I woke up in my bed again.

For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to understand what was real and what wasn’t.

But the memory of last night…

It wasn’t a dream.

She was there.

In the café.

Tsukiko.

Alive.

I wanted to talk to her.

I wanted to ask her everything.

But I couldn’t even move toward her.

Fear, confusion, happiness — everything had tangled up inside me.

I rubbed my face, trying to reset my thoughts, but nothing changed.

The date.

The missing memories.

Her not being in my school.

Everything felt wrong.

But at least…

she was alive.

That was enough to keep my heart beating for now.

---

Getting ready for school felt strange.

The world looked the same, but without Tsukiko beside me… it was like half the colors were missing.

I walked to the school but it was not the same.

Rather it was my life without Tsukiko.

I slipped into my seat quietly as if I didn't existed.

This was my life before her.

Before she changed everything.

Before she turned my silent school life upside down in the best way possible.

I sat through class, but I wasn’t really there.

I wasn’t living — just breathing. 

I went to the roof but she was not there.

Lunch on the roof felt even quieter.

The wind.

My heartbeat.

The sky.

That was all.

And it reminded me of what my life would be if I hadn't met her.

Apparently this was the day I met her on the roof last time.

Bit this time...

Nothing new happened.

No miracle, no hint, no answer.

But now… at least I had something to look forward to.

The café.

Her.

Tsukiko.

---

I rushed home after school, changed faster than I ever had in my life, and ran to the café.

The warm smell of coffee and bread hit me instantly.

“Ah, you’re early, kid,” my boss said with a grin.

Mr. Arata— still in his thirties, energetic like he drank ten espressos every morning.

His wife, Mrs. Arata, usually kept him alive.

“Good. I like the enthusiasm.”

“Thanks,” I said, but my eyes were already scanning the shop.

Looking for her.

And then.

There she was.

Tsukiko walked in wearing the same café uniform as me.

The soft light of the shop lighting up her glasses.

Her ponytail swaying gently as she bowed to greet Mr. Arata.

Her eyes barely touched mine — a stranger’s glance.

Then she headed toward the staff room to put on her apron.

My gaze followed her without permission.

Desperately.

Lovingly.

Mr. Arata noticed.

“Well, well,” he smirked, elbowing me.

“Looks like someone has a crush.”

“W–what? No, that’s not—”

Before he could tease me more, a metal pan hit the back of his head with a loud CLANG.

“Stop teasing this poor boy,” Mrs. Arata scolded, glaring at him.

“And get to work.”

“Are you okay, sir?” I asked as he rubbed his head.

“Hah! Don’t worry, lad— we men don’t go down that easily from a single blow—”

Another CLANG.

He collapsed.

“…Okay, maybe two will do,” he muttered and fainted.

Mrs. Arata sighed and dragged him into the kitchen.

Her expression softened as she passed me.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. You focus on work. I’ll take care of this idiot.”

She smiled warmly before disappearing behind the door.

I smiled too, finally able to breathe again.

---

Work started.

Orders. Trays. Tables.

The buzz of customers.

But every now and then, my eyes drifted toward her.

And sometimes — not always, but enough — I caught her looking at me too.

Her head would snap away quickly, like a thief caught stealing.

Our eyes met more than once.

But both of us looked away immediately.

Wanting to look longer.

Unable to.

The day continued like that…

until closing time.

The café fell quiet.

The lights dimmed.

Only the soft glow from outside remained.

Tsukiko stood by the window, staring at the moon.

Her face looked gentle in the silver light.

I walked over slowly and stood beside her.

She tensed for a second—

then relaxed.

We didn’t say anything.

Just stood shoulder to shoulder, looking at the same moon.

But to me…

She was my moon.

“Thanks again,” she whispered suddenly.

“For what?” I asked softly.

“For helping me yesterday… with the dog.”

She smiled shyly.

“You saved me from being late.”

“Oh. Yeah. You’re welcome.”

She looked at me again, her eyes warm but nervous.

Then she looked away, as if hiding something behind her lashes.

I hesitated… but asked anyway:

“Do you… go to the same school as me?”

She blinked, surprised.

“No. I go to the girls’ school nearby.”

A girls-only school.

Different from last time.

What does that mean?

Why did it change?

How is this happening?

As thoughts swarmed in my head, I noticed her staring at my face.

Her cheeks turned red when I looked back at her.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

She shook her head quickly.

“N-no… it’s just your hair…”

I froze.

My hair?

Did it look bad?

Even my teacher yelled at me today for having such long hair.

She whispered softly:

“Your hair… looks really pretty.”

I blinked.

“What?”

Her face turned pink as she looked down.

“Um… can I… touch it?”

My heart skipped.

Tsukiko wants to touch my hair?

Then I looked at her shy, nervous eyes and faintly pink cheeks.

I lowered my head toward her gently.

“You can.”

Her fingers touched my hair, slow and soft.

A warm, unfamiliar sensation ran through my whole body.

Relaxing.

Comforting.

Perfect.

“They’re so silky…” she said happily, like a child touching something magical.

The moonlight washed over us through the window.

Her hand in my hair.

Her eyes gentle.

Is this the beginning of something beautiful for us again?

Or the beginning of something terrible?

I didn’t know.

But in that moment… under the silver moon, I didn't care about destiny. I only cared about the warmth of her hand, the softness of her touch, and the fragile, beautiful hope blossoming in my chest.

---