Aoi found herself standing in front of Haruki's door again the next evening. This time, she didn't hesitate before ringing the bell.
No answer.
She knocked.
Still nothing.
Her heart pounded. He was home. She was sure of it.
Aoi stepped back and looked up—his window was slightly open. The dim glow of a lamp flickered inside. He was there.
He was ignoring her.
She exhaled sharply and sat down on the doorstep. Fine. If he wasn't going to open the door, she'd wait.
Minutes passed. Then an hour.
The sky darkened. The streets emptied. Aoi pulled her jacket tighter around her, shivering in the cold. Still, she didn't move.
Then, finally—
The door creaked open.
Haruki stood there, looking down at her with a tired sigh. "You're still here?"
Aoi got to her feet. "I told you I'd come back."
Haruki ran a hand through his hair. "You're insane."
She gave a small smile. "Maybe."
A pause. Then, without another word, Haruki turned and walked inside, leaving the door open.
An invitation.
Aoi stepped in, closing the door behind her.
The apartment was just as quiet and dim as before, but this time, it felt heavier. Like the walls themselves were holding secrets.
Haruki sat down on the floor, leaning against the couch. Aoi sat beside him.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the soft ticking of a clock.
Then—
"Why are you doing this, Aoi?"
She looked at him. "Because I don't want you to disappear."
Haruki let out a hollow laugh. "You can't stop it."
Aoi's fingers curled into fists. "You keep saying that. But you're still here. That means something, doesn't it?"
He turned his head slightly, looking at her with unreadable eyes. "And what if it doesn't?"
Aoi hesitated. Then, slowly, she reached out and placed her pinky finger in front of him. "Make me a promise."
Haruki stared at her hand. "…What kind of promise?"
"That you won't disappear. At least, not without letting me say goodbye."
Silence.
Then—
Haruki lifted his hand and linked his pinky with hers. His grip was loose, hesitant, like he didn't believe in promises.
"…Okay," he said softly.
Aoi smiled. "Good."
For a moment, it almost felt like things would be okay.
But deep down, she knew—
Haruki was still slipping away.
And a pinky promise wasn't strong enough to hold him back.
---