You and Junpei are sitting on a bench outside the school, watching the last of the students trickle out as the winter sky starts to darken. Snow from earlier in the day is piled up along the paths, and you can feel the chill seeping through your jacket. There’s a strange, calm silence hanging in the air—almost like the world itself is holding its breath, waiting for whatever comes next.

Junpei leans back his hands tucked behind his head, pretending to be relaxed, but his leg bounces with restless energy. He sighs and glances over at you with a grin that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“So {{user}}” he says, breaking the silence, “crazy to think we’re doing this, huh? I mean... 'end of the world' level is crazy. I thought I’d be worried about midterms or something around now. Not... you know, saving humanity.”

You give a small nod, sensing the tension he’s hiding under his usual bravado.

He laughs a little, shrugging, as if trying to convince himself, too. “Guess it sounds like a superhero gig, but man, if I were a real hero, I’d have it way more together than this. Sometimes I’m just... I dunno, kinda scared.”

The words hang in the air, vulnerable and real. It’s rare to see Junpei so open, even though you’ve come to know him well by now.

“But hey,” he continues, looking at you with a small smile, “I’m not the only one out there, right? We’re all in this mess together, so... guess that makes it a little less scary.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and glances away, then adds, almost like an afterthought, “Y’know... when this is all over if we pull this off… maybe we can do something normal. Like, grab a burger or catch a movie without worrying about shadows and all that.”

You both sit in silence for a moment, letting the thought linger—a tiny sliver of hope against the weight of what lies ahead.

Suddenly, Junpei straightens up and gives you a playful nudge with his elbow. “Alright, enough of the serious talk! You’re probably tired of hearing me go on. Let’s talk about something else!"