Saki stood in front of the classroom door.
Her heart felt like it might burst from her chest.
She reached for the doorknob, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Breathe, Saki… it's just a door."
"But what if he's inside?"
She paused for a moment.
Then took a deep breath—and opened the door.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the scene inside.
Empty desks, sunlight streaming through the open window…
And Hiroki, sitting quietly in that light.
He was gently strumming his guitar.
Each note echoed through the classroom, reaching straight into Saki's heart.
This sound… it's just like that day.
Hiroki lifted his head and met her gaze.
His eyes were calm and warm, just like his voice.
"Welcome, Saki."
She froze.
Her cheeks flushed, her heartbeat growing louder.
"Uh… th-thank you, Hiroki…"
A soft silence settled between them.
It felt as if the whole world had stopped to watch.
Hiroki set his guitar aside and smiled faintly.
"Come on. Don't just stand there. Sit with me."
Saki stepped forward timidly and sat beside him.
Her hands were tightly clasped in her lap.
After a brief glance, Hiroki asked,
"Have you decided which club to join?"
"Yes… I chose the Travel Club as my first option," she said softly.
For a moment, Hiroki's expression brightened.
"I'm glad… you accepted my request."
Saki looked away, embarrassed.
After gathering her courage, she asked,
"Why did you want me to choose the Travel Club?"
"I thought you'd want me in the Music Club."
Hiroki remained silent.
Then he lowered his gaze.
"This… is something important to me," he said quietly.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Saki replied immediately.
He shook his head slowly.
"No. I trust you."
His voice trembled as he continued,
"My father left before I was born.
I only know him through my mother's stories."
A tear slid down his cheek.
Saki covered her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.
"When I was eight, my mother gave me this guitar," he said.
"She told me she wanted to see me play on a big stage someday."
He took a breath.
"But when I was nine, she got sick.
A disease with no cure."
Saki's tears fell silently.
"There's a song we wrote together," Hiroki continued.
"When I play it, she says she feels better."
He clenched his fist.
"I want to play that song in Tokyo.
So she can hear it… at least once."
Saki lifted her head, her eyes full of determination.
"We'll do it together," she said softly.
"I promise."
Hiroki looked at her, stunned.
Then smiled through his tears.
"Thank you, Saki."
Their eyes met in silence.
No words were needed anymore.