-AURORA ACADEMY COURTYARD-
-4:33 PM, MARCH 2, 2017-
Snow fell lightly across the courtyard.
Students moved in groups, talking, laughing, heading home.
But Ichika stood still near the steps.
Waiting.
Watching the path leading from the main building.
She had been there for several minutes already.
Then—
She saw him.
Rikuu.
Walking alone.
Same posture.
Same pace.
But something was different.
Ichika noticed it immediately.
"…Rikuu."
He looked up.
"…Ichika."
She walked toward him.
Slow.
Measured.
Stopping right in front of him.
"…We need to talk."
Rikuu didn't respond immediately.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
-AURORA ACADEMY, QUIET CORNER NEAR GATE-
-4:37 PM-
The noise of the courtyard faded behind them.
Snow fell between them.
Soft.
Steady.
Ichika spoke first.
"…You've been avoiding me."
Rikuu didn't deny it.
"…I haven't."
"You have."
Her voice wasn't angry.
Just certain.
A pause.
"…You don't reply to my messages."
"…I've been busy."
"That's not the reason."
Silence.
Rikuu didn't respond.
Ichika continued.
"You're hiding something again."
"…I told you I would tell you when I could."
"And when is that?"
Rikuu hesitated.
"…Soon."
Ichika shook her head slightly.
"That's what you always say."
The words landed quietly.
But heavily.
Rikuu looked at her.
"…I'm not trying to push you away."
"Then why does it feel like you are?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Because this wasn't easy to explain.
Because this wasn't just about him anymore.
"…This is complicated."
"I don't care if it's complicated."
Her voice grew slightly firmer.
"I care that you're shutting me out."
A pause.
Rikuu ran a hand through his hair.
"…I'm trying to protect you."
Ichika blinked slightly.
"…From what?"
He didn't answer right away.
"…Something you shouldn't get involved in."
"That's not your decision."
Silence.
The snow continued falling.
"I get to decide what I get involved in," she added.
Rikuu looked at her.
"…Ichika—"
"No."
Her voice was firm now.
"I won't just stand by while you push me away."
The tension between them grew.
But it wasn't loud.
It was quiet.
Heavy.
Real.
Ichika's expression softened slightly.
"…Do you trust me?"
The same question.
But this time—
The answer mattered more.
Rikuu looked at her.
"…Yes."
"Then why won't you tell me what's going on?"
A pause.
Longer this time.
"…Because I don't want you getting hurt."
The honesty in his voice was clear.
Ichika's expression softened.
"…I'm already involved, Rikuu."
"I know."
"Then stop treating me like I'm fragile."
He didn't respond immediately.
Because that wasn't what he believed.
But he realized—
He couldn't keep deciding everything for her.
The silence stretched.
Then Ichika spoke again.
"…If you don't tell me now…"
She hesitated.
"…I won't be able to trust you the same way."
The words hit harder than any argument.
Rikuu's expression shifted slightly.
"…That's not what I want."
"Then talk to me."
A pause.
Then—
"…Not yet."
The same answer.
But now—
It didn't sound like a delay.
It sounded like distance.
Ichika looked at him.
Quiet.
For a long moment.
Then she nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
But her voice was softer now.
"…I understand."
She turned slightly.
Rikuu spoke.
"…Ichika."
She stopped.
But didn't turn around.
"…I'll fix this."
A pause.
"…I promise."
She didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…I hope so."
And she walked away.
Rikuu stood alone.
Watching her leave.
Snow falling between them.
And for the first time—
The distance between them wasn't just emotional.
It was visible.
Real.
Unignorable.
Rikuu clenched his hand slightly.
"…This isn't what I wanted."
But even as he said it—
He knew.
Something was starting to break.