Yuuki stared at the message on his phone.
> Arisa: "Free at 6? Movie date?"
His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
But he didn't type.
Minami was still sitting beside him on the bench. Looking anywhere but at him. Her confession still echoing.
> "I don't want to lose again."
He took a breath. Shaky. Uncertain.
"I have plans," he said carefully.
She flinched. Almost didn't show it.
"With her?"
He nodded slowly. "We made them yesterday."
Minami forced a smile. It looked like it hurt.
"I figured. She moves fast."
He didn't know what to say to that.
"She's lucky," Minami added. "You're… a good guy, Yuuki."
He stood up. "Minami—"
"It's okay," she cut in. "I lost the right to be jealous the day I left you on read."
That hit like a gut punch.
---
6:09 PM – Arisa's Apartment
He knocked once.
The door swung open to Arisa in an oversized sweater and high ponytail, holding two movie tickets.
"You came," she said, slightly surprised.
"I didn't want to," Yuuki admitted.
Her expression dropped.
"…But I needed to."
She smiled — soft, unsure, real.
"You can't watch a movie with half a heart, Yuuki," she said, stepping aside.
"I know," he whispered.
"I just hope I'm the half you want to keep."
And for the first time…
He was starting to believe she might be.