-AURORA ACADEMY LIBRARY-
-3:26 PM, FEBRUARY 28, 2017-
The library was quiet.
Pages turned softly.
Footsteps were muffled by the carpeted floor.
Rikuu sat in a corner table, surrounded by books and notes.
The document lay open in front of him.
This time—
He wasn't just reading.
He was comparing.
Cross-referencing.
Tracing names.
Looking for patterns.
"…This isn't random," he muttered quietly.
A few students nearby glanced over.
But he didn't notice.
Or care.
-LIBRARY ENTRANCE-
-3:41 PM-
Ichika stepped inside.
She scanned the room.
Then spotted him.
Rikuu didn't look up.
Ichika walked toward him slowly.
"…You've been here a while."
"…Yeah."
She stood beside the table.
Then noticed the papers.
The notes.
The connections.
"…You're really digging into this."
Rikuu nodded slightly.
"…I have to."
Ichika frowned slightly.
"…And you still don't want to tell me?"
He paused.
Then—
"…Not yet."
The same answer.
But this time—
It carried more weight.
-LIBRARY TABLE-
-3:47 PM-
Ichika pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
Silence stretched between them.
Not uncomfortable.
But… distant.
Ichika spoke softly.
"…Do you trust me?"
The question caught him off guard.
Rikuu looked up.
"…Yes."
"Then why won't you tell me?"
A pause.
Rikuu leaned back slightly.
"…Because this isn't just about me."
Her expression softened slightly.
"…What does that mean?"
"I don't want you getting involved."
"…You're already involved with me."
"I know."
Another pause.
"I just don't want this affecting you."
Ichika's eyes softened.
"…You're doing it again."
"…Doing what?"
"Trying to protect me by keeping me out."
Rikuu didn't respond.
Because she was right.
Ichika looked at him for a moment.
Then said quietly,
"…I don't want to be someone you push away when things get hard."
Rikuu's gaze softened slightly.
"…I'm not pushing you away."
"But it feels like you are."
Silence.
Heavy.
But honest.
Rikuu ran a hand through his hair.
"…I just need to handle this first."
"And after?"
"…After, I'll tell you everything."
Ichika studied him.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
But her voice didn't sound fully convinced.
-AURORA ACADEMY COURTYARD-
-5:12 PM-
They walked together toward the gate.
But something had shifted.
The space between them—
Wasn't large.
But it felt noticeable.
The kind of distance that wasn't physical.
But emotional.
"…You're different lately," Ichika said.
"…I know."
"You're more… distant."
Rikuu looked ahead.
"…I didn't mean to be."
"I know."
A pause.
Then—
"Just don't disappear on me," she said softly.
Rikuu stopped walking.
Ichika turned to him.
He looked at her.
"…I won't."
The answer came immediately.
Firm.
But there was something in his eyes—
That made it feel like he was promising more than he could fully control.
-SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY-
-UNKNOWN TIME-
The man in the dark coat stood inside a building.
Surrounded by screens.
Reports.
Files.
Maps.
"Subject is progressing," one voice said.
Another replied,
"Is he resisting?"
The man smiled faintly.
"Not resisting."
He tapped a finger against the table.
"Adapting."
A pause.
"That's better."
Another figure spoke.
"And the girl?"
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…She's becoming a variable."
"Should we intervene?"
"No."
A calm answer.
"Let them develop."
A faint smile.
"It'll make things more… interesting."
-STREET NEAR AURORA ACADEMY-
-6:01 PM-
Snow fell gently.
Ichika stood at her usual spot.
Waiting.
But today—
She felt something different.
Rikuu stood beside her.
But the feeling between them—
Was not the same as before.
Not broken.
But not stable either.
"…You'll tell me eventually, right?" she asked.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…Promise?"
Rikuu looked at her.
Then nodded.
"…I promise."
But even as he said it—
Neither of them knew.
How much that promise would be tested.