Chapter 39: A Promise for Tomorrow

With graduation behind us, the next big challenge was saying goodbye. Mahiru's university was hours away, and though we had made promises, the weight of the distance still loomed over us.

The night before she was set to leave, we met at our usual park bench, the one where we had shared so many important moments.

She held my hand tightly. "Amane… this isn't goodbye, right?"

I shook my head. "Never. Just… see you later."

Her lips trembled, but she smiled. "See you later."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small silver key. "This… is for my apartment. For whenever you come back."

Her eyes widened, tears spilling onto her cheeks. She took the key and clutched it close to her heart. "Thank you, Amane."

And with that, we made a promise—no matter where life took us, we would always find our way back to each other.