Even though she'd rehearsed that line for ages—imagined their reunion countless times, practiced in front of the mirror until she could barely mouth the words—when it finally came time to say it, that "Long time no see" still trembled like a leaf in a typhoon.
Hōjō Shione's lips quivered. She pressed them together, but they wouldn't stop shaking. She had to bite down hard on the corner of her mouth.
Then, as if trying to hide the chaos inside, she squinted her eyes, tilted her head, and forced a smile toward Shiratori.
Her heart was racing like a shonen protagonist's final power-up. Panic flooded her entire being.
Normally, her mind was as clear as polished glass. She could think calmly even in the toughest situations.
But now, just standing in front of him, she couldn't even form proper sentences.
In the past, facing Seiya, she never had this kind of mindset.
Back then, a passionate kiss was never enough—she wanted to devour him whole. When she hugged him, she wished she could squeeze so hard that he'd melt right into her body, filling the empty void in her heart.
In short, she wanted to become one with him completely.
Of course, she wasn't some sort of monster. It was just that the longer she stayed with him, the more intense her love grew—gradually turning bitter.
Every time she tasted that bitterness, it made her cry through countless lonely, sleepless nights.
I love you so much. So, so, so much…
All those feelings piled up in her heart, wanting to spill out to him. But in the blink of an eye, she realized she no longer had the right to say them.
Those sweet words got stuck in her throat. Not a single sound could escape.
Unlike the burning pain in her throat when she lost her voice on stage, this pain made it hard to breathe—like she was suffocating.
But now, he was standing right in front of her…
If she had to dig into why she couldn't act cute and cozy with him like before… it was because she'd deceived him.
No.
If she just called it deception, that would be making excuses for herself—lightening her guilt, finding reasons to feel better.
Using Seiya's feelings for her and his sense of conscience to twist his heart… even she found that behavior disgusting.
But… that wasn't the real reason for the fear gripping her chest right now.
If she had to do it again—ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times—Hōjō Shione felt she would still do the exact same thing.
She could never accept him leaving her side.
Not to mention it was just for a concert that might ruin her reputation. Even if it meant death… she absolutely couldn't accept him not loving her.
The days without him by her side were harder to bear than a bird losing its wings. More like a fish out of water, its gills slowly sticking together, each breath painful.
So, if you wanted to dig into the reason for her fear right now, it was simply this: the terror that Shiratori Seiya might dislike her.
Even though he hadn't left her that night—even told Suzune "it doesn't matter anymore" after learning the truth—if you thought about it carefully, his guilt toward her probably outweighed his love.
She could feel it through their text conversations.
His concern for her was no longer passionate. He no longer doted on her the way he used to. She couldn't feel that lover's warmth anymore.
More often than not, it felt like… just a friend's concern.
Standing across from Shiratori Seiya at this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Hōjō Shione's mind.
What would he do next?
She hadn't apologized to him for what happened last time. He must still be disgusted by her sickening behavior, right?
So… he'd be angry that she moved in across from him without telling him first, right?
Would he shut the door coldly and tell her to get lost?
Even when facing a love rival, Hōjō Shione could keep her cool. But right now, her whole body was trembling out of pure fear.
The two stood silently at the doorway.
Shiratori Seiya was still recovering from the shock of her sudden move. He also wondered why she'd shown up at his door the moment he got home…
Did she install a camera or something?
He frowned, glanced down the hallway—no cameras. His gaze dropped, and he noticed Shione trembling.
"Are you cold?"
Hearing that, Hōjō Shione stiffened like she'd been bonked on the head with a shinai. She raised her face and forced a nod.
"The temperature dropped recently… it is a bit chilly."
Seeing her clearly off-kilter expression and slightly trembling arms, Shiratori Seiya pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes.
He still hadn't decided how to deal with her. But not wanting the atmosphere to get too awkward, he smiled.
"Wouldn't a new neighbor visiting empty-handed be a little rude?"
Hearing that, Hōjō Shione lifted her face blankly. Her pale pink lips fluttered twice like butterfly wings. Joy—like finding something long lost—sparkled in her eyes.
"I—I…"
Her voice was still shaking. She cleared her throat, trying to continue, but Shiratori Seiya cut her off.
"It's cold outside. If you have something to say, come in first. If the neighbors see us, they'll think I don't know how to treat guests."
With that, he didn't wait for Hōjō Shione's response. He turned and walked inside.
Staring at the wide-open door in front of her, Hōjō Shione's teeth chattered together—but this time, it wasn't from anxiety. It was excitement.
Seiya… you really do still love me, don't you?
Warmth filled the emptiness in her heart. A blush spread across her face.
She stepped into the entryway and closed the door behind her.
Shione took a deep breath. But unlike the warm scent of Shiratori Seiya she remembered, the sour smell of alcohol made her wrinkle her nose involuntarily.
"These slippers should fit."
Shiratori Seiya pulled out a brand-new pair of white slippers from the cabinet and placed them at her feet.
Shione opened her mouth to ask if he'd been drinking. But looking at his back, she swallowed the words, bent down, and took off her shoes.
But no sooner had she slipped one foot in than she noticed two other pairs of slippers on the rack. And a pair of white sneakers too.
Her almond-shaped pupils suddenly shrank.
Those shoes were unisex—could be worn by anyone. But she thought about Shiratori Seiya every single day, even in her dreams. She knew his shoe size like the back of her hand.
She'd moved in that afternoon. Only roughly tidied up—hadn't even had time to clean. She'd been constantly peeking through the peephole.
She already knew Takahashi Mio came to his house.
But who was the other person?
That idiot?
I'm the last one to arrive…
The sour feeling surged again in her chest, which had just been filled with warmth. Her fists clenched unconsciously.
"I'm going to take a shower. You can wait in the living room. I'll be quick."
Shiratori Seiya finished speaking. Getting no response, he turned to look at the girl still lowering her head to change shoes.
"Shione?"
"Ah…"
Hearing that, Hōjō Shione smiled. She raised her face, reached back to push her long hair over her shoulder, and looked at Shiratori Seiya.
"It's nothing."