Haruka did not go out the next day. Or the following day.

Despite what had happened at the restaurant, the humiliation of not being able to pay remained like dense mist. She couldn't shake it off.

Someone knocked on the door on the third day.

Haruka peeked through the peephole. It was him—the same guy with the soft eyes and wind-tousled hair. The delivery guy. Kaito.

She hesitated, but slowly opened the door just a little.

Kaito smiled like it was just another normal day.

"Hey," he said casually. "No food today. I’m just passing by."

Haruka blinked. “…Why?”

Kaito scratched the back of his neck. "Well… I told my friend about you. Not in a creepy way, though! Just that there's someone who needs a bit of a hand."

She didn't say anything, not knowing what was happening.

"There's this little bakery," he continued, "owned by my grandma's best friend. She's been short-staffed since her knees have been acting up on her. Nothing exciting. Just wiping down counters or helping with loading bread."

Haruka looked at her hands. Her fingers drummed impatiently.

"You don't have to agree," Kaito said in a rush. "But if you do, I thought I'd make the gesture. No pressure."

Haruka's mouth went open, then closed. The words would not come. Half of her wanted to say no. She did not know these strangers. She did not even know him.

But the other half, small and shaky, wanted to do something. Anything. Especially after what he did for her. After she had unwittingly left him unpaid.

"Okay," she whispered. "Maybe. I'll. think about it."

Kaito smiled as if it were already a win.

"Good," he said, handing her a small paper bag with a couple of sweet buns inside. "In case you happened to forget to eat lunch again."

Haruka took it carefully.

When she came back inside and opened the bag, she found that there was a sticky note stuck between the buns.

It read:

"I believe you can do it, even a little step."

Her hand stayed on the note longer than she expected.

She didn't know why, but for the first time in a long time, going outside didn't seem so intimidating.