Outside the window, Shizuka was pressed against the glass.
Both palms flat.
Her fingers spread wide, the tips whitening where they met the surface.
Her face close enough that her breath fogged the glass in small, uneven patches.
Strands of her silver hair clung to it. Her red eyes stayed fixed on him.
She had seen the phone light up.
She had watched his face when he read it.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
She hadn't looked away.
She saw the moment it hit.
His shoulders tightened.
His back bent forward.
His breath broke into short, uneven pulls.
His teeth started to chatter.
"Kai."
Her voice came through the glass, low, muffled.
Close.
"Kai, open the window."
He didn't move.
He sat on the edge of the bed, the phone still in both hands.
His fingers were locked around it now.
His head hung forward. His face had gone pale.
Empty.
Pulled somewhere she could not reach.
"Kai. Look at me."
Her palm pressed harder against the glass. The fog spread under it.
