Words Don't Lie.

Miyuki's breath caught in her throat as Renji's words settled between them.

"I like you, Miyuki."

She had imagined many ways this conversation could go, but hearing those words from Renji—frustrated, raw, and filled with an urgency that unnerved her—hadn't been one of them.

Silence stretched in the dimly lit gym. The faint echo of basketballs bouncing in the adjacent court filled the space, but all Miyuki could focus on was Renji, waiting for her answer.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. What was she supposed to say?

"Renji..." she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I—"

The sound of the gym door creaking open cut her off. Miyuki turned just in time to see Haruto step inside. His eyes scanned the scene, his usual unreadable expression firmly in place.

Renji let out a sharp exhale, running a hand through his hair. "Perfect timing, Haruto. Come to listen in?"

Haruto's gaze flicked to Miyuki before settling on Renji. "I saw Miyuki heading here. Thought she might need an excuse to leave."

Miyuki clenched her fists. "I don't need an excuse."

Haruto studied her for a second longer, then turned his attention back to Renji. "You're putting her in an impossible situation."

Renji laughed, but it was humorless. "Oh? And what do you call what you've been doing?"

Miyuki's heart pounded as she stepped between them. "Stop. Both of you." She turned to Renji first, eyes pleading. "I don't want to lose you as a friend. And I don't want to hurt you."

Renji let out a slow breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. But his eyes still held something she couldn't quite place. "So, what are you saying?"

Miyuki hesitated. "I need time."

A shadow crossed Renji's face, but he nodded. "Right. Time."

Haruto, still standing near the door, finally spoke. "Then let's go, Miyuki."

Miyuki turned back to Renji, guilt settling deep in her chest. "Are we... are we okay?"

Renji's lips curved into a small, almost tired smile. "Ask me again when you have an answer."

The words stung more than she expected, but she nodded, stepping toward Haruto. As they left the gym together, Miyuki stole one last glance over her shoulder. Renji stood alone, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

And Miyuki couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what choice she made, nothing would ever be the same again.

"Miyuki," Haruto repeated, his tone a little more urgent.

Biting her lip, she finally allowed him to guide her toward the door. Every step felt heavier, like she was walking away from something she could never return to.

The courtroom doors creaked as they swung open, and the cool night air greeted her as they stepped outside. The silence was thick, but at least it wasn't suffocating like before. The school grounds were nearly empty, save for the faint glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement.

Miyuki crossed her arms, hugging herself as the chill seeped in. "I shouldn't have just left like that."

Haruto stood beside her, hands in his pockets. "You needed space. He'll understand."

She let out a humorless laugh. "I don't think he will."

Haruto didn't argue. Instead, he turned slightly, watching her with that unreadable gaze of his. "You don't have to decide everything right now."

Miyuki shook her head. "But that's the problem, isn't it? No matter what I do, I'll hurt someone."

Haruto exhaled, tilting his head back to look at the darkening sky. "Maybe. But running from it won't make it any easier."

Miyuki sighed, staring down at her shoes. She wanted to believe that things would work themselves out, that this wouldn't be the moment everything shattered.

But deep down, she knew better.

And somewhere behind those courtroom doors, Renji was standing alone, probably thinking the exact same thing.

Miyuki exhaled sharply, rubbing her arms as the wind swept through the empty schoolyard. "Haruto... what am I supposed to do?"

He turned his gaze toward her, his expression softer now. "You already know what you want, Miyuki. You're just afraid to admit it."

She swallowed hard. "That's not true."

"It is," he said, stepping in front of her. "You're scared of what it'll mean if you choose."

Miyuki clenched her fists. "I don't want to lose either of you."

Haruto was quiet for a moment before shaking his head. "You won't. But if you keep hesitating, you might lose yourself."

His words stung more than she expected. She looked away, staring at the dimly lit path ahead of them. The weight on her chest wasn't going away.

Renji was still inside, waiting. She knew that. But she wasn't ready to face him. Not yet.

Haruto sighed and shoved his hands back in his pockets. "Come on, let's go somewhere else for a bit. You need time to think."

Miyuki hesitated before nodding. "Alright... but not too far."

Haruto gave a small smirk. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As they started walking away from the school building, the cold night wrapped around them, but Miyuki barely noticed. Her mind was still back in that courtroom, stuck between what was and what would never be the same again.

And Renji, still standing alone, felt that weight just as much as she did.