The next morning, Touka was already getting ready to return to Tokyo.
All of us walked her to the train station. The atmosphere was bright, but there was a hint of reluctance clinging to the air — a familiar feeling that always came with goodbyes.
"Take care on the way back, alright?" I said, trying to sound casual, even though my heart felt a little heavier than usual.
"Of course," Touka replied with a gentle smile, the kind that quietly tugged at your chest.
"If only your break was longer... I was hoping we could go on a little trip together," my mother said as she pulled Touka into a warm hug.
"If I get another break, I'll spend all of it with you, mother, I promise," Touka replied softly, returning my mother's embrace without hesitation.
Kei, standing nearby, looked up at Touka with bright eyes.
"Touka-san, I want to spend time with you too!"
"Haha, of course, Kei-chan. Next time, let's all go out together—me, you, Haru-nee, and even this guy here," she said, glancing teasingly at me.
My father just smiled from the side, watching them all quietly — the kind of smile that said everything without needing words.
"Dad, I'll be going now," Touka said, adjusting the strap of her bag as the train's whistle sounded in the distance.
"My advice is just the same as Himeya's — be careful, alright?" he said.
Touka gave him a thumbs up and smiled. "Will do!"
And with that…
Touka boarded the train and returned to Tokyo.
The next day, life resumed as usual. Classes, homework, school bells — the predictable rhythm of third-year high school life. Yet, somewhere deep inside, something had shifted, even if just slightly.
Rooftop — Noon Break
"Wait, hold up. So you're saying you, Kawasaki-san, and Alicia-san were childhood friends?" Hiro asked, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.
"Well… something like that," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Dude, you're literally the protagonist of a light novel!"
'That's rich, coming from you…' I thought silently. If anyone fits the protagonist archetype, it's Hiro — the guy who somehow always gets caught in wild situations without even trying.
To this day, I'm still thankful for the me from the future… For reasons I still don't quite understand, we were able to exchange information at just the right time. If not for that moment…
Maybe Touka and I wouldn't be where we are now.
"By the way, is Yuka-san also a childhood friend of yours?" Hiro asked.
"Yuka? Hmm… I don't think so. If I recall correctly, we never met as kids."
"Alright! That means I still have a shot!" he grinned.
"…What do you mean by that?"
"You know how in stories like this, the protagonist always ends up with a childhood friend? Since you're not hers, that means it could still be me!"
"Wait, are you implying that Touka and I are childhood friends?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Ah… Good point. Huh. Well, whatever! My point is, I still have a chance!"
Speaking of chances…
"Hey, Hiro. Want me to help you out?"
"Oh? With what?"
"Call Sumire up here for me. I want to talk to her… and don't forget to bring Alicia too."
"What's in it for me?"
"You'll get closer to Yuka."
"…You serious?!"
"Dead serious," I replied with a smug grin.
Before I could blink, Hiro leapt up from his seat. "Mission accepted!" he shouted, dashing off the rooftop like a man on a quest.
Now, I was alone.
Third year of high school… I can't believe time has flown by this fast.
The blue sky stretched endlessly above me. I closed my eyes, letting the cool breeze wash over my face, and for a moment, it felt like time itself had stopped.
Click
The rooftop door creaked open. I turned my head out of reflex and saw Alicia standing in the doorway.
"Himeya, I heard from your friend that you wanted to talk?"
"Haha, yeah. Come, have a seat," I said, patting the spot next to me.
She walked over and sat beside me, her golden hair swaying slightly in the wind.
"The breeze up here feels really nice," she said, looking up at the sky.
"Right? I love this place. It's quiet… peaceful."
"I thought you'd turned into someone who actually likes socializing now, but I guess you're still the same ol' Himeya," Alicia laughed lightly.
"Hey… I do talk to people, as long as it's not too exhausting," I replied with a smile.
Back then, I avoided social interaction because I didn't want to interfere with the natural flow of this world's story… but humans are stubborn. You can't run away from connection forever.
A few moments later, the rooftop door opened again. This time, both Sumire and Yuka stepped out.
"…Where's Hiro?"
Ring-ring.
My phone buzzed. A message from Hiro.
[Sorry, I wasn't ready yet!!!]
…That idiot.
Sumire and Yuka walked toward us.
"So, you wanted to talk to Sumire?" Yuka asked, crossing her arms.
"…Why are you so concerned about her, Yuka?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course I care. She's my little sister."
"…Right."
Sumire spoke up, her voice quiet. "Himeya, you also asked Alicia and me to come?"
"Uh, yeah… I just wanted to talk to you both—" I flinched as Yuka's eyes suddenly sharpened.
Tch.
That's the sound her glare made.
"A-Alright, okay… Sumire…" I turned to her, trying to find the right words.
She looked at me — straight into me — and somehow, I felt a pang of guilt. We'd met before, on the first day of school…
"I'm sor—"
"Stop it, Himeya," she interrupted me.
"…Why?"
"I don't want you thinking this was your fault. I… I was the one who didn't have the courage to tell you the truth back then," she said, her voice trembling.
Her face was red, on the verge of tears.
Crap… If she starts crying, I'm dead. Yuka's going to kill me.
"Sumire-san," Alicia said suddenly, reaching out and holding Sumire's hand.
Sumire glanced at her.
"You've missed him, haven't you?"
"I…"
Then Alicia took my hand too.
"And you, Himeya. Come on. You're a guy, aren't you? Just apologizing isn't enough." She pulled both our hands together — now our hands were clasped, awkwardly but tightly.
"We're all friends, right?" Alicia beamed.
"…Is she an angel or something?" Yuka asked.
"Don't ask me," I replied, still in shock.
And then…
Sumire didn't let go of my hand right away.
"…You haven't changed," she said quietly.
"Huh?"
"Your hand… it's still warm. Just like back then."
"Back then…?"
"When you helped me on the first day of school, back when we were kids… I was so nervous, but you smiled and said, 'You'll be fine.' That moment stayed with me."
"…I didn't think you remembered that," I replied.
"I did. Every second of it. But I didn't know how to tell you without messing everything up… I was scared."
"You didn't mess anything up," I said softly. "If anything, I should've been the one reaching out sooner."
Sumire shook her head. "It's not about who should've done what. We're here now. That's what matters."
"…Yeah," I nodded.
Our hands were still together.
The wind rustled her long red hair, and for a moment… it felt like the world had paused, just for the two of us.
"I'm glad you called me here," she whispered.
"…I'm glad you came."
From the distance, Alicia grinned, whispering to Yuka.
"See? They just needed a little push."
Yuka sighed. "You're way too good at this."
"I know," Alicia winked. "I'm basically the goddess of friendship."
"More like the goddess of meddling," Yuka muttered—but she was smiling.