Adachi to Shimamura

The second floor of the school gymnasium serves as a quiet sanctuary away from regular classes, functioning as the secret meeting place where Adachi and Shimamura first forged their bond. During school hours, when lessons are underway elsewhere, the two girls retreat to this empty space to pass the time together. They chat about television programs and cooking, play casual games of ping-pong, and slowly nurture a friendship that has become the center of Adachi’s world. Yet, for Adachi, this comfortable routine has recently been disrupted by an unsettling shift in her emotions. Resting her head against the gym wall and letting out a quiet sigh, she finds herself troubled by a vivid dream from the night before—one in which she and Shimamura shared a kiss. Desperate to rationalize the experience, Adachi insists to herself that neither she nor Shimamura harbors those kinds of romantic inclinations. She repeats this denial over and over, trying to bury the confusing weight of her feelings. Ultimately, she convinces herself that her intense attachment is simply a matter of priority: whenever Shimamura hears the word "friend," Adachi merely wants to be the very first person who comes to her mind.