again

124 19 4
                                        

⌠ 1 ⌡

The cafe's cold air pricks at my skin.

Takanashi's words

wash over me.

Then we're alike, right?

Her gentle gaze.

As if she understands.

Why?

How could she get it.

Those words,

from them,

that I wanted to hear

more than anything.

We forgive you.


She shifts in her seat.

"Really. You should go over to them at least."

My coffee's cold already.

"I can't."

"Grovel at their feet."

She looks slightly amused.

"You keep looking."

"Yeah."

"Don't you want to?"

"I-"

"Come on. Grow a spine."

"I'm trying."

"But it's hard? Little froggy."

"It's not easy."

"I know."

Her hand

slips down.

Resting on the table.

"You're scared."

"...yeah."

Her heels

tap against tile.

"I won't let you screw up like I did."

She's not in her seat anymore.


"...Takanashi?"





⌠ 2 ⌡

Her footsteps are loud somehow.

I can only watch.

There's a small tear

on the back of her shoes.

Her socks have a small mud stain.

I can't look up.


Her voice rings too loud.

I can only catch snippets.

"Hey... Sorry... no right..."

Silverware clatters.

"...keeps looking, you know."

My croissant looks dried up.

"Could... stop pretending... he's invisible?"


My legs move

before I can process it.

Feet stumbling

in line.

Until her pink hair is in front of me.

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