That afternoon, he went to the cafe.
Hashimoto Rie was already there.
She wore the same tiring grin and greeted him as he approached the counter.
As she handed him his requests,
Rie leaned forward and whispered to him quietly.
"Ao-kun, the story," she reminded. "... Tell me the rest later, okay?"
He looked at her for a moment.
At her uncomfortable eyes that seemed to be filled with life and light and warmth.
His hand twitched. His ear buzzed.
In that moment, the floor seemed to become a gaping chasm, trying to swallow him.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock—
He blinked.
Then, he gave her a small, slight nod.