There are moments in life that feel ordinary.

A quiet walk home.

A train arriving on time.

The sound of rain tapping against an umbrella.

A stranger passing by without a single word.

Most people never realize that one ordinary moment can quietly become the beginning of everything.

Some meetings are called coincidence.

Others are called fate.

But what if fate wasn't something waiting ahead?

What if someone had already seen it?

What if someone had already watched your life unfold... from beginning to end?

Would you still choose the same path?

Would you still fall in love...

...knowing exactly how it ends?

Every future begins with a single decision.

A step taken.

A word spoken.

A hand reached out.

And sometimes...

A person you've never met before smiles at you as though you've spent a lifetime together.

This is not the story of a hero destined to save the world.

Nor is it the story of a villain trying to destroy it.

It is simply the story of an ordinary young man whose future was supposed to remain unknown.

And the mysterious girl who refused to let that future happen again.

She carried memories that no one else possessed.

Memories of laughter.

Memories of tears.

Memories of promises made beneath a sky full of stars.

And one memory she wished she could forget forever.

The day she lost the person she loved.

No matter how many times she closed her eyes...

No matter how many times she convinced herself it had only been a dream...

That day always returned.

Again.

And again.

And again.

So she made a choice.

A choice that should have been impossible.

A choice that would change not only one future...

...but every future after it.

She returned to the place where it all began.

Not to rewrite history.

Not to become a hero.

But to save the one person who never knew he was running out of time.

However...

Changing fate always demands a price.

Every future rewritten creates another future that disappears.

Every miracle leaves behind a scar.

And every love story carries the possibility of goodbye.

This is a story about destiny.

About memories that refuse to fade.

About love that survives even when time itself stands against it.

Some promises can cross years.

Some feelings can cross lifetimes.

But one question still remains.

If you knew the person you loved would disappear from your future...

Would you still choose to meet them?

This is where their story begins.

Author's Announcement

Thank you so much for reading the introduction of this novel! This is only the beginning of an exciting journey, and there are many more chapters, characters, and mysteries waiting to unfold.

If you enjoyed the introduction, please stay tuned for future chapter updates. Your support, whether it's reading, liking, commenting, sharing, or adding this novel to your library, means more than you know. Every bit of encouragement motivates me to keep writing and release new chapters as quickly as possible.

Thank you for giving my story a chance. I truly hope you'll enjoy this journey alongside the characters. See you in the next chapter!

The morning sun slowly climbed above the skyline, casting its warm light across the quiet city.

Another day.

Another beginning.

The alarm beside Haruto Kisaragi's bed blared for the third time.

"Five more minutes..."

He buried his face into the pillow, hoping the noise would magically disappear.

It didn't.

Instead, his phone vibrated.

**7:12 A.M.**

"...I'm late."

Haruto shot upright, nearly falling off his bed.

"Seriously?!"

Without another second to waste, he rushed toward the bathroom, brushing his teeth while trying to put on his uniform at the same time.

His mother sighed from downstairs.

"Haruto! Breakfast!"

"I'm coming!"

"You said that five minutes ago!"

"...I know!"

Moments later, he sprinted downstairs with messy black hair that refused to stay flat.

His mother placed a plate of toast and eggs in front of him.

"You never learn."

Haruto laughed awkwardly.

"I'll wake up early tomorrow."

"You've been saying that for years."

"...Fair."

She smiled.

"Eat before it gets cold."

Haruto quietly finished breakfast before grabbing his school bag.

"I'm leaving!"

"Have a good day."

"You too."

The front door closed behind him.

A gentle breeze welcomed the new morning.

The streets were already filled with students, office workers, and the familiar sounds of everyday life.

Cars passed by.

Traffic lights blinked.

Birds rested on electrical wires.

Everything looked...

Normal.

Exactly the way Haruto liked it.

He wasn't someone who dreamed of becoming famous.

He didn't want to save the world.

He wasn't searching for adventure.

If someone asked him what kind of future he wanted...

He would simply answer,

"A peaceful one."

As he walked toward the train station, he stopped by his usual convenience store.

The elderly cashier smiled.

"The usual?"

Haruto nodded.

"Yes, please."

Within seconds, she handed him a bottle of milk coffee.

"Have a good day."

"Thanks."

He took a sip before continuing his walk.

The taste was familiar.

Comforting.

Small routines like these made life feel stable.

Predictable.

Maybe that was enough.

Maybe ordinary wasn't so bad.

The train arrived exactly on time.

Haruto stepped inside, finding his usual place near the window.

Outside, buildings slowly drifted past.

People entered.

People left.

Everyone seemed busy chasing something.

Dreams.

Success.

Love.

Meanwhile...

Haruto simply watched the scenery.

He often wondered where life would eventually take him.

University?

A job?

Marriage?

Children?

He smiled to himself.

"That's still far away."

Before he realized it, the train reached his stop.

The school gates stood proudly beneath the morning sky.

Students chatted excitedly.

Some rushed to class.

Others finished homework they forgot to do the night before.

Haruto walked through the gates like every other day.

Nothing unusual.

Nothing strange.

Or at least...

That's what he believed.

He had no idea...

That before the day came to an end...

Someone he had never met before...

Would quietly step into his life.

And from that single encounter...

Nothing would ever be ordinary again.

The morning classes passed by like every other school day.

Mathematics.

History.

Chemistry.

Haruto Kisaragi copied notes from the blackboard while occasionally glancing out the classroom window.

The clear blue sky stretched endlessly above the school grounds.

"...Kisaragi."

He blinked.

"...Kisaragi."

A piece of chalk landed perfectly on his desk.

The class burst into laughter.

His teacher crossed his arms.

"If the clouds are more interesting than calculus, perhaps you'd like to explain today's formula to everyone."

Haruto scratched the back of his head.

"...I'll pass."

"I thought so."

More laughter echoed through the classroom.

When the bell finally rang, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

"Lunch!"

Students immediately gathered into their usual groups.

Haruto opened his lunchbox near the window.

Before he could take his first bite, someone sat beside him.

"You're eating without me again."

Haruto didn't even have to look.

"Sota."

His best friend grinned.

"I'll take that as a warm welcome."

"You invited yourself."

"I always do."

Without asking, Sota stole one of Haruto's fried chicken pieces.

"...Seriously?"

"What?"

"Get your own."

"It tastes better when it's free."

"You have no shame."

"Correct."

Haruto sighed.

Somehow, this happened almost every day.

"You know..."

Sota said between bites.

"The cultural festival is next month."

"I know."

"Our class still hasn't decided what we're doing."

"They'll figure it out."

"You're so boring."

"I'm realistic."

Sota leaned back dramatically.

"One day you're going to meet someone who completely ruins your peaceful life."

Haruto laughed.

"I hope not."

"You never know."

"I like ordinary."

"That's exactly why it'll happen."

Haruto rolled his eyes.

"You've been reading too many romance novels."

"And you're living in one without realizing it."

"...You're impossible."

The bell rang once again.

Lunch break was over.

The afternoon classes began.

By the time school finally ended, the sun had already begun its slow descent toward the horizon.

Students poured out of the school gates.

Some headed to club activities.

Others rushed toward the station.

Haruto adjusted the strap of his bag.

"I'm heading home."

Sota waved.

"See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."

They went their separate ways.

The streets were quieter than usual.

A cool breeze carried the scent of approaching rain.

Haruto looked up.

Dark clouds slowly gathered above the city.

"Looks like it's going to rain..."

He checked his bag.

"...Of course."

No umbrella.

Again.

He chuckled to himself.

"I really should start checking the weather."

The train ride home was peaceful.

Most passengers remained silent, staring at their phones or watching the scenery pass by.

Haruto got off at his station and began the familiar walk home.

The first raindrop landed on his hand.

Then another.

Within moments, a gentle drizzle covered the streets.

People hurried to open their umbrellas.

Others rushed beneath nearby buildings.

Haruto simply sighed.

"Perfect timing."

He jogged toward the nearest convenience store to wait for the rain to ease.

Standing beneath the awning, he watched countless strangers pass by.

Businessmen.

Students.

Families.

Everyone seemed to have somewhere to be.

The rain only grew heavier.

Haruto checked the time.

"Looks like I'll be here for a while..."

Little did he know...

Just a few streets away...

Someone had already noticed him.

The rain continued to fall.

Not heavy enough to become a storm.

Not light enough to ignore.

Haruto stood beneath the convenience store's awning, absentmindedly watching droplets splash against the pavement.

"...Looks like I'll have to wait."

He checked the weather forecast on his phone.

**Rain expected until evening.**

"...Great."

A sigh escaped his lips.

Just then, the automatic doors slid open behind him.

A girl stepped outside.

She held a transparent umbrella in one hand and a small paper bag in the other.

Haruto only glanced at her for a moment before looking away.

She looked about his age.

Long silver hair flowed gently over her shoulders, and her soft violet eyes reflected the gray sky above. She wore the same school uniform as students from a nearby academy, though Haruto had never seen her before.

There was nothing unusual about her.

At least...

Nothing that should have caught his attention.

She paused beneath the awning.

For a brief moment, her gaze met his.

Then...

She smiled.

Not the polite smile strangers exchanged.

Not an awkward smile.

It was warm.

Comforting.

As though she had finally found someone she had been searching for.

Haruto blinked.

"...Do I know you?"

The girl tilted her head slightly.

"I don't think we've met."

Her voice was gentle.

Almost soothing.

"...Then why are you smiling at me?"

She looked away toward the rain.

"I was just... happy."

"Happy?"

She nodded.

"...To see you're doing well."

Haruto frowned.

Doing well?

What did that mean?

Had they met before?

No.

He was certain he would remember someone like her.

Before he could ask another question, the girl's phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen.

"I should get going."

Haruto instinctively spoke.

"Wait."

She stopped.

"What's your name?"

For a moment, she hesitated.

Almost as if deciding whether she should answer.

Then she smiled once more.

"...Miyuha."

"Just Miyuha?"

She gave a small nod.

"Yes."

There was no surname.

No explanation.

Only her first name.

Haruto scratched the back of his head.

"I'm Haruto."

"I know."

The words left her mouth naturally.

Then...

Her eyes widened ever so slightly.

"...I mean..."

She laughed softly.

"I heard the cashier call your name a moment ago."

Haruto looked toward the elderly cashier inside the store.

"...Right."

That made sense.

Probably.

The rain had become slightly lighter.

Miyuha opened her umbrella.

"You should head home soon."

Haruto looked up.

"It doesn't seem like it's stopping."

"It will."

"...You checked the forecast?"

She smiled.

"...Something like that."

Before Haruto could ask what she meant, she stepped away from the awning.

The rain quietly surrounded her as she walked across the street.

Haruto watched until she disappeared into the crowd of umbrellas.

"...What a strange girl."

For reasons he couldn't explain...

Her smile lingered in his mind.

As if it had left behind something he couldn't quite remember.

The rain stopped only a few minutes later.

"...She was right."

Haruto looked toward the direction she had disappeared.

There was no sign of her anymore.

He adjusted his school bag and began the walk home.

By the time he reached his house, the clouds had already begun to part, revealing streaks of orange across the evening sky.

His mother greeted him from the kitchen.

"You're home."

"I'm back."

"Did you get caught in the rain?"

"A little."

"I told you to bring an umbrella."

"I forgot."

"You always forget."

Haruto laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah..."

After dinner, he finished his homework, took a warm shower, and lay down on his bed.

The room was quiet.

Outside, the final raindrops tapped softly against the window.

His mind wandered back to the mysterious girl.

"Miyuha..."

He repeated her name under his breath.

Why did it feel so familiar?

Why had she smiled like they already knew each other?

And why...

Did he have the strange feeling...

That this wouldn't be the last time they met?

Outside, unnoticed by anyone...

A single train passed through the night.

Standing beside one of its windows...

A girl with silver hair quietly watched the city lights drift by.

She gently closed her eyes.

"...I'm glad."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"This time..."

She whispered so softly that only the silence could hear.

"...I made it in time."

The train disappeared into the darkness.

And with it...

The beginning of a story that neither of them yet understood.

The next morning arrived faster than Haruto expected.

His alarm rang.

He ignored it.

It rang again.

He ignored it again.

Then his mother opened the door.

"Haruto."

"..."

"Haruto."

"..."

"You're late."

Haruto immediately sat upright.

"What?!"

His mother laughed.

"Good morning."

"...That's evil."

"Effective, though."

Haruto groaned before dragging himself out of bed.

For some reason, his sleep had felt unusually restless.

Not bad.

Just strange.

As though his mind had been searching for something throughout the night.

Or someone.

As he brushed his teeth, a certain silver-haired girl unexpectedly appeared in his thoughts.

"Miyuha..."

The name still felt unusual.

Not because it was uncommon.

But because every time he thought about her, he felt an odd sense of familiarity.

Like remembering a dream he couldn't fully recall.

He shook his head.

"Why am I even thinking about her?"

They had spoken for less than ten minutes.

There was no reason for her to occupy his thoughts.

And yet...

She did.

---

School felt unusually slow.

Haruto spent most of the morning pretending to pay attention while his thoughts wandered elsewhere.

At lunch, Sota immediately noticed.

"You look distracted."

"I'm not."

"You just answered a question three seconds before I asked it."

Haruto froze.

"...Did I?"

"Yes."

Sota narrowed his eyes.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"There's only one explanation."

"There isn't."

"There is."

Sota dramatically pointed at him.

"You're in love."

Haruto nearly choked on his drink.

"What?!"

"I knew it."

"You know nothing."

"Who is she?"

"There is no she."

"There is always a she."

Haruto sighed.

Why was Sota like this?

Every conversation somehow became a romance investigation.

"I met someone yesterday."

Sota slammed both hands onto the table.

"I KNEW IT."

"Calm down."

"No."

Students nearby turned to stare.

Sota ignored them.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"You talked?"

"For a few minutes."

"Then?"

"Then she left."

"...That's it?"

"That's it."

Sota looked genuinely disappointed.

"You're terrible at this."

"What did you expect?"

"A dramatic encounter."

"It was raining."

"EVEN BETTER."

Haruto immediately regretted mentioning it.

---

The rest of the day passed normally.

At least...

Normal on the surface.

Every now and then, Haruto caught himself glancing toward the classroom window.

Toward the school gate.

Toward the street outside.

As if expecting something.

Or someone.

Nothing happened.

No mysterious girl appeared.

No strange coincidence occurred.

Everything remained ordinary.

Which somehow felt disappointing.

"Seriously..."

Haruto leaned back in his chair after class.

"What am I expecting?"

A single conversation shouldn't affect him this much.

Yet the feeling remained.

A quiet curiosity.

A desire to know more.

To understand.

To see her again.

He didn't realize it yet.

But that simple desire...

Would soon change everything.

---

As the sun slowly descended toward the horizon, Haruto left school alone.

The streets were calmer than usual.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh rain from yesterday.

For the first time all day, he felt relaxed.

Until...

A familiar voice called from behind him.

"Haruto."

He stopped walking.

His heart skipped a beat.

Slowly turning around...

He saw her.

Standing beneath the golden evening sky.

Silver hair swaying gently in the wind.

Violet eyes reflecting the sunset.

Miyuha.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then she smiled.

The same warm smile from yesterday.

"Hello."

Haruto stared.

"...Hello."

For some reason...

It felt less like meeting a stranger.

And more like meeting someone he had been waiting for.

Without either of them realizing it...

The story had already begun.

Haruto stood frozen.

The bustling crowd flowed around them as though the two existed in a world of their own.

"...You remembered my name."

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Miyuha blinked.

Then she smiled sheepishly.

"You introduced yourself yesterday."

"...Right."

Haruto laughed awkwardly.

"I guess I forgot."

"I didn't."

For a brief moment, silence settled between them.

It wasn't uncomfortable.

It was... peaceful.

A cool breeze swept through the street, gently lifting strands of Miyuha's silver hair.

She tucked a loose strand behind her ear before looking toward the sky.

"It's beautiful today."

Haruto followed her gaze.

The evening sky had turned shades of orange and crimson.

"...Yeah."

"It reminds me..."

She suddenly stopped herself.

Haruto looked back at her.

"Reminds you of what?"

Miyuha hesitated.

"...Nothing."

She smiled again.

"Just a random thought."

For some reason...

Her smile looked lonely.

Not forced.

Not fake.

Just...

Lonely.

Haruto couldn't explain why, but seeing that expression made his chest tighten ever so slightly.

He wanted to ask if something was wrong.

Instead, he asked,

"Do you live around here?"

"A little farther away."

"You come this way often?"

"...Sometimes."

Again.

A vague answer.

She wasn't lying.

But she wasn't telling him much either.

Haruto chuckled.

"You really don't like answering questions."

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"I think mysteries are more interesting."

He laughed.

"So you're mysterious on purpose?"

"A little."

"...You're honest."

"I try to be."

For the first time since meeting her...

Haruto found himself smiling naturally.

Not out of politeness.

Not because something was funny.

It just...

Happened.

Miyuha noticed.

"...There it is."

"Hm?"

"Your smile."

Haruto tilted his head.

"What about it?"

"It's nice."

His face warmed instantly.

"I-I don't think anyone has ever complimented my smile."

"Then they should."

She answered so naturally that Haruto didn't know how to respond.

"...Thanks."

"You don't have to thank me."

Another silence.

Cars passed by.

Students walked home.

Some laughed with friends.

Others hurried toward the station.

Life continued around them.

Yet Haruto felt as though time had slowed.

He had only met this girl yesterday.

And yet...

Talking to her somehow felt strangely easy.

Almost...

Comfortable.

Miyuha glanced at the clock outside a nearby café.

"Oh..."

"I should go."

"So soon?"

She nodded apologetically.

"I have somewhere to be."

Haruto wanted to ask where.

Instead...

He simply nodded.

"I guess I'll see you around."

"...I hope so."

Those words lingered in his mind.

Not "goodbye."

Not "see you tomorrow."

Just...

"I hope so."

She took a few steps before suddenly turning back.

"Oh, Haruto."

"Yeah?"

"For the next few days..."

She paused.

"...Try not to stay out too late."

Haruto frowned.

"Why?"

"...Just a feeling."

She smiled playfully before walking away.

"Hey!"

"What does that even mean?"

She only waved without looking back.

Within moments...

She disappeared into the evening crowd.

Haruto stood there for another minute.

"...What a strange girl."

Yet...

Instead of feeling confused...

He found himself smiling again.

On the walk home, he realized something.

Yesterday...

Miyuha had been a stranger.

Today...

She felt like someone he wanted to know.

Someone he wanted to meet again.

Someone whose smile he wanted to see.

He couldn't explain why.

Maybe it was curiosity.

Maybe it was coincidence.

Or maybe...

It was the beginning of something neither of them understood.

That night, Haruto stood by his bedroom window.

The city lights stretched endlessly beneath the dark sky.

He quietly whispered a single name.

"...Miyuha."

Far away...

On another train crossing the city...

Miyuha sat beside the window.

She looked out at the same night sky.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"I'm glad..."

she whispered softly.

Then she closed her eyes as the train disappeared into the darkness.

Neither of them knew it yet.

One believed he had simply met an interesting girl.

The other knew only that meeting him again had filled her with quiet relief.

And somewhere beyond their understanding...

Fate had already begun moving the first piece on the board.

Morning arrived much like every other day.

The soft rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains of Haruto Kisaragi's room, landing directly on his face.

"...Too bright."

He covered his eyes with one arm before reluctantly sitting up.

His alarm hadn't even gone off yet.

Strange.

He usually struggled to wake up.

Today, however...

He couldn't fall back asleep.

"...Why am I awake this early?"

He glanced at the clock.

6:05 A.M.

Still twenty-five minutes before his alarm.

He sighed.

"...Guess I'm up."

After getting dressed and eating breakfast, Haruto left home earlier than usual.

The streets were quieter than they had been yesterday.

Morning dew still clung to the leaves, while the cool breeze carried the scent of fresh rain.

He placed both hands inside his pockets as he walked toward the station.

His thoughts wandered.

More specifically...

Toward one person.

"...Miyuha."

He had only spoken with her twice.

Yet she somehow occupied his mind far more than she should.

Who was she?

Why did she seem so...

Different?

He shook his head.

"I'm overthinking."

Still...

One question refused to leave him.

Why had she looked relieved when she first saw him?

---

The train arrived on schedule.

Haruto stepped inside and stood near the window like always.

The city slowly passed by outside.

Stations came and went.

Passengers boarded.

Passengers left.

Everything remained ordinary.

Until...

The train stopped at the next station.

The doors slid open.

Several students entered.

Among them...

A familiar girl.

Silver hair.

Violet eyes.

Transparent umbrella folded neatly in one hand.

Haruto blinked.

"...Miyuha?"

She looked around the train before her eyes met his.

For a brief second...

She looked surprised.

Then...

She smiled.

Not the lonely smile from yesterday.

A genuine one.

"Good morning."

Haruto smiled back almost instinctively.

"Morning."

She walked over and stood beside him.

Neither of them spoke immediately.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It simply felt...

Comfortable.

After a few moments, Haruto finally broke it.

"I didn't know we took the same train."

"We don't."

"Huh?"

"I usually leave later."

"Then why today?"

Miyuha looked out the window.

"I woke up early."

"...Same."

Their eyes met.

Both laughed quietly.

"What are the chances?" Haruto asked.

Miyuha's smile lingered.

"...Maybe higher than you think."

Before Haruto could ask what she meant...

The train suddenly lurched forward.

A small child lost his balance.

Without hesitation...

Miyuha reached out and caught him before he fell.

"There you go."

The little boy looked up.

"...Thank you."

His mother bowed repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright."

Haruto watched silently.

She reacted...

Almost before the train even moved.

As though...

She already knew.

"...Lucky reflexes," Haruto muttered.

Miyuha simply smiled.

"Maybe."

The answer felt oddly familiar.

Haruto couldn't explain why...

But the more time he spent with her...

The more questions appeared.

And somehow...

She always answered just enough...

To keep the mystery alive.

The train continued through the city.

The rhythmic sound of the rails echoed through the carriage while passengers quietly went about their morning.

Haruto leaned against the window.

"So..."

He glanced at Miyuha.

"Which school do you go to?"

She looked up from the novel she had been holding.

"Seirin Academy."

"I've heard of it."

"It's not far from yours."

"So we're neighbors but have never met?"

She smiled.

"Maybe we've just never noticed each other."

Haruto nodded.

"...Maybe."

For some reason...

That answer didn't convince him.

---

"You read novels?"

Haruto asked, pointing toward the book in her hands.

Miyuha looked down before gently closing it.

"I do."

"What kind?"

She thought for a moment.

"I like stories where people fight against fate."

Haruto chuckled.

"That's oddly specific."

"Is it?"

"I usually read mystery novels."

"Oh?"

"I like solving puzzles."

Miyuha laughed softly.

"Then you'll probably enjoy meeting me."

Haruto blinked.

"...What?"

"I mean..."

She looked away.

"I can be confusing sometimes."

"You realized that?"

"I've been told."

Haruto couldn't help laughing.

"You really are strange."

"I get that a lot."

---

The train finally reached Haruto's station.

He stepped toward the door before turning back.

"This is my stop."

"I know."

"...Right."

She quickly covered her mouth.

"I mean... you told me yesterday."

Haruto scratched his head.

"Did I?"

"You mentioned your school."

"...Guess I forgot."

The doors opened.

Haruto stepped onto the platform.

Before the train departed, he looked back.

Miyuha was still standing by the window.

She raised her hand and waved.

He waved back.

The train slowly disappeared down the tracks.

"...She's definitely hiding something."

---

School felt unusually dull.

Even Sota noticed.

"You've got that look again."

"What look?"

"The 'I'm thinking about someone' look."

Haruto sighed.

"I met that girl again."

"I KNEW IT!"

Sota nearly stood on his desk.

"You two are destined!"

"Sit down."

"No."

The teacher walked into the classroom.

"Nakamura."

"...Yes, sir."

"Outside."

"...Worth it."

The class burst into laughter as Sota slowly walked out of the room.

Haruto couldn't help smiling.

---

After classes ended, Haruto left the school gates alone.

The sky was clear.

No rain.

No dark clouds.

Just a gentle afternoon breeze.

As he walked toward the station, he noticed a small crowd gathered near the crosswalk.

A little girl stood on the opposite side of the road.

She looked terrified.

Her red balloon had slipped from her hand and floated into the street.

Cars were still passing.

The child took one small step forward.

Haruto's heart skipped.

"Hey!"

Before he could react...

Someone was already there.

Miyuha gently caught the girl's shoulder.

"It's dangerous."

The child looked up at her with teary eyes.

"My balloon..."

"I know."

Miyuha smiled warmly.

"Stay here."

She waited patiently until the traffic light turned red.

Only then did she walk into the road, retrieve the balloon, and return it.

"There."

The little girl smiled brightly.

"Thank you, big sister!"

Haruto watched the entire scene.

Something about it bothered him.

Not because of what Miyuha did...

But because...

She had noticed the child before anyone else.

Almost...

As if she had been expecting it.

When she finally looked up...

Their eyes met once again.

She smiled.

"Hello again, Haruto."

"...Hello."

This was the third time they'd met.

And somehow...

Each meeting felt less like coincidence.

The little girl hugged her balloon tightly before running back to her mother.

"Thank you so much!"

Her mother bowed repeatedly.

"I only did what anyone else would've done."

Miyuha smiled modestly.

Haruto wasn't so sure about that.

Most people hadn't even noticed the child until she stepped toward the road.

Miyuha had reacted immediately.

Almost instinctively.

As though...

She knew exactly what was about to happen.

The thought lingered in Haruto's mind.

"You always notice everything, don't you?"

Miyuha looked at him.

"Hm?"

"The little girl."

"Oh..."

She glanced toward the child, now safely holding her mother's hand.

"I just happened to see her."

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Sometimes people are so busy walking that they forget to look around."

Haruto chuckled.

"I guess you're right."

For a brief moment...

Her expression softened.

"I'm glad she's okay."

The sincerity in her voice caught Haruto off guard.

She didn't sound relieved because she had helped.

She sounded relieved...

Because nothing bad had happened.

It was a strange difference.

One he couldn't quite explain.

---

"So..."

Haruto broke the silence as they continued walking toward the station.

"Do you always walk this way after school?"

"Sometimes."

"There it is again."

"What?"

"'Sometimes.'"

Miyuha tilted her head.

"Do I say that a lot?"

"More than you realize."

She covered her mouth, laughing quietly.

"I'll try to be more specific."

"Please do."

"Sometimes."

Haruto stared at her for a second before laughing.

"You did that on purpose."

"I might have."

"I can't tell if you're teasing me."

"Maybe."

"There it is again!"

Their laughter blended into the sounds of the city.

For the first time in a long while...

Haruto felt completely at ease talking to someone he had only recently met.

---

As they reached the station, Haruto noticed a small bakery near the entrance.

The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.

"You hungry?"

"A little."

"Want something?"

Miyuha shook her head.

"I'm fine."

"My treat."

"You don't have to."

"I know."

Without waiting for an answer, Haruto stepped inside and returned a few minutes later carrying two melon breads.

He held one out.

"For you."

Miyuha blinked.

"...Are you sure?"

"Of course."

She accepted it carefully.

"...Thank you."

For a moment, she simply looked at the bread.

Her eyes softened.

"What's wrong?"

"...Nothing."

"You looked emotional over bread."

She laughed.

"I was just remembering something."

"What?"

She hesitated.

"...A happy memory."

Haruto smiled.

"Then I'm glad."

They sat together on a nearby bench.

Neither of them spoke much.

They simply enjoyed the cool breeze while eating.

Surprisingly...

The silence didn't feel awkward.

It felt peaceful.

---

After finishing her bread, Miyuha suddenly stood up.

"I should head home."

"So soon?"

"My train will arrive in two minutes."

Haruto looked toward the platform.

"...You're right."

"You should head home too."

"I will."

She took a few steps before stopping.

Without turning around, she asked quietly,

"Haruto..."

"Yeah?"

"Are you happy?"

The unexpected question caught him off guard.

"...Happy?"

She nodded gently.

"With your life."

Haruto looked toward the evening sky.

"I've never really thought about it."

"Then..."

She smiled.

"I hope you'll find an answer someday."

Before he could ask why she had said that...

The train arrived.

The doors opened.

Miyuha stepped inside.

As the train began moving, she looked through the window.

She smiled.

Not because she was leaving.

But because...

For some reason...

Seeing Haruto standing there seemed to bring her comfort.

Haruto watched until the train disappeared into the distance.

"...Happy, huh..."

He whispered the question to himself.

For the first time...

He wasn't sure how to answer.

Haruto stood motionless as the train disappeared beyond the curve of the tracks.

"...Happy..."

He repeated the word under his breath.

Such a simple question.

Yet he couldn't answer it.

Was he happy?

His life wasn't bad.

He had a caring mother, good grades, and a close friend who never failed to make him laugh.

But...

Was merely having a peaceful life the same as being happy?

"...Maybe I'm thinking too much."

He let out a small laugh before beginning the walk home.

The streets were quieter than usual.

Shops were preparing to close, and the orange glow of the sunset slowly faded into the blue of evening.

As he crossed a bridge over the river, his phone buzzed.

**Sota**

> *Still alive?*

Haruto smiled.

> *Barely.*

A reply came almost instantly.

> *Did you meet the mysterious girl again?*

Haruto hesitated for a second.

> *Yeah.*

Three dots appeared.

Then...

> *BROOOOOOOOO.*

Haruto couldn't help but laugh.

> *Calm down.*

> *What's her name?*

> *Miyuha.*

Another pause.

> *Sounds pretty.*

Haruto stared at the message.

"...Pretty?"

Without realizing it...

He pictured Miyuha's gentle smile.

Her silver hair swaying in the breeze.

The way her violet eyes seemed to carry emotions she never spoke aloud.

"...Yeah."

He quietly admitted to himself.

"She is."

---

That evening...

Dinner was unusually peaceful.

His mother noticed him smiling to himself.

"What happened?"

"Hm?"

"You've been smiling since you got home."

"Have I?"

She nodded knowingly.

"Did something good happen at school?"

"...Kind of."

"Oh?"

"I met someone."

His mother raised an eyebrow.

"A friend?"

"I... don't know yet."

She smiled warmly.

"Sometimes the best friendships begin unexpectedly."

Haruto nodded.

"...Maybe."

He never mentioned Miyuha's mysterious behavior.

Or the strange feeling she left behind.

Somehow...

He wanted to keep those moments to himself.

At least for now.

---

Later that night...

Haruto sat at his desk, trying to finish his homework.

He read the same sentence three times.

None of it stayed in his head.

Instead...

He found himself thinking about everything Miyuha had said.

*"I'm glad she's okay."*

*"I hope you'll find an answer someday."*

*"Sometimes..."*

Every conversation with her felt normal...

Yet strangely meaningful.

It was as if every word she chose carried a hidden meaning.

One he couldn't quite understand.

He sighed before closing his notebook.

"This isn't getting done tonight."

Walking over to his window, he looked out across the sleeping city.

The stars had begun to appear one by one.

For the first time in years...

He felt excited about tomorrow.

Not because of school.

Not because of exams.

But because...

There was a chance he might meet Miyuha again.

---

Meanwhile...

On the opposite side of the city...

Miyuha stood alone on the platform of a quiet train station.

The last train of the evening had already departed.

She remained there for a few moments, gazing at the empty tracks.

A gentle breeze lifted her silver hair.

She closed her eyes.

"...Today went well."

A small smile formed on her lips.

"It happened just as I hoped."

She looked up at the night sky.

The moon shone brightly above the city.

"...Good night, Haruto."

Her voice was barely louder than the wind.

Then she quietly turned and walked away.

Hidden within her bag was a small notebook.

Its pages were filled with dates...

Names...

And handwritten notes.

She gently touched the cover.

"...Not yet."

She whispered to herself.

"It's still too early."

Without another word, she disappeared into the quiet streets.

Completely unaware...

Haruto was already becoming the most important person in her world.

And Haruto...

Still believed he had simply met a mysterious girl by chance.

Neither of them knew that every meeting...

Every conversation...

Every smile...

Was slowly leading them toward a future neither of them could yet see.