Chapter 17 — The Playground Where Time Stood Still

After spending some time chatting about nothing in particular—school gossip, homework, the usual small things that filled up ordinary days—Shinichi glanced at the clock.

"I guess… it's about time for me to head back."

Minako-san smiled warmly as she returned from the kitchen with a glass of water for herself. "Thanks for visiting, Shinichi-kun. Come by any time."

"Thank you for having me," he said politely, bowing as always.

"I'll walk with you for a bit," Megumi added casually, slipping on her shoes by the door. "Just feel like stretching my legs."

"Hm? Alright."

Minako glanced at her daughter with a knowing smile. "Don't stay out too late."

"I won't," Megumi called over her shoulder.

And with that, the two stepped out into the gentle evening air.

The sun had lowered, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. A mild breeze tugged at the leaves above as they walked side by side, their pace slow, unhurried.

For a while, neither of them said much. It wasn't uncomfortable silence—just the kind that comes from being too familiar to need words.

Eventually, without realizing it, their steps brought them to a small, quiet park. The playground at its center was almost empty, save for a single child wobbling atop a jungle gym while his mother watched from a bench nearby.

Shinichi's gaze softened as he looked around.

"This place…" Megumi said, almost to herself. "It feels so small now."

He nodded. "Yeah… small."

But truthfully, it didn't feel small to him at all. The swings, the slide, the rusted monkey bars—they looked exactly the same as they always had.

Maybe it was just her who had grown.

Still, he lied about what he felt.

He might be small in height… but his pride was still that of a man.

They stepped inside, wandering slowly past the sandbox where they'd once built castles too big for their little hands to finish.

"You remember?" Megumi said, stopping by the faded merry-go-round. "How you, me, and Akane used to fight over who could spin it the fastest?"

"Yeah," Shinichi smiled, leaning lightly against a nearby post. "Akane always won. She was scary even back then."

Megumi laughed under her breath. "She really was, wasn't she?"

They both fell quiet for a time, letting the weight of nostalgia settle gently between them.

The breeze shifted, cool and easy.

Then, as if pushing past some invisible hesitation, Megumi spoke.

"…Hey. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What do you think… about a girl liking another girl?"

Her words broke the stillness, but not harshly. It felt more like dropping a stone into calm water, watching the ripples spread.

Shinichi didn't answer right away. He thought about it, genuinely.

"I think… feelings are feelings," he said after a moment. "Whether it's a boy liking a girl, a girl liking a boy, or… a girl liking another girl. If it's real, it's real. And… I don't think there's anything strange or wrong about it."

Megumi let out a slow breath.

"I see."

Another small silence stretched between them. This time, it was Megumi who broke it again—her voice softer, but steady.

"…I like Akane."

Shinichi blinked. "Huh?"

"I'm serious." She gave a small, crooked smile. "I've… liked her for a while now. I've just never said it out loud before. I thought… maybe you'd laugh, or think it's weird. But hearing you say that… I felt like I could finally say it."

Shinichi's expression softened. "I'm not laughing."

"…Thanks."

She glanced up at the sky, watching as the colors deepened towards dusk.

"I want your help. I want to get closer to her. Not just as a friend… I want something more. But I know how Akane is… She keeps people at a distance. Even me, sometimes. I thought… if anyone could help me, it'd be you. You're… special to her, in a way."

For a moment, Shinichi couldn't answer.

Not because he didn't know what to say.

But because, somewhere inside him, something small and fragile cracked.

He had always liked Megumi. Quietly. Carefully. For a long time now.

But he'd kept those feelings hidden—folded up, pressed flat beneath layers of everyday smiles and casual words.

Because he was afraid.

Afraid that if he ever said it aloud, it would change everything.

Afraid of ruining what they already had.

Afraid she'd look at him with gentle pity and say, "I'm sorry, I don't feel that way."

And now…

Now she had said those words—but not to him.

Her heart was already reaching out to someone else.

To Akane.

Not him.

Never him.

Still, he managed to smile. A little crooked. A little forced. But it was the best he could do.

"…Can I have some time to think about it?"

Megumi's smile was soft, understanding. "Of course. I figured you'd say that."

They left the playground soon after, walking side by side once more, but now in total silence beneath the darkening sky.

When they reached the corner where they would part ways, Megumi gave him a small wave.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you," Shinichi replied with a soft smile — but inside, his heart felt heavier than ever.

And with that, Megumi turned toward home, still unsure of what answer he would eventually give.

As for Shinichi, he stood there, watching Megumi's back fade into the twilight.

The words of his grandfather came to mind:

"Some things you want… you just have to learn to let go of, someday."

But even so…

His heart hadn't gotten the message yet.