Haru's phone suddenly started ringing.
His eyes went straight to the screen.
Mom.
He froze.
His mother almost never called him voluntarily.
Something must have happened.
He quickly answered.
"Hello?"
Her voice sounded weak.
"Haru…"
His expression immediately changed.
"Mom? What happened?"
The news left him stunned.
She was sick.
She needed him to come back abroad as soon as possible.
There was no hesitation.
He needed to leave.
Haru quickly started packing, his mind filled with worry about his mother.
Before leaving his grandparents and luna parents are hugged him, don't have heart to say good bye to him
Then he asked about luna then luna mom said she sleeping
He quietly walked to her room.
She was fast asleep, completely unaware of everything happening around her.
Haru stood beside her bed for a moment.
To him, Luna had always been like a little sister. She had grown up around him after moving in with her parents, and he had always looked after her in that way.
He didn't want to wake her.
Instead, he quietly placed the CD set they had planned to watch together.
At least Luna could watch it when she woke up.
Haru gently pulled the blanket over her.
"Sorry, Luna. Can't watch it with you today."
She shifted slightly in her sleep.
A small smile appeared on his face.
He gently patted her head before leaning down and placing a warm, affectionate kiss on her forehead.
"Take care, kid."
Luna didn't wake up.
Haru picked up his bag and took one last look at her.
Then he quietly walked out of the room.
He had no idea that when Luna woke up, the first thing she'd notice would be the empty room...
And Haru would already be gone.
The first thing Luna did that morning was check Haru's room.
Her heart had already been hurting since the night before. , hoping that somehow everything would be okay by morning.
But his room was empty.
His things were gone.
Luna stood there, confused.
Maybe he had gone somewhere.
Maybe he would be back soon.
She hurried downstairs.
"Mom… where's Haru?"
Her mother looked at her for a moment before answering gently.
"Haru left early this morning."
Luna blinked.
"Left… where?"
"Abroad. His mother is sick, remember? He had to go back."
The words barely registered.
"Abroad?"
Her mother nodded.
Luna stood completely still.
He had left.
He had actually left.
And he hadn't even said goodbye.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
"He didn't… say anything?"
Her mother reached toward her, but Luna stepped back.
She didn't have the strength to hold herself together anymore.
The person she'd grown up following around, the person whose room she'd checked every morning just to see if he was there, had disappeared without even waking her.
Luna quietly went back upstairs.
The movie he'd left for her was still waiting.
The remote was beside it.
A few snacks were untouched.
She stared at everything for a long time.
Then the tears finally fell.
---
At school, Luna barely spoke.
She sat at her desk with her head lowered, staring at nothing.
Niki noticed.
Usually, he'd ask what was wrong.
Today, he didn't.
He simply opened Luna's lunch box and quietly placed a few chocolates inside.
No questions.
No pressure.
Just a small gesture.
Luna noticed them but didn't say anything.
She didn't feel like talking.
When school ended, Luna left earlier than usual.
She walked home alone.
A few steps behind her, Niki followed silently.
He didn't call her name.
He didn't try to stop her.
He simply made sure she reached home safely.
Once Luna entered her house, Niki stood outside for a moment.
Then he turned around and began the long walk back to his own home, which was far away.
Neither of them knew that this quiet routine would become one of the last moments of their childhood.
Because after that day...
Days became months.
Months became years.
And years passed.
One year.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Seven years.
Luna grew up.
The little girl who had once waited at Haru's door became a young woman.
But one thing never changed.
There was never a call.
Never a letter.
Never a message.
Nothing from Haru.
Not even a simple
"I'm okay."
Seven years had passed since the day he left.
And Luna become mature enough to handle and understand other situations
(Luna first day of her University)
Seven years had changed Luna.
Now, at twenty, Luna stood in front of her mirror, getting ready for her first day of university.
Her face had naturally matured over the years, and she carried herself differently now—more confident, more composed.
She knew exactly what suited her.
A light layer of makeup.
Neatly shaped brows.
A little eyeliner.
A soft tint on her lips.
Her long hair was styled carefully, half tied back while the rest fell naturally over her shoulders.
Her outfit wasn't overly flashy, but every detail was chosen perfectly.
She checked herself in the mirror one last time.
"Okay…"
A small smile.
"University Luna."
She grabbed her bag and headed outside.
The morning air felt different.
New campus.
New people.
A completely new chapter.
Luna stood at the bus stop, checking the time on her phone.
Five minutes.
Then ten.
She sighed.
"Perfect. First day and the bus already hates me."
A familiar engine suddenly approached.
Luna looked up.
Niki pulled up beside her on his bike and stopped.
He lifted his helmet slightly.
"Hop on."
Luna stared at him.
"No."
Niki blinked.
"No?"
"No."
"You've been waiting here for ten minutes."
"Yes."
"Your university is another twenty minutes away."
"Yes."
"There's a perfectly good bike right here."
"Yes."
Niki stared at her.
"Then why are you still standing there?"
"Because I want to learn how to go by myself."
He looked genuinely offended.
"Learn what? How to sit on a bus?"
Luna burst out laughing.
"That's not what I meant!"
"Good. Because I was about to start giving you bus-riding lessons."
She rolled her eyes.
"It's my first day. I want to figure things out myself."
Niki leaned against the bike.
"So you're rejecting free transportation because of independence?"
"Exactly."
"Very inspiring."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
Niki shook his head, smiling.
After a moment, he looked at her properly.
"Seriously, though… you look nice."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Nice?"
"Yeah."
"That's all?"
He thought for a second.
"You look like someone who is about to walk into university and immediately become everyone's problem."
Luna laughed.
"Better."
"Much better."
A bus finally appeared in the distance.
Luna's face brightened.
"See? Perfect timing."
Niki looked at the bus, then back at her.
"Fine. Go become independent."
She took a few steps toward the bus before turning around.
"Niki?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks."
He smiled.
"Anytime."
Luna climbed onto the bus.
Niki stayed there until it pulled away.
It was always like this.
Good days.
Bad days.
Important days.
Ordinary days.
Somehow, Niki was always there.
And Luna didn't realize just how much that quiet presence had become a part of her life.
She only knew one thing as the bus carried her toward university:
Today was the beginning of something new.
Luna walked through the university gates, adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder.
The campus was already crowded.
Students were rushing toward their classes, groups of friends were laughing near the entrance, and a few people were standing around, trying to figure out where they were supposed to go.
Then Luna noticed something.
Two girls nearby were whispering.
They looked at her.
Then whispered again.
Luna slowed down.
Is there something on my face?
Her hand immediately went to her cheek.
Nothing.
She checked her hair.
Still perfect.
Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Why are they staring?"
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind.
"Because my handsome face is attracting everyone."
Luna nearly jumped.
She turned around.
Niki stood there with his usual lazy grin, his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
Luna stared at him.
"your handsome face?"
"Obviously."
"Since when you are handsome?"
Niki looked her up and down dramatically.
"Since birth."
Luna burst out laughing.
"You're so annoying."
"And yet you keep talking to me."
"Unfortunately."
"See? Already admitting you can't live without me."
"Keep dreaming."
They continued walking toward the main building together.
Niki glanced at the students around them.
"So, Miss University Student, what's the plan?"
"Classes."
"Very detailed."
"And friends."
"Friends?"
"Yes."
Niki smiled.
"Making friends on the first day?"
"Of course."
"What if they're weird?"
"Then they'll fit right in."
He stopped walking.
"Was that an insult?"
Luna continued walking.
"Maybe."
"Luna!"
She laughed as Niki hurried after her.
For the first time in a long while, the day felt light.
New classes.
New faces.
New memories waiting to happen.
And somehow, Niki was still there.
Just like always.
---
The day passed faster than Luna expected.
By evening, the campus had become quieter.
Luna wandered around alone, taking in every corner of the university.
She eventually found herself near an old garden behind one of the buildings.
There was a swing beneath a large tree.
She smiled faintly.
Something about it felt familiar.
Without thinking, Luna walked toward it and sat down.
The swing moved gently beneath her.
Her fingers rested against the old chain.
For some reason, a memory surfaced.
A much younger Luna.
A much younger Haru.
And that same swing.
Haru had always liked sitting there.
Back then, Luna would sometimes sit nearby just to be around him.
She smiled at the memory.
"Seven years…"
The smile slowly disappeared.
So much had changed.
Yet somehow, certain memories never really faded.
A cold drop landed on her hand.
Luna looked up.
Another drop.
Then another.
Rain.
"Oh no…"
She quickly stood up.
But before she could take a step—
An umbrella opened above her.
Luna froze.
Someone was standing behind her.
Her heart suddenly began beating faster.
Slowly, she turned around.
Her eyes widened.
The world seemed to stop.
Standing right there.
Behind her.
Holding the umbrella.
Luna's lips parted.
No words came out.
The man looked at her quietly.
Then, in a voice she hadn't heard in seven years—
"Luna?"
Her breath caught.
Haru.