"Haru-kun…"
He woke up with a sharp gasp, breath fogging the cold air in his room. His sheets were twisted around him like a cocoon, soaked in sweat. The rain outside hadn't stopped, but his heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst through his ribs.
He tried to steady himself, but the dream clung to him — vivid, painfully sweet. It was that same moment, that same day, the day he lost her… the day she died. He'd seen her face again, warm and bright, that beautiful flame in her eyes that never seemed to dim.
He stood from his bed. The rain was still falling — it hadn't stopped since she died. Maybe the world noticed its sunshine was gone, he thought. He walked over to his desk but didn't bother to look at his reflection. He just picked up his phone and checked the time.
8:32 AM.
He left his room and went downstairs. The rain kept falling outside, its steady drumming filling the silence of the house.
His mother sat alone on the couch, her hands wrapped tightly around a cold cup of coffee she hadn't touched. She looked up as he stepped into the living room, her eyes red and tired.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the ticking clock and the rain.
"Did you sleep?" she asked softly, her voice cracking.
Haru shrugged, avoiding her gaze. He moved to the window, staring at the distorted world beyond the rain-soaked glass. Then he heard the voice again… her voice.
"Haru-kun…"
For a moment, everything else went silent. He focused his eyes outside the window—and froze.
She was there. Standing in the street, drenched by the rain, calling to him. Without a second thought, still in his pajamas, he ran outside into the freezing downpour. He dashed across the road, yelling her name.
"Mei! Mei!!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he lunged forward, hand outstretched to grab her—
But she vanished.
He stood there, numb and breathless, the cold rain soaking him to the bone.
"Haru, come back!" his mother screamed from the porch. She ran out to him and found him standing frozen, eyes wide and empty. She called his name again as she stepped closer. He fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I saw her! She was there—she was calling me—I saw her! I fucking saw her!" His voice broke as he screamed into the storm.
His mother dropped beside him, pulling him into a fierce embrace.
"It's okay, Haru. I'm here. I've got you. Mommy's here," she whispered, her own tears falling as she held him tight.
"I just want her back, Mom. I just want her back…" he sobbed.
She picked him up gently and led him back inside. She wrapped him in blankets on the couch, handed him a steaming cup of tea, and sat beside him, stroking his hair as he lay with his head in her lap.
For a long time, they sat in silence, the rain's patter softening until it finally stopped. The silence was finally broken by his mother's trembling voice.
"Haru… you know you have to go back to school on Monday," she said softly, brushing wet strands of hair from his face.
He didn't respond. The thought of walking into those halls without her made his chest ache.
"l can't..." he whispered, his voice hollow.
"You have to try," she murmured. "You can't stay locked away forever."
He kept quiet and simply closed his eyes, hoping he'd see her again in his dreams.
Hours passed, and when he finally woke, his mother was gone. He pushed himself off the couch and walked to the window, scanning the street for any sign of her. But all he saw were kids in uniforms, laughing as they walked home from school.
He headed to the kitchen, pulled a glass from the cupboard, and let the tap run until the water was icy cold before filling his glass. As he drank, his mother's words echoed in his mind:
You have to go back to school.
He knew he had no choice. Exams were coming soon, and staying home would only make his mom worry more — he didn't want her to think she'd failed him. Not after everything. He set the empty glass down and noticed a note on the kitchen island, her handwriting delicate and careful:
Haru, I went to get some groceries. I'll be back soon. Love you.
A small, sad smile tugged at his lips. He pocketed the note and headed upstairs to his room. Picking up his phone from his desk, he sat on his bed, running his fingers through his damp brown hair. Then he dialed Shoji, his friend from college.
The line rang twice before Shoji's cheerful voice crackled through.
"Haru! Holy crap, it's been forever. How are you, man?"
Haru hesitated.
"I… I'm fine," he lied. "Listen… I'm coming back to school Monday."
"Dude, that's great!" Shoji replied, excitement spilling through the line. "Everyone's been worried. It's been… rough, huh?"
Haru's hand tightened around his phone. He didn't want to talk about it, but Shoji's voice felt like a lifeline.
"Yeah. Rough." He swallowed hard. "Can we… can we sit together? On Monday?"
"Of course," Shoji said without hesitation, his voice warm and reassuring. "I'll save you a seat. And Haru… if you need to talk, I'm here, okay?"
Haru exhaled slowly, the smallest sense of relief washing over him.
"Thanks, Shoji."
After they hung up, Haru leaned back against the headboard. The sky outside was starting to clear, streaks of pale sunlight breaking through the clouds.
But even as the world brightened, he felt a cold emptiness in his chest — like something was waiting for him just beyond the light.