Nao held her tighter as the seconds passed.

"You helped me, Hana."

He remarked.

Nao was in a rollercoaster of emotions.

Whether it was happiness or relief, he wasn't sure. Maybe all of them― he thought.

As the leaves swayed side to side, there was silence that followed.

"If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be full of regret."

He whispered to her, holding her close.

Hana was confused by what was happening.

"Nao…? What do you mean…?"

Nao rested his chin in her shoulder as he embraced her.

He wasn't the kind of person to do this―

But his body moved on its own.

"You made me realize how happy I am to live― to be able to spend everyday with you.

You brought me back my trust.

And… my life.

So, thank you."

Nao felt his heart race as he held her,

as he felt her breath on his skin.

"I'm… I'm sorry. Maybe I'm… invading your personal space."

He let go of her and stood back up.

"Nao―"

she interrupted,

pulling his hand with her own.

"Um… well…"

Hana didn't mean to stop him―

but for some reason,

she didn't want to let him go.