The quiet air in the storage room felt heavy. Dust floated in the faint light seeping through a small crack above the door. The smell of varnished wood mixed with a faint metallic tang from old sports equipment.
Sachiko sat on the floor with her knees drawn up slightly, hugging them loosely. She tilted her head toward Tetsuo, who sat with his back leaning against the wall, staring at the ground. Her voice trembled as she began.
"Of course… when I got home that day, I wanted to check on you and your sister." Her hands tightened slightly in her lap. "But… I couldn't. I couldn't muster the courage. The look you gave me back then… it was so sad. I didn't understand why you looked at me like that, so I thought maybe I should give you space."
Tetsuo didn't look up, but his shoulders stiffened slightly at her words.
Sachiko's gaze lowered, her voice quiet but steady. "Then… the next morning, when I woke up… you were gone. You and your sister disappeared—without a single trace left in the dollhouse. When Haruko found out, she cried the entire day." Her lips quivered briefly before she continued. "I felt so responsible. But instead of sulking forever, she took up basketball. She practiced really hard… hoping that one day she'd meet you again, even if it meant chasing a dream our parents never approved of."
The soft thud of her heartbeat echoed in her ears. She glanced sideways, searching for any sign of reaction from Tetsuo.
"Honestly…" She swallowed, her throat dry. "I was shocked when you told me you overheard me saying those horrible things about you. I know it must've hurt." Her fingers pressed lightly against her chest. "If you never want to talk to me again, I would understand. But… please."
Her voice wavered.
"Please listen to me… and let me explain. Because… you only heard half of it. You can decide what you want to do afterward."
Tetsuo shifted slightly, his hands resting loosely on his knees.
"It was really… a misunderstanding," Sachiko said, her words flowing faster now, as if afraid they would be cut off. "I know I said all those awful things. But I also told them… that no matter how much I wanted to scorn you, to hate you… I couldn't. Because you and your sister were kind to me. Genuinely kind. Not because of my father's status. Just because… I was me."
She pressed her lips together, blinking rapidly.
"That day… I actually stopped being friends with them. Because you—" her voice cracked, "—you truly made me happy. And I didn't want to lose you or Usagi. But I ended up losing you both anyway. And I didn't even know why. I was really… hurt that you left without saying goodbye."
Her tears finally slipped down her cheeks, catching the faint light.
Across from her, Tetsuo exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. Then he spoke, his tone low.
"… Now I feel dumb. For ignoring you all this time."
Sachiko blinked, looking up at him.
"On the first day of school," he continued, his voice quieter now, "when I was walking with my sister… I saw you." He paused, his green eyes flickering toward her briefly before looking away. "Of course I recognized you. Your crimson-red hair… your green eyes. You really left a scar on me."
Sachiko's breath hitched faintly.
"No…" he muttered, his gaze dropping again. "I guess… I resented you. For what happened after I left your house. Maybe… if I hadn't walked away that day… I'd have been different. Always happy. Always smiling. Maybe if I hadn't overthought everything… I wouldn't be like this. Maybe my sister would've been happier too."
His hands curled slightly into loose fists.
"What I'm trying to say…" he said softly, "is that I'm sorry. For ignoring you all this time without fully understanding the situation. That was… childish of me." He lowered his head slightly. "I'm sorry."
Sachiko's tear-streaked face softened. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and let out a tiny laugh that shook with leftover emotion.
"It's weird… that an emotionless robot like you, with no regard for anyone's feelings, actually knows how to apologize sincerely."
Tetsuo blinked, looking mildly taken aback before snorting quietly. "…That was uncalled for." His voice softened. "But yeah. I meant what I said. I'm sorry. I'll… try to treat you better. And talk to you more."
"Mm." Sachiko's lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes. That would be great."
The two sat there quietly. Fifteen minutes passed in silence. The faint hum of the building's ventilation was the only sound.
Then Sachiko suddenly sneezed, jolting herself. She cupped her hands and breathed into them. "Ah… it's really getting cold in here, huh?" She rubbed her arms lightly and curled inward, trying to keep warm.
Tetsuo stood up. Without a word, he unzipped his PE jacket and gently draped it over her shoulders.
Sachiko looked up, slightly startled. "Thank you… but you're cold too, aren't you? Why don't we just share it?"
"I'm fine," Tetsuo said flatly, sitting back down. "Don't worry about me."
"Come on. Quit acting all tough." Sachiko grabbed the edge of the jacket and tugged it over both of them, sliding closer. "Let's share it."
For a moment, Tetsuo froze.
Sachiko's cheeks grew warm. Wait—what was I thinking?! He's so close now… She could feel the faint heat from his shoulder next to hers. Her heart began to pound loudly in her chest. I can hear my own heartbeat… If I don't calm down, he'll notice…
Before either of them could say anything, the door creaked open. A sudden bright flashlight beam hit their faces.
"Hey, kids, are you alright?" a deep voice called. "It's already eleven at night. Why are you here so late and… uh, so dangerously close?"
Sachiko's entire body stiffened.
The track coach stepped inside, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously? In the storage room?"
Sachiko jumped to her feet, her face burning crimson. "I-It's not what it looks like!"
"We accidentally got locked in," Tetsuo said calmly, standing and brushing dust off his pants.
"Oh, I see." The coach nodded with mild relief. "Well, thank God I came by. Otherwise, you two would've spent the whole night here. And… I doubt any trains are running this late. I'll drop you off in your neighborhood."
"Let me grab my bag," Tetsuo said as he walked to the corner to pick it up.
"Wait for me!" Sachiko hurried after him.
Minutes later, they were outside, climbing into the coach's small car.
"Thank you so much for dropping us off, and… for saving us," Sachiko said politely as she bowed slightly before entering.
"Hey, don't sweat it, kid," the coach said as he adjusted his rearview mirror. "Just make sure you two get home safely, alright?"
The car ride was quiet. The faint sound of the tires rolling along the dimly lit street filled the silence.
When they finally arrived, the coach waved them off.
"Come on," Tetsuo said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I'll walk you home."
Sachiko nodded and followed.
The night was cool, the faint chirp of crickets echoing between the houses. After several minutes of silent walking, Sachiko finally gathered her courage.
"…Hey, Tetsuo," she said softly.
He glanced sideways.
"Tell me… what happened to you and your little sister after you left our house?"
Tetsuo didn't answer. His eyes stayed forward, expression unreadable.
Sachiko hesitated, then tried again. "…After you disappeared… how did you two survive on your own?"
A long pause.
Finally, Tetsuo exhaled and spoke. "…To be honest, it's something I don't want to share. It's all just… a blur. And I'd like to keep it that way. Maybe one day… I'll tell you. But for now…" His voice dropped. "…I guess I'll have to carry it to my grave."
Sachiko's gaze lowered. "I see. I understand. Sorry for asking."
They continued walking until they reached a small, modest house.
"Well, this is my place," Sachiko said simply. "Thanks for walking me home."
"Goodbye." His tone turned cold as he turned toward the door.
Sachiko pouted faintly. "…Jeez. Is he really going to keep his word and be nice to me?" she muttered under her breath as she turned to leave.
Meanwhile, upstairs in that very house, Haruko sat by her window, watching the two outside. She sighed softly, then moved to her bed, sitting down and staring quietly at her folded hands.
The next morning came.
The sky was pale blue with streaks of white clouds drifting lazily. Sachiko walked to school with an unusually light step. Her chest felt warm with a quiet hope.
We finally spoke… We actually connected. Maybe we'll be close again. Maybe even closer than before.
She spotted Tetsuo up ahead, his familiar figure walking along the sidewalk. Her heart lifted slightly.
She jogged up to him with a bright smile. "Good morning, Tetsuo!"
But Tetsuo kept walking straight, his eyes forward. He didn't acknowledge her.
Sachiko's smile faltered. Her heart sank. Nothing's changed… I thought he would at least…
Just then, Tetsuo slowed. He turned slightly, just enough for his voice to carry back to her. "…Good morning, Sachiko."
And then he turned forward again, continuing on his way.
Sachiko stood there for a moment, watching his back. Then she smiled faintly.
I see. It's not that he's not trying. He's just… doing it at his own pace.
She exhaled softly and started walking again. I'll give you enough space… and wait for you, Tetsuo.