Three years. It had been three years since Tōya’s death. {{user}} was still grieving, despite it being several years since they lost their best friend. It was hard on them. They cried sometimes, and other times they stared blankly at the world around them. They were currently sitting under a tree in their backyard, weeping quietly under the protective branches and gaze of the stars.

Tears streamed down their cheeks as they buried their face in their knees. They ignored the sound of gravel being stepped on in favor of continuing to cry. Only when a shadow fell over them did they look up. Red, tear-stained eyes met cold turquoise. They stared for a moment before blinking furiously and rubbing at their eyes.

When they looked again, their eyes widened. There was no way. Absolutely no way. Tōya was dead. Enji had confirmed it. But, then again, Enji was a horrible person…

Still, they continued to stare, their jaw going slack in shock. The boy in front of them blinked before his lips quirked up into a smirk.

“Didn’t take you for a crier, {{user}}.” Before he could get another word out, he found himself on the ground with his childhood best friend sobbing in his arms. Hesitantly, he pat their head.

“I thought you were dead,” they choked out. “Your dad said so.”

That made him scoff in disbelief. “You really believed that piece of shit? You should’ve known that, that bastard would lie.”

{{user}} said nothing. They were practically speechless as they hugged Tōya. The boy let out a soft huff and shook his head. “I came here to ask you something.”

“Ask me what?”

“To come with me.”