MY DEAN

THE EMPTY SEAT

Episode 3: The Empty Seat

Over the following weeks, Haruto slowly became part of the group.

He didn't understand how it happened.

One day, he was alone.

The next, Ren was calling him every morning.

Daichi was inviting him to basketball practice.

Yuna was constantly appearing wherever he went.

And Mio...

Mio was different.

Haruto often found her alone in the library.

One afternoon, he noticed an empty seat across from her.

He hesitated.

Then he sat down.

Mio looked up.

"You're here."

"Apparently."

She smiled slightly.

They spent the next hour reading in silence.

Surprisingly, Haruto enjoyed it.

After a while, Mio closed her book.

"You don't like loud places."

Haruto looked at her.

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little."

Haruto looked toward the window.

"I guess I got used to being alone."

Mio remained quiet.

Then she said, "So did I."

Haruto looked back at her.

For the first time, he realized that Mio's quietness wasn't because she disliked people.

She was simply afraid of being misunderstood.

The two began spending more time together.

They talked about books.

Dreams.

Their childhoods.

And why being alone sometimes felt easier than trusting people.

But Yuna noticed.

One afternoon, Haruto and Mio walked out of the library together.

Yuna was waiting nearby.

"Hi!" she said.

Haruto smiled.

Yuna noticed immediately.

Her expression changed slightly.

"What were you two doing?"

"Studying," Mio answered.

"Studying?"

Yuna looked suspicious.

"Yes."

Yuna crossed her arms.

"Oh."

Haruto tilted his head.

"Are you okay?"

"Of course!"

She smiled.

But for some reason...

It didn't look like her usual smile.