The next time Hanasato saw Kurogane Kaori—
it wasn't at school.
It wasn't in the hallway, or across a classroom, or from the corner of her eye during dismissal.
It was at her family's company.
The glass doors slid open with a soft sound as Hanasato stepped inside, adjusting her bag slightly on her shoulder. The familiar scent of polished floors and cool air greeted her, grounding her in something normal after everything that had happened.
A week.
It had already been a week since she was discharged.
A week since the accident.
A week since she last saw her.
"…Miss Airi, welcome back," one of the employees greeted with a polite bow.
Hanasato smiled lightly. "Thank you. It's good to be back."
Her body still felt a little weaker than usual, but the doctors had cleared her. Her parents were hesitant at first, but she insisted. Staying at home with nothing but her thoughts wasn't helping.
Especially when those thoughts kept circling back to one person.
Kurogane Kaori.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway ahead.
Hanasato looked up—
and there she was.
Kurogane stood a few steps away, dressed more formally than usual, a folder tucked under her arm. Her hair was neatly tied back, her posture straight, her expression unreadable as always.
For a moment—
neither of them spoke.
"…Why are you here?"
Kurogane's voice broke the silence, flat and direct.
"Aren't you supposed to be resting?"
Hanasato blinked, then let out a small breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"That's the first thing you say?" she replied, a bit of her usual tone returning. "No 'welcome back' or anything?"
"You look fine. That's enough."
"…I was in the hospital for a week."
"And now you're not."
Hanasato sighed softly. "The doctors said I'm okay now. It's already been a week since I was discharged."
She gestured around them slightly. "Besides, this is my family's company. Why wouldn't I be here?"
Kurogane paused.
Just for a second.
Then she looked away, clicking her tongue faintly. "Do what you want. It's none of my business."
Silence settled between them again.
But this time—
it felt different.
Heavier.
"If that's all, I'll be going now."slightly glance at Hanasato
Hanasato tightened her grip on her bag.
Now.
She had to say it now.
"…Kurogane."
"Hm?" Stopped and turned back.
"…Thank you."
The words came out softer than she expected.
Kurogane didn't respond immediately.
So Hanasato continued.
"I thought you hated me," she said honestly, meeting her eyes. "But you saved me."
A small, genuine smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you. I mean it."
For a brief moment—
Kurogane's expression shifted.
Something subtle.
Something Hanasato couldn't quite read.
Then—
"I do hate you."
The words landed bluntly.
Hanasato's smile faltered slightly. "Ah…"
There it is.
That familiar sting.
She expected it.
Still—
it didn't feel good to hear.
"…But not enough to want you to die."
Hanasato blinked.
"…What?"
Kurogane looked at her directly now, her gaze sharp but steady.
"Don't misunderstand," she continued. "I'm not your friend."
"…I didn't say you were."
"And I'm not suddenly going to start treating you nicely just because of that."
Hanasato let out a small, awkward laugh. "I figured."
"Good."
Kurogane shifted the folder in her arm, her tone returning to its usual bluntness.
"I hate you, Hanasato Airi," she said, pointing at her slightly as if emphasizing every word. "So don't go dying in front of me. Are we clear?"
There was something strange about the way she said it.
Firm.
Almost like an order.
But underneath—
something else.
Something quieter.
Hanasato felt it.
And for some reason—
it made her chest tighten.
Not painfully.
But… differently.
"…Okay," she said softly. "I won't."
A small pause.
Then she smiled again, this time more gently.
"But I'm still really thankful."
Kurogane's brows furrowed slightly. "You're annoying."
"I almost died. Let me thank you properly."
"I didn't do anything special."
"You saved me."
"Anyone would've done that."
"…You stayed."
That made Kurogane pause.
Hanasato noticed it immediately.
"My parents told me," she continued. "You were there the whole time."
Silence.
A longer one this time.
"…They talk too much," Kurogane muttered.
"So it's true?"
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Kurogane clicked her tongue, clearly irritated now.
"I just didn't want someone to die in front of me," she said sharply. "That's it."
"…Even if that someone is me?"
"…Especially because it was you."
The answer came out too quickly.
Too instinctively.
Both of them seemed to realize it at the same time.
Kurogane looked away almost immediately.
"…Tch. Forget it."
Hanasato stared at her.
"…You're weird."
"And you're slow."
"That didn't even make sense."
"It doesn't have to."
Hanasato let out a small laugh.
A real one this time.
And for a split second—
Kurogane froze.
Just slightly.
As if she didn't expect that reaction.
"…Why are you laughing?"
"Because…" Hanasato tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "You don't sound like you hate me as much as you say you do."
Silence.
Kurogane's eyes narrowed.
"…Don't misunderstand."
"I'm not."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"…Tch."
Another pause.
Then—
Kurogane turned away.
"I have work to do," she said. "Don't get in my way."
She started walking past Hanasato—
then stopped.
Just for a second.
Without turning back, she spoke again.
"I hate you, Hanasato Airi."
Her voice was quieter this time.
Less sharp.
Almost… tired.
"Try not to forget that."
And then she walked away.
Hanasato stood there for a moment.
Watching her leave.
Thinking.
"…You say that a lot," she murmured softly.
Her hand slowly moved to her chest.
Her heartbeat was steady now.
Calm.
But for some reason—
it felt different than before.
Warmer.
"…You're really confusing, Kurogane Kaori."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"Still…"
She looked down the hallway where Kurogane had disappeared.
"…I'm glad it was you."