・・・ xlv ・・・

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

—I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Don't go.

Don't leave me.

Not again.

I'm sorry.

Stay away.

Don't touch me.

Go.

Leave.

Stay.

I'm sorry.

It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.
It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

It's all my fault.

Drip. Drop.

Drip. Drop.

Drip. Drop—

・・・ xlvi ・・・

How long have I been standing here?

He didn't know.

It might have been just a few seconds.
It might have been a few minutes.
It might have already been an hour.

I don't know anymore.

He stared at the door, where Leo had disappeared.

Once again, he was alone.

He was always alone.

"We were meant to be alone."

・・・ xlvii ・・・

Suddenly, the door opened.

Someone was standing in the doorway.

He blinked once.

Twice.

It was someone he knew.

... Hashimoto... Rie.

・・・ xlviii ・・・

What...?

Why are you here?
Why are you here?

Stay away.

He stared at her.

In return Rie looked at him, her expression difficult to explain.

She stepped inside.

—Then, suddenly,
Rie reached out and hugged him around the neck.

He flinched.

She was so close.

He could feel her warmth.
He could smell her shampoo.

No. No. No. No.

He struggled to get away, feeling weak.

Don't touch me.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me.
Don't—

He suddenly lost his thoughts as he noticed something fall from his face.

He stopped.

After a second, he realized what it was.

Impossible.

No.
No.
No.

No.

How? How?

He started to shake.

His vision was blurred.

There was a lump in his throat.

His chest ached.

He stared at the silent tears that were falling on the floor, unable to believe what was happening.

He was crying.