WHEN HE WAKES up, Rain is already gone.

The boy who'd just stepped out of a nightmare, ready for his friend's comfort, only to realise that he's no longer there.

Almost as if he had just been a dream.

That it was all just a dream.

But no, his heart is beating fast. His clothes drenched in sweat. The wilted higanbana next to him placed there by Rain. The diary returned to him, given by Rain. He swears he still smells the scent of cooked noodles, dusted with curry, and the sound of his voice.

And her.

His eyes move to the photograph sitting on the cupboard beside him, his maddened heart silencing.

Kaede snatches the picture, staring down at it. Him—and Rain and her.

Rain's real name is Zhao Shu Yu.

But he doesn't know hers.

His fingers start to shake, his breaths thinning.

Something falls and stains the image, and he puts a finger to it, wondering what it is.

It's watery.

Suddenly, more fall, coating the shiny plastic, one dripping onto his hand.

For the first time in four days, Kaede realises that he's crying.