Just gone.

Class begins at 8 a.m., but Kan arrived before 6:30 a.m., making him the only student in school, excluding Class S, who arrived every day just before 6 a.m. As a result, Kan regards Class S as ludicrous.

Instead of stopping at the third floor and entering his classroom, he continues to as ascend until he reaches the rooftop. It's locked for many reasons, but somehow Kan has a key.

The roof is not off-limits. It's more like a clubroom. Kan is the president of The Gardening Club, and while he does not like plants, he enjoys the rooftop.

A portion of the rooftop is densely packed with a variety of plants and located soon after the entry, but in the middle half, a space resembling a park can be spotted.

Kan simply chose a bench to lie on while reading a book. Despite this, he falls asleep immediately.

◇

Kan whispered to himself as he yawned, "Haaafttzz~ It's really comfortable to sleep here; maybe plants have this kind of effect."

He checked the time on his IB and thought to himself, 'Seems like I'm late for class.'

He strolled along the edge of the rooftop, surveying the entire school. He lights a cigarette and glances off into the distance.

Someone called him shortly after he had consumed two sticks.

"Kan!!!" yelled Shin, "I told ya he was here."

Two students emerge from the garden, one waving at him.

"He's really here, I thought he didn't come today," Atom remarked.

"He always came here every Friday, maybe because he's tending to the plant's well-being before the weekend," Shin explained.

"What? Is one of you going to confess to me? To be clear, I prefer girls, so give it up ladies," Kan remarked, provocatively without prior reason.

"HAAAAAA?? What the?! Are you selling a fight?! I also like girls," Atom retorted fiercely.

Shin gently patted Atom's shoulder. "Calm down, he's just joking."

"As if this guy can tell jokes! This guy always does what his mouth says," Atom retorted.

"Is that true? I had no idea," Shin inquired.

"Beats me," Kan replied.

For some reason, this enrages Atom even more.

"Aside from the confession of love to me, what else brought you here?" Kan inquired.

"I said we didn't come here to confess! and... and..." Before Atom could finish his sentence, Shin drew him to the back. "Look, you need to grab yours or you'll be in big trouble," Shin said, showing his IB.

"Oh, thanks; I'll take mine later," Kan responded.

"What is this? Why are you so nice to Shin while always provoking me whenever we meet?" Atom inquired.

Kan, on the other hand, ignores him and continues talking to Shin. "I don't think you've come here just to tell me that."

"Ah, yes. Atom keeps pestering me about the Great Conjunction, and he even brings a retractable telescope, and I don't see why I should reject him, especially since there's no class this morning."

"Pestering you? Should I kill him?" Kan responded.

Atom was startled when he heard this, but he quickly became angry again. "Man, what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Shin interrupts by saying, "Let's go Atom, bring out your telescope."

"Tsuu~ That's why I don't talk to this guy; he always pisses me off," Atom grumbled to himself. "Here, let me look up the coordinates in my phone."

The two have been busy trying to find Jupiter and Saturn, but they can't seem to find it despite using several apps.

"Are you sure this thing can see that far?" Shin inquired.

"It is; I go to so much trouble just to borrow that," Atom stated.

"Wow, I see Jet smoke," Shin exclaimed excitedly.

This prompted Kan to ask Shin, "Do you still want to be a pilot?"

"Ah, yes. I always was. I've been building miniature jets ever since you sent me a 3D printer, and I'm even learning a few basic maneuvers," Shin replied, adding, "I don't really have a plan yet, but I'm starting to consider it."

Whenever Kan sees those who are pursuing their dreams, he constantly assists them. He concludes from his observations of diverse people that only those with dreams are worthy of life in this world. They are bringing the planet to life, rather than just surviving. He is always envious of them since he has no dreams, despite the fact that he is not concerned about his survival. He doesn't appear to be able to find it. That's why he keeps trying different things, athletic and brilliant, no one can deny these statements, making him acceptable for class S if his tendencies are ignored. He hopes that one day he may find a dream that will make him feel worthy of living.

"Good to hear that, if you choose so, just tell me, I know someone who can give you a scholarship," Kan remarked, though he was actually referring to himself as a sponsor.

"Wow! Really! I will tell you! I will!" Shin said excitedly, knowing that being a pilot is far more expensive.

During their conversation. Atom had already snatched the telescope from Shin without his knowledge. And exclaimed, "Oy, oy, I found it! I found it! Come Shin hurry, I won't move. They're really close together."

"You do realize they're not really close, right? just almost aligned," Kan interjected.

Shin gently grasps the telescope, trying not to move while positioning his eye.

"I know that!" Atom exclaimed to Kan.

"Whoahh!! It can really be seen," Shin exclaimed.

"Want one? here." without even concern about Atom's reply, Kan beckoned Atom for a stick of cigarettes.

"Ah, thanks… as if I'll smoke!! You're attempting to get me suspended! It's not like I have the same backing as you!" yelled Atom.

"Tsk, you're too loud. Can you..." Kan stiffened in disbelief at what had happened.

Slowly, a stick of cigarette fell to the ground.

He immediately looked left and right, to search for Atom's whereabouts. "He is just right in front of me..." Kan murmured, unable to comprehend what had happened.

Atom disappeared.

"What's the problem?" Shin inquired when he noticed Kan's puzzled expression. "Jupiter is really huge to be visible from this distance."

"Hey, Kan, are you all right?" Shin inquired, shaking Kan.

"He's gone…"

"Gone? who?" asked Shin. "And where's Atom?"

'Ah! I see.' Shin thought.

"Hahaha, I had no idea Atom could coerce you for his pranks," Shin chuckled. "I almost believe it."

"No, Shin. He's gone. He just vanished, Atom just disappeared." Kan answered dazedly.