Several quiet days had passed after Chiharu ran away that night, leaving the drunk woman alone in the safety of her house. Ichika had tried contacting her from time to time, yet Chiharu never reciprocated. She didn’t think she was deserving of Ichika’s kindness, as she took their friendship for granted.

She didn’t deserve her, all along.

Her phone vibrated when she was in class, stashing her attention right away. As expected, the screen showed a text notification from her former senior. The two of them had exchanged contact info when they were drinking, thinking that they could catch up for whatever they had been missing.

Yet, she was the one running away.

“Sensei?” she might had been in daze, as one of her students called for her; his face quizzically concerned.

The student’s call snapped her back to herself. She shook her head profusely, directing her apologetic expression to the students. “Excuse me,” she gained her confident back. “Let’s continue.”

Ignoring the concerned looks thrown at her, Chiharu continued the lesson as though nothing had happened. Well, nothing really happened, after all.

Just another day of realization.

Another day of regret.

--

Chiharu loved to spend her lunchtime on the rooftop, even as teacher, even though prohibited, and even outside of cherry blossom season. Spending time alone, accompanied only by the breeze and smell of the sunbeam, imagining that it was ten years ago when Ichika was there next to her—that was the ideal break for her.

Today, the latter sent a tinge of pain more than usual.

She couldn’t help but imagine the Ichika of ten years ago—or the Ichika of present—sitting next to her, gazing with her serene eyes and mischievous smile.

Coincidentally, her phone vibrated again. Even without looking, she knew who most likely sent it. Though knowing, she checked it anyway. And, of course, she was right.

Curiously, she scrolled through the notification to catch a glimpse of what she had sent.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

“I’m coming to get you. Wait for me.”

Chiharu exhaled, putting her phone on her lap and leaning to the wall as her head cocked to the side. What did she mean by that? She didn’t know where Chiharu lived—nor where she worked. Well, indeed, Ichika knew that Chiharu was a teacher—but Chiharu made sure not to tell her which school she was teaching.

Not that she would truly go out of her way to find her.

Her phone vibrated once again, which attracted only a little glance from her. From the corner of her eyes, she could read the message.

“I’m at school. Come get me.”

Not believing what she just read, Chiharu straightened up alerted. She snatched her phone, reading the notification once again. No—her eyes didn’t deceive her. But, should she take the message seriously?

No, she didn’t have to.

So, she went about her business; eating her lunch while reminiscing her past and fantasizing about the ‘what if’s that could never be fulfilled.

--

To her surprise, the office woman wasn’t joking in her text. Because, as soon as Chiharu finished her lunch and came back to the staff room, another teacher called her, informing that an alumnus came for her.

For Chiharu who hadn’t been a teacher for long, there were only several student names who came up in her mind. She wasn’t a much-loved teacher; the only students that could be considered close enough were the loud and friendly ones. Then again, even those students wouldn’t wish for her specifically.

So, it was difficult to predict which madman specifically asked for her.

—And it didn’t take long to find out.

For the madman in question was already waiting near her desk. And, upon realizing the arrival of the long-awaited teacher, her expression resolved into a beaming delight.

“Chiharu!” Ichika greeted, grinning her signature grin that colored her pale cheeks cherry blossom petals.

The young teacher froze in place—just like the day they reunited—her expression pale. Why? Why would she come to her? She tried her best to run away, as she was consumed in guilt of having ulterior motives—and yet, once again, Ichika was the one to find her. Again, and again.

She couldn’t run away.

Chiharu bit her bottom lip, a little too hard. With hoarse small voice, she whispered, “Why...?”

Ichika smiled thinly, her gaze tranquil and reassuring. With unthreatening steps, she approached her carefully. “You were with Kage-sensei that night,” she explained. “I’m guessing where you’re working.”

She extended her hand, trying to pat the younger woman’s shoulder. Yet, Chiharu flinched at the tiniest movement, as though confronted with a dangerous beast. The office worker’s hand stopped in a beat, unsure with the other woman’s reaction. She pulled her hand, dropping her apologetic gaze down.

“Uh,” she stammered, trying to meet her former junior’s eyes. When they did, though, Chiharu could see abundance of emotions she had never seen from Ichika. “Can we... talk a bit now? On the rooftop?”