"How did you find even me?"

I had so many questions but before I could ask any more, she held up a hand.

"No! I'm the one that has questions to ask. We're going to have some discussion, and you're going to tell me everything."

We found a park close to the apartment building, Sakuta was wandering around to give the two of us privacy so we could talk. He had offered to stay but I didn't want to make her feel as though we were ganging up on her. She seemed to be in a delicate state currently, I was hoping to avoid tipping the scales in a negative direction.

I could feel her eyes staring through me from across the table that we were sitting at, but found the courage to speak first.

I felt that if she had the opening words here, it would not be a pretty sight.

"How did you know I was in Fujisawa?"

I had so many questions running through my mind, but I had to start somewhere.

"I was following you since yesterday afternoon. After leaving the hospital, I saw you come in here so I knew if I waited eventually you'd come back out. And for some reason, I could see what you’re doing if I close my eyes."

She let out a small sneeze.

"That explains how I could also sense and see what you were doing since last night. And the way you got to know about Sakura’s news on TV. Did you wait outside all night?"

She was still wearing the same clothes I had seen her in the night before, with just a small bag which most likely contained her wallet, and whatever else girls carried with them on a daily basis. She nodded, then corrected herself.

"I found a 24/7 cafe, and I couldn't go back home. Not after the news..."

She trailed off, tears forming in her eyes again.

"What is going on? Why is it that last night Sakura was dead and this morning I got a good morning text from her?!"

I froze. So she was aware of what happened, but how? No one else had ever reacted to the day repeating itself, what had changed?

"Did you sleep at all?"

She let out a sad laugh.

"Does it look like I did?"

“Well that also explains why you still remember yesterday’s events…”

Her bloodshot eyes looked at me, and then through me again.

"Sakura died, but yet somehow she's alive. But you don't seem surprised at all. I want answers! NOW!!!"

Her emotions came through at the end, her frustration and pain evident in her voice.

I sighed. Of all the people I expected to explain things to, she was the last one.

"I don't quite understand how it all happened, but I've lived through today multiple times now. Each day, I've been the only one aware of it… until now."

She was silent, questions on her mind but waiting for my explanation to finish first.

"I was told it has something to do with adolescence syndrome, otherwise this wouldn't be happening. The reason I went to the hospital yesterday was to try and save Sakura from..."

I cut off, unable to say it. Kyoko nodded, perhaps thankful to not be reminded.

"I'm not sure how you managed to be stuck too, maybe because you never slept or maybe because of how powerful your emotions were after you found out."

She looked surprised at that.

"What are you saying, you care that much about her that you got yourself stuck in today? And you say you guys are just friends who get along well, or before that nothing at all. What exactly is she to you?"

I thought back to the time I had spent with Sakura, the lows as well as the highs.

"I'm not sure I can put it into words. We're not lovers, and we're not dating. But I don't think we have something so simple that we can be considered just friends."

"It's like, finding a light on a dark path that illuminates a world that you never knew was there before. Without her, I'd have no one I could consider as a friend. But I can't imagine my life without her in it anymore, she helped me change from who I was to who I am now, even if she would try to say it was my choice all along and she had nothing to do with it."

I looked to Kyoko, and saw tears in her eyes threatening to fall down.

"I... I really wanted a very strong reason to hate you."

She let out, almost sounding ashamed in herself.

"I've known her for years, I've been by her side through countless struggles. I didn't want to see her get hurt by you, when she's already gone through so much."

"I was ready for the day where she would tell me about something bad that you did, but it never came. I hoped for it, desperately waiting for a reason to get you out of her life."

She lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

I was stunned. Here was the one person, besides my encounter with Sakura's ex, Takahiro, who from the start had fought against me and Sakura hanging out together. Sakura had always said that she wanted me and Kyoko to get along, and I had resigned myself to one day being tolerated by Kyoko, if anything.

"You have nothing to apologize before, you were just looking out for her. I understand. But at this point, there are bigger things than our relationship with each other to worry about."

She immediately turned red, but then under what I was saying.

"You're right. I don't think I'm ready to let everything go just yet, but I'm willing to put everything aside… for now."

It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I held out my hand.

"I know we have had our differences, but please help me save her."

She hesitated for a moment, before reaching out and taking my hand.

"I hope you have a plan in mind then."

I called over Sakuta, and nodded.

"We were actually on our way to put something in motion, before you stopped us outside the building. But with you, I think the plan might get a much better chance of succeeding."

Sakuta made his way over to the bench, standing next to me.

"I'm Sakuta Azusagawa by the way. Azusagawa from ‘Azusagawa Service Area’ and Sakuta from “Hanasaku Tarou”. Nice to meet you."

I giggled a bit. He held out his hand, and Kyoko shook it with a weird expression looking at him.

"I'm Kyoko Takimoto… e-even though I have zero ideas about how to describe my name like yours though. Also, sorry for the sudden appearance this morning and yesterday"

She looked back to me.

"So what's this plan of yours?"

I briefly caught her up on everything relevant while going towards the station and our way towards Takaoka, including some of the theories that Rio had. Then a thought came to mind.

"So if you never slept last night, then there won't be a second you running around."

Kyoko looked a bit confused, but nodded.

"No, I couldn't sleep. I drank a lot of coffee and energy drinks, that and the pain did the trick."

She gave a small sad smile.

"So why didn’t you pick me? I'm aware we had our differences, but I would do anything for Sakura!"

"Well I didn't know how to contact you since I never had your number, and I couldn't afford to go back to the hospital again to find you there. I was already too late before, I didn't want to be late again."

She nodded in agreement.

"I suppose that makes sense."

She got up from the bench, waiting for us to get the hint.

"Hey. I have an idea. Wouldn't it be better if I gave Miyata-kun a call then?”

I asked.

“You mean that classmate of ours who gives away gums to others?”

“Yeah. Just because you saw him there before on the way towards the café that day, you could end up getting towards Sakura’s home too early or too late and waste today as well."

She did have a point. Sakuta and I got up, and followed Kyoko.

She took out her phone and dialled Miyata’s number.

"Hey, it's Kyoko. I need a favor from you, can you meet me?"

"..."

"Okay, I can head to you then. I'll see you in a little bit."

She hung up the phone back up and turned to us.

"He has his brothers with him, so we'll have to go meet him. But luckily they aren't too far away from here."

She turned and started walking, and Sakuta and I fell in line behind her. Beside me, Sakuta nudged my arm and whispered.

"So I take it you guys managed to smooth things over for now?"

I nodded.

"Well for now she's focused on saving Sakura. Everything else can wait until after."

He mused that over.

"I'm sure Futaba would be very interested in hearing about this development, I'll have to give her an update once we meet up with this gum guy you mentioned."

Kyoko had looked back, but Sakuta and I had stayed quiet while talking.

"I hate to interrupt, but we're on the clock here. I won't accept any delays, you guys got it?"

We both nodded, not wanting to get any further on her bad side.

We finished the rest of the walk in silence, partially out of respect for not angering Kyoko and partially out of how much this morning had thrown us off balance. When we arrived at the meeting spot, the two younger brothers were nowhere to be found.

"Hey Kyoko, want some gum?"

He then did a quick double take.

"Oh, I wasn't aware you both became friends, though I don't recognize the other guy. Do you guys want some gum too?"

Sakuta and Kyoko declined, but I accepted the offer. I didn't have a reason to turn him down anymore, and he was equally surprised but happy to finally give me a piece.

“Hey… didn’t you had a date with Sakura today? I just saw you pass by few minutes ago… but you had different clothes on.”

He looked confused. Then he turned to Kyoko.

"Also, you said that you needed a favor, what can I do to help?"

Kyoko and I looked at each other, and she nodded for me to speak first.

"I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I need your help. It's for Sakura."

He raised his eyebrow, but smiled.

"Sure man, what can I do? I guess this means you're finally admitting to being friends with her then, I'm glad."

I was a bit taken aback by his sudden acceptance, but Kyoko took over for me.

"This may sound crazy, but if nothing is done then something bad will happen to her. We need your help to stop that from happening. You need to call her"

He mused it over, looking more confused.

"I don't really get it, but if you need my help then how I can say no."

He thought things over, and nodded.

"Say Kyoko, why don't you give her a call?"

I had thought about mentioning that, but gum boy managed to get the jump on me. She pulled out her phone, showing him the dead phone.

"Oh, well my phone’s dead actually"

She lied as she didn’t want to waste more time on explaining whatever we’re all going through. I think she also won’t be able to contact her because of the syndrome that Rio explained with the Flipping magnets theory. He pulled his phone out and handed it to her.

She hesitated for a moment, before taking the phone and dialling the number.

"Wait."

Before she could press the dial button, I had a sudden thought.

"I think it's better if he talks to her. You might not be able to speak to her, because of our situation going on."

He looked confused again, but Kyoko and Sakuta nodded and handed him the phone.

"I don't really get any of this, but if I have to talk to her for you guys then I'll do it."

He pressed the button and waited for her to pick up.

"Hey Sakura, sorry to bother you. I'm here with Kyoko and your friend with another stranger with them, do you have a minute?"

I found myself holding my breath, afraid I might jinx the moment if I made a noise.

"..."

"You're getting ready to go out?"

My eyes opened wide, and I shook my hands to get his attention and shushed.

"You have to tell her not to go out, whatever it takes."

He seemed confused, but relayed the message.

"..."

"Sorry they can't come to the phone right now, but they said it's very important that you don't leave yet."

"..."

"Okay I'll let them know."

He hung up the phone, and put it back into his pocket.

"She said she was getting ready to come meet you, are you sure you couldn't just wait to see her then?"

I shook my head.

"I wish I could explain everything right now, but it would take too long and would just be really confusing."

He shrugged.

"It's a little bit confusing now, but I'm sure you too have your reasons for doing this. She said she can wait for a little bit, so you can head over to her house and see her there."

He took out a piece of gum and stuck it in his mouth.

"Whatever is going on, I hope it works out for you guys."

He began to walk away, giving us a small wave. Kyoko ran up to him before he got away, giving him a hug that surprised both me and Sakuta. She came back, a little red in the face.

"Say anything to Sakura and you're dead."

Sakuta held his hands up in a mock surrender.

"I think we should get going, we don't know how long she'll wait."

Kyoko led the way, and I was grateful things had worked out this way. I realized I had no idea if he would even have Sakura's phone number, but fortune seemed to finally be smiling on me.

Kyoko took us through some back alleys, and I had a flashback to the first attempt I had made. Thankfully, this time things actually went in our favor, and before long we found ourselves at the intersection close to her house.

"Have you thought what you are going to say to her?"

I asked as we got closer to the house.

"I'm not going to the house, I don't think I can handle seeing her."

Kyoko’s response surprised me, and threw a wrench in my plans.

"I don't think it'll work if it's me, I've tried before but… Do you truly care about her?"

That shut me up. I looked to see Kyoko staring directly at me, something in her changed from before.

"Of course I do, I wouldn't be doing any of this if I didn't."

Sakuta then interrupted us.

 “Then I guess, I’ll wait outside the house with Kyoko. This is your chance, Haruki. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to call for us.”

She gave a small smile at his statement.

"Yes, I agree with Sakuta here. If you really care about her, you'll do whatever it takes. I'm not saying that I am giving you my blessing, but if Sakura wants you in her life, I just have to accept it no matter how I might feel about it."

She gave me a small push towards the front door.

"Why are you standing there for? She's waiting for you."

I started to apologize, but then remembered what Sakuta had told me.

"Thank you. I know we never had the best start, but I hope after this is all over, we could be friends one day."

She held up a hand.

"One thing at a time, okay? Deal with this, and maybe I'll think better about you."

Her words didn't cut as deep, thanks to the smile on her face. It felt like things were slowly falling into place.

The short walk to the front door felt like the longest walk in my life. Would this really work? What if Rio was right, and I really couldn't reach her? Before I spent too long debating with myself, I had reached the door. I hesitated, before reaching out and rang the doorbell.

“Here goes nothing…”

I thought to myself and gulped before the door opened.