Day 99.
I returned to school the next day.Same uniform.Same hallway.Same fake morning smiles.
But everything felt heavier—like time had slowed down, as if the world knew I had less of it now.
Everyone said, "Good morning," like nothing had changed.They didn't know I was breaking in silence.They didn't know I was dying in pieces too small to see.
But he was there.Standing by the vending machine near the courtyard.Tachibana Ren.
He had grown taller than I remembered. His hair was darker. Messier.There was a quietness in his eyes—one I couldn't read.And yet, something in my chest ached when I saw him.
This is him. I know it.Even if my memories are gone, my heart still remembers.
I walked toward him. Step by step.Carefully. Like walking on ice.
"Ren… Tachibana-kun?"
He turned slowly, a can of coffee in his hand.
His eyes met mine.But there was no recognition in them.
"…Yeah?" he said, almost hesitant.
"It's me. Aoi," I said with a small smile. "Sakuragi Aoi."
He stared for a moment.No flicker. No warmth.Just emptiness.
"I don't remember you."
Three words.Sharp. Cold. Final.
I felt my heart drop, but I kept smiling.
Of course you don't.Why would you?I'm the one who's supposed to forget—not you.
"Ah… I see," I said softly, pretending it didn't hurt.
He looked away, opening his drink.I should've walked away then.But I didn't.
"I was wondering…" I continued, "can we talk sometime? Maybe… be friends?"
He glanced at me, slightly surprised.
"Why me?"
I smiled again, weaker this time.
"Because I think… we used to be."
Later that evening, I sat at my desk and wrote in my notebook.
"Day 99. I found him.His name is Tachibana Ren.He doesn't remember me.But I remember the way he looked at me, even if just for a second.Somewhere deep inside him… I think the memories are still there."
I closed my notebook gently.
Outside, the sky had already turned dark.
And in the quiet of my room, I whispered to no one:
"Ren… please remember me before I forget you."