S.S #2

THE WORLD WAS DARK, and only the sound of rain could be heard when the chime rang.

I hugged my knees and kept my head down, slowly breathing out with my eyes closed.

The time had come.

Yet, I didn't move my body to respond to the chime.

Soon, the phone on the bed lit up.

It faintly vibrated three, then four times.

I listened to the sound, still not moving.

Then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"It's me. The deadline for our promise is about to end, that's why I came here."

It was Ayanokōji-kun's voice.

I knew I would hear it today.

I knew this moment would come before the day of the promise ended.

Because today, I had been continuously ignoring Ayanokōji-kun's calls since the morning.

He came to convey his conclusion before the night grew late and the date changed.

"I'll wait just three more minutes. If there's no response, I'll leave, so don't worry."

This was the final notice.

If I didn't respond now, Ayanokōji-kun would leave from beyond the door.

But if I did respond, Ayanokōji-kun would surely reply.

I reached for the phone that was within arm's reach and typed a message.

['Why did you come?']

['I told you. Today was the promised day.']

['It's already late at night. It's past curfew.']

I hinted that he should go back and checked Ayanokōji-kun's reaction.

['I don't have the courage to go to your room right now, Ayanokōji-kun. Sorry.']

['I understand that. That's why I came here.']

As expected, Ayanokōji-kun didn't leave.

The fact that he wouldn't leave—I knew that too

['I'll wait one more minute. If the door doesn't open by then, let's pretend the promise never

happened.']

I wouldn't run away.

I had to meet Ayanokōji-kun today. I had to keep that promise.

However...

It wouldn't be in Ayanokōji-kun's room.

['The door is unlocked, come in.']

In my room, we would fulfill the promise we made a year ago.

It wasn't because I lacked the courage to go to him.

I thought it was best for us to meet here.

My intuition turned into conviction.

What Ayanokōji-kun wanted to convey.

What I had to convey to Ayanokōji-kun.

I understood it all.