They walked side by side, hand in hand, up the last rise of the hill.
The sky had dimmed slightly—shadows stretching longer across the earth. The wind carried a faint chill now, brushing against their fingers, but neither let go.
And there she was.
Chitoge stood near the edge of the path, back straight, arms loose at her sides. Her ribbon fluttered slightly behind her. She didn't look surprised.
"So… you arrived," she said.Her eyes drifted down to their joined hands.
"…With her."
Her voice didn't shake, but something beneath it did. Just slightly.
"I knew it…" she said, almost like a breath."I knew I wasn't the girl from your memories."
A pause. Her lashes trembled—eyes glossy, not overflowing, but holding more than she'd allow to fall.
Light tears, caught in the corners, nothing more.
Raku looked at her, jaw tight. Not defensive—just struggling to steady himself.
Onodera said nothing, her gaze low, fixed on the ground between them. Her hand still in his. Not clinging. Just… there.
Chitoge gave a small, uneven laugh—just one breath of it.
"I was selfish," she said. "I didn't understand you. I didn't try hard enough."
She finally looked up. First at Raku. Then at Onodera."But I'm glad you're happy. Both of you. Finally."
Just then, the sound of rushed footsteps behind them.
Tsugumi. Marika. Shu. Yui. All arriving, scattered breaths and worried glances.
But no one said anything.
They could feel it.This wasn't their moment to interrupt.
Raku took a step forward, his voice quiet, unsure but honest:
"…So what's on your mind now, Chitoge?"
"What will you do?"