Part 2 — Please Come Back
For several moments afterward—
neither of them spoke.
Because both already understood:
once Akari left tonight—
the house would not feel the same anymore.
Akari slowly lifted her bag from beside the Futon.
The room fell quiet afterward.
For a few seconds—
neither she nor Haruto moved.
Then finally—
Akari turned toward the doorway.
"…Let's go downstairs."
Haruto quietly nodded.
"…Okay…"
The two slowly walked through the dark hallway together.
The house remained silent.
Only the faint sound of the night wind outside could occasionally be heard.
As they reached the living room—
the warmth of the lights near the entrance softly illuminated the room.
The front door stood only a few steps away now.
And somehow—
that short distance felt unbearably heavy.
Akari stopped near the doorway and adjusted the strap of her bag one final time.
Haruto stood quietly behind her.
Trying not to think too much.
Because every second made the reality feel more real.
Then suddenly—
Akari turned back toward him.
Her expression gentle.
But serious too.
"…Haruto."
"…Hm?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
"…Promise me something."
Haruto blinked slightly.
"…What?"
Akari stepped a little closer.
"…Don't fight with Kaito and Ayame while I'm gone."
Haruto stayed quiet.
Akari continued softly:
"…No arguing."
"…No pushing them away."
"…And no trying to handle everything alone."
Haruto lowered his gaze slightly.
His fingers tightened faintly at his sides.
Akari gently rested a hand on his head.
"…You're their older brother too."
That line made something inside him shake slightly.
Because suddenly—
the responsibility felt real.
Not just fear anymore.
Responsibility.
After several quiet seconds—
Haruto slowly nodded.
"…Okay."
A pause.
Then more firmly this time:
"…I promise."
Akari's expression softened immediately.
"…Good."
Silence followed again.
The final silence before goodbye.
Akari slowly turned back toward the door.
And somehow—
that movement hurt more than everything else tonight.
Because now she was really leaving.
Haruto's breathing suddenly became uneven again.
His chest tightened painfully.
And before he could stop himself—
he suddenly ran forward.
"…Aka!"
Akari barely had time to react before Haruto wrapped both arms tightly around her.
Holding onto her desperately.
His face pressed against her as tears immediately started falling again.
"…Please come back…"
His voice broke completely now.
Small.
Shaking.
Childlike.
"…Please…"
Akari immediately held him gently.
One hand against the back of his head.
The other around him protectively.
Haruto's shoulders trembled hard now.
"…I don't want everyone leaving again…"
The words came out between broken breaths.
"…I'm scared…"
"…Really scared…"
Akari closed her eyes briefly.
Holding him closer.
"…I know."
Haruto gripped her tighter.
Like if he let go—
she might disappear forever too.
"…Come back…"
"…Please come back…"
Tears kept slipping down uncontrollably now.
All the fear he'd been suppressing finally pouring out again at once.
Akari gently stroked his hair slowly.
"…I'll come back."
Her voice stayed calm.
Warm.
Steady.
Even though deep down—
neither of them could truly know that for certain.
But Haruto needed to hear it anyway.
After a long while—
his crying slowly weakened.
His breathing gradually steadied little by little.
And eventually—
Haruto himself slowly loosened his grip.
Not because he wanted to.
But because he understood now:
if he kept holding on—
Akari still wouldn't stay.
Very slowly—
he stepped back.
His eyes red.
Tears still visible.
But this time—
he forced himself to stand properly.
Akari gently wiped one last tear from his face.
Then softly smiled.
"…Take care of them for me."
Haruto swallowed hard.
Then nodded.
"…Okay…"
A small silence.
Then quietly—
"…Good luck."
Akari's eyes softened deeply at those words.
"…Thank you."
Then finally—
she turned toward the door once more.
Opened it.
Cold night air entered softly into the house.
For a brief second—
Akari looked back one final time.
At Haruto standing there alone beneath the warm lights of the house.
Then—
she stepped outside.
And the door slowly closed behind her.