Leo stood still for a moment, his eyes fixed on Clair.
Everything inside him felt heavy.
Confusion. Anger. Betrayal.
And above all—
Loneliness.
He felt like he had no one left to trust.
Even Mr. Daniel… the one person he thought would tell him the truth… had held something back.
Leo lowered his gaze slightly.
Why is everyone hiding things from me…?
For the first time in a long while—
He felt completely alone.
But this time…
He didn't walk away.
He didn't hide.
Instead—
He started walking toward her.
Clair was walking slowly along the street, having just left her university. She looked around absentmindedly, lost in her own thoughts.
Then suddenly—
She looked up.
And froze.
Right in front of her…
Leo was walking toward her.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"…Leo?"
For a moment, she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
After so many years…
He was standing right there.
Clair quickly stepped forward, her expression filled with disbelief.
"I can't believe this… you're really here," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Leo… is that really you?"
Leo stopped in front of her.
A faint, soft smile appeared on his face.
"Hey… Clair," he said gently. "It's been a long time. How are you?"
Clair shook her head slightly, still trying to process everything.
"I… I don't know what to say," she replied. "I can't believe you're actually here. I've been waiting to see you again… but you never came back."
Her voice grew softer.
"I waited for you, Leo."
Leo's expression changed.
"…You waited?" he asked quietly.
Clair looked at him, a mix of emotions in her eyes.
"Yes," she said. "But you never showed up. You didn't even tell me you were leaving. Why didn't you meet me one last time?"
Her words hit him deeply.
Leo looked away for a moment.
"…Something important happened," he said slowly. "I had to leave suddenly. I didn't get the chance to meet you."
Then he looked back at her.
"But… you really waited for me?"
There was something vulnerable in his voice.
Clair nodded.
"I did," she said.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Years of silence stood between them.
Unspoken feelings.
Missed chances.
Memories that never faded.
Leo took a step closer.
"…I missed you too," he said quietly.
Before he could stop himself—
He moved forward and pulled her into a hug.
Clair froze.
She hadn't expected it.
But after a second—
She slowly wrapped her arms around him too.
For Leo…
That moment felt different.
For the first time in days—
The weight inside his chest felt lighter.
The chaos in his mind quieted down.
Being near her…
Felt warm.
Safe.
Like he wasn't alone anymore.
Clair closed her eyes for a moment.
She had waited so long for this.
And now—
He was finally here.
A soft breeze passed between them, carrying the quiet sound of the city.
Time seemed to slow down.
Neither of them wanted to let go.
After a while, Leo slowly pulled back.
He looked at her again.
And for a moment—
Everything else disappeared.
No secrets.
No betrayal.
No confusion.
Just them.
Clair gave a small smile, though her eyes still held emotion.
"You really disappeared without a word," she said softly.
Leo let out a faint breath.
"…I know," he said. "And I'm sorry."
There was a pause.
Then Clair looked at him more closely.
"…Are you okay?" she asked.
Leo oh yes I am fine it's just that it's been a long since I saw you Claire.