Weeks had passed since Sorine was found at the school.
The rain had finally eased into a softer, more manageable drizzle, though the city still felt damp and heavy. Seika High had reopened with extra security measures and a noticeable quietness in the hallways. Yellow tape had been removed, but the memory of the investigation lingered like a shadow.
Sorine's mother had been overjoyed when her daughter was returned. The moment she saw Sorine being led out of the school compound by paramedics and police, the woman had burst into tears, rushing forward to wrap her arms around her. "My baby," she had whispered repeatedly, holding Sorine so tightly it seemed she might never let go. For days afterward, she barely left her daughter's side, cooking her favorite meals, watching over her while she slept, and thanking every officer and doctor who had been involved. The relief in her eyes was genuine and overwhelming — the kind of happiness that comes after fearing the worst.
The friend group slowly began to regroup.
They met again on a quiet Saturday afternoon at their old spot on the school roof, even though classes were still somewhat disrupted. The rain had stopped for a few hours, leaving the concrete surface damp and the air fresh. Sorine sat with her back against the low railing, looking thinner and more tired than before, but alive. Her long hair was tied back loosely, and she kept one hand resting on Mimo's knee.
Mimo sat close beside her, as gentle and attentive as ever. She had brought a small thermos of warm tea and was pouring it into paper cups for everyone. Her smile was soft, her voice quiet and reassuring whenever Sorine needed it. The romance between them had grown quieter but deeper in the aftermath — small touches, shared glances, the kind of intimacy that didn't need grand gestures after everything they had been through.
Vey sat a little apart, hood half-up, watching the group with their usual careful distance. The rage toward Ren had cooled into something more focused — a wary vigilance. They still hadn't fully let go of their suspicion, but for now they were trying to be present for Sorine.
Kairo arrived last, looking exhausted. His neat short hair was slightly messy, and his eyes carried the shadows of too many sleepless nights. He had been avoiding the group for a while, the guilt and nightmares still weighing on him, but today he had forced himself to come. He sat down across from Mimo, stealing quick glances at her when he thought no one was looking.
For a while, they just sat together in silence, sipping the tea Mimo had brought. The city stretched out below them, rooftops glistening under the weak sunlight that had broken through the clouds.
Sorine was the first to speak, her voice soft but steady. "Mom wouldn't stop hugging me for days. She kept making my favorite soup and telling me how scared she was. I think she aged ten years in one week."
Mimo smiled gently, reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind Sorine's ear. "She loves you so much. We all do."
Sorine leaned into the touch, closing her eyes for a moment. "I know. I'm lucky." She opened her eyes and looked at each of them. "I'm lucky to have all of you too. Even after everything… I'm glad we're still here."
Vey nodded slowly, their voice quieter than usual. "We almost weren't. That lab… it tried to keep you. It tried to keep me too. We can't pretend this is over."
Kairo stared into his cup, fingers tightening around it. "I keep thinking about Tsubaki. About how fast everything fell apart. And Sorine… I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed us."
Sorine shook her head. "None of us were ready for any of this. But we're here now. That's what matters."
Mimo stayed close to Sorine, her hand resting lightly on her girlfriend's back, rubbing small, soothing circles. The romance between them had become an anchor for Sorine — stolen moments in the hallway, gentle kisses when no one was looking, Mimo's steady presence helping her feel safe again. Today, Mimo leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Sorine's temple, lingering just long enough to make Sorine's shoulders relax.
"I'm not going anywhere," Mimo whispered against her hair. "Not unless you want me to."
Sorine smiled faintly, turning her head to rest her forehead against Mimo's. "Stay. Please."
Vey watched the exchange with a small, bittersweet smile. "You two are disgustingly cute. It's almost annoying."
Kairo gave a weak laugh, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He was still carrying the weight of his own secrets — the night with Mimo, the nightmares, the encounter with the observers. Seeing Mimo so gentle with Sorine made the guilt twist sharper, but he forced himself to stay present.
The group sat together for a long time, talking about small things at first — the reopened school, the curfews that were slowly being lifted, the way the rain finally seemed to be letting up. Gradually, the conversation turned more serious.
"We need to stay together," Vey said eventually. "Whatever is happening — the Kyo, the killings, Ren — we can't let it pick us off one by one. Sorine almost didn't come back. Tsubaki didn't. We have to be smarter."
Sorine nodded, though her eyes still carried the exhaustion of her time in the repeating hallway. "I don't remember everything clearly… just the endless doors, the lights, the feeling that I never had to move again. It was so tempting to stop fighting. But I kept thinking about all of you. About the path forward, even if it hurts."
Mimo squeezed her hand. "You're stronger than you think."
Kairo remained mostly quiet, but he finally spoke, voice low. "I've been having nightmares too. About masked people. About rooms that change. I don't know what it all means, but… I think we're in deeper than we realize."
The group fell into a thoughtful silence. The rain had stopped completely for the first time in days, leaving the roof damp and shining under a weak sun. For a moment, it almost felt normal — four friends sitting together, trying to hold onto each other after everything had tried to pull them apart.
Sorine leaned her head on Mimo's shoulder, closing her eyes. Mimo pressed another soft kiss to her hair, her expression gentle and protective.
Vey watched them with a small smile. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Kairo nodded, though the guilt still sat heavy in his chest. He looked at Mimo for a long second, then looked away.
The friend group was back.