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Issei returned home just as the sky had begun to shift from dusk to night. The walk back had been uneventful, but his mind wandered the entire time.
He'd expected to find Kalawarna still in his room—lounging on his bed, smirking with that teasing expression, maybe even eating his snacks without asking.
But when he opened the door, he immediately felt the emptiness.
The room was quiet. Too quiet.
He stepped in slowly, eyes scanning the space. The sheets were folded. His manga pile was left untouched. Even the bento box he'd forgotten to throw out was gone, likely tossed away by her without a word. The only thing out of place was a neatly folded piece of paper on his pillow.
He moved closer, picking it up.
His name was written on the front in careful script.
He sat on the edge of the bed and unfolded the letter. It was short—only a few lines, written in a smooth, elegant hand.
*Issei,*
*Sorry for the trouble I caused.*
*You've already given me more kindness than I deserve. I needed a place to breathe, and you let me have that—thank you.*
*Don't look for me.*
*Kalawarna*
Issei stared at the letter for a few seconds longer, letting the silence stretch. He didn't feel sad. Not in the way he thought he would.
Some part of him had known. From the moment she walked into his room like a ghost from the past, something about her presence felt temporary. Like wind passing through an open window—warm, real, but never meant to stay.
Still, he smiled faintly, setting the letter down beside him.
"Figures," he murmured.
His chest didn't ache. In fact, something deeper in him whispered that it wasn't the end. That he would see her again. He didn't know where or when, but the feeling was strong. Solid.
Almost like a promise.
A soft knock came from the hallway. This time, gentler.
"Issei-san?" came Asia's voice.
He looked up. "Yeah?"
The door creaked open, and Asia peeked in. Her golden hair was slightly mussed from the wind, and she held her hands behind her back. Her innocent eyes scanned the room curiously.
"You're home late," she said softly. "I was just about to make tea."
"I had something to do," Issei replied.
Asia stepped in, noticing the paper in his hand. "What's that? A letter?"
He glanced down at it before folding it again carefully. "Yeah. Just… something from a friend."
Asia tilted her head. "A friend? Someone I know?"
Issei shook his head. "No. Not really."
She hesitated, sensing the weight behind his words but choosing not to press. That was something he liked about Asia—she never forced her way into places she wasn't invited.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked again.
Issei stood, placing the letter in the drawer of his desk. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
Asia smiled, the warm and genuine kind that always made his heart relax just a little.
"Okay! I'll go get it ready."
She turned to leave, and the moment passed as quietly as it had come.
Left alone again, Issei looked out the window, letting the breeze touch his face. The stars were just starting to show. The night was calm.
Wherever Kalawarna was, he hoped she was safe.
He closed the window and followed after Asia, the letter resting silently in the drawer behind him.
He didn't know what the future held—but something told him this wasn't the end of that story.
Not by a long shot.
~~~
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