Riku had just left the temple. His heart felt heavier, but his resolve stronger. As he walked through the rain toward the school gates—
Riiing… Riiing…
Mei's phone buzzed in his pocket.
He stopped and pulled it out, wiping the screen with his sleeve.
Unknown Number.
He hesitated, then answered.
"Hello?"
A girl's voice came through, soft but mature—tinged with curiosity.
"Is this… Mei Aihara?"
Riku tensed. "Yes… who's this?"
The voice paused.
"I'm from third year. My name's Hoshino Rika. we meet before under Sakura tree."
The school courtyard was quiet after the rain. Drops still clung to the cherry blossoms like tears not yet wiped away. As Riku approached the sakura tree behind the old gym, he spotted her.
Hoshino Rika.
She stood with an umbrella resting on her shoulder, looking out at the misty field. Her long hair, slightly damp, framed a serious yet gentle face. Her eyes met his—Mei's—eyes.
Riku hesitated, unsure of his own heartbeat.
"You're the one who called?" he asked, his voice catching slightly.
Rika nodded. "Yes. We've met before. You probably don't remember."
"…You're Hoshino Rika," Riku said, cautiously. "But I don't understand why you called. Who gave you Mei's number?"
"I've had it for a while," Rika replied softly. "I just… never had the courage to call. Until now."
Riku narrowed his eyes. "Why now?"
She smiled faintly. "Because I want to be your friend."
Riku's heart skipped.
He turned away, gripping Mei's schoolbag tightly.
"…No. I don't need friends."
That was a lie.
He was thinking—No, I don't need them… but Mei… Mei might…
No. She'll just get used again. Just like always.
Rika watched him closely.
"What do you think, Mei?" she asked gently.
"…Nothing," Riku answered coldly.
Silence settled between them.
But then Rika stepped forward, voice steady but filled with quiet sadness.
"I know you don't have any friends. I know everyone just uses you. I've been watching you, Mei… all this time."
Riku's eyes widened slightly.
She continued, her gaze unwavering. "I don't want to use you. I just want to sit under this tree… with someone who knows what it means to be alone."
Riku remained quiet, Mei's slender fingers curled tightly around the strap of the bag. He could feel his own hesitation like a stone in his throat.
Hoshino Rika stood there calmly, umbrella still tilted above her head, shielding her from the falling droplets of the lingering spring rain.
"I only have three days left at this school…" Rika said softly, eyes watching the petals drift from the sakura tree. "After that, I graduate."
Riku's brows furrowed slightly.
"Then why…?"
"Because before I leave," Rika smiled, "I want to be your friend, Mei."
The word friend echoed strangely in Riku's chest. A word Mei probably longed to hear—and he'd taken over her body without truly understanding that loneliness.
"I… don't really need—" Riku started, but Rika interrupted with a warm laugh.
"No refusing, okay? This is from a senpai to a kouhai," she said playfully. "We're going shopping this evening… and dinner's on me. My treat."
Riku nearly said no. His pride flickered. He didn't want pity.
But then his stomach growled lightly—he hadn't eaten properly since morning. And something about her calm, sincere tone made it hard to shut her out completely.
"…Fine," he muttered.
Rika smiled, not smug or mocking, just… relieved.
"Good," she said. "Meet me at the station after school. Don't run away, okay?"
As Rika walked away, umbrella bobbing in the mist, Riku stood there in silence.
For the first time in days… he felt something other than pressure.
Maybe it was curiosity.
Maybe it was hunger.
Maybe… it was Mei's heart still echoing faintly inside this body.
The sky had softened into a deep violet, clouds scattered like shadows drifting over the setting sun. Riku, still inside Mei's body, stood beneath the glowing station sign. His hair—her hair—was slightly damp from the earlier rain, and his thoughts tangled more than ever.
He looked at the people passing by—couples holding hands, schoolmates laughing on their way home.
I'm supposed to be solving the Asahi problem, he thought.
Not… playing around.
But a part of him—quiet, aching—needed this moment of escape.
"Mei!"
A cheerful voice called out.
Riku turned.
Rika Hoshino approached, dressed in casual but stylish clothes—cream sweater, long pleated skirt, and a soft gray beret. She looked more mature than at school. Her presence had a calming energy that almost melted the tension in the air.
"You came," she said with a smile. "I thought you might run away."
"I almost did," Riku muttered.
"Hm?" Rika tilted her head.
"Nothing," he said quickly.
Shopping District
They walked side by side through the bustling streets. Neon lights painted the roads in pinks and blues. Music leaked from nearby stores. Couples laughed. Kids begged for ice cream.
Rika pulled Riku—Mei—into a clothing boutique. "Come on, just try one thing! I want to see you in something cute."
Riku stared at the rows of skirts and blouses, freezing like a deer.
I'm a guy inside. This is too weird.
But Rika was already holding up an outfit. "This would look adorable on you."
"…Do I have to?"
"Don't be shy," Rika teased. "Just try it. I won't make you buy anything."
Ten minutes later, Riku stood in the fitting room, wearing a soft pastel top with a pleated skirt.
He looked into the mirror.
It wasn't him.
But the girl staring back—Mei—looked… nice. Softer. Almost happy.
"I feel weird," he said when he stepped out.
"You look cute," Rika said sincerely. "Really."
Riku blushed.
Not because of the compliment—
But because he realized Mei probably never heard words like that before.
Restaurant
They ended up at a cozy local diner. Warm light. Soft jazz. A place that felt separate from the coldness of the school world.
They ordered omurice and karaage.
"You eat like you haven't had food in days," Rika laughed as Riku devoured the first few bites.
"…Maybe I haven't," he admitted.
Rika paused, eyes observing carefully.
"Are you… okay, Mei?"
Riku's chopsticks stopped mid-air.
She's watching. She cares. Why?
"I don't know what you see in me," Riku said honestly. "Everyone else ignores me. Or uses me."
"I see someone… trying not to disappear," Rika said softly. "And that's exactly the kind of person who needs a friend."
Silence.
Riku didn't know how to respond. His chest felt tight—but not with pain. With something he hadn't known in a long time.
Something that felt like… kindness.
After dinner, Rika walked him to the station again.
"You're stronger than you think, Mei," she said. "And if no one's told you that before… then I will."
She gave a small wave and turned to leave.
Riku stood there, stunned.
He had forgotten what it felt like to be seen.
That Night – Mei's Room
The soft click of the door echoed louder than usual.
Riku entered Mei's home slowly, the warmth from dinner already fading. The lights in the hallway buzzed faintly, and the familiar silence of Mei's house returned like a heavy fog.
He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.
As he dropped onto the futon, a wave of guilt crashed over him.
He looked at the clock: 9:46 PM.
The neon glow from outside barely reached his bed.
Riku covered his face with both hands and let out a deep breath.
"What the hell am I doing?"
He stared at the ceiling. His heart thudded—not from exhaustion, but from regret.
The echo of Rika's kindness was still fresh in his chest, but now it was overshadowed by a cruel reminder:
He had wasted Day 7.
Seven days. And I used one of them... shopping? Eating?
He sat up suddenly and looked at himself in the mirror across the room.
His reflection—Mei's reflection—looked back at him. Hair slightly messy. Eyes sunken from stress. Lips pressed tight in frustration.
"…I only have three days left."
His fists clenched.
"I still haven't found proof against Asahi… I haven't deleted the video… I haven't protected Mei."
A sharp silence filled the room.
It wasn't just guilt.
It was fear.
Because deep down, Riku knew:
He was running out of time.
And if he failed—
Not just his chance at redemption would vanish—
But Mei's soul, her justice, her story... might disappear forever.
He lay back down, eyes wide open in the darkness.
"Three days," he whispered.
"Tomorrow… I can't waste another second."