Taking a deep breath, she stepped towards the trail.

She still comes here.

Just not as often.

Sota spotted her down the road, she stood closely at the edge of the forest.

He stopped walking, turning his head ever so slightly to the side curiously.

Where was she headed?

Just then, she took her step forward into the forest.

He blinked rapidly for a moment, and then began jogging to catch up with her.

Emi had almost made it quite far on the trail already.

She walked as fast as her mind moved.

Though she walked along a trail, her mind wandered, losing its way.

It ventured off trail.

Sota spotted her ahead.

She looked small from this distance.

He smiled warmly at the thought.

She was quite small, compared to him.

It was something that he adored.

Even more so, he enjoyed teasing her every now and again about it.

He looked back up, finding Emi to be further up the trail.

He quickened his pace.

She was moving so quickly, but in slow motion.

He was so curious.

As her mind raced, so did she.

Her pace was faster now, but she didn't know.

Sota was soon close behind her.

But as she reached the tree that he recognized, he called out her name in warning.

But she didn't hear.

Her foot caught on the root, and forward she fell.

Before she could feel the familiarity of the ground, arms wrapped securely around her waist.

Seconds later, her back collided with a warm chest.

Her eyes widened.

George...

But it wasn't him.

Her mind went blank as she gazed up at the wide eyed baseball player.

He caught her.

Time stood still.

There are good days.

There are bad days.

Today was rough on her mind, thoughts of unhappy events flashing by like the rolling of a never-ending film.

So, as the realization settled in her mind, that George was not present to catch her anymore, she felt as if the world turned cold.

So she let her eyes water.

Sota spun her around the instant he saw the first tear.

He pulled her into his chest.

Held her tightly.

He comfort her.

Emi knew she wasn't alone.

She had a friend here.

He felt warm.

His sweater was soft against her cheek.

The soft pats he delivered to her back were like a lullaby.

She breathed deeply, his scent.

He was a friend.

A friend.

Someone she could trust.

That's why she let him hug her.

She let him comfort her.

That is why, on that day...

She let him hold her hand as he walked her to a cafe, where Haru was waiting happily with three hot drinks.

He let go of her hand before they reached the cafe.

She looked at him and nodded.

He pat her back and raised his fist.

He believed in her.

She raised her fist back.

smiling as she did so.