The sky was pale grey when Aiyumi walked out of the campus gate.
The wind smelled like rain again — soft, calm, and sad.
Ren was there, waiting near his bike.
He didn't expect her to come.
She didn't expect him to stay.
For a few seconds, neither spoke. The air between them felt heavy — familiar, but distant.
"Ren…" her voice trembled slightly. "Can we… talk for a minute?"
He looked up — his eyes tired, unreadable.
"If it's about that again, Aiyumi, I don't think there's a point."
"I just need to say it," she whispered. "Then I'll stop."
He exhaled slowly. "Fine. Say it."
"I know I hurt you. That day… I said things I shouldn't have. I've been sorry every day since. I never wanted to lose our friendship."
Ren looked away. "You say that like it changes what happened."
Her breath caught.
"I thought you understood me more than anyone—"
"That's the problem," he said quietly, his tone firm but sharp.
"I thought I knew you too. But I don't anymore. You say you care, but when it mattered, you didn't."
Aiyumi's eyes widened slightly. "That's not true, Ren."
He gave a small, tired laugh — the kind that hides pain.
"Then why does it feel like I was always the only one trying to keep us together? You were the person I trusted most… and you broke that without even realizing it."
Her hands shook. "I didn't mean to…"
"I know," he said. "But meaning doesn't erase the damage."
That line… hit her like a blade. Quiet, but deep.
She looked down — her tears mixing with the drizzle beginning to fall.
"I never wanted to break it…"
He looked at her, and for a moment, the coldness cracked — guilt flickered in his eyes.
"I know," he whispered softly.
Aiyumi smiled weakly through the tears. "Then maybe that's enough for now."
She turned away. "Even if you forget everything else, I'll still remember the good parts."
Ren's throat tightened. He wanted to stop her — say something, anything — but all he managed was silence.
The rain fell heavier, washing away her footsteps as she walked off.
And he stood there… hurting her with the same silence that hurt him too.