No matter how hard Haruto tried to stay busy at night one line kept echoing in his mind. If I forget something important tomorrow, will you still meet me? This was not a simple sentence. It was a fear. And maybe a slow-moving truth that even Rin herself could not accept.
Haruto set his alarm a little early in the morning. His plan was clear. Today, he would reach the garden bench before Rin so that if another blank moment came, he would be there. But when he crossed the gate and reached near the garden a surprise was waiting for him.
Rin was already there.
She was not sitting on the bench. She was standing as if she was waiting for something or observing something. Her hands were folded and her eyes were fixed on a small paper notebook. The notebook looked a little old as if it had been used a long time ago.
Haruto slowly came near her. You're so early.
Rin gave a slow blink as if she recognised his voice a fraction late. Oh Haruto. It is you.
There was a little confusion in her voice which Haruto immediately noticed. Are you okay?
Rin took a small pause. Then closed the notebook and said yes, I just felt something strange, so I came early.
Haruto noticed her grip on the notebook cover. Do you use this notebook every day?
Rin shook her head. No. Actually, I did not even remember that I had this. I found it in my desk drawer this morning. Maybe it is old.
Haruto narrowed his eyes a little. You found it in the morning and you did not remember it was yours.
Rin did not give any excuse. She quietly said yes.
Inside Haruto, a soft fear shifted, but he did not express it. What did you see in it?
Rin slowly opened the notebook. The pages were not blank. But the writing lines were uneven as if someone had written under pressure. On some pages, only one line is repeated. Do not forget. Some pages had no date. Just scribbles. And on one page there was a sentence that shook Haruto deeply.
If I forget him I need something that brings me back.
Haruto kept his breath steady. When did you write this?
Rin said with a blank expression I do not remember. Maybe months ago or maybe weeks. I do not know.
Haruto said in a slow voice Rin you wrote this notebook for some reason.
Rin closed the notebook. Yes. But I do not remember why. Sometimes it feels like there are small holes in my memory. I cannot understand it.
Haruto sat with her on the bench. Have you ever seen a doctor?
Rin immediately shook her head. No. I am scared of tests and questions. When someone keeps asking what I forgot, I go even more blank.
Haruto felt the genuine fear in her voice. You will not take pressure from anyone. I am here. We will handle it slowly.
Rin took a breath that almost felt like her eyes were filling. You are the first person with whom I am able to speak openly.
Haruto's throat tightened. Hearing that made him even more careful. Come. Today we will move slowly. No gardens no crowds. Only where you feel comfortable.
Rin thought. Let us go to the old archives in the library. It is peaceful there.
They both went to the lower floor of the library building, where a few students were. There was the smell of dust, the dryness of old books, and a faint silence. Rin stopped near a wooden table and slowly sat down.
Haruto sat in the opposite seat but leaned a little forward as if he was noticing her every micro reaction.
Rin placed her hands on the table. Haruto, have you ever come into someone's life very late?
Haruto said softly. Maybe it feels like that but maybe I came at the right time.
Rin silently absorbed his words. Then said I feel that time behaves strangely in my life. Like I remember some things very fast some things are completely missing. And some people slowly fade away.
A sharp pain hit Haruto's heart. You mean people fade away.
Rin said softly. Yes. Faces. Names. Conversations. Earlier it happened a little. Now a little more.
Haruto quietly held the edge of the table. Did you ever miss me?
Rin froze for a second hearing the question. She looked at Haruto then moved her gaze slightly away. Yes. Last night, your face did not appear clearly. There was only a sense that someone important was there whom I had to meet in the morning.
Haruto slowly exhaled. So you remembered.
Rin gave a faint smile. Yes. You do not fade easily.
Haruto gave a soft chuckle. That is good.
Rin noticed his hand was placed on the table. After a moment of hesitation, she slid her fingers near his. Not touching directly but close. As if she were testing proximity.
Haruto respected her gesture. He did not touch. He just kept his hand close.
Rin said Why are you sometimes so quiet.
Haruto calmly answered because your words are already so heavy that disturbing them feels wrong.
Rin gave a micro laugh. You are strange.
Haruto smiled. Yes maybe.
Rin suddenly asked Haruto if one day I completely forget you, with zero memory, will you still behave the same.
Haruto answered instantly. Yes. Then I will introduce myself to you again. And you will know me again. As long as you are comfortable.
Rin's eyes became slightly watery. Why are you so calm? Anyone else would think I am crazy.
Haruto said firmly You are not crazy. You are just struggling. And I am here.
Rin took a deep breath that had relief and fear both. Then she opened the notebook again. Haruto look at this sentence.
She opened that page again.
If I forget him I need something that brings me back.
Rin asked in a slow voice. Who do you think he is?
Haruto said softly. You already know.
Rin looked at him directly. For a second the silence became thick. Then she closed the notebook.
Come. I want to walk a little.
Haruto immediately stood. I am here.
When they both came out of the archives a light flickered at the end of the corridor as if time glitched for a moment. Rin noticed the flicker and froze blankly for a second.
Haruto quickly touched her shoulder lightly. Rin, are you okay?
Rin blinked as if coming back to reality. Yes, just for a second, I felt like I did not know where I was standing.
Haruto placed his hand near her hand. I am here. If any place or moment confuses you just look at me.
Rin faintly whispered. Okay.
And they both walked toward the quiet side of the campus in slow steps.
Rin did not know it.
But Haruto knew.
This was not just forgetting.
They both kept walking
But they had no idea
that the blank second of today
It was going to become tomorrow's biggest storm.