Chapter 75 – "The Space Between Heartbeats"
The school rooftop was quiet again, as if holding its breath.
Naoto stood near the edge, wind brushing his hair. The city buzzed faintly below, but his mind felt louder. It was here he used to come after classes, sometimes with Rika, sometimes alone. Now, it felt like neutral ground—a space untouched by the chaos of recent days.
A rustle came from behind. Souta.
He had two canned coffees in hand.
"Thought you'd be here," Souta said simply, offering one.
Naoto took it with a faint smile. "You know me too well."
They stood together for a while, neither speaking.
Finally, Souta broke the silence. "Are you afraid of seeing her again?"
Naoto exhaled. "Yeah. I am. But I'm more afraid of what I won't say if I keep avoiding it."
"Then say it," Souta said. "Even if it hurts. Especially if it hurts."
---
Meanwhile, Rika sat in the school's empty music room, gently pressing a single key on the old upright piano. The note echoed gently, fading into the quiet.
Her journal lay open beside her, the ink still fresh.
I don't hate you. But you didn't trust me. And maybe that's what hurts more than the lies.
The door opened.
Aiko peeked in. "Mind some company?"
Rika shrugged. "It's not my piano."
Aiko sat beside her. "You write again. That's good."
Rika turned a page in the journal. "If I stop writing, I stop feeling. And if I stop feeling, I'll forget him."
Aiko didn't respond. Just stayed.
---
Mini Flashback – Hana Hayashi and Shinji Hayato (Years Ago)
In a dim hospital room, a younger Hana stood with Shinji Hayato, their expressions strained.
"I owe you everything," Shinji said. "Your husband's sacrifice… your kindness... I can never repay that."
Hana shook her head. "Don't repay me. Just help Naoto when the time comes."
"What if he hates me for it?"
"Then that's the price. He has to learn that love is more than comfort. It's endurance."
---
Back in the present, Naoto arrived outside the music room. He hesitated, hand hovering near the door.
Rika felt it.
"Come in," she called before he could knock.
He stepped inside, uncertain.
"I didn't think you'd come," she said softly.
"I wasn't sure I should."
They looked at each other.
Naoto took a slow breath. "I never wanted to hurt you. I just... didn't want to lose everything at once."
"You didn't lose everything," she replied. "You lost me because you were too scared to include me."
His voice cracked. "I didn't think I deserved you."
Silence.
Rika closed her journal and stood. Her eyes were damp but clear.
"Maybe you didn't. But I wanted you anyway. That was my choice. You took that from me."
He nodded slowly, guilt raw on his face. "I'm sorry."
She walked to him, paused inches away.
"You don't have to be perfect, Naoto. Just honest."
He gave a small nod. "I want to be. From now on."
Rika turned to leave.
"But I don't know if that means we get back what we had," she added.
"I know," he whispered.
As she disappeared down the hallway, Naoto sat at the piano, pressing the same note she had. It lingered.
---
Perspective Shift – Souta
Later that evening, Souta walked Rika home in the gentle dusk.
"You didn't have to," she said.
"I wanted to."
Rika looked at him. "Why do you stay, Souta? Even when I push everyone away?"
He thought about it.
"Because you're worth staying for. And someone should remind you of that. Even when you forget."
She smiled, barely. But it was real.
"Thank you."
---
End of Chapter 75