Morning felt… calmer.
Not perfect.
Not normal.
But calmer.
Itsuki Kuonji stood in front of her mirror.
Her eyes still slightly tired.
But—
Stronger than yesterday.
"…I'll be okay."
She said it softly.
Not to convince others.
But herself.
Behind her—
"…You say that every time you're about to overwork yourself."
Itsuki turned.
"Reo—!"
Reo Kisaragi leaned against the wall casually.
"…You're still here?"
"…You sound disappointed."
"…I'm not!"
"…Good."
A small pause.
"…Stay a little longer."
Itsuki blinked.
"…Okay."
College felt different today.
Same classrooms.
Same people.
But her perspective—
Changed.
"ITSUKI!"
Hina Tsukishiro rushed toward her.
"…You look alive again."
"…Thanks… I think?"
"…What happened?"
"…It's a long story…"
"…I have time."
Itsuki hesitated.
"…Later."
Hina studied her face.
Then smiled.
"…You'll be okay."
"…Yeah."
Classes passed.
Slowly.
Peacefully.
Until—
Everything stopped.
Because he walked in.
Souta Amagiri.
Silence spread in Itsuki's mind.
"…Why is he here…"
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Memories.
Feelings.
Pain.
All at once.
Itsuki quickly looked away.
"…I'm fine."
She repeated inside.
"…I'm fine."
After class—
She didn't wait.
She walked out.
Fast.
But—
"Itsuki."
Her steps stopped.
That voice.
She didn't turn.
"…What?"
"…Can we talk?"
Silence.
Her hands tightened slightly.
"…There's nothing to talk about."
"…There is."
"…Not for me."
She started walking again.
Then—
"…I messed up."
Her steps slowed.
"…I know that."
Silence.
"…Then why…"
She turned.
"…Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
"…I would've never…"
She stopped.
"…I wouldn't have fallen like that…"
Souta didn't interrupt.
"…I thought… I could keep it separate."
"…Separate?"
"…My life… and everything else."
"…And I was 'everything else'?"
Silence.
"…No."
"…Then what was I?"
No answer.
That hurt more.
"…Forget it."
She turned again.
"…Itsuki."
"…Don't."
Her voice was firm this time.
"…I'm trying to move on."
Silence.
"…Please don't make it harder."
Souta's hand tightened slightly.
"…I'm sorry."
"…I know."
A pause.
"…But that doesn't change anything."
She walked away.
This time—
She didn't stop.
From a distance—
Reo watched.
Quietly.
He had seen enough.
"…So that's him."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Not angry.
Just—
Determined.
Later—
"Are you okay?"
Itsuki looked up.
Reo stood in front of her.
"…You saw?"
"…Yeah."
A small silence.
"…I'm okay."
"…You don't look okay."
"…I said I am."
"…You're lying."
"…Maybe."
A faint smile.
"…But I'm trying."
Reo softened.
"…That's enough."
They walked together.
Side by side.
Comfortable silence.
"…Reo."
"…Hmm?"
"…Stay with me."
He stopped.
"…I already am."
"…No… I mean…"
She hesitated.
"…Don't leave."
Silence.
Then—
"…I won't."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
From afar—
Souta watched.
"…So that's how it is…"
His expression unreadable.
For the first time—
He felt it.
Not confusion.
Not distance.
But something sharp.
"…Too late."
✨ Sometimes… when you realize what you lost…
💔 someone else is already holding it