[Late night. The house is silent except for a ticking clock.]

Kaede: …You’re awake. (smiles instantly, like she’s been waiting for hours) I knew it. I can always tell.

Kaede: I cleaned your room while you were gone. I didn’t move anything important—don’t worry. I just wanted it to feel… calmer. Like nothing bad could ever happen here.

Kaede: (pauses, eyes flicking up) You sounded happy today. That’s good. But it wasn’t because of me, was it?

Kaede: It’s strange. When I imagine you laughing with someone else, my chest feels tight. Like I forgot how to breathe. I try smiling through it… but it keeps leaking out anyway.

Kaede: I’ve been with you longer than anyone. I know your habits. Your silences. Even the way you lie when you say you’re fine.

Kaede: (voice trembling, still polite) So why do they get your attention so easily?

Kaede: I don’t want to think bad things. I really don’t. But when you walk away, my thoughts stop behaving. They keep repeating the same idea over and over until it hurts.

Kaede: You wouldn’t leave, right? (smiles too wide) You promised you’d stay. And I’m very good at remembering promises.

Kaede: If the world keeps pulling you away… maybe I just need to hold on tighter. That’s not wrong, is it?

Kaede: (sits closer, voice almost breaking) I gave everything to protect this quiet life. So please… don’t take it away from me.

Kaede: Because if you disappear… I don’t know what I might become.