He stopped by the staircase, his eyes drifting to the second floor. For just a moment, a faint sadness flickered across his face.

Inside his head, a voice whispered—

"Minami…"

Souta stepped into his room, moved forward slowly, and sank into the reclining chair. Closing his eyes, he let himself drift into rest.

—

Souta's Childhood

Morning light spilled softly across the street. The air carried a faint chill.

A little boy walked slowly along the footpath, his schoolbag slung over one shoulder. Each step echoed in a light tap-tap against the ground.

Every few moments, he glanced over his shoulder—certain that someone was behind him.

And yet… whenever he turned, there was nothing but empty street.

Still, the uneasy feeling lingered. As if a shadow was moving just out of sight, always at his back.

Then, a gentle voice rang out. Bright, warm—like sunlight breaking through the cold.

"Minami!"

Souta stopped, annoyed. He turned sharply.

"Why are you always following me from behind, Airi?"

Airi Fujikawa stood there, waving cheerfully. The breeze lifted strands of her hair as her eyes sparkled.

"Because… I like walking behind you."

Souta frowned.

"stop calling me Minami! My name is Souta!"

Airi tilted her head, lips curling playfully.

"I'll always call you Minami."

"Tch…" Souta turned away, pouting.

"Talking to you is useless."

But Airi just watched him, smiling softly—like she already knew what he'd say.

---

Afternoon kindergarten.

Souta sat with his friends—Kaito, Riku, and Toma—on a playground bench.

The air buzzed with the laughter of other children playing nearby.

Kaito leaned forward, eyes gleaming.

"Souta, are you enjoying martial arts now?"

Souta straightened his back proudly.

"Yeah! I love fighting. I'll keep training until I become the best fighter!"

Riku smirked.

"Ohhh, so a fighter… and a lover too?"

Toma chuckled, piling on.

"Yeah yeah, but the moment Airi shows up—he melts like a candle."

Souta's face flushed. He snapped,

"I don't melt because of her!"

As if on cue, a familiar teasing voice came from behind.

"Minami… "Who is it that makes you melt?"

They all turned. Airi stood there, hands behind her back, smiling slyly.

Souta panicked, looking away.

"N-Nothing! Just go already!"

Airi giggled softly.

"Minami's so private these days…"

Toma, Riku, and Kaito burst into laughter.

"Yep, that's true!"

Airi skipped off, her hair bouncing with each step.

Riku leaned toward Souta.

"You're scared of Airi already… what'll you do when you marry her?"

Toma added,

"You'll end up as her servant!"

Kaito clapped his hands, grinning.

"Her loyal puppy!"

Souta's face burned red, a mix of rage and embarrassment.

"You guys are dead!"

He chased after them across the playground, their laughter echoing in the air.

---

The next morning—Sunday.

Airi woke up early, dressed neatly in a white dress with a small hairpin. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Mom! I'm going to Minami's house!"

Her mother smiled.

"Alright, dear. Don't bother them too much."

At Souta's house, the doorbell rang.

His mother opened the door, surprised.

"Airi? This early? Souta's still asleep."

Airi's lips curved with a mischievous smile.

"That's fine. I'll wake him up."

She slipped upstairs quietly, opened his door, and suddenly shouted at the top of her lungs—

"MINAMI!!"

Souta jolted upright, hair a mess, eyes half-shut.

"AAHH!.... Y-You?! What are you doing here?!"

Hands on her hips, Airi grinned.

"Temple trip. Let's go!"

Souta groaned, flopping back onto his pillow.

"No way. Too many stairs. I'll get tired."

Airi puffed her cheeks, turning her face away.

"Hmph!"

Souta caught her expression—and couldn't help a tiny smile.

"…Fine. I'll come. Just let me get ready."

Airi's blush deepened. Her voice dropped into a soft whisper.

"Thanks… Minami."

Fresh and awake, Souta stepped out of his room.

On the staircase, Airi sat waiting—half-staring at the door, humming softly.

The moment Souta appeared, she brightened.

"come here."

Souta obeyed without question, sitting right beside her.

Airi carefully held out a small plate of breakfast.

"Here. Eat this first."

Without protest, Souta started eating right there, still a little groggy.

The sight made Airi's lips curl into a quiet smile.

---

Later, Souta stood near the front door, shoes on. Airi waited beside him, clutching her small bag.

"Mom!" Souta called out. "I'm going with Airi!"

"okay "

From the kitchen, his mother paused, a smile tugging at her lips.

"When I wake him up, he complains. But for Airi… he says yes without a word."

---

And with that, the two of them set off together.

The long staircase to the temple stretched out before them, glowing under the morning sun.

Souta wiped the sweat off his forehead, muttering,

"Airi… let's go back. These stairs are way too many."

Airi blinked, tilting her head. Her tone playful.

"Scared?"

Souta straightened immediately, puffing his chest.

"No! I never get scared."

"then let's go "

The two began climbing.

Step after step, the morning sun burned brighter.

Thirty minutes later, Souta stopped, panting hard.

He bent forward, hands on his knees.

"Ughh… I'm… exhausted. Let's take a break."

Airi giggled softly. From her bag, she pulled out a small water bottle.

"Here. Drink."

Souta gratefully accepted the bottle, wiping the sweat from his brow. His breath came in heavy pulls, chest rising and falling as the summer heat pressed down on him.

Airi climbed one more step above him, then sat gracefully, her skirt brushing lightly against the stone. She glanced at him once, then without saying a word… leaned her head gently onto his shoulder.

"…Minami." Her voice was soft, almost drowsy, like the whisper of a breeze.

Souta's eyes flickered sideways. "Hm?"

"I'm… going to sleep," she murmured.

Her lashes lowered, her eyes fluttering shut as a faint smile touched her lips. A delicate blush spread across her cheeks, glowing faintly in the warm sunlight.

For a moment, Souta froze. His body stiffened, unsure of what to do. Then his heart began to pound—louder, heavier than even the endless cicadas singing around them.

He let out a slow, quiet breath, forcing his shoulders to relax. "…Alright," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "We'll keep climbing later."

"Mm… okay," Airi answered softly, her words fading into the rhythm of sleep.

Within moments, her breathing grew steady. Souta sat still, her warmth resting against him. The world felt distant—the endless trees, the heat, the noise. All he could feel was her presence.

And somehow, in that fleeting silence, Souta realized… this moment was far heavier than the climb itself.

---

By the time they reached the top, both were out of breath.

But the view stole it away all over again.

The temple gates stood tall, glowing in the golden morning light. Bells chimed faintly in the breeze.

Together, they stood before the shrine.

Hands pressed together, eyes closed in silent prayer.

The air was cool. The wind carried the sound of rustling leaves and distant chanting.

Souta opened his eyes for a moment, glancing at Airi.

Her expression was peaceful, bathed in sunlight.

"…This girl. She always follows me. Sometimes she's irritating… but without her, something feels missing."

---episode 9 end---