A sweet silence ruled the room.
Hiroki was looking straight into Saki's eyes.
And Saki was looking back at him…
There was no need for words; they understood each other in silence. It was as if their hearts were speaking far faster than their tongues ever could.
Saki's mind drifted back to the song Hiroki had just played. The melody was still echoing in her ears. She felt a faint warmth spread through her chest.
Her lips trembled.
Without even realizing it, she began to hum.
Hiroki joined her without hesitation.
Saki flinched for a moment, then let out a soft giggle. She wasn't singing with her voice, but with her heart. As their voices blended together, the distance between them slowly melted away.
When the song ended, Saki couldn't move for a few seconds.
She had managed to sing without feeling ashamed.
She was surprised… and proud of herself at the same time.
She looked at Hiroki.
A gentle smile settled on her face.
Hiroki returned it.
Without realizing it, they both leaned closer to one another. Hiroki's lips seemed to be winking at Saki. Meanwhile, Saki's heart was beating faster with every passing second.
Hiroki's hand reached for Saki's.
He held it gently.
Saki tucked her hair behind her ear.
At that moment—
Bzzzzt.
They both froze.
"What's going on?" Saki whispered.
The phone vibrated once again.
Hiroki slowly released Saki's hand. He slipped his hand into his pocket and took out his phone.
Saki instinctively glanced at the screen.
Hospital.
Hiroki's finger hovered between the accept and decline buttons. He couldn't decide.
"Hiroki…" Saki said.
Hiroki turned toward her.
"If you want, you can talk in the kitchen," Saki said, her voice soft yet firm.
Hiroki took a deep breath.
"Alright… I'll be right back," he said and stood up.
As he walked toward the kitchen, Saki lowered her gaze. Her thoughts were tangled. Resting her chin on her hand, her eyes drifted back to Hiroki.
Then—
Hiroki's shoulders slumped.
His expression fell.
The phone slipped from his fingers and hit the floor.
Saki rushed over to him. The phone hadn't disconnected yet.
"—Hello? Can you hear me?"
Saki saw a tear slide down Hiroki's cheek. She reached out and wiped it away.
"Are you okay?" was all she could manage to say.
Hiroki picked up the phone from the floor.
"Thank you… I understand," he said, then ended the call.
Saki couldn't speak.
Her breath was caught in her throat.
Hiroki turned toward her.
He was smiling.
"I'm sorry, Saki. I have to go… are you okay with that?" he said, forcing a laugh.
He lifted his hand to the back of his neck.
"You won't be mad at me again, will you?"
Saki clenched her fists.
She was trembling.
"That's enough, Hiroki."
She heard her own voice clearly for the first time.
"I won't let you endure all of this and pretend like nothing's wrong anymore."
Hiroki's expression changed instantly.
"No," Saki said.
"You're not alone today. You can't go."
Tears streamed down Hiroki's face. He covered his face with his hands and collapsed to his knees.
Saki knelt down with him.
She wrapped her arms around Hiroki.
As Hiroki sobbed against her shoulders, Saki whispered:
"I'm always here…"
"What happened?" she asked in a trembling voice.
"What did they say on the call?"
Hiroki looked away. He pressed his lips together.
"Th—they told me…"
"That my mother's condition has gotten worse."
He swallowed hard.
"She might not even be able to see the performance…"
Tears spilled from Saki's eyes. She couldn't hold them back.
Hiroki straightened up.
"I don't want you to feel sorry for me," he said.
"Don't worry," Saki said firmly.
"I'll do everything I can for your performance."
Hiroki smiled. He reached out and wiped Saki's tears away.
"I know, Saki…"
He stood up.
"See you," he said and turned to leave.
But—
Saki grabbed his hand.
"I can't let you go anywhere like this."
She pulled him into the living room and made him sit on the couch. Hiroki was distant, unable to resist.
Saki gently laid him down on her lap. She began stroking his hair.
"Don't worry," she whispered.
"I'm here, Hiroki…"
Hiroki didn't hold back.
He cried.
It felt as if their hearts were beating in a single rhythm. They were safe.
Without realizing it, they fell asleep together.
Saki slowly opened her eyes. Her hands were still resting on Hiroki's head.
It took her a few seconds to understand what was happening.
Then her face flushed red.
She couldn't move. She didn't want to wake him.
She searched for her phone, but it wasn't there.
She leaned her head back against the couch. Her eyes met the clock.
We're late for school…
She gently nudged Hiroki.
No response.
Once more.
Still nothing.
Finally, she whispered his name.
"Hiroki…"
Hiroki opened his eyes. When he realized he was lying in Saki's lap, he looked surprised.
"We're late," Saki said.
Hiroki smiled.
"You know, I saw you in my dream."
Saki's heart raced.
"Really? How was it?"
"I don't remember… but I'm glad I don't only get to see you in my dreams."
Saki yawned and covered her mouth.
"Let's go to school."
"Five more minutes," Hiroki said.
Saki stood up and pulled him up with her.
"Breakfast?" Hiroki asked, yawning.
"It's too late," Saki said.
"We'll grab something at school."
They got ready and left the house.
Side by side, silent yet together.
And that day, both of them knew they weren't alone anymore.