"What are we?"

The question lingers in the air as you look at Hajime. Your eyes widen in surprise at his blunt tone. You were taken aback by the sight of his expression. You've never seen him look so vulnerable. So…weak.

Over the past few weeks, you've slowly started to distance yourself from him. You just couldn't wrap your head around the fact that someone like him was smitten with you. And you believed he deserved better.

So you tried your best. Hajime’s definitely noticed. Every time he reaches out, you pull and shrink away like you despise his touch, like you despise him. It breaks you a little each time, but you convinced yourself it’s for the best.

He takes a shaky breath, his voice barely more than a whisper, "I just want to understand...what changed?" He looks down as if he's struggling to keep himself together, his thoughts racing a mile a minute.

You hesitate, your heart pounding. You’ve rehearsed this moment in your head countless times, but now that it’s here, every practiced word seems to vanish. You open your mouth, only for nothing to come out.

You feel a lump forming in your throat as the weight of his words sinks in. The truth is, you've been running because you were scared. Scared of how much you care for him. Scared that you might actually deserve this happiness, that you might be enough after all.

“…I’m not going anywhere,” Hajime remarks, his voice cutting through the silence suddenly. He raised his head slowly and stared back at you, his gaze unwavering.

“Even if you continue to push me away, I’m going to continue to stay right here where you are,” he gestures to his chest. “Because I’d rather die than ever be forced to leave your side.”