The following week, Yuuto Kisaragi walked into Harunagi High feeling a little lighter. The weight of Reina Sugihara's rejection hadn't disappeared, but it no longer suffocated him. He'd spent the last few days focusing on small joys—eating lunch with Kenta, diving into his favorite manga, and, most unexpectedly, getting to know Rika Aikawa.
She was different. Every time they met on the rooftop, she brought with her a strange sense of calm and chaos. She teased him mercilessly but also listened when he spoke, her sharp humor balanced by moments of surprising warmth.
Still, Yuuto couldn't shake the lingering doubts in his mind. Was he really moving on? Or was he just distracting himself?
---
The day was gray, clouds heavy with the promise of rain. By lunchtime, most students had retreated to the cafeteria or their classrooms, seeking shelter from the coming storm.
Yuuto climbed the stairs to the rooftop, his heart inexplicably lighter at the thought of seeing Rika again. She had made the rooftop her domain, and by some unspoken agreement, he'd become her occasional guest.
When he opened the door, he found her leaning against the railing, her red hair vibrant against the dull sky. She had her earphones in, bobbing her head to music only she could hear.
"Hey," Yuuto said, stepping closer.
Rika glanced at him, pulling out one earbud. "You're late."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know we had a schedule."
"Rooftop regulars always do," she said with a smirk, offering him a piece of gum like she always did.
This time, he took it.
They stood in companionable silence for a while, the wind tugging at their uniforms. Yuuto stared out at the city, his thoughts drifting.
"So," Rika said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "How're you holding up? Still brooding over Princess Reina?"
Yuuto hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I don't think I'm brooding," he said finally. "But… it still stings a little."
Rika nodded, her expression unreadable. "That's normal. Rejection sucks."
Yuuto glanced at her. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."
She snorted. "Please. I don't waste my time on people who don't like me back. If someone's not interested, I move on. Simple as that."
"That's… surprisingly mature," Yuuto said, a hint of admiration in his voice.
Rika grinned. "What can I say? I'm wise beyond my years."
Yuuto laughed, the sound startlingly loud against the quiet rooftop. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like himself again.
---
Later that afternoon, as the final bell rang, Yuuto packed his bag and prepared to leave. But just as he was about to step out of the classroom, Reina appeared in the doorway.
"Yuuto," she said, her voice soft.
He froze, his grip tightening on the strap of his bag. "What is it?"
"I wanted to ask if you'd walk home with me," she said, her cheeks tinged with pink.
Yuuto blinked, caught completely off guard. "Why?"
Reina hesitated, her eyes darting to the side. "I… I just thought it might be nice to talk. To clear the air."
Yuuto's first instinct was to refuse. The memory of her rejection still lingered, raw and painful. But a part of him—a foolish, hopeful part—wanted to hear her out.
"Fine," he said, his voice more curt than he'd intended.
They walked in silence for a while, the sound of their footsteps filling the space between them. The streets were damp from a brief afternoon shower, the air cool and crisp.
Finally, Reina spoke. "I've been thinking a lot about what happened last week."
Yuuto kept his eyes on the ground. "And?"
"I realized I was too harsh," she said, her tone apologetic. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Yuuto. I was just… surprised."
Yuuto frowned. "Surprised?"
Reina nodded. "I didn't know how to respond. No one's ever said something like that to me before."
"That doesn't excuse how you acted," Yuuto said, his voice firmer than he expected.
Reina flinched, her cheeks flushing. "You're right. It doesn't. And I'm sorry. I really am."
Yuuto stopped walking, turning to face her. "Why are you telling me this now?"
Reina hesitated, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Because… I think I might have been wrong about you. And I want to make it right."
Yuuto stared at her, his emotions a tangled mess. He wanted to believe her, to let her words soothe the ache in his chest. But something about her sudden change of heart felt off, like an unfinished puzzle.
"I don't know if I can trust you," he said finally.
Reina's eyes widened, but she didn't argue. Instead, she nodded. "I understand. But… can we at least start over? As friends?"
Yuuto hesitated, the memory of Rika's words echoing in his mind: Don't waste your time on people who don't care about you.
"Maybe," he said, his tone guarded. "But I need time."
Reina offered a small, tentative smile. "Okay. Take all the time you need."
---
That evening, Yuuto sat in his room, staring at his desk. Reina's apology replayed in his mind, mixing with memories of their past interactions. He wanted to believe she was sincere, but doubt lingered like a shadow.
His thoughts drifted to Rika, to her blunt honesty and easy laughter. She'd been the one to pull him out of his funk, the one who made him feel like he wasn't completely broken.
For the first time, Yuuto wondered if what he felt for Reina had been admiration more than love. And if, perhaps, what he felt for Rika was something else entirely.
The thought scared him. But it also made his heart race.
---
The next day, Yuuto climbed to the rooftop with a sense of nervous anticipation. Rika was already there, leaning against the railing with her usual casual grace.
"Hey," she said, flashing him a grin. "You're early today."
"I wanted to talk to you," Yuuto said, his voice steady.
Rika raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What about?"
Yuuto hesitated, searching for the right words. "I just… I wanted to thank you. For everything. You've been a really good friend to me, even when I didn't deserve it."
Rika stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she laughed—a sharp, genuine sound that echoed across the rooftop.
"Geez, you're so dramatic," she said, shaking her head. "But you're welcome, I guess."
Yuuto smiled, feeling a strange sense of relief.
For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was finally moving forward.
And maybe—just maybe—he wasn't alone.