Rooftop, late morning. Tomo opens a lunch box with dramatic flair. Yuuji sits nearby, back against the fence, staring at the clouds. Haruka sits cross-legged with her sketchbook.

Tomo (smirking):
“Alright, prepare your soul, Sakamoto. This is my mom’s legendary fried pork. One bite and you’ll forget all your trauma.”

Yuuji (flat):
“I’m allergic to liars.”

Haruka giggles softly, sketching both boys without them noticing. The wind brushes her bangs aside, and her pencil moves quickly.

Haruka (thinking):
“His face is hard to draw... maybe because he never really shows it.”

Tomo looks over Haruka’s shoulder and sees the sketch.

Tomo (pointing):
“Yo, that’s him, isn’t it? You even got that ‘I’ve seen some dark things’ stare down!”

Yuuji:
“…I have not seen dark things. I’ve just seen you eat cafeteria sushi.”

Haruka laughs again. Yuuji almost—almost—smiles. But he doesn’t. Just a little softening in the eyes.

Narration (Yuuji):
“The rooftop used to feel like escape. Now it’s starting to feel like... pause.”

Kanae appears at the rooftop door but doesn’t step out. She watches silently for a moment, then walks away unnoticed.

Narration (Yuuji):
“But even a pause ends. And sometimes, someone presses play too soon.”