Monday arrived like a slow breath after a storm.
The Cultural Festival was over. The lanterns were taken down, the booths disassembled, and the glitter Yuki had "accidentally" used on everything still clung to Leo's backpack like stubborn ghosts of chaos past.
But that wasn't what felt heavy.
It was the silence.
In the days after the fireworks, everything… changed.
Rin no longer waited by the classroom door. Yuki stopped showing up at Leo's window with random drinks. Hana, who once shoved rice balls into his hands during lunch, now jogged past without a word.
And Leo—caught in the middle—felt like he was balancing on the edge of a sword.
Even Kai noticed.
---
"You okay?" he asked during lunch, sliding into the seat beside Leo in the cafeteria.
Leo poked at his food. "Define 'okay.'"
Kai leaned back. "Bro. You look like you just got dumped by three girlfriends you never actually dated."
Leo sighed. "I didn't… mean for that to happen."
"I believe you. But they don't live in your head. They live in a real world where emotions don't come with user manuals."
"…I didn't choose anyone."
"Exactly. And that's what hurts them."
Leo fell silent.
Kai paused, then added, "You know what your problem is? You're afraid that choosing one means losing the others. But you've already lost them all by choosing nothing."
Leo stared down at his tray. "What should I do?"
Kai stood. "Talk to them. Not all at once. One by one. Be honest. Don't try to fix things. Just… let them see you're human."
---
After school, Leo stood outside the gym, staring at the doors.
He'd seen Hana slip inside earlier. She always stayed late for track, even on rest days.
His heart thumped unevenly.
He stepped in.
The gym was mostly empty, echoing with the sound of bouncing balls and distant sneakers.
Hana sat on the bleachers, towel around her neck, water bottle in hand. She looked up, blinked.
"Didn't think I'd see you," she said.
Leo stepped closer. "I wanted to talk."
She shrugged. "Talk, then."
A pause.
Leo inhaled. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For… not realizing sooner how much I've been relying on all of you. Without thinking about what that means to each of you."
Hana didn't respond right away. Then she said, "I wasn't waiting for an apology. Just… a little honesty."
"I wasn't trying to lead anyone on."
She nodded. "I know. But silence can hurt worse than lies."
Leo sat beside her.
Hana offered her water bottle. He took it.
She said quietly, "I don't hate you. But I needed space. Still do. I'm… not ready to laugh it off and pretend it didn't sting."
Leo nodded slowly. "That's fair."
A pause.
Then she added, "But I'm glad you came."
---
Later that night, Leo stood outside a quiet convenience store near the dorms.
A familiar voice greeted him.
"You look like a sad puppy in a drama show."
Yuki stood behind him, soda can in hand.
Leo turned. "You're out late."
"So are you."
They stood side by side, the quiet buzz of the neon sign above casting a pale light.
"I was just walking," Leo said.
"I was just buying snacks I don't need."
Pause.
Then Yuki said, "You broke Rin's heart, you know."
Leo's chest tightened. "I didn't mean to."
"I know. That's the annoying part. If you were just a jerk, it'd be easier to hate you."
Leo looked at her. "Do you hate me?"
Yuki smiled sadly. "Nah. I just wish I didn't like you so much."
He looked away.
She leaned against the wall. "So what now?"
"I… want to make things right. Even if it takes time."
Yuki sipped her drink. "Then don't disappear. That's a start."
They stood there a while longer.
No pressure. No fireworks. Just the soft hum of a vending machine and the warmth of two people trying to be honest.