The weekend arrived with gentle sunlight and a rare breeze. It was Sora's idea—"Let's go somewhere. Anywhere but not school."
So they did.
The friend group took a short train ride to the outskirts of Hoshikawa, where a quiet riverside park rested beneath blooming trees. It wasn't flashy. But it was perfect.
Naoto stood by the water, watching Rika and the others spread a picnic blanket. Mei had brought snacks. Aiko brought textbooks—no one touched them.
For a while, it felt like peace.
---
Later, on the Bridge
Mei stood beside Naoto, tossing pebbles into the river.
"You're hard to read, you know," she said.
Naoto glanced over. "That so?"
"Yeah. It's like… you smile, but there's a shadow behind it."
He didn't respond.
Mei looked down at her hands. "I used to think I was the only one pretending I was okay."
Naoto's voice was low. "You're not."
She turned to him. "Then… how do you carry it?"
Naoto looked out at the flowing river.
"I think some things you don't carry. You just… walk beside them."
---
Evening
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky orange, the group sat in a lazy circle, munching on snacks, joking, laughing. Aiko fell asleep leaning on Sora's shoulder. Rika watched from the edge, quiet but content.
Naoto's phone buzzed again.
He excused himself, walking away from the group unnoticed.
---
The Call
He answered with a soft, "Hey."
A girl's voice responded. Calm. Close. "Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah," he replied. "They're becoming… important."
"I know," she said gently. "That's good."
He sat on a bench under a tree. "I wish you could be there."
"I am," she whispered.
He looked up. She stood behind the tree, far enough that her face was hidden by shadow and leaves. His breath caught.
They didn't say more.
But everything was understood.
---
Back at the Group
Rika looked around. "Where's Naoto?"
Mei shrugged. "Went off to take a call, I think."
Rika's smile dimmed, just a little.
But she forced herself not to ask more.
---