-ICHIKA'S RESIDENCE, STUDY ROOM-
-6:48 PM, MARCH 4, 2017-
The room was quiet.
A soft lamp lit the desk.
Ichika sat upright, her notebook open.
But she wasn't studying.
She was thinking.
About Rikuu.
About the distance.
About the things he wouldn't say.
"…If I keep waiting…"
She closed her notebook slowly.
"…nothing will change."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
Then—
She stood.
-CITY STREET, EVENING-
-7:21 PM-
Ichika walked alone.
Her footsteps light against the snow-covered pavement.
The cold air brushed against her face.
But she didn't slow down.
"…If he won't tell me…"
She looked ahead.
"…then I'll find out myself."
-AURORA ACADEMY, THEATRE CLUB ROOM-
-7:46 PM-
The room was mostly empty.
Ichika entered quietly.
Only a few lights remained on.
She approached one of the tables.
Where Rikuu's bag had been left earlier.
"…He's still hiding things."
She scanned the room.
Then noticed something.
A paper.
Partially tucked beneath the table.
She picked it up.
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then—
"…This…"
Her expression tightened.
-UNKNOWN LOCATION-
-7:59 PM-
The man stood in a dim room.
Two others beside him.
"…She's beginning to move," one said.
The man nodded.
"Good."
A pause.
"And the boy?"
"Still investigating."
The man smiled faintly.
"Exactly as expected."
Another voice spoke.
"Should we intervene?"
The man shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"Let them take the next step."
-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-
-8:17 PM-
Rikuu sat at the table.
Documents.
Notes.
Connections.
His focus was sharp.
Then—
A notification appeared on his phone.
Ichika:
We need to talk.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Now?"
He typed back:
Where?
A response came quickly.
Your place.
He paused.
Then slowly—
"…She found something."
He stood.
"…This is getting worse."
Ichika arrived.
Quiet.
Focused.
Rikuu opened the door.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Neither spoke.
Then—
"…You're investigating too," Ichika said.
Rikuu's expression tightened slightly.
"…Where did you see that?"
She held up the paper.
"…This."
Silence.
Heavy.
Rikuu's gaze dropped to the document.
Then—
"…You shouldn't have seen that."
Ichika stepped inside.
"Then you should've told me before I found it."
The tension in the room rose immediately.
Ichika set the paper down on the table.
"…This isn't just something small."
Rikuu didn't respond.
"You're involved in something serious."
Still silence.
"…Answer me."
Rikuu finally looked at her.
"…I am."
Her expression tightened.
"…And you still won't tell me everything?"
"…Not yet."
Ichika exhaled slowly.
"…Rikuu."
Her voice softened slightly.
"But this isn't just about you anymore."
He didn't respond.
Because she was right.
Ichika looked at him carefully.
"…I'm not going to step back anymore."
Rikuu's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…What are you saying?"
"I'm getting involved."
"No."
The answer was immediate.
Firm.
But Ichika didn't back down.
"Yes."
Rikuu stepped forward slightly.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with."
"I understand enough."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"…Then you're not safe," Rikuu said quietly.
Ichika looked at him.
"…Then stay with me."
The words hung in the air.
A different kind of tension.
Not conflict.
But something deeper.
Rikuu didn't respond immediately.
For once—
He looked uncertain.
"…Ichika…"
She stepped closer.
"…If this is going to get dangerous…"
A pause.
"…I want to face it with you."
Silence.
The distance between them—
Was closing again.
But this time—
It wasn't simple.
It was a choice.