Haruto repeated this sentence all night. Soft lamppost light was coming in through his room window. He noticed a bit of fog in the air and Tokyo's winter was slowly settling over the campus. Haruto lay on his bed, but sleep refused to touch him. There was only one scene in his mind. The garden. The bench. Rin's faint smile. And that moment when she said they would meet tomorrow.
Haruto knew that some things were not ordinary. Some people pull you in without any effort. And Rin was one of them. Her calm presence, that lost sadness in her eyes, and her strange sentence about how some things stick to the heart. All of this disturbed Haruto and attracted him at the same time.
When the alarm rang in the morning, Haruto woke up looking slightly confused. Then he remembered he was supposed to meet Rin today. He quickly freshened up and put on a simple hoodie. Haruto wasn't interested in fashion, but today he consciously avoided one thing. Colors. He chose a neutral shade hoodie, something that would let him blend into the crowd easily. His reason was simple. Meeting Rin today meant he didn't want unnecessary attention. He wanted the moment to feel natural.
The campus was busy like any usual weekday. Students were heading to their morning classes, and some were standing in the cafeteria line. Haruto normally ignored everyone, but today his pace was slightly faster. As if he couldn't control his own steps. As if his heart was telling him to hurry, maybe Rin was already at the place where they were supposed to meet.
Rin had not told him the exact location, but Haruto felt that the library was the best chance. The library was the quietest space on campus and Rin liked quiet places. Haruto looked through the glass doors. Silence everywhere. The library was almost empty in the morning. He walked inside and his eyes automatically shifted to the corner where they had sat together for the first time.
Rin wasn't there.
Haruto's steps slowed. For a moment, he wondered if maybe she wouldn't come to the library today. Then he thought she might be at the garden bench where they had sat yesterday. Haruto walked out of the library and headed toward the garden. The cold breeze brushed against his face. The leaves looked slightly wet, as if it had drizzled lightly at night.
The garden area was almost empty. Only two students were discussing notes in a corner. Haruto scanned the benches. And then he saw her. Rin. On the same bench. In the same posture. But today her body language felt heavier, as if last night hadn't given her any rest.
Haruto slowly approached. Rin must have heard his footsteps. She lifted her face and looked at him. This was the moment that brought a strange warmth inside Haruto. Rin didn't give a wide smile, just a soft acknowledgement. But for him, that was more than enough.
You came. Rin's voice was calm, but there was a slight roughness in it, as though she hadn't slept much.
Yeah. You said we would meet today, so I came. Haruto answered simply.
Rin adjusted her bag beside her. Do you write articles or do you sketch?
I sketch. Nothing like articles. Sketches are my language. Haruto took a seat beside her on the bench.
Rin looked up at the sky. Your language sounds interesting.
Haruto didn't avoid the comment. Rin's sentences were never straightforward. They had layers. And he always tried to decode those layers.
Rin asked. What do you sketch? People? Or nature?
Both. But mostly people. Haruto said softly. People's expressions attract me. Their emotions. Their silence. Everything gets captured in a sketch.
Rin looked at him for a moment. Do you sketch me too?
Haruto gave a slightly awkward smile. No. I don't sketch anyone without permission.
A faint smile appeared on Rin's lips. Alright. If you ever want to, just tell me. Maybe I'll allow it.
The moment wasn't uncomfortable, just surprising. Rin didn't usually speak this boldly. Haruto felt she seemed a little different today. More open. More direct.
Haruto asked softly. How are you today?
Rin took a long inhale. A bit tired. That's all. And a little confused too.
About what?
Some things don't hold. Like the mind refuses to keep them. But forget it, these questions don't come when I look at you.
Haruto found this line a bit unusual. Why not?
Rin traced the wooden arm of the bench with her fingertip. Because when I talk to you, I feel a little light. Other times I feel heavy.
Haruto didn't respond. He just observed her. The cold breeze had made her face slightly pink. There was that same tired softness in her eyes.
Rin asked. Did you have breakfast?
No. I usually skip breakfast.
Rin tilted her head slightly. That's an unhealthy habit. You shouldn't do that.
Haruto liked that soft concern. Did you eat?
Yes. Just a little.
Just a little? Haruto asked.
Yes. My appetite keeps getting smaller. But it's fine. I adjust.
A small doubt bubbled in Haruto's mind. Appetite issue. Sleep issue. Confusion. Fatigue. But he pushed it aside. Ruining the moment didn't feel right.
Rin changed the topic. Come with me somewhere. Let's walk a little?
Haruto stood up instantly. Yes of course.
They walked out of the garden toward the back path of the campus. This path was used by fewer students. It had both silence and greenery. Rin walked at a slow pace. Sometimes she stopped to look at a flower. Sometimes she touched the wet soil on the ground.
Haruto quietly asked. Do you like observing nature?
Rin answered gently. Yes. Because nature hides nothing. A falling leaf shows itself openly. A drying tree doesn't hide its weakness. Humans hide everything. Nature doesn't.
Haruto felt her words deeply. The line was simple but meaningful. Do you hide?
Rin paused for a moment. Yes. A lot. Maybe that's why I get tired.
They continued walking. The cold breeze touched their faces. Haruto asked quietly. Will you attend your classes today?
Rin shook her head. No. My mind feels heavy today. You?
I'm also skipping. Haruto admitted.
Rin looked at him with a surprised expression. You're skipping classes? Why?
Haruto didn't give the real reason. He only said. Because I should be here today.
Rin went silent at that. As if she was processing his words. Then she said softly. Haruto. You're weird.
Haruto gave a small smile. I know.
Weird but in a good way. Rin added.
This line went straight into Haruto's heart.
At the end of the path, Rin stopped and stood beside him. Then she quietly asked. Haruto. What if tomorrow I can't remember you?
The question was so unexpected that Haruto felt his breath pause for a second.
There was no drama in Rin's voice. Just real confusion. Real fear.
Haruto asked gently. Why are you thinking like that?
Rin lowered her eyes. I don't know. Sometimes it feels like it. Some things my mind doesn't hold. Some faces slip away. Like there's a gap somewhere.
Haruto took a deep inhale. His heartbeat grew heavy. But he kept his voice calm.
Even if you forget me, I'll meet you again.
Rin slowly raised her eyes. Again?
Yes. Haruto said softly. Every time. As many times as needed.
Rin gave a slow, fragile smile. Haruto felt this smile was a little different from her previous ones. Like it had gratitude mixed with pain.
She whispered. Thank you. People like you are rare.
Haruto didn't say anything. He just stood beside her quietly. Then Rin asked again.
Will you meet me tomorrow?
Without hesitation Haruto said. Yes. Wherever you say. Whenever you say.
Rin gave a soft nod. Alright. I'll walk a little more. You can go. I don't want to disturb your time.
Haruto paused. Do you want me to stay?
Rin looked at him for a second. Then slowly said. Yes. If you want to.
Haruto sat on the bench, and Rin continued walking down the path slowly. Sometimes she turned around. Haruto was still there. His presence alone was creating a connection. Words weren't needed.
The bond was silent. But real. And Haruto felt that this journey wouldn't be easy. Something was off. There were mild disturbances in Rin's behaviour. But he wasn't ready to confront them yet.
After some time Rin came back and said quietly. Enough for today. We'll meet tomorrow.
Haruto simply replied. Yes. Tomorrow.
Rin gave one last soft smile and slowly walked toward the end of the path. Haruto didn't follow her steps with his eyes. He just listened to them. As if each step was creating a new space inside him.
The garden air felt slightly heavier. The sky was pale grey, like someone had gently shaded a sleeping canvas with charcoal. But something different was happening inside Haruto. There was a strange pull, a quiet urgency that never existed in his normal days.
Watching Rin's figure disappear, Haruto realised something. This connection that was growing wasn't simple. It held calmness, fear, and an odd promise.
He stayed seated on the bench, his fingers touching the cold metal edge. He tried to steady his heartbeat, but his heart spoke the truth.
Whatever this is… It's fragile. And if I want to catch it, then waiting for tomorrow won't just be routine. It will be necessary.
Haruto slowly released a breath. For the first time, thinking about tomorrow filled him with fear and hope together. At the same time.