The door opened, but it wasn't Sakura who had answered.

"Hello, how can I help you?"

The woman standing before me had some of Sakura's features, but looked a little old to be a sibling. I recalled some of the photos I had seen the last time I was over, and realized this must be her mother.

"I'm a friend of Sakura's, I was hoping to see her. Is she still here?"

I waited, hoping and praying that I wasn't too late. But her mother smiled.

"She's still here, she's currently getting ready to go out. Would you like to come inside?"

I nodded, unable to say anything as I was afraid I would lose it, being so close to finally saving her. I followed her into the house, and stepped into the dining room.

"Would you like to have some tea while you wait?"

Sakura's mom asked as she pointed me to a seat at the table.

"No, but thanks for the offer."

She smiled, and sat across from me.

"I don't think we've met before, I'm her mother."

I introduced myself, and she smiled.

"I can see why you two are friends, I take it that it was only recently that you became close. Am I correct?"

I nodded, shocked that she had figured out the timeline of our relationship so quickly.

"She's always been an upbeat girl, but the past few months I had noticed that she was a lot happier than usual. Thank you for being a good friend to her."

She looked happy as she spoke, though I could tell that she seemed sad at the same time.”

"She's been a great friend, I couldn't ask for anyone better."

I hesitated, but continued on.

"Ma'am, this may be out of place for me to say, but I know about what Sakura is dealing with. I've known for a while, but I'm the only one at school that knows the truth."

She looked stunned.

"So you know about why she was really at the hospital then?"

I nodded. Tears began to fall down her face.

"Thank you for being there for her, you may not realize it but you've truly done so much for her. Thank you for making her life a little brighter."

She got up from the table, and I could hear her in the kitchen crying. I felt a little uncomfortable, I didn't want to make her mom cry. But before long she returned.

"I'm sorry for that, I truly am happy she has someone like you in her life."

I shook my head.

"I should be the happy one, without her I would have been a very different person."

She smiled at that, but no more tears fell.

"She has a way with people, I'm so proud of her."

She stood up from the table once again, this time heading towards the staircase.

"I'll let her know that she has someone here to see her."

I looked around the room as I waited, noticing all the photos scattered around. The last visit I had spent most of my time in her room, so I never had a chance to see how the rest of the house looked. I noticed that she had an older brother from the pictures, though she had never talked about him before.

Before long, I could hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. I looked over, expecting to see Sakura's mom coming back down. Instead, I saw the same surprise mirrored in Sakura’s face that I imagined was on mine.

"I don't think our date was supposed to start here."

She said with a growing smile.

I had so many things I wanted to say, but I found myself speechless. I pinched myself, testing to see that this wasn't just another dream. But no, Sakura was really standing there, and I rubbed my arm as I stood up from the table.

"Were you just so eager to see me that you came all the way here? I'm sure this would cause quite the scandal."

She smiled teasingly, and came down the stairs. She was wearing the same outfit I had seen from that terrible day, and I quickly tried to forget that memory before it caused me to lose momentum.

"It probably would, but I wouldn't have come if it wasn't important."

Her face had a look of surprise, before slightly blushing.

"That sounds rather mysterious, and a little embarrassing."

She sat at the table, in the same spot where her mother had sat before.

My poker face must have slipped, and she was quick enough to notice.

"Hey, what's wrong? You don't seem like your usual self?"

If anyone could have caught on that fast, it was her. I took a deep breath in, the last calm before the storm that I was about to unleash.

"There's some things I have to say… and it may sound crazy but please just listen to what I have to say first. Afterwards, if you want to call me crazy, you can."

She tilted her head, thinking.

"I could think of a lot of things to call you, but crazy would never be one of them."

I prepared myself for her reaction, and finally said the words I had been dreading from the moment I saw her come down the stairs.

"Please don't leave the house today. If you go to that date with the other me, you… you’ll die."

The stunned look on her face made it clear that I had her attention, and I was ready for her to freak out and run away like I had seen before in my dream. But instead, she stayed seated, though still shocked.

"E-Eh? What? Other you? I'll die? If this is some kind of joke, it's not very funny you know."

I shook my head.

"I wish it was a joke, but I'm serious."

I paused, finding the courage to keep going. Before I could continue, she got up from the table. I feared that it would be a repeat of that vision, merely a delayed reaction before everything went downhill.

Instead she stood up and sat next to me beside the table, placing her hand on mine.

"I don't understand, so please try to help me understand."

The warmth of her hand touched the frozen tundra of my soul that I had endured these past few days.

"I've experienced today five times now. The first time, I waited at the cafe for you but you never make it because..."

I trailed off, unable to bring myself to tell her she had died.

"I die?"

She picked up the slack, squeezing my hand gently in a comforting manner. I nodded, unable to look her in the eyes as I confirmed it.

"I ended up splitting up into two, for lack of a better term, and the other me goes about the day as usual with no knowledge that the day is repeating."

I thought back to all the talks with Rio, about the syndrome and what was happening.

"There's someone who could explain things a lot better than me, but that's the basics."

She leaned back, but her hand never left mine. She gave a small smile though.

"It sounds like you made some new friends, great job."

I was taken aback, still sure that things would blow up and end badly.

"B-But what about everything I said so far? Doesn't it sound insane? Don't you think I've gone mad or something?"

She laughed.

"Of course you are. You'd have to put up with me and everything I've put you through all this time. But do I think you're crazy for what you're saying?"

She paused for a moment, thinking it over.

"No. I think I know you well enough by now. You wouldn't lie to me about something like this, as crazy as it sounds."

She squeezed my hand once again, before letting go. A worry flashed through my mind, that maybe she was just trying to get me to relax before she running away. But instead, she leaned over and hugged me.

"I don't understand everything, and I think we need to have a longer discussion about this. But if it's all true, and you've suffered so much for me, how could I be anything except happy?"

My walls finally crumbled, and as we hugged the tears began to flow.

"I… I'm so happy you're safe Sakura."

Her grip on me tightened, and I realized it was the first time I had ever called her by her name. I was glad we were still hugging, so she couldn't see how red my face had turned.

Meanwhile outside, Sakuta was explaining his stories of his past to Kyoko who was absolutely stunned that how much this guy had gone through these weird situation countless times.

“…then what did you say to her?”

Sakuta grinned and replied.

“I said I’d want her to sandwich me with her thighs… especially my face.”

Kyoko took a few steps back and had a disgusted face.

“Eww! N-no frickin way you said that… What are you? A Rascal or something?!”

Sakuta gave a wide smirk at that remark.

“Well, she was in Mai-san’s body anyway.”

“But still! And here I always thought that Haruki was the weirdest one…”

Kyoko sighed. Sakuta then reminded her.

“By the way, you should go check up on them.”

Kyoko remarked.

“I guess you’re right. It’s almost an hour since he went inside.”

Kyoko then passed the gate and rang the door bell.

Ding-Dong.

Sakura loosened up from the hug, and I quickly wiped my eyes before she could notice. I wasn't quick enough, as she handed me a tissue before standing up.

"I should probably see who that is, since mom is in the kitchen."

Before she turned away, I could see a big smile on her face.

Relieved that she wasn't running away from me, I got up and followed her, staying a little behind to give her some privacy. She opened the door, and raised her arms up in excitement.

"Kyoko, you came too!"

She quickly turned to me, but I shook my head.

"It's okay, I'm not running away today. He told me almost everything."

"If he didn’t, I'd just have a reason to be mad."

Kyoko retorted, but there was no malice behind her words like usual. She came inside, being enveloped in a hug from Sakura.

"What brings you here? I didn't skip out on plans we made, did I?"

But Kyoko never responded, simply holding Sakura close in joy.

I went downstairs and watched from the stairs, smiling and not wanting to interfere with the moment. Before long, the two of them joined me inside, Sakura once again sitting next to me.

"So you two are finally getting along now? I'm so happy!"

Sakura had a big smile on her face, finally seeing the two of us not at odds with each other.

"It's… complicated."

Kyoko simply said, giving me a look as though wondering how much I told Sakura.

"She ended up in a similar situation like me, and without her, today might not have even happened."

Kyoko blushed, perhaps not used to our changed relationship.

"A-anyway, what did he tell you so far?"

Sakura quickly recounted what I had told her, and Kyoko gave me a quick scowl.

"Well, I guess the basics are good enough for now. But what he said is true, believe it or not."

She gestured for me to take the lead. As much as it probably pained her to do so, at the end of the day I had a lot more experience in this situation compared to her.

Sakura looked over to me, questions clearly on her mind but saving them for later. I then said.

"I'm sure it's all a shock, but it's best if you just stay here today. You and Kyoko can spend some time together and then tomorrow we can go out."

She gave me a warm hug by wrapping her hands around my back and head.

"Well I was really excited to go out today, but it has been a while since Kyoko and I got to spend quality time together. But you better hold up your end of the promise then."

I couldn't look towards Kyoko, I'm sure the look on her face would have scared me off from being this close to Sakura.

Sakura let go of me except my palm and looked at Kyoko instead, and laughed.

"Oh come on! Don't make that face. Would you mind going up to my room? I want to talk with him a little longer first."

I still couldn't face Kyoko, so I didn't know what kind of look she gave Sakura. But she sighed, and went upstairs.

"Okay Sakura, just don't keep me waiting too long."

Sakura gave her a happy wave, and soon it was just the two of us in the room. I became increasingly aware of our hands touching, and felt a little nervous. It was the first time I'd ever really held someone's hand, and it being Sakura made me even more nervous.

She looked back to me, smiling.

"I didn't want to make her upset, though it does seem like you two are getting along a bit better now."

I could feel my face turning red, out of all the outcomes I had imagined, being praised and holding her hand was nowhere near the top of that list.

"Is this another item on your list?"

I squeezed her hand lightly to give an indication to what I was asking. She shook her head.

"Maybe I just wanted to hold your hand, so I can keep feeling your warmth."

She squeezed my hand back, and we simply sat there in the moment for a bit.

"Sorry, don't mind me."

Her mom had come back down, heading towards the kitchen. I was a bit embarrassed, but Sakura still didn't let go of my hand. Her mom just far enough that she wouldn't hear us talking, but Sakura still kept to a whisper.

"Thank you for coming today. I was so happy to be out of the hospital, to finally be free to go out again, to see you again. I really don't understand everything, but I know enough to appreciate what you've done."

She pulled me in for a hug once more, her words becoming softer that I almost missed what she said next.

"Does this mean you still want to eat my pancreas?"

I couldn't find the words to speak, she had read the text. I simply smiled back, and she drew me in even tighter.

"I don't want to keep Kyoko waiting too long in case she decides to come back down, but I think we should have a talk tomorrow."

She held on for a few more seconds, before letting go of me. I could see a single tear rolling down her cheek, and without even thinking I reached out and wiped it away for her.

"You should be more careful, that could be considered very scandalous."

There was no bite behind her words, the smile and blush of her cheeks saying more than her few words could.

We both stood up, and she walked me to the door.

"I promise to explain everything, but for today just have fun with Kyoko. And if you wanted, there's some people who are interested in meeting you."

She smiled.

"The new friends of yours, I'm assuming?"

I nodded.

"Without them, I don't think I'd be standing here in front of you right now. They've been a big help to me. One of them also came with me and Kyoko today. Wait, let me introduce you to him."

I called out to Sakuta who was leaning against a wall nearby outside the house. He noticed us and then looked at Sakura.

“Let me guess. You’re the one we've heard so much about. I'm Sakuta Azusagawa, it's nice to finally meet you."

Sakura blushed, still curious about what exactly I had said.

"I hope it was all good things, I'm Sakura Yamauchi. Thank you for taking care of him, it means a lot to me."

Sakuta looked down, now noticing our hands clasped together and gave a gentle smile.

"Of course. I'm glad things worked out. Or I can see they worked out rather well."

Sakura and I both blushed, but I nodded.

“I guess its time to go back in Fujisawa.”

She pulled me in for one last hug, this one feeling different from the rest. I could feel her shaking slightly, I tried to pull away to look at her face, but she held me without any slack.

"Thank you, for everything."

We didn't say anything else to each other, simply staying in that moment, as though we were afraid that by letting go everything would change.

After what felt like an eternity in heaven, we let go of each other. I promised to talk to her tomorrow, letting her know about my phone situation.