Ren blinking, mildly betrayed
"…That was mine."
Airi smirking
"Now it's shared. You're welcome."
Ren stares at her for a long second. Then, wordlessly, he swaps their cones.
Airi mock-Gaspin
"Hey, that's cheating!"
Ren deadpan
"You started the war."
Airi narrows her eyes dramatically and takes another giant bite this time from her own cone.
Airi:
"Fine. But mine's better anyway."
They both sit in playful silence, ice cream dripping down their fingers, laughter hidden behind soft smiles.
Somewhere behind them, the ocean keeps singing.
And then a cliffside bench stands quietly above the beach, carved into a raised patch of stone where grass gives way to the open sky. Wind brushes past, bringing with it the salt of the sea and the warmth of a fading sun.
Ren and Airi sit side by side, legs dangling slightly off the edge, gazing at the horizon where the sky is painted in streaks of fire orange, red, gold.
The waves crash softly below like a heartbeat.
Airi, hugging her knees, breaks the silence.
Airi softly
"You know… if this day was my last, I'd still be smiling."
Ren turns his head a little, enough to look at her from the corner of his eye. Something about the way she says it like she means it lodges in his chest.
He says nothing.
Airi doesn't look at him. Just keeps her eyes on the burning sky.
Airi smiling gently
"You should try smiling more, Ren. You have a nice one."
Ren's lips twitch the smallest movement and then settle again.
Ren quietly
"…Maybe I forgot how."
Airi leans sideways, rests her head against his shoulder without a word.
The wind plays with her hair.
Ren doesn't move.
And above them, the sky keeps burning not loudly, but softly.
Like a promise.
And on Friday Airi comes at ren's home
She knocks gently. The door opens to reveal Ren's house small, cozy, with a homely warmth.
Ren's mom gentle-looking, wearing a simple apron smiles warmly as she sees her.
Ren's Mom with a soft laugh
"Oh, you must be Airi. You look so lovely!"
Airi bowing with a cheeky grin
"And you look just like Ren… only, you know, a little less rude!"
They both giggles.
The house feels light the smell of something warm cooking in the background, soft clinking of utensils.
A peaceful, wholesome vibe.
In the corner, Ren stands awkwardly holding two glasses of juice, unsure whether to interrupt or disappear.
Airi and Ren's mom glance at him then turn to each other and laugh again.
Airi teasing
"He always makes that face when he's stuck in social situations."
Ren's Mom
"He was like that even as a kid. Always sulking in corners."
They both laugh again like old friends.
Ren sighs.
Ren muttering
"I invited one guest and lost control of my own house…"
But there's the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
Ren awkwardly leads Airi into his room, pushing the door open with hesitation.
The room is disaster clothes thrown over the chair, empty ramen cups stacked like trophies, scattered papers on the floor, a lone sock hanging from the fan switch.
Airi wrinkling her nose
"Eww... Do you live here or just survive here?"
Ren blushing, scratching the back of his neck
"I was… busy."
Airi doesn't say anything. She just sighs, rolls up her sleeves, and starts picking up clothes.
Ren stands near the door, watching silently caught off guard, unsure what to do.
He sees her folding his shirt, tossing trash into the bin, rearranging the books.
And for the first time in a while…
Ren smiles.
A soft, rare smile like a secret he's letting slip just for her.
Warm. Cozy.
A lo-fi style track plays faintly in the background soft piano and ambient notes as the two move around the space.
No big gestures. Just quiet closeness, slowly growing.
The room is finally clean. The late afternoon light spills through the window, casting a warm glow.
Ren and Airi sit cross-legged on the floor, a deck of cards between them. An empty juice box lies to the side, and there's the faint sound of a breeze brushing the curtains.
They're mid-game, relaxed comfortable in the silence.
Airi grinning
"If I win this round, you have to answer one truth."
Ren smirking, shuffling the cards
"Then I better win."
They play.
Airi slaps her card down. She wins.
She leans forward, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Airi:
"Okay… have you ever kissed anyone?"
Ren pauses, blinks
"…Do virtual characters count?"
Airi gasps dramatically and gives him a playful smack on the arm.
Airi laughing
"Seriously?! That's your answer?"
Ren hides his face behind a card, trying not to smile.
Playful and flirty. The air feels lighter now filled with laughter and the sound of connection quietly blooming.
Ren and Airi sit close, their shoulders almost touching. The soft glow of the screen lights up their faces quiet, intimate.
Just then, a girl leans over from the row behind them. She's someone from Ren's school familiar, friendly, and clearly surprised.
Random Girl whispering
"Hey?"
Before Ren can even react, Airi snaps her head toward the girl with a sharp glare.
Airi coldly
"Can you not?"
The girl blinks, caught off-guard by Airi's tone, and sinks back into her seat silently.
Airi turns to Ren with a small frown.
Airi:
"Next time any girl tries to cling to you, I'll remove her... permanently."
Ren gives an awkward smile, scratching the back of his neck.
Airi stares for another second… then sighs and cools down, resting her head lightly against his shoulder as the movie continues.
The crowd surges around them umbrellas bobbing, shoes splashing softly on the wet pavement.
Ren and Airi walk side by side.
Airi quietly reaches out and grabs his hand, fingers locking naturally.
Suddenly a strong wave of people pushes through.
Airi's grip slips.
Airi moves ahead with the crowd.
She turns, eyes scanning.
Ren stands a few steps behind frozen for a moment, his hand still half-raised.
All he sees is Airi, turning back toward him through the sea of people.
Neon lights flicker across their faces.
Soft piano music plays faint, melancholic.
Everything around is moving.
Except the two of them locked in that moment of distance.
Ren enters his room, throws his damp hoodie on the chair, and picks up his phone.
Ren calling
"Did you get home okay?"
Airi on-screen, lying-in bed
"Yeah. You?"
Ren:
"Always late… but yeah."
A pause. The sound of quiet breathing. Neither wants to hang up first.
Airi softly
"Goodnight, Ren."
Ren barely audible
"…Goodnight."
Call ends.
He puts the phone down.
Walks to the window.
Shibuya glows outside lights flickering in puddles on the street.
He stares… his faint smile slowly fading.
End of Day.
On Saturday
Ren stands at the sink, brushing his teeth, eyes steady as he stares into the mirror. There's no nervousness just a quiet determination in his gaze.
He rinses, dries his hands on a towel, and walks into his room. Light filters through the curtains, catching the screen of his phone. He picks it up still no message from Airi.
Ren sits on the edge of his bed, pulls on his socks, then pauses. His reflection stares back at him from the mirror across the room. For a moment, he just watches himself. Then
REN
"I can't imagine a second without her anymore. I'll tell her today. I have to."
Buzz.
He checks the screen
Airi's message glows softly:
"Let's meet where we first did."
Ren's eyes widen slightly. Then, slowly, a small smile forms on his face warm, hopeful… certain.
He stands.
Today is the day.
Ren and Airi spot each other from opposite ends of the platform.
They walk slowly, step by step, until the crowd blurs behind them and only each other remains in focus.
They stop a few feet apart.
REN
"This is where we first met... We were strangers."
Airi tilts her head, a soft smile curving her lips.
AIRI
"And now?"
Ren takes a quiet breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
REN
"Now you're the closest person I've ever had."
Silence follows not heavy, but full. A moment suspended, delicate as breath.
Airi steps forward and gently takes his hand. Their fingers lace.
No more words. Just… the beginning of something real.
Ren and Airi sit side by side, the countryside slowly rolling past the window. Sunlight filters through, painting soft patterns on their faces.
Airi stretches her legs a little, still catching her breath from the rush to board.
AIRI
laughing softly
"I've never hiked before. What if I roll all the way down?"
REN
grinning
"Then I'll roll down with you."
Airi snorts and gives him a playful punch on the shoulder.
AIRI
"Deal. But if I twist an ankle, you're carrying me like a princess."
REN
smiling
"Only if you promise not to kick me mid-rescue."
They both laugh.
The train sways gently, rhythmic and peaceful. Outside, trees blur past like a green ocean, and inside, everything feels light like time is finally giving them space to just be.
Ren and Airi sit side by side, the countryside slowly rolling past the window. Sunlight filters through, painting soft patterns on their faces.
Airi stretches her legs a little, still catching her breath from the rush to board.
AIRI
laughing softly
"I've never hiked before. What if I roll all the way down?"
REN
grinning
"Then I'll roll down with you."
Airi snorts and gives him a playful punch on the shoulder.
AIRI
"Deal. But if I twist an ankle, you're carrying me like a princess."
REN
smiling
"Only if you promise not to kick me mid-rescue."
They both laugh.
The train sways gently, rhythmic and peaceful. Outside, trees blur past like a green ocean, and inside, everything feels light like time is finally giving them space to just be
Ren walks ahead, steady but anxious. He stops at a wide, flat rock overlooking the valley clouds drift low beneath them, and the world stretches endlessly ahead.
REN
"This spot... I'll do it here."
"I'll tell her."
Behind him, footsteps crunch lightly on gravel. Airi appears from the winding trail below, climbing the last bit with a teasing smile.
AIRI
grinning
"What if I jumped off right now?"
REN
nervously chuckling, eyes wide
"Don't joke like that... seriously."
But then everything shifts.
Her smile fades.
She stumbles.
Her knees give way as her hands clutch the cliff's edge. Pebbles scatter downward.
AIRI
panicked
"R-Ren... something's wrong... I can't hold on!"
Ren's world freezes then explodes into motion.
He drops down, reaching out.
REN
"Grab my hand! Come on!"
She grabs it. Their hands lock tight knuckles white, wrists straining.
REN
panting, holding her weight
"You're heavy… What did you eat?!"
AIRI
a shaky smile breaking through the fear
"Ren… do you love me?"
His eyes widen. Caught. No way out.
REN
"I… I do."
Their hands are slick with sweat now the grip weakening.
Airi's face calms. Too calm.
AIRI
softly, meaningfully
"Ren… thank you. For giving me the best week of my life."
REN
teeth clenched
"Shut up! I won't let go! I won't!"
AIRI
"I love you…"
And then
Their hands slip.
The sound of air.
A scream.
Silence.
REN
screaming
"AIRIIIIIIIIII!!"
His voice echoes across the cliffs wild, broken, frantic.
He sprints down the rocky path, eyes blurred with tears, slipping and stumbling, each breath a sharp gasp.
The trail twists and he doesn't care.
He leaps over the fifth level's ledge
CRACK.
His body slams the uneven ground below.
His leg bends wrong. Pain sears through him.
But he doesn't scream.
He doesn't stop.
Ren crawls forward, pulling himself across jagged rocks and dirt, face scraped, hands bleeding. His leg useless behind him.
REN
hoarse, sobbing
"Please... please be alive…"
His heart pounds louder than the wind.
His fingers claw through gravel as he drags himself further inch by inch chasing a hope that feels farther with every breath.
Ahead a flash of fabric. A whisper of movement.
Ren's eyes widen.
REN
"...Airi?"
He pulls himself harder, faster no pain, no air, just her name pounding in his chest.
The screen fades to white.
Heavy silence.
Then faint, trembling breathing.
REN
screaming
"AIRIIIIIIIIII!!"
His voice echoes across the cliffs wild, broken, frantic.
He sprints down the rocky path, eyes blurred with tears, slipping and stumbling, each breath a sharp gasp.
The trail twists and he doesn't care.
He leaps over the fifth level's ledge
CRACK.
His body slams the uneven ground below.
His leg bends wrong. Pain sears through him.
But he doesn't scream.
He doesn't stop.
Ren crawls forward, pulling himself across jagged rocks and dirt, face scraped, hands bleeding. His leg useless behind him.
REN
hoarse, sobbing
"Please... please be alive…"
His heart pounds louder than the wind.
His fingers claw through gravel as he drags himself further inch by inch chasing a hope that feels farther with every breath.
Ahead a flash of fabric. A whisper of movement.
Ren's eyes widen.
REN
"...Airi?"
He pulls himself harder, faster no pain, no air, just her name pounding in his chest.
The screen fades to white.
Heavy silence.
Then faint, trembling breathing.
The room is dimly lit. Toma's hands tremble as he grips Ren's collar, his eyes flooding with tears.
TOMA breaking down
No... no... no! Please don't say it!
Please stop, Ren... please...
Ren doesn't resist. His face is calm not empty, but full of something beyond pain.
A knowing smile forms on his lips. He places one hand gently on Toma's arm, loosening the grip.
REN softly, yet clearly
"Some people… they come into your life like seasons.
They don't stay forever…
But they leave behind a sky you'll never forget.
A warmth… that even the coldest winters can't take away."
Silence.
Toma stares, frozen. Ren slowly looks toward the window.
Outside the glass, snowflakes begin to drift gently from the sky soft, white, silent.
A wide shot snow dancing under the pale orange glow of the pole light.
Still. Peaceful. Empty.
A moment suspended in time.
THE END.