Toshio sat outside Airi's door long after her light footsteps faded and the room quieted.
He didn't move.
Didn't shift.
Didn't even check his phone.
He simply listened.
To her soft breaths.
To the faint rustle of blankets as she settled in.
To the peaceful silence that told him—
She felt safe enough to sleep.
A warmth settled in Toshio's chest that had nothing to do with romance and everything to do with relief.
"Airi…" he whispered under his breath, leaning his head back against the wall.
"I'm glad you came home."
Eventually, he dozed off too—half-sitting, half-slumped, but still alert enough that the slightest sound from her room stirred him.
Just like when they were kids.
Just like back then.
MORNING – THE SOFTEST WAKE-UP
A gentle tap landed on Toshio's shoulder.
"Toshio-kun…?"
His eyes fluttered open.
Airi knelt beside him, hair down, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and something like gratitude.
"You slept out here the entire night…?" she whispered.
He rubbed his eyes.
"Airi…? What time is it?"
"Almost seven."
Her voice was soft, almost guilty. "You didn't have to stay the whole time."
"You asked me to stay until you slept."
"Not all night!"
He smiled sleepily. "It's fine. I'm used to uncomfortable sleeping positions."
"That's… not something to be proud of."
He laughed, and Airi's shoulders loosened.
Then—
Her gaze moved to the blanket draped over his lap.
"Toshio… when did you get this?"
He blinked in confusion. "I didn't. I must've fallen asleep before—"
Airi looked away, face turning pink.
"I… put it on you," she admitted quietly. "After I woke up once. You looked cold."
His chest tightened with warmth.
"Thank you."
Her eyes flickered shyly. "It's… only fair. You take care of me a lot."
"Then take care of me more," he teased.
Her ears turned red. "D-Don't say things like that so casually!"
BREAKFAST – A SMALL, PRECIOUS NORMAL
Airi made breakfast again—soft tamagoyaki, steamed rice, and miso soup that was so perfect it made Toshio suspicious.
He watched her in the kitchen as she tied her hair up with that same simple ribbon she always used when they were young.
It felt like seeing a memory come to life.
"Why are you staring?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder.
"I'm admiring how serious you look while cooking."
She nearly dropped the egg pan. "Toshio-kun!"
He grinned.
"Do you… like it?" she asked after a moment.
"My cooking?"
"I like everything you make."
Her cheeks turned warm again.
"I'll… get better," she said quietly. "At cooking. At being myself. At… everything."
"You don't need to get better," he murmured. "Just be here."
"…Can I be both?" she whispered.
"You can be anything you want."
She looked away, but a smile tugged at her lips.
ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL – TODAY FEELS DIFFERENT
The streets were busy again with students.
Airi walked closer than yesterday—close enough that her sleeve brushed Toshio's arm with every step.
"Your hand…" Toshio said.
"Hm?"
"It's trembling again."
She tightened her grip on her bag.
"I'm not used to being… seen."
"You don't have to force anything."
"I'm not," she whispered. "It's just… new."
"Want me to hold your hand again?"
She froze.
Then slowly shook her head.
"Not yet. If I rely on it too much, I'll panic without it."
He nodded. "That makes sense."
"…But later," she said quietly. "I'll want to."
He smiled. "Whenever you're ready."
AT SCHOOL – RIPPLES OF THE NEW AIRI
Whispers greeted them again, but today they sounded different.
Less shock.
More curiosity.
Some awkward attempts at friendliness.
"Airi-chan looks different today."
"Her smile is kinda cute."
"Did she change her hairstyle?"
"She seems… softer?"
Airi stiffened at first, but slowly—
She breathed.
They walked to class.
And again, she didn't let go of Toshio until the very last second.
Inside, one brave boy raised a hand nervously.
"Um… Airi-san? Is it okay if we still call you Mina, or…?"
Airi shook her head gently.
"I'm… Airi now. Just Airi."
The boy smiled. "Okay! Nice to meet you… again."
Airi blinked.
And then—A tiny, shy smile appeared.
Toshio leaned in. "See? Not scary."
She elbowed him lightly. "Be quiet…"
DURING CLASS – A NEW KIND OF DISTRACTION
Airi sat a little straighter than usual.
She looked forward.
She took notes.
She even asked the teacher a timid question.
And every once in a while—
She glanced sideways at Toshio.
Not to check if he was watching.
But to reassure herself that he was still there.
Each time their eyes met, she looked away instantly, flustered.
But Toshio saw something else too.
A little spark.
Of courage.
Of life.
Of the old Airi waking up inside her.
LUNCH – A CONFESSION OF FEARS
Under the cherry tree again, Airi let out a soft sigh and leaned her head against her knees.
"Toshio-kun…?"
"Yeah?"
"Today felt… better."
He smiled. "I noticed."
"But…"She hesitated.
"But what?"
She twisted a petal between her fingers.
"I'm scared of one thing."
He grew serious. "Tell me."
She looked up.
"Now that I'm back as Airi… what if one day, you realize you liked Mina more?"
Toshio froze.
Then gently took her hand.
"Airi."
She swallowed.
"I cared about Mina because she was carrying you," he said firmly.
"But I never loved Mina."
Her breath hitched.
"I loved you."
"Only you."
Airi's eyes glistened instantly.
"Toshio-kun…"
He squeezed her hand gently.
"I didn't fall in love with the mask."
He touched her cheek softly.
"I fell in love with the girl underneath."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"That's… not fair," she whispered.
"Why not?"
"You say things that make it impossible not to love you…"
He chuckled softly.
"Good."
She swatted his shoulder weakly. "Stop enjoying this!"
"I'm enjoying you."
Her face exploded red.
"Toshio-kun!!"
He just laughed, and eventually, she couldn't help but laugh too.
AFTER SCHOOL – A MOMENT OF STUMBLING COURAGE
They walked home under the warm afternoon sun.
Airi stayed close, humming unconsciously again.
Halfway home, Toshio stopped.
"Airi?"
His voice was soft.
"Do you want to hold hands now?"
She froze—completely froze.
Her lashes fluttered.
"I… um…"
"It's okay if the answer is no," he added gently.
Airi took a shaky breath.
Then slowly—carefully—lifted her hand.
"I want to," she whispered.
"Even if I'm scared."
He intertwined their fingers.
Airi inhaled sharply, shoulders rising—Then… she relaxed.
"Oh," she whispered."…It's warm."
"You're always cold."
She pouted. "You don't have to say it like that!"
But she squeezed his hand.
And didn't let go for the rest of the walk.
BACK HOME – A SOFT CRACK IN THE WALL
That evening, while Toshio prepared dinner, Airi stood beside him cutting vegetables.
She wasn't good at it.
She wasn't fast.
But she tried—meticulously, carefully, tongue sticking out a little.
"Toshio-kun?"
"Yes?"
"Can I… say something strange?"
"You say many strange things."
She glared. "Toshio!"
"Go ahead," he chuckled.
She lowered her knife and whispered:
"…When I'm with you, I feel like I can breathe."
Toshio's heart tightened.
"And when you smile at me…"Her voice trembled a little."…it makes me feel like Airi isn't broken. Like I'm allowed to exist without pretending."
He placed a hand over hers.
"You are allowed."
Airi looked up at him, eyes gentle, fragile, and hopeful.
"Then… stay beside me," she whispered.
"Until I'm strong enough to stand on my own."
Toshio leaned his forehead against hers.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Her eyes softened.
"…Good."
NIGHT – A MORE COURAGEOUS REQUEST
After eating, showering, and changing into comfortable clothes, Airi peeked into the living room.
"Toshio-kun…?"
"Yeah?"
She fidgeted.
"Tonight… can I request something again?"
"Of course."
She hesitated.
"…Can you sit with me until I fall asleep?"
He blinked. "Didn't I do that yesterday?"
"Yes. But yesterday I was scared."
She looked down at her hands.
"Today… I want it. Because I like ending my day with you nearby."
His breath caught.
"…I'll stay," he whispered.
Her smile bloomed—soft, warm, full of trust.
She walked with him to her door.
"Goodnight hug?" she whispered.
He wrapped his arms around her gently.
She melted into him instantly.
"Toshio-kun…?" she whispered against his chest.
"Yes?"
"…Tomorrow, can we walk to school holding hands from the start?"
He froze.
Then smiled softly.
"I'd like that."
Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Airi."
She slipped into her room, but before closing the door, she whispered:
"Thank you… for choosing me."
And Toshio realized—
Airi wasn't just healing.
She was beginning to love boldly again.
And he would be right there, step by step, as she learned how.