: Not the Same Guy

"I saw Tachibana."

Haruki nearly chokes on his drink. "What? Where?"

"In her classroom. The teacher sent me to pick up some worksheets, and she walked in."

He stares at me for a second, then smirks like he's just heard the punchline to the universe's joke.

"Man, the cosmos really has it out for you, Yuu."

I groan and drop my head onto my arms. "She said I haven't changed. That I still hesitate."

He shrugs. "Well… I mean. She's kinda right."

I lift my head to glare at him. "Wow. Thanks."

"Hey, you want lies or the truth?"

"I want a break."

He kicks my foot lightly under the desk. "Look, you like her, right?"

I don't answer. I don't need to.

Haruki leans back in his chair, eyes thoughtful for once. "Then stop waiting for the 'right time.' Life's not a drama. You screw up, you fix it. That simple."

I frown. "It's not that easy."

"Yeah, no kidding. But standing still isn't gonna change anything either."

He's quiet after that. So am I.

We're sitting in that awkward silence between classes, with nothing but the sound of other students laughing, chatting—normal stuff. Stuff that feels miles away from where I am.

I already missed my first chance with Tachibana. And I might never be the guy who gets everything right.

But maybe I can be the guy who tries.

Maybe that's enough to start over.

The next day, I find myself back near the second-year building.

It's separated from ours by the courtyard and the track, and for some reason, crossing that space feels like walking through a dream I don't belong in. Everything's the same—but I feel different. Off-balance.

Haruki's words ring in my head:"Then quit hesitating."

I tell myself I'm just here by coincidence. That maybe I'm just walking. That maybe I don't care if I see her.

Lies. Obvious ones.

Then I hear her voice.

"…I don't really care about that."

It's soft, annoyed. Familiar. It cuts through the breeze like a note only I can hear.

I glance around the corner. Tachibana's standing by the lockers with a friend—Miyu, I think. She looks tired. Not angry. Not sharp-tongued like usual. Just… worn down.

Part of me wants to turn away. Wait for a better moment.

But I'm done waiting.

"Tachibana-san."

She freezes. Miyu glances at me, then at her, and quickly excuses herself, leaving us alone.

Her arms fold across her chest. "What now?"

I walk a little closer. "I just… I wanted to apologize. For last year. For what I did."

She doesn't move. Her gaze stays locked on mine. Cold, unreadable.

Then, finally, a sigh. "This again?"

"I don't expect you to forgive me," I say quickly. "I just—I needed to say it. I didn't know how back then."

"It's been a year, Takahashi."

"I know."

She exhales and rubs her forehead, like I'm a headache that just won't go away.

"Do you get how much that messed with me?"

"Yes."

"You followed me. Watched me. And then disappeared like nothing happened."

"I know." My voice shakes. "And I'm sorry. I was lost, and stupid, and—"

"And now what?" she cuts in. "You want to start over? Just like that?"

I flinch. But I don't look away.

"I don't want anything you're not willing to give. I just… I want you to know I regret it. Every day."

She watches me for a long moment. Too long. The silence crawls into my bones.

Then she scoffs softly. "You really are an idiot."

I smile, small and nervous. "I hear that a lot."

A flicker of amusement, just for a second, dances in her eyes. But it's gone before I can hold onto it.

"I'm not saying this fixes anything," she mutters.

"I know."

"But… you're not the same guy you were. That much is clear."

That hits harder than I expected. I stand a little straighter.

"Still hesitant, though," she adds, glancing sideways.

"I'm working on it."

Another beat of silence. Then she brushes past me, muttering under her breath.

"Better hurry up. I don't wait forever."

My chest feels too full of something I can't name.

I turn to watch her go.

It's not forgiveness. It's not some magical reset.

But for the first time since that mistake, she didn't look at me like I was nothing.

And maybe… just maybe… that means something.