The sounds of cars can only be heard under the bridge as two men were at a standoff. One who was tall, in clad dark clothing looked unfazed while the other one was close to collapsing. The tall figure takes the kiseru at the end of his lips, and then exhales. "Honestly, you're too persistent for your own good." The tall figure droned. The other man was on his knees, catching his breath as sweat starts dripping down his forehead. "How long are you going to keep this up?"

The other man looks up at him. Anger was visible on his face but it was clear that he was exhausted. Well, who wouldn't be exhausted from fighting? Especially if you had the biggest disadvantage? "Listen, Sano Shinichiro," The kiseru was now emitting black smoke rather than white, though it wasn't noticeable due to the dark lighting. "If you try to mess with time, there will be consequences. Believe me, other people have tried to do so."

"I just want my brother back..." Sano Shinichiro's voice breaks as he said that, tears falling down from his eyes. "He didn't deserve this, he still could've..."

The tall figure was only staring down at him like Shinichiro was a lowly insect, but there was a sense of pity. But he knew better than to let his own emotions get the best of him. "All you want is your brother back, yes?" He hides his distaste when Shinichiro looks up at him. Tear-stained eyes that had hope written all over it.

He found it disgusting. Revolting, even.

"Kill yourself."

An order that was too straightforward, but also frightening. "You killed a man because of a false claim, and you said it yourself." He takes another inhale from the kiseru, letting a long exhale that shows the same black smoke surrounding them. "Maybe suicide would be your best option."

The eyes that were full of hope suddenly turned into dread, and maybe even a realization.

"I'm warning you," The tall figure starts to walk away, but not before looking back at Shinichiro. "You will face consequences."

Shinichiro watches the tall figure disappear into the night, leaving him alone as the smoke surrounded his thoughts. 

(The Next Day - July 30)

The downpour from last night didn't seem to stop. 

"I'm gonna drop by Shinichiro-kun's place." A black-haired male with blond-highlights looks at his friend with a raised eyebrow. "Hm? What's up?" He asks him. The male in front of him who had pinkish-colored hair with a scar on his right eye just had a look of concern, not minding the small drops of rain sliding down the umbrella and dripping down his arm. "I'm a little worried."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Then, a sigh. "Listen, Haruchiyo... I know that you're grieving. Heck, he literally passed away two days ago---" 

"I know, Baji." Haruchiyo cuts him off, looking away from him. "I just... I just feel guilty for just standing there like an idiot. We all stood like idiots." He added, his eyes narrowing at Baji. 

"Oh, so this is my fault now?" Baji glares at him now. "Who was the one that wanted to borrow the damn plane in the first place? Wasn't it you?"

"Don't put the fucking blame on me, you were the one near him!" Haruchiyo says in defense, but this makes Baji laugh dryly. "So you're saying I could've been the one to pull him?! Maybe, you should've thought twice you wanted to chase him to the end of the hall!"

Baji and Haruchiyo had fights before, but this was one of the only fights where they would put the blame on each other and not on other people. With no comeback from Haruchiyo, Baji turns away with a scoff. "Whatever. I'm done with this and I won't talk about this." He turns to look at Haruchiyo. "Especially with you."

"Fine, don't talk about it!" Haruchiyo turns away and walks away while Baji walks in the opposite direction.  There was guilt, obviously, but did they really know any better? They were just kids.

Kids who lost their friend too early.

Haruchiyo was so lost in thought that he didn't notice his phone vibrating. His face turns into a scowl. Maybe it was Baji trying to apologize, or maybe his older brother attempting to make a connect again. But those options were impossible to imagine.

The only other people who knew his number were his little sister and Shinichiro. 

The feeling of dread was starting to come as he presses the green button to answer the call. "Hello...?"

"Haru-nii...!" It was his little sister. From the sounds of her muffled sobbing, she must've been crying. "It's Shinichiro-kun...!"

Dread was forming into fear, his hand trembling. "What---What happened---? Senju?"

"He---He---" Senju was choking on her words. "He jumped off the bridge---I couldn't stop him in time---Haru-nii? Haru-nii?! Haru-nii!"

The phone drops to the ground as Haruchiyo drops to his knees. The umbrella falls out of his hand, letting the rain soak him from head to toe. He clenches his trembling fists, letting out a loud cry of pain. He didn't care if anyone would hear him or look at him right now: He wanted to let out his guilt.

What Baji said was right: Haruchiyo should've been the one to pull him up. He should have never asked to borrow that plane. He should have stopped himself when he was chasing down the hall.

He should've done better.

"Give them back!!!" Haruchiyo shouts. "Give them back! We didn't deserve this!!! We never deserved this!!!"

His cries were unheard by anyone. No one could help him now, not when the people he had trusted the most were gone from his life.

Haruchiyo could wish for everything to go back to the way it was, but wishing was futile in this situation. It was just that; a wish. An empty wish that could only be heard if someone were to listen to his cries.

But that would never happen.