struggled to regain his footing, blinking rapidly in an attempt to dispel the dizzying sensation that threatened to overwhelm him.

But the world continued to spin, and Kavei found himself on the verge of collapse. With a feeble murmur of frustration, he lowered his head, the room spinning around him as waves of dizziness washed over him.

Desperation clawed at Kavei's chest as he fought against the overwhelming sense of disorientation. His left arm grew numb and heavy, the sensation spreading like wildfire through his body, making it impossible for him to even lift it.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Kavei's breathing grew rapid and shallow, his vision swimming as he struggled to maintain consciousness. With a final, desperate effort, he released his grip on the sink, his numb legs giving way beneath him as darkness closed in around him.

And then, with a soft thud, Kavei crumpled to the floor, his body succumbing to the darkness as unconsciousness claimed him. The steady drip of the faucet was the only sound that echoed through the empty washroom.

As Kavei's eyelids fluttered open, the familiar sight of the washroom tiles greeted him, their cool surface a stark contrast to the warmth of unconsciousness. With a muttered acknowledgment of his luck at avoiding any witnesses to his vulnerable state, he attempted to sit up, only to be greeted by the intrusive sound of the school bell ringing in his ears.

The sudden noise caused Kavei to wince, his head throbbing with pain as he struggled to orient himself. Crawling forward, he leaned against the sink, using it as leverage to hoist himself to his feet. But despite his efforts, the dizziness that plagued him refused to abate, leaving him swaying unsteadily on his feet.

It was then that Kai entered the washroom, his footsteps echoing off the tiled walls as he approached the sink to wash his hands before lunch hour. Spotting Kavei slumped on the floor, his rapid breathing a testament to his distress, Kai's concern spiked.

"K-kavei? Why are you here like this? What happened?" Kai's voice was laced with worry as he knelt beside Kavei, reaching out to offer assistance.

But Kavei, overcome by frustration and pain, recoiled at Kai's touch, yanking his hand away with a sharp movement. Enraged by the rejection, Kai stood up abruptly, his frustration evident as he turned back to the sink to resume washing his hands.

Struggling to maintain his balance, Kavei managed to rise to his feet behind Kai, his head spinning with dizziness. But before he could regain his bearings, a sudden wave of vertigo overcame him, sending him crashing to the floor with a resounding thud.

The loud noise jolted Kai into action, his concern for Kavei outweighing his irritation. "KAVEI!" he exclaimed, rushing to his side and lifting him up with practiced ease, his arms supporting Kavei's limp form as he hurried out of the washroom.

As they made their way towards the medical room, Kavei's grip tightened on Kai's shirt, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Kai hesitated briefly at Kavei's plea to avoid the nurse's office, but ultimately complied, steering them towards the back of the school building instead.

With Kavei now seated on the ground, Kai quickly shed his blazer, revealing the plain white shirt underneath. Rushing to the garden sinks, he soaked the blazer in water before returning to Kavei's side. Placing the wet fabric on Kavei's head, Kai gently lowered him onto his lap, offering what comfort he could in the absence of medical assistance.

As Kavei drifted into an uneasy sleep, Kai glanced down at him with a mixture of concern and frustration. "If only we could have gone to the nurse's office," he muttered under his breath, his gaze lingering on the boy in his arms. And as he sat there, cradling Kavei's unconscious form, Kai couldn't help but wonder what had led them to this moment of vulnerability and uncertainty.

As Kavei lay on Kai's lap, the wet blazer providing some relief from his discomfort, he murmured a soft "thank you." Kai's gaze softened as he looked down at Kavei, taking in the boy's exhausted appearance and the hand pressed against the fabric on his forehead.

"How are you now?" Kai inquired gently, concern evident in his voice.

"I'm fine, Kai. Seriously. Thanks," Kavei reassured him, though his weariness was palpable.

Kai nodded, a small smile touching his lips. "All good. Glad I could be of help."

Curiosity nagged at Kai as he observed Kavei's tired demeanor. "What did I miss?" he asked, hoping to gain some insight into Kavei's sudden collapse.

"This hour and lunch hour," Kavei replied, his voice tinged with regret.

"That doesn't even matter, Kavei. What's going on with you? Are you okay?" Kai's concern deepened, his brow furrowing with worry.

"I don't know..." Kavei's response was hesitant, his uncertainty evident.

"But you were talking as if it had happened before? At least that's what I thought," Kai pressed, his curiosity piqued.

Kavei hesitated before admitting, "Yes... twice..."

"T-twice? Don't you think fainting all of a sudden is not normal..?" Kai's concern grew with each revelation.

"I don't eat. Maybe that's why," Kavei confessed, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone.

"Why would you not eat, Kavei?" Kai's disbelief was evident in his voice.

"I missed lunch hour, stupid," Kavei replied with a faint chuckle.

"Is it funny to you?! Please tell me you had your dinner last night," Kai implored, his frustration mounting.

"I mean, I drank coffee," Kavei admitted sheepishly.

"You are the one who's stupid. Seriously. Let's go to the canteen," Kai suggested, attempting to lift Kavei off his lap.

"Now? Classes are going on," Kavei protested, forcing his head down.

"Ah! Then let's go out of school to eat or something!" Kai exclaimed, his frustration evident.

Kavei couldn't help but laugh at Kai's pouty rage, momentarily lightening the mood.

"What's there to laugh, you stupid," Kai grumbled, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes.

"Hey, Kai. Sorry about Himeko," Kavei interjected suddenly, changing the topic.

"Why is that the topic all of a sudden?" Kai's confusion was evident.

As they sat together, Kai gazed up at the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily overhead. "This is the first time I'm skipping class," he confessed quietly.

"Are you a scholar student?" Kavei's unexpected question caught Kai off guard.

"I mean, I am friends with people like Himeko," Kai replied, gesturing vaguely with his hands.

"Why does that matter?" Kavei's curiosity was piqued.

"Because we are both from business families," Kai explained.

"Oh. Comparisons, huh," Kavei remarked knowingly.

"You get the point," Kai agreed, nodding in understanding.

"Off course," Kavei echoed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Off course?" Kai raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Sure. Books?" Kai suggested, steering the conversation in a different direction.

"No, Kai. It's a fact with rich families. Almost..." Kavei trailed off, his hands tracing patterns on the ground.

"Haha. Not wrong there," Kai chuckled softly.

"I know," Kavei agreed, a wistful smile tugging at his lips.

"So-" Kai began, but Kavei interrupted him.

"It's tough," Kavei admitted, his gaze focused on the ground.

"What is?" Kai prompted, his curiosity piqued.

"Making small talks," Kavei replied with a hint of vulnerability.

"Oh. Was I caught?" Kai snickered lightly.

"A long time ago," Kavei confirmed, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Haha. Shall we go back to class then, Kavei? Are you alright now?" Kai inquired, concern resurfacing.

"I'm fine, but do you really want to go back to class, Kai?" Kavei questioned, his own weariness apparent.

"Arithmetic hour," Kai replied simply.

"And what do you think?" Kavei asked with a knowing smile.

"Guess not," Kai shrugged, a grin spreading across his face.

"Good choice," Kavei agreed, his eyes still hidden behind his arm.

"Oh, I'm going to fail my exams," Kai lamented.

"I'm pretty sure you aren't that dumb," Kavei reassured him with a small smile.

"Sure. Thanks," Kai replied, his gratitude evident in his tone.

As they sat together, the final school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students poured out of the classrooms, their chatter filling the air with excitement and anticipation for the day's end.

Meanwhile, Himeko had been searching for Kai, finally spotting him chatting with Kavei. Skipping towards them, she greeted Kai with a teasing remark.

"Hey, Kai. And 'boy who didn't save me and somehow is now a student in my class'," she joked, her tone light.

"Gee. Let it go," Kai retorted with a chuckle, rising to greet her. Before approaching Himeko, he glanced back at Kavei, offering him a silent invitation to join them.

Kavei shook his head slowly, declining Kai's offer. With a wave goodbye, Kai turned his attention back to Himeko, and just like that, Kavei's first day at school came to an end.