-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM-
-6:02 PM, FEBRUARY 23, 2017-
The apartment was quiet.
Fumiko rested in her room, asleep.
The faint sound of the heater filled the space.
Rikuu sat at the small table, staring at nothing in particular.
His phone lay beside him.
Still no message from Ichika.
Then—
A knock at the door.
Rikuu's eyes shifted slightly.
He stood and walked over.
When he opened the door—
Ichika stood there.
Snow clinging lightly to her hair and coat.
"…You're home," she said softly.
"…Yeah."
She studied his face.
"…I came because you didn't reply."
Rikuu stepped aside slightly.
"Come in."
She entered quietly.
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM-
-6:05 PM-
Ichika sat across from him.
The room felt still.
He didn't speak immediately.
Neither did she.
Then—
"I saw someone," she said.
Rikuu looked up.
"…What?"
"At school," she continued.
"I saw a man earlier today."
His expression shifted slightly.
"…Tall? Dark coat?"
Ichika nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"…He spoke to you too, didn't he?" she asked.
Rikuu leaned back slightly.
"…Yeah."
The silence that followed was heavier than before.
Ichika studied him carefully.
"You didn't tell me."
"…It wasn't important."
"It is."
Her voice wasn't sharp.
Just firm.
Rikuu looked at her.
"…It was just a conversation."
"That didn't feel like just a conversation."
He didn't answer.
Ichika leaned forward slightly.
"What did he say?"
Rikuu hesitated.
Then—
"…He said someone is watching me."
Ichika's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
"He didn't say who."
"…Rikuu…"
Her voice softened.
"That's not something to ignore."
"I'm not ignoring it."
"But you're not taking it seriously either."
He looked away slightly.
"…There's nothing I can do right now."
"That's not true."
"It is."
A pause.
Then Ichika spoke more quietly.
"You always say you handle things alone."
Rikuu didn't respond.
"You don't have to do that anymore."
The words lingered in the room.
Rikuu's gaze stayed fixed ahead.
"…I'm used to it."
"That doesn't mean you should stay that way."
Silence.
Then—
He finally looked at her.
"…I don't want to worry you."
Ichika's expression softened.
"You already do."
That made him pause.
Not because it was harsh—
But because it was honest.
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, LIVING ROOM-
-6:18 PM-
The tension slowly eased.
Not gone.
But quieter.
Ichika exhaled softly.
"…Let me help you."
Rikuu frowned slightly.
"…You already are."
"No," she said gently.
"I mean properly."
He didn't respond.
She continued,
"Whatever this is… I don't want you facing it alone."
Rikuu looked at her for a moment.
Then spoke quietly.
"…You don't have to get involved."
"I already am."
The answer was immediate.
Rikuu didn't argue.
Because deep down—
He knew she was right.
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, ENTRANCE-
-6:26 PM-
Ichika stood near the door.
Getting ready to leave.
Rikuu followed her.
"…Ichika."
She turned back.
"…Yeah?"
He hesitated for a moment.
Then said,
"…Be careful."
She smiled slightly.
"I should be the one saying that."
He didn't respond.
She stepped closer.
Then—
Without overthinking it—
She reached out and lightly held his hand.
"Don't shut me out," she said softly.
Rikuu looked at her.
Then nodded once.
"…I won't."
Her grip tightened slightly.
"Good."
Then she let go.
And stepped outside into the snow.
-STREET OUTSIDE-
-6:30 PM-
Ichika walked away from the apartment.
Snow falling around her.
Her thoughts were heavy.
Rikuu was hiding something.
Not from malice.
But from habit.
And she knew—
That wouldn't last forever.
Because whatever was coming…
Was already too close.