Scene 1 — The Tea
I force the rest of the tea down my throat.
God, I want to puke.
At first, it was fine. Strange, but fine. Now every sip twists my stomach like it's been dipped in oil. Thick. Slimy.
My tongue recoils.
Suck it up, Haru.
Just swallow it.
I clench my jaw and take the final mouthful. Half vomit, half tea, all regret. Goosebumps crawl up my arms as a shiver shakes through me.
I set the empty mug down.
She hasn't touched hers.
Of course she hasn't
.I suffered alone for nothing.
I glance around the room, trying to think of something to say — anything to fill the silence.
My mind wanders back to the rooftop. Her standing on the edge. Her empty eyes. The wind whipping her hair like it was trying to pull her into the sky.
Why was she there? Why was she willing to jump?
I want to ask. I don't know how.
My chest tightens.
Before I can overthink it more—
"Haru…?"
Her voice pulls me back sharply.
"You've been staring… at my… chest."
…
My heart flies out of my body.
"I— I wasn't!! I wasn't—!!"My face burns. My soul leaves my flesh.
Look somewhere else, anywhere else—
"So!" I blurt out too loudly, "Have you ever, uhh, had a boyfriend before?"
Her expression shifts.
She pauses. Thinking. Processing.
"No… no one really." Her voice trembles slightly. "No one likes me."
For the first time… she looks away.
Down at her hands. Clenched together. Small. Tight.
She's never done that before.
Something sharp stabs in my chest.
Why doesn't anyone like her? She's sweet…She's cute…She's—
"—Mina," I say gently.
She looks up at me.
Her eyes—They look… hurt. Fragile. Glass-like, shimmering with tears she's holding back.
I swallow.
"I might not know you well yet…" I say softly. "But today was really fun. And I want to get to know who you really are."
Her breath trembles.
"I never said it but…"I give her a small smile, warm enough to melt a wall of ice.
"Let's be friends. Okay?"
Her lips quiver.
Then—
Tears spill. Fast.
Down her cheeks like a broken faucet.
She covers her face, crying hard.
And I just sit there.
Quiet.
Warm.
Present.
She probably never heard those words from anyone.
Ever.
And somehow… I understand that.
When you've been alone long enough, even the smallest kindness feels like salvation.
Her breathing slows.
Her hands drop from her face bit by bit.
She looks up at me through watery red eyes.
Cute. Very cute.
"Thank you, Haru…" she whispers.
I smile quietly.
That's enough.
Scene 2 — The Call
Bzzzzz.Bzzz.
My phone vibrates.
Who the hell is ruining this moment?
Mom.
Shit.
I force a smile at Mina and answer.
"Haru dear… it's late. Where are you?" Of course she's worried.
"Sorry… I'm at a friend's house," I say, voice cracking.
Please don't ask for details. Please—
"Oh! You made a friend? My Haru made a friend!"
Never mind. Time to die.
"I'll be home in a few," I say quickly and hang up.
Headache incoming.
I stand. Mina stands too. We walk to the door quietly.
I slip on my shoes.
Her smile wavers. Sad. Soft.
I hope she'll be okay—
Suddenly—
Warmth. Pressure. Soft arms wrap around me.
She hugs me.
Tight.
My heart explodes. My brain melts. My knees go weak.
Her scent—That same sweet, candy fragrance—wraps around me like a blanket.
Her chest presses against me—
Oh god. Focus. Haru, focus.
My arms lift slowly. Almost shaking.
I hug her back.
She feels warm. Safe. Real.
Then—
She suddenly breaks away, runs inside, and slams the door shut.
I blink.
I didn't even get to see her face.
I stare at the door and smile anyway.
Then turn and walk home.
Scene 3 — Night Call
Mom interrogates me for ten minutes straight. I give vague answers. She gives up.
Bath. Dinner. Bed.
I lie down and stare at the ceiling.
That hug…
Damn. I can still feel it.
Bzzzz.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand.
At this hour?
It's Mina.
She's calling.
5… 4… 3… 2…
I pick up.
"Hey… Haru."Her voice…
Soft. Gentle. Warm. Like she's lying in bed too.
My chest tightens.
"Hey… is something wrong?" I ask.
Silence.
Then—
"I just wanted to hear you… before I sleep."
My heart basically self-destructs.
"Oh, uh—"My voice cracks.
I want to die.
She continues—
"Can I stay… until I fall asleep?"
My breath stops.
"…Yeah," I whisper.
We stay on the phone, breathing softly, quietly.
Her breathing slows…
Mine slows too…
My eyes close…
And I fall asleep.
Scene 4 — The Gate
Morning.
I jolt awake.
My phone is dead.
Shit.
I actually fell asleep on the call.
"Kill me," I mumble into the pillow.
My mom yells.
I check the clock.
8:17.
LATE.
Uniform on.
Shoes on.
Run out the door.
Sprint the whole way.
Chest burning.
The school gate comes into view.
Crowded.
And there—
Mina.
Waiting.
For me.
Her eyes light up.
She waves with both arms.
"HEY HARU!!!"
Everyone turns.
Oh god please kill me.
She runs over and grabs my arm.
Presses her chest against it.
So soft—Nope, stop, focus—
Warm liquid trickles down my nose.
"Haru!! You're bleeding!"
Huh?
The world tilts.
My body collapses forward—right into her arms.
Darkness.
Scene 5 — Nurse's Office
White sheets.
Sterile smell.
I open my eyes.
The nurse's office.
Oh god.
Please tell me I didn't pass out from a nosebleed in front of everyone.
I cover my face with the blanket.
Delete me from existence.
Now.