Ren found her in the library.
Of course it was the library.
While the world spun in chaos, Mei Kanzaki stayed exactly where the noise couldn't reach her.
She was seated at the window table, reading a thick philosophy book she probably wasn't actually processing. Her tea bottle sat untouched beside her. Her other hand, Ren noticed, was clenching her skirt.
He didn't speak at first.
She didn't look up.
But when he sat down opposite her, she said:
"You should be somewhere else."
"Everyone else is mad at me," Ren said softly.
Mei turned a page.
"You earned it."
He nodded.
"And you're mad too."
Pause.
Then she replied:
"No. I'm just disappointed."
Those words stung more than yelling ever could.
They sat in silence for minutes.
Then Mei finally closed the book.
She looked at him—calm, yes, but not distant.
"I watched you get flustered with Yui. Get overwhelmed by Rika. Hesitate with Emi. Panic with Haruka."
"But with me?"
"You just… stopped looking."
Ren opened his mouth.
Closed it again.
"I don't care if I'm not the loudest," she continued. "Or the most aggressive. I don't even care if you never choose me."
"But I do care if you pretend like what we shared meant nothing."
She reached into her bag. Pulled something out.
Set it gently on the table.
It was the notebook she used to take morning notes in — the one she always kept to herself.
Ren blinked.
"I don't write thoughts," she said. "I write mornings."
"And your name is in more pages than I'm comfortable with."
Ren felt something crack inside his chest.
Mei stood.
"This will be the only time I ask."
She leaned closer. Not touching, not demanding. Just… waiting.
"If you ever wanted me, Ren…even once…"
"Say it now."
His heart pounded.
He looked into her eyes.
And…
He said nothing.
Mei smiled.
It wasn't sad.
It was just… accepting.
She picked up her book. Slid the notebook toward him.
"Then you can read it instead."
And walked away.
He opened the first page.
It was dated six months ago.
"Day 1. The boy with the upside-down sandwich looks tired. He's going to matter to me, isn't he?"
Ren closed his eyes.
And the weight of what he couldn't say… crashed over him like rain.