The final day of the Autumn Festival had arrived. The energy on campus was buzzing—performances, competitions, confessions, and fireworks were all lined up to close out the event. Everyone wanted the day to be unforgettable.
Rika, however, hadn't even left her room yet.
---
The Quiet Before
Naoto sat on the porch steps of the Hayato mansion, sipping a cup of tea, dressed casually. He glanced at his phone: no messages. Not even from the usual sender.
He thought about Rika—how she hadn't said a word since yesterday.
He didn't like silence. Not from her. Not anymore.
---
A Hesitant Start
By noon, Rika finally came downstairs. She was wearing a soft pink yukata with plum blossoms embroidered near the hem.
Naoto looked up.
She looked… different. Calmer. Quieter.
"You're staring," she muttered, eyes avoiding his.
"You're late," he replied, standing up. "Everyone's probably waiting for you."
"I didn't ask for a reminder."
"…You look good."
Rika blinked.
He turned toward the car before she could say anything.
"Let's just go before I regret putting this on."
---
The Stage and the Storm
As they reached school, a small crowd had already gathered for the evening stage performances. Students from all grades were prepping with instruments, mics, and costumes.
Rika's friends ran over.
"You're doing it, right?" one asked.
Rika blinked. "Doing what?"
"The song performance! You signed up yesterday, remember?"
Her face froze. "I was joking."
"You're on the list! Come on, Rika—this is your moment!"
Naoto watched from a distance. He could already tell—Rika hated being pushed into something she didn't control.
Later, she found him standing by a lantern-lit booth.
"They want me to sing."
He sipped his soda. "Then sing."
"I'm not in the mood."
He shrugged. "Then don't."
"…You're not going to give me some motivational speech?"
"No. Because you hate those."
Rika looked at him longer than usual.
Then she whispered, "Will you stay if I go on stage?"
He blinked. "You're asking?"
"Just answer."
"…Yeah. I'll stay."
---
The Song
Rika stepped on stage. The crowd quieted. A soft spotlight hit her.
She held the mic like it was heavier than it was. Her eyes briefly scanned the students—then found Naoto near the back.
She started singing.
It was a bittersweet ballad. A song about unspoken feelings and pretending to be okay when everything inside hurts.
Every word felt like a confession—though no one knew to whom.
Naoto listened in silence.
She wasn't perfect. But she was real.
And for the first time, he saw the Rika no one else ever did.
---
The Collapse
After the performance, Rika stepped offstage and stumbled.
Naoto was the first to catch her.
"You're burning up," he said, touching her forehead.
"I'm fine…"
"No, you're not."
He carried her to the school nurse's room, ignoring the stares.
She hated looking weak. But right then—she didn't resist.
---
Later That Night
Rika rested in the infirmary, half-asleep. Naoto sat nearby.
She opened her eyes slightly. "Did you like the song?"
He nodded.
She whispered something so quietly, he almost missed it.
"…It was about someone I can't talk to."
Naoto didn't ask who.
He just said, "Sometimes… silence says enough."
---
Unknown Still Watches
Meanwhile, back in the mansion, Naoto's phone buzzed again.
> [Unknown]: "She's getting closer to you."
> Naoto: "It's not like that."
> [Unknown]: "It's always like that. Until it's not."
He didn't reply.
But he stared at the message a long time.
---
[End of Chapter 16]