We were already inside the small apartment.
Ailany and Kaori had asked Aisha to lend them her room.
According to them, they needed to talk about something important. I asked what it was, but all they said was, "Girl stuff." I didn't press them… I didn't want to make them uncomfortable.
Aisha and I stayed in the living room. There was a brief silence.
Honestly, I really wanted to ask who she really was… and why this place felt so familiar to me.
But I couldn't.
The words just wouldn't come out.
"Haru-kun… you can sit down. Sorry for the—"
"W–wait… what did you just call me? Haru-kun?"
I froze. That word… that way of calling me.
There was no doubt left in my mind.
She was the friend… the one I once left behind.
Yeah, I know. I never mentioned her before.
But now that I think about it… the last time we saw each other, we had a fight.
I got upset about something. I don't remember what it was, but I stormed back to my apartment.
They were cleaning the floors.
Someone yelled at me not to walk through, said it was still wet…
But I didn't listen.
Did I slip…?
Yeah. I think I slipped.
Hit my head hard.
Lost some memories.
That accident… it felt almost funny when I woke up.
Of course, I had forgotten everything that came before.
I just thought I was coming home… like always.
"Aimin… right? That's what I used to call you."
I looked her in the eye. She didn't answer, but her eyes were starting to fill with tears.
I stepped toward her, almost without thinking… and she stepped back.
"Are you afraid of me…? Did I hurt you?"
"It's not that I'm scared… but I think it's better if you don't come closer. You're the one who left me."
I didn't listen.
I kept walking toward her.
She ended up pinned against the wall, her gaze shaking.
Her cheeks were faintly blushed.
Before I knew it, I was so close I could hear her breathing.
I've always been a quiet, introverted guy…
But in that moment, my body and mind were moving on their own.
I touched her face gently, like I had waited my whole life for that moment.
I leaned in.
I could hear the rapid pounding of her heart.
With a soft voice, I whispered:
"I'm sorry… for leaving you. I didn't mean to."
With her… it wasn't just romance.
It was this strange addiction—to her lips, to her presence. Something that made no sense.
I ran a finger gently across her lips and added:
"Why am I acting like this…? Who are you really to me… Aimin?"
She grabbed my hand.
Everything was moving in one direction…
But then—
"Haruki-kun! We're back!" —It was Kaori's voice.
Aisha quickly pushed me away and stepped aside.
But Ailany noticed something was off.
"Haruki… what did you do to my friend? Why does she look like she's been crying?"
Aisha, flustered, quickly wiped her face.
"No, he didn't do anything, Ailany-chan! I just spilled some perfume. I was spraying it because of the smell…"
She picked up a small bottle from the chabudai and started spraying it everywhere.
"I see…" Ailany answered with a slightly suspicious tone, though she didn't press further.
I stayed quiet.
"Well, I have to go grab a few things for breakfast. I don't usually cook, so make yourselves at home."
"All right, Aisha. Just don't take too long… It's awkward being in someone else's house. Especially one this messy," Kaori added.
"Ahaha… yeah, sure. Don't worry, I'll be quick. But if anything happens… Ailany-chan always cleans up my mess anyway."
Aisha spoke in her usual tone, but I could sense a sadness only I seemed to catch.
I can already tell Ailany is starting to suspect her friend isn't as okay as she pretends.
"Yeah, fine. But please don't be late. I know how you always go out around this time… and don't come back until the next day."
Until the next day?
What did she mean by that…?
I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I was really curious about where she went and what she did.
"Hai, hai. Don't worry. And if I do take a while… just make yourselves at home."
She grabbed her bag and walked out.
As she passed by me, I looked at her… but she completely ignored me.
I leaned back against the wall, silently.
Trying to recover memories…
Trying to figure out what tore us apart.
Kaori walked over and clung to my arm, like always.
"Something wrong? You've been acting weird since we got here."
"Really? I thought you two were the weird ones," I replied with a slight smile.
"Hey! You jerk!"
"Isn't that right, Ailany? You were way less jealous than usual…"
"I-I don't know what you're talking about! I'm not jealous. I'd say you're the one who gets too close to girls… especially Kaori."
Yep. Things were definitely back to normal.
I wanted to know what they talked about in that room, but I knew if I asked… I'd look like the weirdo.
"Well, since we're here, why don't we talk about the trip? I was thinking we could leave the day after the festival."
"Sounds good to me," Ailany replied.
"But maybe help clean up first. Aisha is seriously messy."
"Hai, got it, Ailany. But can I hug Haruki just a little longer…?"
"No! Let him go and help out. God, Kaori… sometimes you act more like you're fifteen than nineteen."
"Hai, hai… I'm coming. Sometimes I think you're like an old lady, you know?"
◆Hai is a Japanese way of saying yes.
That's when I felt a sharp pain in my head…
And then I remembered.
I remembered why we fought.
"Haruki, what's wrong?!" Ailany rushed toward me, touching my forehead.
"I think I need to get some fresh air… I'll be right back," I said quickly.
"Hey! You're just gonna leave us with all the work?" Kaori added, puffing her cheeks a little.
"Sorry… I promise I'll make it up to both of you tomorrow at the festival."
"But where are you going?" Ailany asked, looking surprised and a little worried.
"I'll tell you when I get back… okay?"
I closed the door behind me.
The last thing I heard was:
"Haruki, wait…!"