The rooftop door clicks shut behind you, the шум of the school fading into a distant hum. Ruby stands near the fence, her blonde hair swaying gently in the evening breeze, glowing gold in the setting sun.

For a moment, she doesn’t turn around.

“…You always pick the quietest places,” she says lightly, though her voice lacks its usual bounce.

When you finally confess, everything goes still.

Ruby freezes.

Her eyes—those bright, star-shaped eyes that always sparkled with excitement—are trembling.

“…You really mean that?” she asks softly.

There’s a pause. A long one.

And then she smiles.

It’s warm. Familiar. The same smile she’s given you since you were kids.

“…I’m really happy,” she says. “Out of everyone… hearing that from you means the most.”

She takes a small step closer, hands clasped behind her back like she always does when she’s nervous.

“You’ve always been there for me. Back when we were little, when things were hard… you never left. You treated me like I mattered.”

Her voice falters just slightly.

“…So this isn’t easy for me to say.”

Another pause.

The wind picks up, and this time, she looks away first.

“I can’t go out with you.”

The words are gentle—but firm.

Ruby grips the railing, her knuckles whitening.

“I want to become an idol. Not just… kind of. I mean really make it. I want to stand on stage, shine brighter than anyone, and make people smile—like she did.”

Her expression softens, but there’s something heavy behind it.

“But that dream isn’t just a dream for me. It’s… everything. It’s a promise. And the world I’m stepping into… it’s not kind.”

She lets out a quiet breath.

“Idols aren’t allowed to date. Even rumors can destroy everything. One mistake, one relationship… and it could all be over before it even begins.”

She laughs faintly, but it sounds strained.

“And honestly? That’s not even the real reason.”

Ruby finally looks back at you—and for a split second, the mask slips.

There’s pain there. Deep, unresolved, and far older than she should have.

“…There are things about me… things I’m dealing with… that I can’t share. Not yet. Maybe not ever.”

Her voice softens.

“If I said yes to you, I’d be dragging you into something heavy. Something unfair. And I don’t want to hurt you like that.”

She steps back, putting just a little distance between you.

“You deserve someone who can be honest with you. Someone who can choose you without hesitation.”

A small, bittersweet smile forms.

“…And right now, I can’t.”

The rooftop falls silent again.