He flinched.

Unconsciously, his hand moved to brush his right ear.

"... How did she know?"

A lump formed in his throat.

His heart beat accelerated.

He fumbled for his words.

"You... how..."

Her eyes softened.

She gently reached out to touch his hand, the one that was over his ear.

—No.

He flinched again, then quickly moved away.

She froze when she saw his reaction. She retreated her hand.

The girl shook her head and looked away.

"No... I'm sorry," she apologized.
"That was rude. I... shouldn't have said that. Please forget about it."

He didn't say anything.

A faint breeze passed through the window, ruffling their clothes.

"—Hashimoto Rie," she blurted out.

He blinked.

"... What?"

"My name. It's Hashimoto Rie. You can call me Rie, though," she explained.

"And I'll take up on your offer, Fujiwara-san.
But instead of money or anything else, there's only one thing I want..."

She looked back to face him and smiled her warm smile.

"Please, be my friend."