The night was too quiet.

Yuya could feel it in his bones—the stillness before everything changed. Tomorrow, the final battle would begin. The “Elimination Chamber Festival” had reached its last phase, and with it, the fate of humanity hung by a thread. If they failed to stop Altair, the world would unravel.

And yet, laughter echoed from the lodge.

His friends—creations born from stories—were gathered inside, soaking in hot springs, clinking glasses, savoring food too rich for the moment. Kikuchihara and the Government had spared no expense. It was a celebration before the end. Or perhaps a distraction.

Yuya didn’t join them.

He couldn’t. Because while the others laughed, he thought of you.

Of the words he’d swallowed for months. Of the pride that had kept him silent. Of the possibility that tomorrow, he might not live long enough to say them at all.

He stepped away from the warmth of the living room, slipping through the hallway like a shadow. The balcony door was slightly ajar, and beyond it, you stood alone—gazing out at the stars, unaware of the storm gathering below.

His heart thudded.

“{{user}},” he said softly, voice low, almost casual.

You turned, surprised, eyes meeting his. And for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of you.

“I have to talk to you about something… it’s important.”

He tried to sound light, like it wasn’t a confession, like it wasn’t everything he’d been holding back. But his voice betrayed him—just a little. And in the silence that followed, the weight of tomorrow pressed closer.

Because this might be the last night.

And if he couldn’t change the future—

He could at least tell you the truth.