Former fear

"What do you mean? "Haru asked, trying to sound casual. All day, he had been thinking about this to somehow put it off until tomorrow. Or the day after that.

Yui stared at him "Don't make me repeat myself."

Haru let out a slow breath. his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Promise me something first."

Yui frowned at him. "Promise you what."

"...promise me you'll let me finish."

"You're making this sound way more dramatic than it needs to be."

Haru lowered his gaze. "I hate this. I really, really didn't want to tell you."

Yui stared at him silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But you need to know. "Haru took a deep breath and blurted it out before he could lose his nerve.

"Itsuki's here."

Yui stopped walking. 'What?"

"He's in our school."

Yui stared ahead in silence's moment Haru said the name, Yui understood why he had been acting strange all day. For years,itsuki had been nothing more than a unpleasant memory. Now that memory had suddenly became a problem again.

Beside him, Haru remained silent. This exactly why had hesitated to bring it up. Sooner or later,Itsuki would return to school, and that happened, there was no chance he would stay away from yui.

Yui was silent for a moment. "Who told you? "His voice was so quiet that Haru almost missed it.

"Sato "Haru kept his eyes down. "We talked about it in lunch"

"Is he already here."

Haru looked up, the change in Yui's expression was subtle but it was there. The usual indifference was gone, replaced by something far more guarded. "No "Haru replied, shaking his head. "Not yet. It'll be a while before he returns."

For the first time since hearing the name, Yui let out a slow breath. The relief was impossible to miss.But it didn't last long because he knew sooner or later, Itsuki would be standing in front of him again.

They both started walking again after the conversation, the walk was not same again. This time, the familiar silence between them felt different. Itsuki's name still in air, refusing to be left behind.

Neither of them spoke for a while. The conversation had come to an abrupt end, yet neither knew what to say next.

Haru stole glances at Yui. His expression unreadable as ever, that made Haru more uneasy. "Will you say something"

Yui kept walking" What do you want me to say"

"How would I know that"

"Neither do I"

This caught Haru off the guard as this guy rarely admitted uncertainty. Haru rubbed the back of his neck.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you. I knew you had start thinking about it."

"What was I supposed to do?" Yui said quietly, "pretend he doesn't exist?"

"That's not what I mean!"

"Then say clearly what you mean!"

Haru opened his mouth, then closed again because he didn't have an answer to that.

They both continued walking, after some time Haru spoke again" Maybe he won't bother you this time." He immediately regretted those words

Yui didn't say anything.

Haru sighed. "Now i don't believe my words."

"But I still don't understand it" Haru said "After everything he did, how is he able to just come back like nothing happened?"

"Did you forget about his family and who they are."

Haru clicked his tongue in annoyance "Thanks for reminding." A bitter laugh came from his mouth" What a messed-up family."

"Hey" something came to Haru's mind.

"Hm"

"Do you think it's a coincidence?"

Yui looked at him "what is?"

"That he chooses this school. "There were countless schools he could have attended "I mean...how did he know you chose this school."

Yui gaze straight ahead " I don't know. But it's better to just not think about it"

Haru let out loud sigh."Yeah"

The tension slowly began to ease. They don't have any answers but neither of them had energy to think about it.After some time Yui's house came into view.

"ugh,this wasn't how we planned to, my legs are about to give up"

Yui gave him look "you are too weak it's just Fifteen minutes' walk."

"And for me it's too much."

"Hm."

They reached at Yui house.

"Hey, don't think about it much and call me if you want to."

"You should say this to yourself."

"This attitude of yours."

"Just go now it's getting late"

"yeah,see you tomorrow" Haru said putting his hand in pockets, before continuing down the street.

As Haru disappear from view. Yui let out quiet breath and stepped inside.

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