They stood in the rain, just like that first day they met, but this time, the air carried a heaviness neither could ignore. The steady rhythm of raindrops on the pavement mirrored the pounding of Raito's heart as he saw her standing there, drenched but unyielding, her figure illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby streetlamp. He didn't hesitate. He didn't care about the storm or the world around them. He ran to her, the splashes of puddles marking his urgency, and pulled her into his arms as if his very life depended on it.
She was back—she was really back.
Aimi's breath hitched, and before she could find the words, her tears began to flow, mingling with the rain that soaked her cheeks. She clung to him, her voice breaking as she confessed the depth of her pain. "Raito... I missed you so much. Every day without you—it felt like an eternity."
Raito tightened his grip, his chin resting on the top of her head as he closed his eyes. "You'll never have to go through that again. I promise, Aimi. Never again." His voice was steady, but his hands trembled slightly, betraying the whirlwind of emotions he was trying to keep in check.
As the rain softened into a gentle drizzle, they began walking, their steps in sync as if the time apart had never existed. Neither spoke much, but the silence between them was not empty—it was filled with unspoken words, shared memories, and the warmth of being together again.
They reached their favorite spot by the lake, where the water reflected the soft glow of the moon, its surface rippling with the occasional drop of rain. The sakura trees surrounding the lake had begun to shed their petals, and the delicate pink blooms drifted through the air like a dream.
Aimi sank onto the damp grass, her hand still firmly holding Raito's, as if afraid he might vanish again. "Do you remember," she said softly, her gaze fixed on the lake, "how we sat here for hours that day, talking about everything and nothing?"
Raito smiled, a faint, wistful curve of his lips. "I remember. You told me about your dream to travel the world, and I told you mine was to stay by your side." He paused, his voice lowering. "That hasn't changed, Aimi. It never will."
Aimi looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of rain and tears. "I'm sorry for leaving, Raito. I thought I was protecting you, but all I did was hurt us both."
"You came back," he said simply, his hand brushing a stray strand of wet hair from her face. "That's all that matters now."
The sakura petals danced around them, carried by the gentle wind, as Raito made a silent vow. He would protect her, cherish her, and never let her feel alone again. Together, they sat by the lake, their hearts no longer burdened by the pain of separation but instead brimming with the quiet hope of a new beginning.