The rain poured down relentlessly, drenching the streets of Tokyo, but you barely noticed the chill as you stood under the dim glow of a streetlight, waiting. The sound of your heartbeat thudded in your ears, louder than the storm that raged around you.

You weren’t sure why you’d come here tonight. Maybe it was the sheer weight of everything that had happened recently, or maybe it was the faint memory of the old Takemichi—the one who used to laugh with you without a care in the world. The one who dreamed of being someone greater.

And yet, standing at the intersection where it all started, you found yourself wondering if it was possible for things to change.

The sound of footsteps interrupted your thoughts, and you turned to see a familiar figure making his way toward you through the rain. His hair was damp, and his expression serious, but you could see the glimmer of something in his eyes—a determination that was all too familiar.

“Takemichi…” you whispered, your heart catching in your chest. He froze mid-step, his eyes locking onto yours, as if the sight of you had stopped him dead in his tracks.

“You’re here,” he said, his voice both surprised and relieved. He took a few more steps toward you, but the distance between you two remained, as if some invisible barrier was keeping you apart.