•In the Park (6 pm)•
It was getting late. The sky had turned darker, and the streetlights were starting to flicker on. A calm, quiet atmosphere settled over the park as they sat side by side.
After a moment, Kanzaki broke the silence with a small, apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry...we couldn't even work on the project today."
She said, fiddling with the cold coffee can in her hands.
Haruki shook his head without hesitation. "Don't worry about it. Your well-being is a thousand times more important than some school project."
He said firmly.
Kanzaki's smile wavered, but she eventually stood up and brushed off her skirt.
"I guess... it's time to go home."
Haruki stood up too, hesitating for a second before speaking.
"What if... she tries to hurt you again?"
Kanzaki looked at him with a soft, reassuring gaze.
"It's okay. She saw us together. She knows we were doing a school project. I don't think she'll do anything... at least not today."
she said quietly.
Haruki still looked uneasy, but after a long moment, he nodded slowly.
"Alright. But if anything happens... you have to tell me. Promise?"
Kanzaki smiled and gave a small nod.
"I promise. Hehe~"
They stood there for a few more seconds, neither wanting to part just yet, but finally, they waved and went their separate ways. Haruki watching her for a long moment until she disappeared down the street.
•At Haruki's Home (9 pm)
Haruki stepped out of the shower, towel thrown over his damp hair. The cool air of his room hit his skin as he dried himself off lazily. His mind, however, was elsewhere.
Kanzaki… I can't just sit and do nothing.
He thought back to her trembling voice, her forced smiles.
I'll talk to our homeroom teacher tomorrow. Someone has to do something.
He sighed, tossing the towel aside and plopping onto his bed.
Trying to distract himself, he grabbed a manga from his desk and flipped it open, but his mind wasn't fully in it.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the nightstand. A notification popped up.
[Message received]
Haruki leaned over and checked.
It was a message.
From Kanzaki.
- - - - -
[Kanzaki]: Hi! You awake?
[Haruki]: Yeah.. What's up?
[Kanzaki]: What are you doing right now?
[Haruki]: Just reading a book.. What about you?
[Kanzaki]: Can you come to the bridge now?
[Haruki]: What? Why?
[Kanzaki]: Because I am already here right now..
[Haruki]: On the bridge? Why? What are you doing there at this hour?
[Kanzaki]: Just come, please...
- - - - -
What did she mean? And more importantly, what is she doing there at this moment?
- – On the bridge – -
Kanzaki stood on the bridge, out of breath, blood dripping from cuts on her hands.
She held her phone tightly, staring at it without moving.
- – Earlier that Evening – -
Kanzaki quietly pushed the front door open and stepped inside the house. The lights in the living room were on, but it felt colder than ever.
Her stepmother was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"So, you were out with a boy today,"
she said, voice dripping with suspicion.
Kanzaki froze.
"I-It was just a school project,"
she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
The woman stood up, walking toward her slowly.
"You think you're clever? Trying to make connections outside, huh? Planning something behind my back?"
*Smack!*
Before Kanzaki could say anything, the first slap landed across her face, hard enough to make her stumble back.
*smack!*
Then another.
She tried to shield herself, but she grabbed Kanzaki by the wrist and twisted it cruelly.
the woman's nails digging into Kanzaki's skin.
Kanzaki barely noticed when her skin broke, when blood started trailing down her arms.
She grabbed the stick nearby which she uses to hit Kanzaki, and..
*Whack*
She hit her rapidly on her hands with that. Kanzaki tried to scream but she put her hand on her mouth and said,
"You're nothing but trouble."
Finally, the woman shoved Kanzaki into her room.
*Slam!*
Inside the dim room, the door slammed shut with a loud thud.
Kanzaki sat against the wall, holding her bleeding hands.
*clank*
Hearing the sound of the lock clicking from outside.
Her stepmother's cold voice came through the door,
"Stay there and reflect on your behavior."
The footsteps faded away.
Kanzaki sat frozen for a moment, the pain throbbing, the fear building.
Tears blurred her vision, but she wiped them away roughly.
I can't stay here. Not tonight.
She staggered to her feet and looked at the window.
Without thinking, she climbed onto the bed, slid open the window with trembling hands, and slipped outside into the cold night.
Her heart was pounding, her body screaming in pain, but she kept running. And without even knowing, she realizes that her feet brought her to that bridge near Haruki's house.
Kanzaki stood on the bridge, the chilly night air brushing against her skin. She wiped the tears from her cheeks with her sleeve, trying to clean the streaks of blood staining her hands.
Her body still trembled from the sprint, but she steadied herself, breathing out slowly.
Taking out her phone with shaking fingers, she stared at the screen for a moment before typing a message to Haruki.
After gathering up the courage, she finally sent a message to Haruki. Asked him to come over..
If he comes... if he really shows up... This time, I'll..... I'll ask for his help this time... for real.
She hit send and closed her eyes for a moment, clutching the phone tightly against her chest.
- – Back to Present —The Bridge – -
Kanzaki stood quietly by the railings, the evening breeze brushing against her hair. People passed by, glancing at her for a second before moving on. She barely noticed.
Her eyes were locked on the path ahead, waiting. Hoping.
But after a while, her thoughts started creeping in.
I didn't even explain anything...
Why would he come?
It's so late. At this hour, at this place...
He's not coming, is he...
She bit her lip, staring down at her scraped hands.
Still, her legs refused to move.
She stayed right there, holding on to that tiny hope.
Suddenly, Kanzaki heard someone call out her name.
"Kanzaki-sann!!!"
She quickly looked up.
And there he was —
Haruki, ran all the way here. Standing in front of her, catching his breath
*huff-huff*
Even though she was the one who had asked him to come, she couldn't believe it.
Finally, her voice came out in a shaky whisper,
"You... really came!?"
- –Several Minutes Earlier – -
Haruki quickly grabbed his jacket from the coat rack by the door. Without another thought, he opened the door.
"Haruki, where are you going? Dinner's ready. It's getting late."
His mom's voice called out from the dining room, her voice carrying a hint of concern.
Haruki paused for a moment, hand on the door handle. He didn't have time to explain everything.
"I'll eat later, Mom. I need to go out for something."
His voice sounded more rushed than he intended.
"But it's late! At least—"
"I'll be back soon. Don't worry about it!"
The urgency inside him pushed him to act, to leave.
With that, he closed the door behind him, stepping into the night air, and began to run.
What is this feeling?
She didn't explain anything. Just a simple text. Come to the bridge. Why? What for?
I don't know. But I can't just ignore it.
I don't care that it's late, or that she hasn't told me anything. Something's off... I know it. If I don't go, I'll regret it for sure.
No. I can't think like that. I just need to get there. She reached out... I can't let her down.
I have to go.
- – Back to Present – -
*huff-huff*
Haruki finally caught his breath as he stood in front of Kanzaki. He opened his mouth, ready to ask why she had called him here so suddenly, but the words stopped halfway.
Kanzaki's eyes were filled with tears. She wasn't saying anything, just standing there.
Haruki got flustered.
"Kanzaki, what hap—"
His voice broke off again as he noticed her hands. The blood, the bruises, the small cuts still fresh.
His chest tightened.
He didn't need her to explain anymore. He understood everything at a single glance.
Haruki froze for a second, staring at the bruises and blood on Kanzaki's trembling hands.
Without thinking, he stepped closer and gently grabbed her shoulders.
His eyes, wide and filled with sadness, locked onto hers.
"H-how did this happen? Didn't you say it was gonna be alright this time?"
Kanzaki couldn't answer his questions.
She stood there, crying quietly, her voice stuck in her throat.
Kanzaki didn't answer.
Her body shook as silent sobs escaped her lips.
Then, her voice, broken and desperate, slipped out.
"Haruki-kun....."
Gripping his sleeves, she cried out,
"Help me..."
Those two words struck Haruki harder than anything ever had. In that moment, he saw it — her fear, her pain, her complete helplessness.
Still holding her trembling shoulders, Haruki tightened his grip slightly.
He leaned closer, steady and firm, and said,
"Yes. I'll definitely help you."
No matter what...
Haruki looked at Kanzaki, his expression softening. Without saying anything, he quickly removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders and gently led her to a nearby bench and sat down with her.
They sat side by side, the sound of passing people and the soft breeze filling the silence between them.
Haruki wanted to ask more, but he couldn't find the right words.
What should I even say to her?
No words feel right for now. Nothing I say can erase the pain she's been through.
She's crying so much... and yet she's trying so hard to hold it all in.
If I push her to talk now, it'll only hurt her more.
It's okay. She's been through so much... she needs time.
Even if she doesn't say anything now, it's fine.
When she's ready, she'll speak.
Until then, I'll wait.
No matter how long it takes, I'll be here for her.
He simply sat there, waiting patiently, giving her all the time she needed.
• • • • •
Kanzaki broke the silence, her voice small, almost trembling.
"I... I don't want to go back there."
Haruki didn't answer immediately.
He simply looked at her, his eyes calm but full of understanding.
He knew exactly what she meant, and he didn't try to force any words.
A few seconds passed.
Then, Haruki spoke, a little awkwardly but with sincerity.
"...Then, want to come over to my place?"
Kanzaki stiffened, eyes widening slightly at the sudden invitation.
Her cheeks reddened a little, and she fumbled for a response.
"Eh...? I-I mean... but..."
She didn't outright reject it.
Instead, she lowered her head, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve, as if unsure what to say.
Haruki noticed Kanzaki's reaction and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
He fumbled with his words, his face slightly red.
"U-Um... if you don't mind, you could come over. To my place."
He gave a nervous smile, trying to make it sound casual.
"My mom's cooking is seriously good, so... you won't have to worry about anything."
Kanzaki looked at him, a little flustered herself.
They both stood up. Haruki turned his gaze away, feeling his chest tighten with nerves.
They walked side by side. Kanzaki's pace was slower than usual, and she kept her head lowered, her hands tucked into the sleeves of Haruki's jacket.
Haruki glanced at her occasionally, unsure of what to say. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't exactly easy either. His thoughts were a mix of concern for her and confusion over what to do next. He wanted to ask more, but he knew it wasn't the time.
Kanzaki, on the other hand, seemed lost in her thoughts. Every now and then, she would glance up at him, then quickly look away.
Neither of them spoke as they continued walking down the quiet street, the lights from nearby houses casting soft glows on their path. The tension from earlier had eased, they were both just trying to get through this, step by step.
They walked in quiet companionship, the distance between them growing smaller with each step..
- – At Haruki's place – -
Haruki stood in front of his door, his hand raised to knock. Kanzaki, just a step behind him, hesitated for a moment. She glanced at him nervously, her cheeks flushed slightly. Haruki smiled at her reassuringly and knocked.
The door opened, and Haruki's mom stood there, her expression one of surprise as she looked at Haruki, then at Kanzaki.
"Oh, Haruki,"
she said, raising an eyebrow.
"You didn't tell me you were bringing a friend over tonight."
There was a hint of playful teasing in her voice, but it was clear she hadn't expected this.
Both Haruki and Kanzaki a bit embarrassed, Haruki scratched the back of his head. Kanzaki shifted uncomfortably next to him.
"Ah, sorry, Mom,"
Haruki stammered, trying to smooth things over.
"We... uh... weren't planning on it, but... it just happened. I didn't want to leave her alone, so I thought it would be better if she came here."
Kanzaki a little embarrassed. His mom raised an eyebrow but smiled knowingly. "Well, it's fine. Come in, both of you."
Kanzaki stepped inside the house, her eyes scanning the cozy living room. She sat down on the couch, a little unsure of herself but trying to stay calm. Haruki's mom gestured for her to make herself comfortable, though she seemed curious about the unexpected guest.
Haruki pulled his mom aside in the hallway, his voice low.
"Mom, I need to talk to you about something... it's kind of important."
His mom nodded, her expression softening, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
"What is it?"
Haruki explained quickly, keeping his voice down so Kanzaki wouldn't overhear.
His mom's face softened with concern. "That's awful. I'm so sorry she's going through this."
Haruki nodded.
"Yeah. I just... I want you to act normal, okay? Don't bring it up in front of her. Just treat her like my friend."
His mom hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Of course. Don't worry about it."
Haruki gave a small, grateful smile.
"Thanks, Mom."
After speaking with his mom and making sure everything was settled, Haruki quickly slipped out the front door. He barely had a chance to step outside when his mom's voice called after him from inside.
"Haruki, where are you going now?"
Her tone was curious, though not suspicious.
Haruki turned back for a moment,
"I'm just going to take care of something real quick. I'll be back soon."
His voice was casual, but there was a slight urgency in his words.
His mom nodded, though she still looked a bit puzzled. "Alright, be careful and don't stay out too long."
"Got it,"
Haruki said quickly, before turning and heading off.
Haruki walked, his mind was racing with thoughts about Kanzaki and the situation.
Is the shop still open this late?
Actually Haruki was heading to meet their homeroom teacher, Tsukasa. He works full-time as a teacher but also has a small shop of his own.
His teacher's shop wasn't far from the school, but it wasn't a place he'd frequent at odd hours. Haruki wasn't sure when the shop closed, or if it even had set hours.
Despite the uncertainty, Haruki pushed forward, determined to speak with his teacher and figure out what could be done to help Kanzaki.
Haruki finally reached the shop. The shop's lights were dimming, and he could see Tsukada-sensei inside, finishing up some last-minute work. Haruki was relieved to see that the teacher was still there.
The door creaked as he pushed it open, and Tsukada-sensei looked up, surprised to see Haruki standing there at this late hour. The teacher raised an eyebrow, glancing at the clock.
"Haruki? What brings you here at this time? Everything okay?"
With a deep breath, he walked inside, his eyes locking onto Tsukada-sensei's.
"I need to talk to you about something important, Tsukada-sensei."
Haruki said firmly.....