Kato shifted a half-step to the side, not leaving, just giving us room. Enough space to say this is between you two. Sena's hand curled into a fist. Her shoulders tightened, the kind of tension that meant she hadn't decided yet whether to bolt or throw a punch.
"Sena, wait. Just—listen to me for a second." My voice came out rougher than I wanted. "I want to apologize. About what I said yesterday."
She didn't slow down. Didn't even turn her head. Her back stayed rigid, every line of her posture screaming no. "Not interested. Save your breath."
Kato watched from behind us, sympathy flickering across her face before settling into something closer to annoyance. She adjusted her glasses and shot me a look.
"Well?" she said. "What are you standing around for? Go after her."
Sena kept walking, but her steps lost their edge. Just a fraction. Barely noticeable—unless you were desperate enough to notice everything.
I left Kato behind and took off after her. By the time I caught sight of Sena again, she was already at the bridge—that bridge. The one from last night. The one we'd walked away from in opposite directions.
She stood there now, silhouetted against the fading orange of the sunset. Her back was still turned to me.
But this time, she wasn't walking away.
"Why are you following me?" Her voice carries a mix of irritation and something more vulnerable - a hint of curiosity beneath the defensive tone.
The wind catches her hair, making her seem smaller and more fragile than her usual tough persona. Yet she hasn't moved. She's waiting, despite her words.
I walked as fast as I could and finally could grab her hand on the bridge. This time, when she pushed me away and tried to slap me, I managed to parry, like I already prepare for it. "Sena, we need to stop like this."
Sena looks momentarily stunned that her slap was blocked. Her eyes flash with a mix of anger and something else - perhaps respect.
"Let. Go. Or I'll scream." Her voice is low, dangerous. But there's a tremor underneath, suggesting she's not as composed as she wants to appear. "What do you want from me?"
"I just want you to listen to me, that's all. You don't have to do anything, just pretend if you really don't want to. Whatever I said about you yesterday, I'm sorry. I was wrong."
Sena stops short. She tried hard to turn her heel as if turning the earth's axis, but gravity seemed irresistible. Finally, there, I could see her face. The face that made me feel so guilty that I couldn't sleep all night
"Why… Why should I believe you?"
The wind keeps cutting between us. She presses her lips together, then suddenly drags a sleeve across her face, rough and careless, As if disturbed by an insect that suddenly landed on her eye, making it wet.
"You think, one single apology would fix everything? Give me a break!" she says. "You said something very mean to me, in front of everyone, without the slightest hesitation. Do you know how that felt?"
"I didn't think," I say. It sounds weak even to me. "I never do. I just say things. Whatever comes out first. Regardless of whether it's good or bad, I just say what's on my mind." I scratch the back of my neck. "That's… kind of my thing. It's why people don't stick."
She lets out a breath through her nose. Not a laugh. Not quite.
"Zip it, Romi! My heart is already hurting too much right now." Then her eyes harden again. "You talked about me like I was the worst human ever. Is that what you do? Just say whatever you want and let other people bleed?"
"No." I shake my head. "That was me being an idiot. Not… me." I hesitate. "I hated myself the second it left my mouth. To be honest, I never like to hurt other people, it's just that I can't choose the words. If only I had a compass..."
She watches me, quiet now. Her hands curl into the sleeves of her jacket. The anger is still there, but it's mixed with something raw and exposed.
"That doesn't change anything. I'm still angry," she says. "And honestly, it's exhausting to hold back all these emotions."
"That's fine," I say quickly. "You should be. I'm not asking you to forgive me. Just don't erase me, okay?"
She blinks. "Erase you?"
"I take back everything I said yesterday. All of it. I was wrong. You're—" I wince. "You're annoying sometimes, yeah, but—"
"Oh my god! You're unbelievable. Did you actually just say that?"
"Please, let me finish my word."
She shakes her head, still smiling despite herself. Then the smile fades, slower this time. She crosses her arms, not aggressive, just holding herself together.
"That was the worst possible thing you could've said."
"Sena, look, yeah, you get on my nerves. But that doesn't mean I hate you. Actually, when you stop being annoying, it feels weird—like something's off. I kind of miss it, honestly. I miss the old you."
She stared down at the river, the moonlight pouring over the water. For a second, she just stood there at the edge, leaning on the bridge rail, lost in her own head.
I figured now was my shot, so I walked over, slow. She didn't even flinch, so I kept going.
"Please… don't cut me out of your life."
She didn't look at me. "I hear you," she said, voice flat. "But don't get carried away. We're not suddenly friends. What you said still stings."
"I get it. I'm not pretending it didn't hurt you," I said, taking a step back. "I just wanted you to know I meant it when I apologized." I glanced down the bridge, copy her. "I'll give you space. I won't bother you again—not today, not tomorrow, not until you're ready. I'll back off."
My chest felt tight as I turned to leave her standing there. Suddenly, she grabbed my sleeve.
"Wait."