The alarm rang before the sun came up.
Yuna was already awake.
She hadn't really slept—just drifted in and out of memories.
5:42 a.m.
The house felt unfamiliar, like it had already decided she didn't belong to it anymore.
Her suitcase stood by the door.
Her mother moved quietly in the kitchen. Her father carried the last box to the car.
No one said much.
There are some mornings where words feel disrespectful.
Ren didn't set an alarm.
He didn't need to.
He was outside her house at 5:10.
Hands cold. Eyes red. Breath visible in the early air.
He wasn't sure what he was waiting for.
Permission, maybe.
Or courage.
Mio stood across the street.
Not close enough to interrupt.
Not far enough to disappear.
She hugged her coat around herself and watched the sky slowly shift from black to gray.
The front door opened.
Yuna stepped out.
For a second, she didn't see them.
Then she did.
Ren.
Mio.
Both there.
Both trying to look stronger than they felt.
Her chest tightened so sharply she thought she might actually fall.
"You came," she whispered.
"Of course we did," Mio said softly.
Ren couldn't speak.
The car trunk shut with a heavy sound.
Her father gave them space.
Her mother looked at the three of them with something like understanding—and something like sadness.
"We have ten minutes," her father said gently.
Ten minutes.
A lifetime, if you measure it correctly.
Ren stepped forward first.
He didn't hesitate this time.
He pulled her into him, holding her like he was memorizing the shape of her.
"Don't forget how you laugh," he murmured into her hair. "It's stupid and loud."
She laughed through tears. "You're awful."
"I know."
He pulled back, hands still on her shoulders.
"Call me," he said.
"I will."
Even if time zones made it complicated.
Even if life tried to stretch them thin.
Mio stepped in next.
Their hug was different.
Longer.
Quieter.
"I'm not mad anymore," Mio whispered. "So don't carry that with you."
Yuna nodded against her.
"Thank you," she breathed.
"For what?"
"For loving me anyway."
Mio closed her eyes.
"Just… live," she said. "Okay?"
Her father called her name.
The final call.
Yuna wiped her face, picked up her suitcase, and walked toward the car.
Halfway there, she stopped.
She turned.
Ren stood perfectly still.
Mio beside him.
The morning light finally touching their faces.
"I won't disappear!" she called.
Her voice cracked.
Ren nodded once.
Mio lifted her hand in a small wave.
Yuna got in the car.
The door shut.
And then—
The car pulled away.
Ren didn't move until it was gone.
Not until the street felt too big.
Not until the silence pressed in.
Mio stepped closer.
"She'll be okay," she said quietly.
Ren swallowed.
"Yeah."
But okay didn't feel like enough.
Somewhere down the road, Yuna looked back through the rear window.
They were smaller now.
Blurring.
Fading.
She pressed her palm against the glass.
And whispered—
"Wait for me."