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Seventeen-year-old Rin Asakura is tired. Tired of pretending, tired of hoping, and tired of waking up to another day that feels the same. On the surface, he is just another quiet student, drifting through high school unnoticed. But inside, he carries an unbearable weight—the fear of being forgotten, the pain of feeling useless, and the exhaustion of existing without purpose.

His world is a cycle of loneliness and self-doubt, where every interaction feels like a performance. He used to believe things would get better, but now, he isn’t so sure. His only solace is in late-night walks, the quiet hum of the city, and the thought that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow won’t come.

But then he meets Aoi, a girl who hides her own scars behind a bright smile. She seems untouchable, always laughing, always surrounded by people. Yet, Rin notices the way her hands tremble when she thinks no one is looking. And somehow, their paths keep crossing.

As their fragile connection deepens, Rin starts to wonder—is it possible to share the weight of suffering? Or will opening up only make things worse?

When the past comes crashing back and secrets unravel, Rin is forced to face the one question he’s been avoiding: Does he want to live, or does he just not want to die?

The Weight Of Tomorrow

By the time Rin and Aoi left the park, the air had cooled, and the streets were quieter. The world felt slower, like the city itself had grown tired.

They walked side by side, their footsteps falling into rhythm. It wasn't planned, but neither of them had said goodbye yet.

"You live far?" Aoi asked, shoving her empty coffee can into her pocket.

Aoi hummed in response. "Good. I'd feel bad if you got kidnapped or something."

Rin shot her a look. "You're the one walking alone at night."

"Yeah, but I'm special," she said, smirking.

Aoi suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, tilting her head. "Hold on. What if we both get kidnapped?"

Rin sighed. "Then I'd regret coming with you."

She laughed, the sound light and unforced. It was strange—he had always assumed she was loud because she wanted attention. But now, he wondered if it was just how she kept herself from thinking too much.

After a while, Aoi spoke again, her voice softer. "You don't talk much, but you don't feel empty."

Rin frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk. "Some people… when you talk to them, there's nothing behind their words. Like they're not really there anymore."

Her gaze flickered toward him. "You're still here, though. Even if you don't want to be."

Rin didn't know how to respond to that. Because she was right.

Some days, he felt like he was fading. But not completely. Not yet.

Aoi sighed dramatically. "Anyway, don't overthink it. Just an observation."

Rin shoved his hands into his pockets. "Too late."

A breeze passed between them. Not cold, but enough to make Aoi shiver slightly. Rin noticed but said nothing.

Eventually, they reached an intersection. Aoi slowed down, glancing at the street ahead.

Aoi looked at him for a second, then smirked. "So? Gonna thank me for making your night more interesting?"

He scoffed. "You overestimate yourself."

She laughed, stepping backward onto her street. "Sure, sure. See you, Asakura."

Rin watched as she walked away, hands in her pockets, head tilted slightly toward the sky.

For the first time in a long while, the night didn't feel as heavy.

And that, more than anything, unsettled him.

Chapter 5:Some nights feel less heavy