That night, memories struck Airi like lightning.
A younger girl.
Laughing beneath this very tree.
A boy beside her.
Not Ren.
But—
similar.
Warm brown hair.
Alive eyes.
"Promise me," the boy said.
"We'll meet here every spring."
The girl grinned.
"Even if we forget?"
"Even then."
They hooked little fingers.
"Always," he whispered.
The memory shattered.
Airi gasped awake beneath the sakura.
Ren knelt beside her, fear on his face.
"Airi!"
Her heart raced.
"I… saw something."
He went still.
"…what?"
"A boy. Not you."
Ren's expression faded.
Like light leaving water.
"I see," he said quietly.