After the compatibility test, the class stopped asking questions.
Everyone just stared.
Watched.
Waited.
Reina erased the scoreboard for the first time.
No rankings. No scores.
Just silence.
And the tension that came with it.
---
I Sat Down With Riko First
She didn't look angry.
Didn't look sad.
Just tired.
She stirred her drink with her straw. Didn't speak for a while.
Then said—
> "We were real. For a moment."
I looked at her.
She looked out the window.
> "But we weren't ready to be more than 'almost.'"
I nodded.
"…So that's it?"
She smiled, soft and small.
> "No. That's just the pause. If it's real, we'll find each other again."
And just like that—
She stood up.
Walked out.
Didn't look back.
---
Then Came Airi
I found her in the library.
Her notebook open. But blank.
She didn't say hello.
Just gestured for me to sit.
Then she said—
> "Do you know what it feels like to observe something for so long… you forget you were part of it?"
I didn't answer.
She flipped to a page.
A list.
> "Pros of confessing:
– Closure
– Honesty
– Statistical relief
Cons:
– Rejection
– Discomfort
– Losing the chance to keep pretending"
Then she tore the page out.
Looked me in the eye.
> "I'm tired of pretending."
Then she leaned forward.
Kissed me on the cheek.
And said:
> "That's all. Goodbye, Kaito."
She left the notebook on the table.
Didn't take it with her.
---
Yuna Found Me Next
I didn't find her.
She found me.
Pulled me behind the gym.
Pressed her forehead against mine.
Eyes teary.
Voice steady.
> "Do you still like me? Even just a little?"
I said nothing.
She laughed.
> "That's okay. I'm gonna make you say yes one day."
She stepped back.
Wiped her eyes.
> "But not yet."
Then she winked.
> "Next time… I won't let anyone win by vote. I'll win by heart."
And she walked away like she still believed in something.
---
And Then Came Akari
On the bridge.
Sunset.
Same place we stood when she came back.
She didn't ask questions.
She just said—
> "You looked like yourself again. With her."
I flinched.
She kept smiling.
> "But not the self you were meant to stay."
I looked down.
She reached out. Took my hand.
> "Do you want peace? Or do you want me?"
I looked at her.
Really looked.
And said—
> "I don't know yet. But if I try… will you still be here?"
She didn't hesitate.
> "Always."