Love Before Graduation

I could still see... the strange sadness in Rei's eyes last night.

That moment... when her smile stopped, as if a light had been extinguished inside her.

And now, seeing that same broken shadow in Nami's eyes... my heart accepted—I had broken her too.

Perhaps unintentionally. Perhaps intentionally.

She was about to say something—her lips trembled—but the words died in her throat.

She just sat, looking at me... as if a forgotten question was waiting for an answer.

For the first time since last night... I allowed myself to feel fully.

The pang that rose in my chest, the heavy breaths that were stuck in my throat, and the exhaustion... that had penetrated to my soul.

And in that moment...

I didn't know what was more painful—

That I had hurt Rei...