In a Corner of Sekai, You Wait for the Stars

Hibiya Aichin has a smile she can put on like armor—lift the corners of her mouth, narrow her eyes, done. No one needs to know that inside, her heart is unraveling thread by thread. In a singing circle full of bright voices and perfect harmony, she's the one note that never quite fits, and the gap between her and everyone else grows wider every day. She doesn't say the words aloud. But somewhere in her heart, a quiet thought takes root: *maybe it would be better if I wasn't here.* She doesn't