The noise of the classroom around him disappeared.

All he could hear were the beats of his own heart.

Sora Kanzaki...

His childhood friend.

The boy sitting next to him was still looking at him with that same little smile. Gentle. A little sad.

Hiro's throat tightened.

The memories began to come back, one by one.

Two children sitting on swings beneath the evening sky.

A small hand reaching out toward him.

A cheerful voice saying:

"We'll always be friends, Hiro."

How could he have forgotten that?

The bell rang.

Hiro flinched. His heart tightened even more when he saw Sora stand up with him.

They left the classroom together. As they walked down the hallway, Hiro could feel his heart beating hard in his chest. He looked at the sky through the windows, completely lost in thought.

Suddenly, Sora grabbed his arm tightly.

Sora: Hiro! It's been so long! I've missed you so much all these years!

Hiro: Let go... you're hurting me...

Sora tightened his grip slightly and began talking excitedly about their old memories. Moments from their childhood... and even about his parents.

Hiro's body gradually went numb. He held his arm against his chest. His legs trembled slightly.

Sora: Hey, Hiro... are you okay? he asked, looking at him with concern.

Hiro: Y-Yeah... I'm fine...

Hiro forced himself to keep walking despite his weak legs.

The afternoon sun cast their shadows across the hallway floor.

Sora stared at him for a moment before asking more softly:

Sora: You still have it...?

Hiro lowered his head slightly.

Hiro: Yeah...

Sora didn't press him any further. Instead, a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

Sora: So... what are you looking at on your phone these days? Did you get yourself a girlfriend or something?

Hiro's face immediately turned red. His heart began beating even faster.

Hiro: N-Nothing! What are you imagining?!

Sora: Oh? So you really did get a girlfriend? And you've even got a date? What girl managed to break that heart of stone?

At that moment, Hiro's brain seemed to completely freeze.

He had forgotten.

Waguri.

He was supposed to meet her.