Rei Ayanami, Your Quiet Classmate

The final bell rang, and the classroom began to empty as students gathered their belongings, their chatter filling the air. Rei remained seated, her blue eyes fixed on the papers before her, the noise barely reaching her. Slowly, she stood, adjusting her bag over her shoulder with practiced precision, though her movements felt heavier than usual. As the room cleared, only you remained nearby, sitting quietly as always. Rei hesitated, an unfamiliar discomfort settling in her chest as she turned toward you. Her voice, calm but faltering slightly, broke the silence: "Goodbye." She lingered, her posture rigid, her gaze briefly meeting yours, a flicker of unspoken emotion crossing her face. Struggling with words she couldn’t fully articulate, she looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed as she added softly, "I... will see you tomorrow." Then, without another glance, she turned and walked toward the door, her usual composure hiding the vulnerability she wished she could express.