After her little heartbreak, Aiyumi didn't stop believing in people —
she just believed harder in the wrong ones.
She wasn't the type to have many friends,
so when someone showed even a little warmth, she gave them all of her trust.
She shared her tiffin,
her books,
her secrets,
her drawings…
The girl became her "closest" in school —
or at least that's what Aiyumi believed.
She never doubted her. Not even once.
Because when Aiyumi trusts,
she trusts like family —
100%, no testing, no hesitating.
But the girl never valued that.
She never saw her loyalty…
She only saw her as useful.
The day Aiyumi accidentally overheard:
"She's not my real friend. She's just a convenience."
…something inside her cracked quietly.
Not like a storm — like a mirror.
She didn't cry loudly.
She didn't confront.
She just walked away —
but this time she didn't walk as the same person.
A door inside her closed.
After School
Ren found her sitting near the old wall where they usually waited.
Her eyes were dry, but her silence was loud.
"You're late," he said softly.
"I had to finish something," she replied, voice flat.
He paused…
He knew that tone — the guarded one.
"What happened?"
She hesitated.
"I was wrong about someone."
You trusted her, didn't you?"
Ren's voice lowered.
Aiyumi nodded.
"Too much," she whispered.
"Like she really mattered."
Ren didn't say "it's okay."
He knew it wasn't.
Instead, he said the one thing her heart needed:
"Next time… give that trust only where it's safe."
She looked at him slowly
"And where is it safe?"
Ren looked away for the briefest second —
like he was afraid he might say too much.
"Here," he answered quietly.
"Anytime."
That was the moment her soul chose him — even before her mind realized it.
Not love yet.
Not romance.
Just a silent truth: