The Weight of Choices

Yuuto felt the echo of Eva's last words ripple through him as he watched her walk away. You're a story. And I'm just turning the pages. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as frustration simmered under his skin.

What did she want from him? What was he to her—some kind of experiment?

But as much as he wanted to dismiss her entirely, he couldn't deny the uncomfortable truths she had unearthed. The idea that he was stuck, torn between past regrets and present fears, gnawed at him. The thought of proving her wrong burned brighter in his mind, and he realized he needed answers—not from Eva, but from himself.

---

Yuuto's day passed in a haze. He barely heard his teachers and avoided both Rika and Reina at lunch, opting instead to sit alone in a quiet corner of the school library. His thoughts churned endlessly, weighing his interactions with Rika and the unresolved feelings tied to Reina.

By the time the final bell rang, his resolve was set.

---

The Confrontation

Yuuto found Reina waiting by the school gates, her usual calm demeanor marred by a nervous energy. She glanced up as he approached, and for a moment, the vulnerability in her eyes reminded him of the girl he had once fallen for.

"Yuuto," she said softly, stepping toward him.

"Reina, I need to talk to you," he said, his voice steady despite the whirlwind inside him.

"Sure," she replied, tilting her head slightly. "What's on your mind?"

"Why did you apologize to me?" he asked bluntly.

Reina blinked, startled. "What do you mean? I already told you—I felt bad about how things ended between us."

"But why now?" Yuuto pressed. "Why not months ago? Why wait until I've started to move on?"

Reina hesitated, looking away. "I… I guess I didn't know how to face you before. And when I saw you with Rika, I realized I might have lost something important."

Yuuto frowned. "That's not an answer, Reina. Did you apologize because you care about me, or because you don't like seeing me happy with someone else?"

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, he thought she might cry. But then she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Maybe it's both," she admitted. "I don't know, Yuuto. I didn't want to hurt you, but I guess I didn't want to let you go completely, either."

The honesty in her words cut deeper than any lie could have. Yuuto felt a pang of sorrow for the girl she used to be—the one he'd cherished—but he also felt a strange sense of relief.

"Thank you for telling me the truth," he said quietly. "But I think it's time we both let go of the past."

Reina looked at him, a mixture of regret and understanding in her eyes. "I guess you're right," she whispered. "I'm sorry, Yuuto. I really am."

He nodded, then turned and walked away, leaving her standing by the gate as the sun dipped lower in the sky.

---

The Rooftop Encounter

Yuuto's next destination was clear. He climbed the familiar staircase to the rooftop, his heart pounding with anticipation and uncertainty. When he pushed the door open, he wasn't surprised to find Rika already there.

She sat on the ledge as always, her legs swinging idly. She glanced over her shoulder as he approached, her usual smirk firmly in place.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up," she teased.

"Rika," he began, his voice more serious than he intended.

Her smirk faltered. "What's with the tone? You're not about to confess your undying love or something, are you?"

Yuuto hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Not quite. But I do need to talk to you."

Rika raised an eyebrow, sliding off the ledge to face him. "Alright. What's up?"

He took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. "I talked to Reina today. I told her it's time for us to let go of the past."

Rika's expression didn't change, but he noticed the way her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. "Good for you," she said. "So what does that have to do with me?"

"It has everything to do with you," Yuuto said. "You're the one who helped me move forward, Rika. You're the one who's been there when I needed someone the most. And I don't think I ever really thanked you for that."

Rika crossed her arms, her gaze guarded. "You don't have to thank me. I didn't do it for you. I just… didn't want to see you spiral, that's all."

"I know," Yuuto said, stepping closer. "But you still deserve to hear it. And I need to tell you something else, too."

She tilted her head, her expression a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "What?"

"I don't want to keep running away," he admitted. "Not from Reina, not from my feelings, and not from you. I know you don't let people in easily, but I want to try—if you'll let me."

Rika stared at him, her usually sharp eyes softening for a moment before she quickly looked away. "Yuuto, you're an idiot," she muttered.

"Probably," he agreed, smiling slightly.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You really think this is going to work? You and me?"

"I don't know," he said honestly. "But I think it's worth finding out."

For a long moment, Rika said nothing. Then, to his surprise, she reached out and flicked his forehead.

"Ow!" Yuuto yelped, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

"For being so dramatic," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But fine. If you're stupid enough to want to deal with me, I won't stop you."

Yuuto grinned, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. "Deal."

---

A Shadow Looms

As Yuuto walked home that evening, his thoughts were filled with hope. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was moving forward. But just as he turned onto his street, he noticed someone standing at the corner.

It was Eva.

She stepped out of the shadows, her icy blue eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Well, well," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "It looks like you've made your choice."

"What are you doing here?" Yuuto asked, his stomach tightening.

"Just observing," she said, smiling faintly. "You've taken an interesting path, Yuuto. But let's see how long it lasts."

Her words sent a chill down his spine, but before he could respond, she turned and disappeared into the night.

Yuuto stood there for a moment, the weight of her presence lingering like a storm cloud. Despite his newfound hope, he couldn't shake the feeling that Eva wasn't done with him yet.

And deep down, he knew she was right—his journey was far from over.