Night felt like Swayam was standing right there with Haruto silent, still, uneasy.
All the campus lights had gone dim after 11 PM. Long shadows stretched across the pathways and there was that cold quietness in the air that only November late nights bring. Haruto had stopped near the back exit of the hostel, checking his phone. There was no message from Rin. Normally she sent a short text like I reached.
But today there was only silence.
Haruto locked his screen and took a deep breath. His mind was repeating one thing nonstop:
Was Rin okay?
Was she able to sleep?
Had the blank outs gotten worse?
Haruto put his hands in his hoodie pockets and sat on the stairs. His thoughts were stuck on yesterday's bench scene Rin's trembling hand, her lost gaze, and the most dangerous thing the missing hour.
One hour missing.
Such a big gap is not a normal memory lapse.
His chest tightened. Haruto could not ignore this.
If it was just stress the signs would be different.
If it was just exhaustion the behavior would be consistent.
But Rin's condition was scattered.
Like someone was randomly pulling pieces out of her memory.
And what scared Haruto the most was something else.
Either Rin was falling back into some deep trauma phase
or there was something more something he couldn't see yet.
His phone vibrated.
A small message flashed on the screen.
Rin: Haruto… are you awake?
Haruto was about to reply immediately but he paused for a second to analyze her tone.
Rin normally messaged directly:
Are you there?
Awake?
Talk?
But today her words were soft… unsure.
Like she wasn't expecting Haruto to reply.
Haruto: Yeah. Are you okay?
The reply came instantly.
Too instantly.
Rin: Can you come to the girls hostel gate?
Haruto almost stood up on the spot.
This late?
Is she in trouble?
He put on his hoodie without waiting and walked fast toward the hostel gates.
During campus midnights only two things sound loud your footsteps and your thoughts.
Haruto could hear both.
When he reached the iron gate of the girls hostel he saw Rin standing there.
But not normally.
She was completely still the exact same posture in which Haruto had seen her on the walkway that morning.
Frozen.
Blank.
Notebook tightly gripped in her hand.
Haruto's heart dropped.
Rin!
Rin lifted her face in slow motion.
Her eyes were dull… unfocused… like she was looking at Haruto but couldn't properly identify him.
Haruto rushed toward her.
Rin? What are you doing here? Weren't you in your room?
Rin opened her lips but her voice was hollow.
Haruto… I couldn't sleep. And then… I felt like I forgot something.
What thing?
Rin touched her forehead lightly.
Something important. Very important. But I can't remember it.
She was trembling again.
Haruto gently held her shoulders.
Rin listen. Relax. You're safe. Why did you come here?
Rin slowly raised her notebook and opened a page to show him.
On that page there was a new line fresh ink, uneven writing, like it had been written in haste:
If it's midnight and something feels missing, go to the one who remembers you.
Haruto exhaled heavily.
You wrote this?
Rin gave a small helpless nod.
Yeah maybe. Or… maybe not. I don't remember.
Haruto gently closed the page.
Rin. Come inside. I'm here.
After a moment of hesitation Rin asked in a soft voice:
Haruto… you really remember me, right?
Haruto didn't even blink.
Always.
Rin's face relaxed a little… but only a little.
Then tell me one thing.
She paused.
When did we first meet?
Haruto's throat tightened.
Not because the answer was hard.
But because Rin had asked this question again… and every time it carried deeper confusion.
He answered softly, On the western garden path. You were counting fallen leaves. I was sitting nearby.
Rin narrowed her eyes like she was trying to catch that memory.
Leaves… counting?
Yeah… something vague comes to mind.
But the scene is blurry.
It's okay if it's blurry Haruto said calmly.
But you're remembering. That's enough.
Enough?
Rin's voice cracked.
Haruto… I'm scared.
What if one day… I go completely blank?
Zero?
And you also fade for me?
Haruto softly held her hand directly this time.
Warm. Steady.
I don't fade.
I'm the thing you choose to remember even subconsciously.
Rin's watery eyes stared at him for a long moment.
Haruto… do you realize… how quickly I get lost without you?
That's why I'm here Haruto whispered.
Rin took a deep shaky breath.
Then tonight… I have one last request.
Tell me.
Please… walk me to my room. I don't want to go alone.
Haruto nodded.
Let's go.
Both of them walked slowly through the inner pathway of the hostel building. The lights were dim, the corridor quiet.
Rin's steps were unstable but slightly better than yesterday.
But her breathing was heavy like her body wasn't tired… her mind was exhausted.
When they reached her room door Rin stopped.
She touched the handle…
but didn't open it.
Haruto…
Yeah?
Can you come inside? Just to the doorway. I need to check if I feel… okay.
Haruto normally never went inside the girls hostel.
But this was different.
He stepped inside just to the doorway.
Rin entered the room…
turned on the light…
and suddenly froze.
Haruto was instantly alert.
Rin? What happened?
Rin slowly turned.
Her eyes were wide… shocked… scared… confused.
Haruto…
this desk…
Haruto followed her gaze.
There was a notebook on the desk
but not one.
Two notebooks.
One the one Rin always used.
And another with the exact same cover…
but older.
Rin said in a trembling voice,
Haruto… when did I get this?
I only use one notebook.
When did this second one appear?
Haruto slowly approached.
Have you ever opened it?
Rin shook her head.
No. I saw it today for the first time.
Maybe… it was here yesterday too.
Maybe… I just didn't notice.
Haruto picked up the older notebook.
The cover was worn.
The edges torn.
But the most chilling thing…
Inside was written
the same handwriting…
the same uneven pressure…
the same repeated line:
Don't forget him.
No matter what happens.
Haruto's heartbeat almost stopped for a second.
Rin whispered through trembling lips:
Haruto… when did I write this?
Her voice broke.
Why do I have two notebooks saying the same thing?
And why don't I remember anything?
Haruto closed both notebooks and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Rin…
this is not a coincidence.
Your memory pattern isn't normal.
Rin's voice cracked.
Meaning… I'm going back to that condition again?
That old problem?
That unstable childhood phase?
Haruto… am I going to lose myself again?
Rin. Look at me.
Haruto lightly lifted her chin.
Rin looked at him with watery eyes.
You're not losing yourself.
You're fighting.
And this time I'm here.
You're not alone this time.
Rin went still for a moment.
Then she said a sentence that hit Haruto straight in the chest:
Haruto…
if my past is haunting me again…
will you stay?
Even if I forget you again and again?
Haruto replied without blinking
Yes.
Even if you forget a hundred times.
I'll tell you my name a hundred times again.
Rin's tears finally fell.
Then…
Good night Haruto.
Haruto smiled softly.
Good night Rin.
I'm right outside if you need anything.
The door closed.
But as soon as the latch clicked
a heavy weight settled in Haruto's chest.
Rin's blank outs were increasing.
Two notebooks same sentences.
Missing hour.
Random emotional memory flashes.
Past triggers.
This was not simple forgetfulness.
This was a deeper crack.
And for the first time Haruto felt…
Rin's memory wasn't warning her.
It was protecting her.
From what…
that was still unknown.