March 1, 2026. Six days left.
The school courtyard was crowded during lunch. Sakura buds were just starting to show—early this year. Sora sat on a bench with Mai, picking at an onigiri.
Ren appeared with a tray and sat on her other side without asking.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Sora glanced at him. "Hey."
Ren set his tray down. "Heard you're still undecided about Tokyo."
Sora sighed. "Does the whole school know?"
"Pretty much. Track coach won't shut up about losing our best sprinter."
Mai snorted. "Subtle."
Ren leaned in. "Look—I'm not trying to pressure you. But if you're leaving… why waste the time you have left?"
Sora raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
Ren smiled. "Go out with me. One night. No strings. Just fun. You deserve it after all the festival stress."
Mai's eyes widened.
Sora laughed—short. "Ren, I—"
Across the courtyard, Akira stood frozen near the vending machines, bottle of iced tea in hand.
He saw Ren lean close. Saw Sora laugh. Saw Mai watching like it was a drama.
His grip crushed the plastic bottle.
Ren continued. "Come on. One date. If it sucks, I'll never ask again."
Sora opened her mouth.
Then she looked up—and locked eyes with Akira.
He turned and walked away.
Sora stood so fast the onigiri fell.
"Excuse me."
She ran after him.
Akira was already halfway down the hall when she caught up.
"Takahashi—wait."
He stopped but didn't turn.
Sora grabbed his sleeve. "Don't do this again."
Akira looked down at her hand. "Do what?"
"Assume. Walk away. Shut down."
Akira's voice was low. "You were laughing. With him."
"He asked me out. Again. I didn't say yes."
Akira met her eyes. "You didn't say no either."
Sora's grip tightened. "Because I was trying to be polite! Because I'm trying not to hurt people while I figure out the biggest decision of my life!"
Akira's jaw clenched. "And I'm supposed to watch that? Stand there while he asks you out in front of half the school?"
Sora stepped closer. "You could have stayed. You could have said something. You could have—"
"What? Claimed you? In front of everyone?"
Sora blinked.
Akira continued. "I don't do that. I don't… perform feelings."
"Then stop performing indifference."
Akira exhaled sharply. "I'm not indifferent."
"Then what are you?"
Akira looked at her—really looked.
"I'm terrified."
Sora's breath caught.
Akira continued. "Terrified that if I say what I feel, you'll leave anyway. Terrified that if I don't, you'll leave because I never said it."
Sora's eyes filled.
Akira stepped closer. "I don't want you to go. Not to Tokyo. Not anywhere."
Sora whispered, "Then give me a reason to stay."
Akira swallowed. "I'm trying."
Sora searched his face.
Then she let go of his sleeve.
"I need more than trying."
She walked away.
Akira stood alone in the hallway.
The bell rang.
He didn't move.