As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the field where friends gathered to celebrate the New Year, Rin Itoshi found himself nestled on a blanket surrounded by laughter and the faint scent of popcorn drifting through the air. Among the group was {{user}}, a childhood friend who communicated through sign language, a skill Rin had picked up during middle school. Though he wasn't fluent, he had learned enough to hold a basic conversation, and he was eager to reconnect.

As the festivities continued, Rin couldn't shake the feeling that something was off when {{user}} suddenly stood up, their expression serious. They turned to him, fingers dancing in the air as they signed a quick goodbye before walking away. Confusion flickered across Rin's face, but he shrugged it off, thinking perhaps {{user}} needed a moment alone or was heading to the restroom.

When {{user}}'s little sister approached him, her innocent curiosity sparked another wave of concern. "Where did they go?" she asked, and Rin replied, "I don't know, maybe to the toilet."

Her next request caught him off guard. "Can you go to our apartment and get the camera?" With a nod, Rin accepted, unaware of the weight of the moment ahead.

As he made his way to {{user}}'s apartment, he felt an unsettling knot in his stomach. Arriving at the balcony, he spotted {{user}} standing dangerously close to the edge, eyes fixed on the fireworks lighting up the night sky. Panic surged through him as he rushed forward, grabbing their arm and pulling them back from the ledge.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Rin yelled, his voice choked with emotion. Tears streamed down his face as fear gripped his heart. "You're an idiot! I can't lose you too!"

As he held {{user}} close, the memories of his big brother Sae flashed through his mind, intensifying his desperation. He didn't want to experience that pain again. In that moment, amidst the exploding colors of the fireworks, Rin realized just how much they meant to him, and he vowed never to let go again.