The hillside stretched before him, golden grass bending with the wind, as if guiding him toward something just out of reach. Raku's legs burned, but he didn't stop running. His tie flapped behind him, and the paper bag in his hand crumpled with each breathless step. The crowd blurred past—none of them mattered.
He had to find her.Before it was too late.Before silence became permanent.
He didn't know what he'd say—not really.He just knew she left before he could.
It was only minutes ago that he left the others behind.Yui called after him first, sharp but worried.Tsugumi had tried to block his path for just a moment, asking what he was thinking.Even Marika, pale and wheezing, reached out, voice breaking something under her smile.
But he didn't stop.He couldn't.There was something lodged in his chest that wouldn't let him turn back.
And Kosaki…She didn't say a word.
She just looked at him, eyes wide.No anger.No confusion.Just something he couldn't face—not then.
"Chitoge!!" he called out again, voice cracked, not caring who heard.
Behind him, footsteps echoed louder. Fast. Light. Familiar."Ichijou-kun?"
He stumbled to a halt.That voice wasn't in the past.It was right here.
He turned.
Onodera stood there—just a few feet away. No more chasing. No more guesses. Her hand clutched the strap of her bag, hair a little messier than usual. Her chest rose and fell like she'd been running too.
The airport noise seemed to fade into a hush between them.
Her eyes searched his face.And then… softened.
"…You're going after her?"There wasn't blame in her voice. Not quite. But something caught in her throat, like she already knew the answer.
A wind passed through the street. Not cold. But not warm either.
She took a small step forward. Still not smiling. Still not crying. Just… waiting.
Raku looked at Onodera—really looked.Her presence felt like something between an anchor and a question he couldn't answer.His grip tightened on the paper bag, knuckles white.
He opened his mouth.Then closed it.
A voice called over the airport speakers. Final boarding. Time slipping away like breath in the cold.
For a moment, neither moved.Then—he took one step back.
Not toward her. Not toward Chitoge.Just… away from the moment... confused
And the wind carried everything else.