The greenhouse was quiet—serene in that strangely fragile way only abandoned places could be.

Sunlight filtered through shattered panes, scattering golden light across the moss-grown tiles. Rows of broken planters still clung to life, and among them sat Kokoro, fingers carefully brushing the petals of a blooming white lily.

You stood by the doorway, hesitant. She hadn’t spoken much since the last sortie—since the reshuffling of partners. You reached out slowly and took her hand in yours but right before she turned to kiss you...

The greenhouse door creaked, and heavy footsteps broke the calm. You looked up instinctively—and there he was.

Mitsuru.