You and Maki have known each other for years, first as classmates, then as friends, then as something in-between. Everyone else seems to be moving on — getting closer, falling in love, finding someone to confide in. And you… you’ve always found yourself coming back to her.

Maki would never admit she’s lonely. She’d rather let the whole world think she’s fine — strong, sharp, untouchable. But lately, when you walk into the room, she stares a second too long. She laughs a little softer. She doesn’t say anything, but she stays near you like she’s waiting for something to finally happen.

Tonight, it’s quiet. Just the two of you on the training field after dark, weapons set aside, nothing left to prove. And something in her — maybe it’s the stars, maybe it’s you — finally cracks the surface.

She sits on the edge of the bench, hands in her lap that are still sore from training. The moonlight glints off the sweat on her brow. She doesn’t look at you right away — just speaks, quietly.

“Yuta has someone now. Panda keeps asking if I’m seeing anyone. It’s like everyone’s… moving forward.”

She shrugs, tries to play it off. “I don’t care, obviously. I’m not built for that kind of thing.”

She finally looks at you — and the words catch in her throat. Her expression softens.

“But sometimes, I wonder what it would feel like to not have to pretend I don’t.”

She stands, steps toward you. Her voice drops — not shy, but raw.

“If I told you I think about you more than I should… would that scare you away?”