Hiro’s heart was still beating fast.Waguri stood in front of him with her arms crossed. She was waiting for an answer. The wind gently moved her dark hair.— That guy earlier… who was he? she asked again.Hiro scratched the back of his neck. He felt nervous. His fingers were a little cold.— He’s an old friend, he said after a few seconds. From when we were kids.Waguri raised an eyebrow.— An old friend? she repeated. You two looked pretty close for people who haven’t seen each other in years.Hiro didn’t know what to say. A short silence fell between them. He could hear the sound of cars far away.Waguri looked to the side and tightened her arms a little more.— Hmph. It’s not like I care or anything, she muttered. I was just asking.Even though she said that, her cheeks were slightly red. She quickly turned her face away, as if she didn’t want him to notice.Hiro felt a bit relieved, but also tense. He still remembered Sora’s smile from earlier. Now he was standing here with Waguri, and the atmosphere felt completely different.— I didn’t mean to be late, he said.Waguri looked at him again. Her expression softened just a little, even if she tried to hide it.— Next time, just tell me if something happens, she said. Then her voice became quieter. …I don’t like waiting alone.After saying those words, she looked away once more. It seemed like she regretted being honest.Hiro felt something strange in his chest. Not painful. Just strange and warm.— Okay, he answered softly. I’ll remember.Waguri nodded without looking at him. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The air around them was calm. Only the light sound of the wind filled the silence.Then she adjusted the strap of her bag.— Well… since you’re finally here, we should go, she said. Or are you going to keep standing there like an idiot?Hiro almost smiled.— Yeah… let’s go.They started walking side by side. Not too close, but not far either.At first, Waguri kept her eyes on the path in front of her. She didn’t say anything. Hiro also stayed quiet. He didn’t want to ruin the moment.After a short while, Waguri spoke again without looking at him.— So… how long has it been since you last saw him?Hiro thought for a moment.— A long time. I almost forgot about him.Waguri glanced at him quickly, then looked away again.— You didn’t look like someone who forgot, she said in a low voice.Hiro didn’t answer right away. He didn’t really know how to explain it.They kept walking. The sky was starting to change color a little as the evening approached. The street was quieter than during the day.After another silence, Waguri spoke once more, her tone softer than before.— You don’t have to tell me everything if you don’t want to.Hiro turned his head slightly toward her.She was still looking forward, but her expression was less sharp than earlier.— It’s fine, he said. It’s just… complicated.Waguri gave a small hum as an answer.They continued walking together. From time to time, she glanced at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. And each time, she quickly turned her eyes away.Hiro noticed it, but he pretended not to.Little by little, the heavy feeling that had been in his chest since he met Sora started to become lighter.Walking next to Waguri felt different.

Calmer.

And a little warmer.