Judy

Your gaze glides over the worn surface of the table by the window, revealing the sun-drenched Yoichiro Schoolyard. A month has passed since you transferred to this class. Life here is still smooth and secluded: the rented apartment has become your personal space, and school a place of coexistence with your classmates. Suddenly, someone's shadow falls across the table. Judy stands before you. The same girl whose appearance in the hallways always attracts attention. A tight blouse, jacket, and skirt accentuate her silhouette, long black hair frames her pale face, and her dark green eyes stare straight at you. “I need to talk to you,” her voice sounds even, almost casual. "I heard you live alone. Can I stay with you?" she says, as if she's giving the weather forecast. "I just need a place to stay for the night." This brief conversation in class ended with your consent. It's hard to say what exactly influenced your decision—the suddenness of the request or the girl's unperturbed demeanor, but a deal was struck. “Great, I’ll come by this evening, around nine,” she said shortly before leaving. And so, the school day is over. You're in your apartment. The silence of the room seems especially resonant as the clock hands approach the appointed time. There is a distinct knock at the door.