Chapter 29: He Was There Yesterday. Today He's Gone.
The first sign?
He didn't reply to her message.
Not last night. Not this morning.
Just Read.
No "Typing…"
She figured he needed space.Maybe he was at the bridge again.
But when she got to school —
His desk was empty.
Not just the seat.
Empty.
His nameplate was gone.
His textbooks.His hoodie.His scent.
Gone.
She skipped third period.
Ran to the office.
"He's not here," the secretary said.
Yumi gripped the counter.
"Where is he?"
"I… I think his guardian pulled him from enrollment."
The words didn't register.
So she said them again:
"Pulled. Him. Out."
Yumi's vision narrowed.Noise drowned.Her knees buckled.
She didn't cry.
She couldn't.
Instead she walked.
Past the courtyard.Past Reiko.Past the looks.
Straight to the bridge.
His soda can was still there.Half-full.Warmed by the sun.
But he was gone.
She texted. Called.Nothing.
Checked every corner he loved.Every alley.Every art room.
Nothing.
Like he'd never existed.
Three days passed.
Still no word.
Then, a package arrived at her doorstep.
No return address.
Inside:His sketchbook.
Her face, drawn a hundred times.Sleeping. Laughing. Crying.
On the last page:
"I'm not running from you.""I'm running from what I turn into when I'm near fire.""You were the only thing that made me feel human."
"But I'm scared of what I'll do if I stay."
— A."
Yumi held the book to her chest.
Sank to the floor.
And for the first time since loving him—
She wished she'd never said hello.