The field was louder than usual.
Not just noise—movement. Direction.
"Daichi, that's crooked."
"It's not crooked, it's angled."
"It's falling."
"It's adjusting."
Riku sighed. "It's going to hit someone."
"…it won't."
The frame tilted.
A second later—
It slipped.
"Move!"
Haruki stepped forward before the shout finished.
He caught the side just in time.
The frame steadied.
A brief pause.
Then—
"…okay, that was actually useful," Daichi admitted.
Riku smirked. "He saved your 'angled' masterpiece."
Haruki let go slowly. "…you're welcome."
"Don't get used to it," Daichi said, but there was no bite in it.
The group relaxed again.
For a moment—it felt normal.
---
"Alright, we're done here," Riku said, dusting his hands. "Now we just need approval."
"From who?" Daichi asked.
Riku blinked. "…seriously?"
"What?"
"Just ask him."
Haruki frowned slightly. "…ask who?"
The group went quiet for a second.
Not dramatic.
Just… a small pause.
Daichi looked at him. "…you don't know?"
Haruki met his gaze. "…should I?"
Riku let out a short laugh. "That's a joke, right?"
No one answered.
Haruki didn't either.
Because it didn't feel like a joke.
---
"Whatever," Daichi said, waving it off. "We'll just go."
"Yeah, he should be near the main setup," Riku added.
They started moving.
Haruki followed.
Aoi walked beside him, quiet as usual.
But her eyes weren't on the path.
They were on him.
---
The closer they got to the main area, the more organized everything felt.
Less chaos.
More structure.
Groups working without arguing.
Instructions being followed.
"See?" Riku said. "Way smoother here."
"Because he's handling it," Daichi replied.
Haruki glanced around.
"…who is?"
Daichi stopped walking.
Just for a second.
Then continued.
"…you're serious."
No one explained.
---
"There."
Riku pointed ahead.
A small crowd had gathered—not tightly, but naturally.
People moving in and out.
Talking.
Listening.
Following.
"Let's just get this approved and leave," Daichi muttered.
They approached.
Haruki slowed slightly.
Not on purpose.
Just… instinct.
Something felt—
Familiar.
---
"He's right there."
Riku's voice.
Clear.
Direct.
Haruki looked.
Students.
Movement.
Voices.
Nothing unusual.
"…where?" he asked.
Daichi turned. "…are you blind?"
"Don't start," Riku said. "Just—"
He stopped.
Because Haruki wasn't joking.
---
A gap opened between people.
Just for a second.
And in that space—
Something stood there.
Still.
Not clear.
Not detailed.
But—
Present.
Haruki's breath caught slightly.
"…there—"
Someone stepped through.
The space filled.
Gone.
---
"Haruki?"
Aoi's voice.
Closer now.
He didn't answer.
Because his eyes were still fixed on where it had been.
"…someone was there."
Daichi frowned. "Of course someone was there."
"No," Haruki said quietly. "…not like that."
Riku exchanged a glance with Daichi.
"…you're acting weird today."
"Today?" Daichi added. "He's been like this all week."
A short laugh.
But it didn't land fully.
---
"Anyway," Riku said, stepping forward. "Let's just get this done."
He moved toward the center of the group.
Spoke briefly.
Nodded.
Then came back.
"All good."
"That fast?" Daichi asked.
"Yeah."
"…you talked to him?"
"Obviously."
A pause.
Then—
"…to who?" Haruki asked.
Riku stared at him.
Longer this time.
"…you're not serious."
Haruki didn't respond.
Because he didn't have one.
---
They walked back.
The energy from before didn't return the same way.
Not completely.
---
"You missed it again."
Aoi's voice was low.
Just for him.
Haruki kept walking. "…missed what?"
She didn't hesitate.
"Him."
Haruki stopped.
"…I didn't see anyone."
Aoi shook her head slightly.
"That's the problem."
---
The rooftop was quieter.
It always was.
The wind moved lightly across the space.
Haruki stepped out.
He hadn't planned to.
His feet just brought him there.
"…you came."
A voice.
Soft.
From behind.
He turned.
The girl from before leaned against the railing.
Same calm expression.
Same unreadable eyes.
"…you're here again," Haruki said.
"I didn't leave."
Her answer came easily.
Like it was obvious.
---
"You're looking for someone."
Not a question.
A statement.
Haruki frowned slightly. "…what makes you think that?"
She tilted her head just a little.
"You keep missing him."
His chest tightened.
"…you know him?"
The girl didn't answer immediately.
Her gaze shifted past him.
Toward the open sky.
"…everyone does."
A quiet pause.
Then—
"You should too."
---
Haruki's eyes narrowed slightly. "…then why don't I?"
The girl looked back at him.
For a moment—
Her expression changed.
Not much.
But enough.
"…that's what makes it interesting."
---
The wind picked up slightly.
A faint chill.
Haruki looked away for a second.
And when he looked back—
She wasn't there.
No footsteps.
No sound.
Just empty space.
---
Evening settled slowly.
The field was quieter now.
Most people had left.
Haruki stood alone near the edge.
The same place as before.
But it didn't feel the same.
Not anymore.
---
"…Shin."
The name came from somewhere behind him.
Casual.
Familiar.
Like it belonged there.
Haruki turned.
Too slow.
There—
For a fraction of a second—
Someone stood in the fading light.
Tall.
Still.
Facing slightly away.
Real.
Not distant.
Not unclear.
Just—
There.
—
Then gone.
---
Haruki didn't move.
Didn't speak.
His breath steady—
But heavier.
"…Shin…"
He repeated it quietly.
The name felt wrong.
And yet—
It didn't feel unfamiliar.
---
"…why does it feel like I should've said that sooner?"
The field didn't answer.
But for the first time—
The silence felt like it was holding something back.