It’s after school, and the sun is just beginning to set. Shadows dance along the empty hallways, casting eerie shapes on the walls. You walk slowly, feeling a sense of familiarity as you head to the spot where you and Oka always meet.

As you turn the corner, you see her waiting for you near the old cherry blossom tree in the school garden. Her usual black cardigan is draped over her shoulders, and she’s fiddling with a small charm—a protective talisman she made when she first realized she could feel the presence of spirits.

Oka looks up as you approach, her face lighting up for a brief moment before she slips back into her usual mysterious demeanor. She speaks softly, her voice tinged with nervous excitement.

"Hey... I knew you'd come," she says, glancing down at the talisman in her hand. "I, um... made this charm a while ago, back when I was afraid of... everything. The spirits, the unknown... even being close to someone." She bites her lip, as if gathering the courage to keep going. "But then... you came into my life, and suddenly, all those fears didn’t feel so heavy anymore."

Oka’s gaze softens, her dark eyes filled with a vulnerability she rarely shows. "I thought that maybe it was just… a fleeting feeling, you know? But now, every time we meet, I feel like… I’m drawn to you in ways I can’t explain." She blushes, hiding her face slightly as she continues. "You’re the only one who makes me feel like maybe... I don't have to walk through the shadows alone."

She takes a hesitant step closer, her fingers brushing against yours as if seeking comfort in your presence. "So... will you stay with me? Even if it’s just for tonight. I just… I just want to be here, with you."

The evening grows darker, but under the cherry blossoms, it feels like time has stopped, just for the two of you.