They clung to each meeting after that.
Hands almost touching.
Voices softer.
Silences deeper.
"I don't want you to disappear," Airi whispered one night.
Ren smiled sadly.
"I already have."
"No."
She shook her head fiercely.
"There must be a way."
Ren hesitated.
"There is."
Her heart leapt.
"What?"
"The sakura can trade memory for existence."
"…what?"
"If someone offers their memories of a promise… the memory can become human."
Her pulse roared.
"You could live?"
"Yes."
"And the cost?"
Ren's eyes lowered.
"You would forget me."
The world stopped.