The afternoon arrived with a gentle breeze sweeping across Arou's yard. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow. Airi stood by the door, holding the light jacket Nora had lent her.
Nora stepped out, tying her hair.
"Ready to go, Airi?"
Airi nodded softly, her expression calmer than before.
"Ready…"
A moment later, Arou appeared, raising his hand enthusiastically.
"Alright! To the hill behind the house—let's go!"
Nova simply smiled faintly, slipping her hands into her jacket pockets.
The three of them set off.
The path to the hill was lined with wild grass swaying gently in the wind. Airi walked in the middle, keeping a bit of distance, but she seemed more relaxed than usual.
Arou glanced back.
"Airi, tell me if you get tired."
"I'm… not that weak…" she replied.
Arou chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah. My hero."
Airi immediately looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed.
As they crossed a small wooden bridge, Airi stopped. Below, a clear river reflected the colors of the evening sky.
"…It's beautiful," she whispered.
Nova, walking closest to her, looked down at the water as well.
"I used to come here alone. It's… a good place to calm your mind."
Airi looked at her.
"Thank you… for bringing me here too."
Nova smiled softly.
As the path began to slope upward, Airi's breathing grew uneven. Arou quickly noticed.
"Want me to hold your hand?"
"N-no need!" she said quickly.
But just two steps later, she nearly slipped. Arou caught her arm instantly.
"Told you. Stubborn."
Airi lowered her head.
"…Thank you."
From behind, Nora let out a quiet laugh.
After a few more minutes, they reached the top. A cool breeze greeted them, and the valley stretched wide below, bathed in orange sunlight.
Airi stood still.
"…It's so beautiful."
Nora sat on a large rock and patted the space beside her.
"Airi, come sit."
Airi sat down slowly, hugging her knees as the wind brushed through her hair.
Arou stood nearby, hands behind his head.
"This is my favorite place when I want to forget everything."
Nova added softly,
"Airi… you can come back here anytime. With us… or even by yourself."
Airi looked at each of them.
"…Thank you. For everything."
For the first time since they met her, Airi smiled without hesitation—gentle, honest, and full of hope.
Silence settled warmly around them.
After a while, Airi took a deep breath.
"…There's something I want to say."
Everyone turned to her, but no one interrupted.
"I've always felt like… I'm a burden," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm afraid that if I get close to anyone… they'll get tired of me. Or angry. Or leave me."
Nora moved a little closer, not touching her—just staying near.
"Sometimes I want to say I'm tired… but I stay quiet. Because I feel like… maybe I don't have the right to complain."
Nova lowered her gaze, her voice gentle.
"Airi… you always have the right to feel."
Airi was quiet for a moment.
"I'm afraid of troubling all of you. But… when you brought me here… I felt something strange. Something warm."
Arou scratched the back of his head, smiling.
"That's called feeling safe. You're safe here."
"…I want to believe that."
Nora slowly reached out her hand, stopping just short of Airi's.
"If you need someone to listen, you can choose us. You don't have to be strong alone anymore."
Slowly, Airi placed her hand on Nora's. Light, fragile—but real.
"I'm… tired," Airi admitted. "But for the first time… I don't want to disappear. I… want to stay."
Arou smiled widely.
"Good. Because we want you to stay too."
Nova added softly,
"From today on, you're not alone. And you won't be left behind."
Airi covered her face, not crying loudly—just letting go of something she had carried for so long.
"…Thank you. I really… thank you…"
The evening breeze carried a lighter feeling.
Then, footsteps echoed from the path.
Airi turned.
From behind the trees, Rei appeared, followed by Shion, Emi, and Feeth. Their expressions were a mix of relief and concern.
"…H-how long have you been there?" Airi asked.
Rei stepped forward calmly.
"Since you said… you wanted to stay."
Airi lowered her head, embarrassed.
Shion approached quietly and draped a gray scarf over her shoulders.
"It's getting cold. You've said something heavy… your body must be tired too."
Airi bit her lip.
Emi suddenly sat beside her and hugged her from the side.
"Airi… I'm really proud of you. I know it was scary to say all that… but you did it."
Airi didn't hug back—but she didn't pull away.
Feeth stepped forward last, his gaze calm but deep.
"What you said today… isn't weakness. It's proof you're still fighting. And that… is strength."
Rei gently placed a hand on Airi's head.
"From now on, you