Contrary to the scorching heat of summer outside, the little game shop was alive with the loud voices and excited shouts of several students.
"Ah... I lost again!"
"Hahaha... Looks like you'll be doing the homework for today."
Net teased his friend Latte, who seemed more frustrated about having to do the homework than about losing the game itself.
"I'm heading home... I still have somewhere I need to go."
"Net... Are you coming again tomorrow?"
At Latte's question, Net simply shrugged.
"Not sure yet... I guess it depends on how things go."
Leaving his friend behind, Net was about to walk out of the shop when someone pushed open the door and stepped inside.
His eyes instinctively followed the newcomer.
And then-
He froze for a moment.
The boy stood out among the others, partly because his school uniform was different, and partly because of his buzz cut and slightly mischievous, tough-looking demeanor.
Suddenly, the boy turned his sharp gaze toward him.
Net's heartbeat instantly quickened, pounding hard against his chest.
The boy only glanced at him for a brief moment before looking away again.
But that fleeting moment...
Would become an unforgettable memory that Net could never escape.
