Chapter 14: An Unexpected Meeting

The weekend had rolled in quietly, bringing with it a soft breeze and a sky lightly brushed with clouds. Sora had decided to take a walk—not to anywhere in particular, just somewhere outside his room. His feet moved on their own, guiding him through the quiet streets, past familiar buildings, and into a small park not far from his home.

The park was peaceful. Children played on the swings, an old couple sat on a bench sharing snacks, and the leaves rustled softly in the wind. Sora found a spot beneath a large tree and sat down, his back resting against the rough bark. He closed his eyes, letting the gentle sounds of life around him fill the empty spaces in his mind.

"Is that you, Sora?"

His eyes shot open. Standing a few feet away, holding a small paper bag and looking pleasantly surprised, was Nanako.

"Oh... Nanako," he muttered, a bit flustered.

She smiled and walked over. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Sora sat up a little straighter, brushing off the bits of grass on his uniform. "Yeah, me neither."

Nanako didn't hesitate. She sat down beside him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I was just buying some bread from the bakery over there. They have the best melon bread." She opened the bag and pulled out a round, sweet-smelling pastry. "Want one?"

Sora hesitated but then nodded. "Sure."

She handed him a bread, and they sat in silence for a while, chewing slowly and watching the world go by.

"It's nice here," Nanako said, her voice soft. "I come here when I need to think."

Sora looked at her, the way the sunlight caught in her hair and how calm she seemed. "What do you think about?"

"Lots of things." She picked at the bread, breaking off little pieces. "School, my family... you."

Sora blinked. "Me?"

She turned to him, her expression gentle. "Yeah. I worry about you sometimes. You always seem so... distant."

Sora's fingers tightened around the bread. "I'm fine."

Nanako didn't push. She simply leaned back against the tree, her shoulder just close enough to brush his. "I know. But you don't have to be fine all the time."

The words hung in the air, and Sora found himself wanting to say something—anything. He wanted to tell her about the nightmares, the way his past clung to him like a shadow, and how hard it was to breathe sometimes. But the words sat heavy on his tongue.

Instead, he asked, "Why are you so nice to me?"

Nanako smiled, a small, warm thing. "Because I see you, Sora. The real you. And I think you deserve to have someone who cares."

His chest tightened, a mix of fear and something softer, something he hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you."

She nudged him lightly. "Anytime."

They sat together until the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the park. When it was time to go, they walked side by side, their steps slow and unhurried.

As they reached the street where their paths would part, Nanako gave him a little wave. "See you at school?"

Sora nodded. "Yeah. See you."

And as he walked home, he realized that the world felt a little less heavy, the path a little less lonely.