Hitomi (concerned, leaning closer):
"Are you alright? Your face is burning red."
Her sharp eyes scanned Shion's face with unusual worry.
Shion jerked her head back, slapping Hitomi hand away, her gaze darting around the familiar surroundings from a year ago, panic flashing in her eyes.
Hitomi (frowning, slowly):
"Hana..?"
Shion:
"Did you just call me Hana? Thats not my name anymor—"
Hitomi (cutting her off, firm):
"Stop being ridiculous. Come inside."
Hitomi's hand pressed gently against Shion's back as she guided her across the marble hall. The soft hum of the piano grew louder with every step, spilling through the corridors like a haunting memory.
Shion (glancing nervously at Hitomi, voice sharp with unease):
"Uh... where are you taking me?"
Her eyes flickered across the mansion walls— the chandelier light trembling on polished frames, every detail was disturbingly familiar from a year ago. She turned her face toward Hitomi, searching for answers.
Hitomi (studying her expression, calm but firm):
"Did you hit your head, Hana?"
Shion (tilting her head, words spilling awkwardly):
"Maybe...I did."
Hitomi chuckled, the sound sharp and unkind, and tapped Shion's shoulder with a too-casual pat. She led her into the vast piano room.
And there he was.
Toru.
His back straight, fingers gliding over the keys, the music drowning the silence. The sunlight poured through the tall windows, gliding his figure in a soft glow.
Shion froze at the threshold, her breath catching. She hasn't seen him in a year— yet in this moment, it was as if the time between them collapsed, crushing her chest.
Her vision blurred, the present bleeding into memory—
Flashback— One year ago
Hana stood at the door, her hands trembling as she knocked urgently. The piano's melody drifted from within, muffled but steady, as if mocking her racing heartbreat. She adjusted her glasses nervously, wiping her damp palms on her skirt.
The sharp click of heels echoed from the other side before the door opened. Hitomi's smile was polite—too polite, stretched thin, a smile that concealed more than it revealed.
Hana bowed quickly, lowering her head to avoid her eyes, and stepped inside. They walked side by side in silence, the tension heavy between them. Hana had always feared Hitomi's presence, her coldness suffocating.
And then — there he was
Toru.
Seated at the grand piano, his head tilted slightly as he played. The sunlight streamed across his profile, his figure framed by the elegant curve of the instrument. He hadn't noticed them yet— or maybe he pretended not to.
Hitomi (calling over the music, her voice sharp):
"TORU! YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS HERE!"
The notes faltered. His hands fell still. Toru's shoulders slumped with a sigh, heavy and reluctant, before he turned his head. His eyes met Hana's. He forced a smile, thin and weary.
Toru (softly, almost under his breath):
"...Hi, Hana."
Hana rushed forward, arms flinging around him so suddenly that his chair nearly tipped.
Toru (laughing uncomfortably, easing her grip):
"You always hug me like this... it scares me."
Her laughter spilled out, too loud, too bright. Her glasses slid down, chattering to the floor. She scrambled to pick them up, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
From the corner of the room, Hitomi stood still, shaking her head. Without another word, she turned on her heel and left, her heels echoing through the hall.
Back to the present (time shift⏱️)
The piano's melody cracked mid-note. Toru's fingers froze, his shoulders stiff as if the sound itself betrayed him, like in the flashback. Slowly, he turned his head. His eyes caught Hana's—no, Shion's— and for a brief, fragile second, the air between them fractured.
Toru (softly, almost under his breath):
"...Hi, Hana."
Shion rolled her eyes sharply, her whole body twitching with the urge to leave. She was about to turn around, but Hitomi's voice cut like a blade.
Hitomi (stern, suspicious):
"What's with you today, Hana? This isn't like you. What's with the attitude?"
Shion (snapping, restless)
Obviously he doesn't want me here. Look at him. I need to go back to the club— I don't even know I got here!"
Her voice cracked on the last word. She shoved past, but Toru shot up, the legs of the piano bench screeching against the floor. He strode toward her and caught her wrist.
Toru (genuinely startled):
"What do you mean I don't want you here?"
Shion (yanking away, spitting the truth she'd bottled up for years):
"Hey boy—I'm not stupid like I used to be. You aren't even that cute anyway."
She slapped his hand away, storming toward the door. Toru stood frozen, then let out a short, baffled chuckle. Confusion clouded in his eyes as he turned toward Hitomi.
Toru (narrowing his brows, unsettled):
"Did you... tell her something? And am I tripping or does this feel like deja vu?"
Hitomi (dryly, shaking her head):
"Both of you kids must've hit your heads."
Toru:
"Has she—ever come here like this before?"
But even before she could answer, he bolted after Shion. She was nearly at the front door when his arms circled her, pulling her against his chest. Her body froze, a blush creeping uninvited across her cheeks.
Shion (flustered, pushing him off):
"Why are you hugging me first? This... isn't like you."
Toru stepped back, leaning against the doorframe now, trying to mask his own shaken nerves. His eyes scanned her up and down, almost studying her soul.
Toru (quietly, searching):
"Something's different about you. And I don't know why, but... it feels like I dreamed this day before."
Shion (eyes widening, blurting):
"WAIT— what's today?"
Toru (blinking, then half-smiling awkwardly):
"... January 11th 2024."
The words hit her like a train.
Shion (screaming, trembling):
"I NEED TO GO BACK! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!"
His eyes widened, pure horror. He shook his head violently.
Toru (gripping her shoulders):
"What the hell are you saying, Hana?"
Shion (snapping, furious, trembling):
"MY NAME IS SHION. NOT HANA. STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
Toru (voice breaking, staring at her):
"...Oh my god. Have you lost your mind? You never even talk this much.
Reality sank into her stomach like ice. Of course he wouldn't believe her. Even if she screamed the truth, even if she begged. So she forced a mask back onto her face.
Shion (mocking herself, voice brittle):
"Oh, right. I'm the awkward one... I should probably say something dumb right now, huh?"
Toru burst out laughing, pacing away before circling back, shaking his head in disbelief.
Toru (grinning, incredulous):
"Holy shit.. you're hilarious. How long have you been hiding this side of Hana from me?"
Shion clicked her tongue, feigning attitude, before strutting deeper into the house as if she owned the place. Her arms crossed, shoulders thrown forward, every step deliberate. Toru followed, eyes glued to her like she was a puzzle he couldn't solve. He was surprised he was even having a flowing conversation with her without wanting her to go away, or being awkward. He's talking to her as if they known each other forever, this was new to him from Hana
Toru (softening, hesitating as he blocked her path):
"...Do you need some water?"
Shion (cutting straight through him, her voice trembling with anger and pain):
"Why did you pretend to like me for so long?"
Toru liked the chase.
Back then.. Hana was simple. Easy. She clung to him like a shadow that refused to let go. Always smiling, always laughing too loud at his jokes, always throwing herself into his arms even when he stiffened. She was clingy, predictable, harmless.
But now—
She stood at his doorstep with fire in her eyes. Her arms crossed, her tone sharp, her words like knives. Yesterday she was the girl who barely spoke, who hid behind awkward laughs and trembling hands. Today, she was all edge, defiance, cutting him down with every glance with hate.
His face dropped. He scratched the back of his neck, forcing confusion, but guilt flickered in his eyes.
Toru:
"Hana... what are you talking about?"
Shion (spitting venom):
"You're the type to break up with me over text— then tell me I'm not your type. And that necklace you're planning to give me for my birthday? Don't."
His jaw slackened. Slowly, almost helplessly, he pulled a small box from his pocket. His fingers trembled as he opened it. The necklace glimmered in the low light.
Toru (voice cracking, clutching it to his chest):
"I... I made this necklace. How could you say something so cruel? Just... be nice again."
Shion (eyes burning, voice sharp like glass):
"Fuck you."
She shoved past him, her footsteps echoing violently through the hallway. Toru stood frozen, clutching the necklace box against his chest. His face crumpled— Disbelief, embarrassment, disappointment, shame— all colliding at once.
The piano sat silent. The only sound left in the house was the storm in his breathing.
And then—
Thud..
"Hana! Hana— wake up!"
Her lashes fluttered. A strangled sound left her throat before she blinked, dazed and pale. Then— suddenly— she bolted upright and threw her arms around him.
Hana (murmuring breathlessly):
"What happened? I—I blacked out for a second!"
Toru froze in her embrace, his heart hammering. Slowly, he peeled her arms from him, holding her at arms length. His smile was forced, brittle at the edges, but his eyes searched hers with something darker—fear.
Toru (voice low, cautious):
"...Is there something you're not telling me?"
Hana (confused, tilting her head):
"What? what are you saying?"
_____________________________________
End of chapter 2